Sad Cow Disease
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| | Difficulty:3B III (v3a2 III) Raps:2-3, max ↨100ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Wingate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 11 May 2026
"Time is car to car. The hike was beautiful, with lots of flowers. Highs in the mid 80s, no need for wetsuit. We enjoyed the narrow, dark section. Not |
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| Best season: | Spring; Fall
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37.7587, -111.2245
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Introduction
Sad Cow is a sweet little Wingate slot. Fun for intermediate canyoneers or better. In the narrow section after the two rappels and pool, there is an opportunity to high-stem up to 40ft at a secure width for about 100 feet or so, and could go X if continuing all the way to the large cavernous silo. This canyon has something for everyone. Beginners can be belayed down the downclimbs.
Approach
Park at the Little Death Hollow trailhead. Hike for about an hour to: 37 45 17 N 111 13 04 W Head up the slickrock. The climb up is a difficult 4th class scramble with some exposure. Be very careful about the route you choose, retreating down the slope would be difficult. Belay required for the inexperienced. Having a climber in your group is a good idea.
Make your way around the bare shelf of slickrock to the top of the canyon: 37 45 31 N 111 13 28 W. Please do not take the shortcut across the crypto.
Descent
1st Rappel: 70 feet from a chokestone, or 100 feet from a tree. To prevent rope grooves webbing should be extended from the chokestone, or a FiddleStick should be used. If using webbing, bring enoug to extend the anchor down to the shelf where the rappel goes vertical. This will prevent grooves and simplify the rope pull. Don't get sloppy on that rap station, that rappel is pristine and could be kept that way with a little effort and ingenuity.
2nd Rappel: 20 feet. Downclimbable by the highly skilled. Easily ghosted with a little thought. You will encounter couple of challenging chimneys and a long wet hallway, up to waist deep (possibly a swimmer at times). The hallway can be stemmed over by the strong and skilled. Bigger fellas (200 lbs+) will have a tough time in one narrow chimney.
Exit
Hike for 90 minutes back up Little Death Hollow to your car and exchange high-fives.
Expect a car-to-car time of about 6 hours for a small efficient group.
Red tape
This canyon is on public land so no permit is required.
Beta sites
Super Amazing Map : Sad Cow Disease- CanyonCollective.com : Sad Cow Disease
- BluuGnome.com : Sad Cow Disease Canyon
- RoadTripRyan.com : Sad Cow Disease Canyon
- StavIsLost.com : Sad Cow Disease Canyon
Trip reports and media
April 16th, 2013 : Sad Cow Disease