U-Turn Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v3a1 II) Raps:3, max ↨102ft
Red Tape:Permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 26 Jan 2025
"Very easy 1/2 day trip. Fiddled tree to reach boulder RDC as first timers were skeptical about downclimb. Rap ring directly under big boulder. After t |
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| Best season: | All year
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38.6244, -109.6041
38.6244, -109.5997
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
The Dirt is Alive!:
If you look closely, you can see a microscopic community of life in the soil. Dark, lumpy surfaces are mature biological soil crust: a mixture of cyanobacteria, mosses, lichens, fungi, and algae.
Young, living soil looks a lot like sand, and it needs to be left undisturbed for many years to mature and help plants grow. Just one footprint does years of damage.
Dark, mature soil crusts are the basis of life in this desert. One footprint destroys years of growth.
This remarkable soil community holds the sand together, absorbs moisture, produces critical nutrients for plants, and provides seed beds for new plants to take hold.
Please don’t walk on it. Stay on designated trails to protect living soil and plants.
An interesting, very short diversion of a canyon while spending time in Arches National Park. One of three great loops (U-turn, NOT Tierdrop, Tierdrop) right off the park avenue trail head in Arches NP. Low risk of flash flood, easy access with little exposure, and quick exit means you could do all three in one outing.
Approach[edit]
Up rock gully. Turn right at top. There are two domes that need to be passed to get to the start of the Drop. Stay LEFT around both domes. The first dome has no exposure. Second Dome must climb up Class 1 scramble then head LEFT around the dome with some exposure. Hand line may be beneficial.
- Tierdrop is the far left large opening,
- Not Tierdrop is in the middle after going left, it is hidden from view by the dome slopes in the middle and access by trail below going from the far left.
- U-turn is the only one that goes to the right along the ridge after ascending the gully.
Descent[edit]
Mostly BOLTED Rappels are 15'-102' depending on anchor location
- R1 ~15', Tree anchor at top, OR suitable Down climb
- R2 ~15', Single BOLT now located under rock RDC
- R3 ~50', Two bolts up around to the LDC on far LEFT WALL. Do not use rock anchor - SEE BELOW PICTURE
- R4 ~105', Two Bolts next to large rock center of canyon
Please avoid wrapping your rope around the obvious anchor at R3. Numerous parties have apparently been doing so which has led to severe and unsightly grooving. :(
At the bottom of the last pitch, please avoid the sand dunes. Follow the arrow installed by the NPS and skirt around walking on the rock.
Exit[edit]
At the bottom of the last pitch, please avoid the sand dunes. Follow the arrow installed by the NPS and skirt around walking on the rock. Continue following the bench around to the right enjoying the excellent views. You will soon find yourself just above the viewpoint near the parking lot.
Red Tape[edit]
Permits[edit]
A permit is required for any and all canyoneering within the boundaries of Arches National Park. Permits have group-size limits that varies depending on canyon or route. Permits cost $6 for a group and currently there is no quota limit, but that might change at some point in the future. A separate permit is required for each canyoneering route.
Permits must be obtained online through the link below and are available online 8:00AM MT one day in advance up to 5:00PM MT the day of the trip. The permit must also be readily available, printed or on a mobile device, during the trip should a ranger ask to see it.
- Permit Link: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251908
Group-Size Limits[edit]
Canyoneering groups are limited to a maximum of 10 people for this canyon.
Larger groups sharing the same affiliation (school, church, club, scout group, family, friends, etc., or combination thereof) may divide into groups smaller groups provided they do not occupy the same canyon, drainage, general area, or the same route on the same day and also have the necessary permits.
- Canyoneering regulations are available here: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/canyoneer.htm
Park Entrance Fee:[edit]
A NPS park entry fee or park pass is required. Additionally, a timed-entry reservation may be required to enter Arches National Park.
Timed Entry Reservations:[edit]
- Information about timed-entry reservations is available through the park's website: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/timed-entry-reservation.htm
- Timed-entry reservations must be obtained online here: https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088426
Beta sites[edit]
RoadTripRyan.com : U- Super Amazing Map : U-Turn
- Climb-Utah.com : U-Turn - Arches National Park
Moab Canyoneering Book by Derek A. Wolfe : U-Turn Canyon- SummitPost.org : U-Turn Canyon
- CanyonCollective.com : U-Turn
Trip reports and media[edit]
- https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/uturn-canyon
- https://www.facebook.com/pat.winstanley.7/media_set?set=a.622208294504538.1073741870.100001461198708&type=3
- http://adamhaydock.blogspot.com/2016/02/u-turn-canyon.html
- Candition.com : U-Turn
- Candition.com : U-Turn