Pictograph Canyon
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Difficulty:3A II (v3a1 II) Raps:7-8, max ↨140ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:Optional Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | 17 Feb 2025
"Absolutely Killer day, super fun, really enjoyed the route. We went after light precipitation, I think the approach would be a lot less enjoyable and |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | Oct-April (avg for this region)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
37.2044, -113.6573
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
Waterflow
Nearby photos
Introduction
There are two main approaches/exits for this canyon which can be combined in a variety of ways. It is also possible to set up a car shuttle between the two primary trailheads.
Approach
Snow Canyon Approach
Park at the Sand Dunes Picnic Grounds. Hike north on the Whiptail Trail / West Canyon Road (the road likely won't be accessible to vehicles) for about a half mile until a sandy wash comes in on the west (right). There will be a two gullies in view, a wide and a narrow gully (north of the wide gully). Aim for the narrow gully. An apparent social trail near the base of this gully should make it easier to navigate. As you proceed up the (narrow) gully there will be a wall/saddle to the north. Look for a point to scramble up and over this dropping you into the Pictograph Canyon wash. From here work your way up canyon passing the another gully on your left. Soon you will reach a junction a large steep gully on the west (left) and the bottom of Pictograph Canyon on the north. This large gully is known as the Tuacahn Chimney and is the approach to the top (or exit for the Tuachan approach/exit). Near the top of the Tuacahn Chimney is a fin in the middle splitting the gully into two pathways. It is recommended to scramble up the south (Left Up Canyon) pathway untill a large cairn is encountered denoting the top of the chimney.
From this point begin route-finding your way to the first rappel making your way in a northerly direction while keeping Pictograph Canyon in view on you right. There is an area noted with black rocks that you want to aim for that is about midway from the top of the Tuacahn Chimney and the first rappel. To access the first rappel, you will walk/slide down a somewhat narrow shelf to the anchor.
Tuacahn Approach
This approach route starts at the Padre Canyon Trailhead. You may be able to park in the Tuacahn parking lot, or you may have to park further away and hike in. Either way you want to start out heading north on the Padre Canyon trail looking for a large boulder immediately on the west (left) side of the trail which marks the point where you leave the trail. From here a social trail heads east/northeast towards some fins or fingers of rock. Scramble up these, keeping to the middle fin. It is exposed on both sides, but not difficult. Once on top of the fins, there will be an obvious opening with boulders to scramble up. Keep making your way upward in the same direction untill you come to the top of a large steep gully dropping down towards the east. There should be a large cairn marking this spot. This is the top of what is known as the Tuacahn Chimney and will make part of the exit if returning this way.
From this point begin route-finding your way to the first rappel making your way in a northerly direction while keeping Pictograph Canyon in view on you right. There is an area noted with black rocks that you want to aim for that is about midway from the top of the Tuacahn Chimney and the first rappel. To access the first rappel, you will walk/slide down a somewhat narrow shelf to the anchor.
Descent
Once at the top of the approach the descent immediately starts with R1. The first four anchors come in quick succession and the canyon is somewhat open and wide--at least compared to the narrow section that follows. At the bottom of the fourth anchor the canyon has a bunch or scrub and boulders to navigate/downclimb on the way to the fifth anchor. From there the canyon slots up and drops somewhat untill opening back up and becoming brushy again around the seventh anchor. After the seventh anchor, if exiting towards Tuacahn you will proceed up the Tuacahn Chimney once the junction is reached. If exiting via Snow Canyon you will have the option to descend the final eighth anchor.
Rappels
R1: 100ft. Anchored with two bolts and webbing.
R2: 35ft. Anchored with a tree sling LDC.
R3: 35ft. Anchored with two bolts and webbing. Alternatively R3 and R4 can be combined into a two-stage rappel.
R4: 40ft. Anchored with two bolts and chain. Drops into a small, short narrow slot. (Alternatively R3 and R4 can be combined into a single two-stage rappel)
R5: 12ft. Anchored with two bolts and chain.
R6: 70ft. Anchored with two bolts and chain. Drops into a deep slot section. May be slippery as a tiny dripping spring and moss is present on the wall.
R7: 12ft. Anchored with two bolts and webbing.
R8 (Optional): 140ft. Anchored with two bolts and chain.
Exit
Snow Canyon Exit
After the seventh anchor the junction with the bottom of the Tuacahn Chimney gully will be reached. If exiting via Snow Canyon continue south down the drainage. From here you can reverse the scramble up and over the saddle (see the Snow Canyon Approach for details) or you can veer east (down canyon left) and descend the final eighth anchor. Either option will drop you into the same gully that will intersect with the West Canyon Road / Whiptail Trail and ultimately take you to the Sand Dunes Picnic Grounds parking area.
Tuachan Exit
After the seventh anchor the junction with the bottom of the Tuacahn Chimney gully will be reached. At this point climb/scramble up the Tuacahn chimney as if making an approach to the start of the canyon. Once the top is reached, which should be denoted by a large cairn, hike and scramble towards the bottom of Padre Canyon and the official trail. Once the trail is reached head south towards Tuacahn and the Padre Canyon Trailhead. (see the Tuacahn Approach for more details)
Red tape
Park Entrance Fee:
The actual slot is outside of Snow Canyon State Park, but if approaching or exiting via the Snow Canyon route (which is the standard approach and exit) then a park entrance fee is required. Information and entrance rates for Snow Canyon State Park entrance fees is available via the park website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/snow-canyon/park-fees/
Beta sites
-
voyout.com : Pictograph Canyon - Candition.com : Pictograph Canyon
