Wife 3
| Rating: | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||||
| | Difficulty:3A I (v3a1 I) Raps:3, max ↨225ft
Red Tape:Permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | |||
| Start: | ||||
| Parking: | ||||
| Condition Reports: | 18 May 2025
"A top notch big rappel to start and incredible dissolution pockets/unique rock features make this route huge bang for the buck! Especially when combin |
|||
| Best season: | ||||
| Regions: | ||||
38.2796, -111.2426
38.2835, -111.2460
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
Wife 3 starts with a stunning 200 foot rappel down a massive wall and is free hanging for the last half. This is the longest rappel of all the Wives. This drainage has a more wide-open feel but narrows for the last few obstacles.
Approach[edit]
Park at Fruita campgrounds. Hike up to Cohab Canyon. The Wives are on the right side as you walk through the canyon. Definitely grab some GPX/KML and beta to make sure you know which wife is which!
Descent[edit]
Rappels[edit]
- R1: 225 feet - ghost off large natural arch on wall set back 30ft. (Easy to toggle, please dont leave webbing…)
- R2: 40 feet - Anchored from a jug handle (holes) on the wall.
- R3: 24 feet (Optional) - Anchored from a chockstone. Two-stage rappel that can be down climbed. Each stage drop about 12 feet. R3 can be bypassed by downclimbing a narrow chimney.
Exit[edit]
Return the same way you came. Be sure to stop by the historic cabin if you're in the mood for some fruit pie. Delicious!
Red tape[edit]
This section lists general information and requirements for canyoneering in Capitol Reef National Park.
Permits[edit]
A permit is required for any and all canyoneering within the boundaries of Capitol Reef National Park. Permits have a group-size limit that varies depending on the canyon or route and a separate permit is required for each canyoneering route. Currently, there is no quota limitation nor a permit cost, though that is likely to change at some point in the future. Canyoneering Permits can be obtained onsite through a self-serve kiosk located just outside of the visitor center or by sending and email to [email protected] (see format below). If you plan to camp overnight as part of a canyoneering trip, you are required to obtain a free backcountry permit, available from the rangers at the visitor center only.
Subject: Name of canyoneering route and date you will be canyoneering.
Email Body: Date of visit (single day only): Canyoneering route (single route only): Number of people: Vehicle location: Number of motorized vehicles: Vehicle description(s):
Additional Access Information:[edit]
- CRNP canyoneering permit information webpage: https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/canyoneering.htm
- Other: http://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-capitol-reef/
Group-Size Limit:[edit]
For the protection of park resources, canyoneering groups are limited to a maximum of 8 people per group in all technical canyons, with some exceptions for certain routes in the Fruita area which are listed below and allow 12 people per group. A canyoneering group shall not exceed the determined number of people (as mentioned) sharing the same affiliation (school, church, club, scout group, family, friends, etc., or combination thereof) in the same canyon, drainage, general area or the same route on the same day. Groups larger than 8 or 12 sharing the same affiliation may divide into groups smaller than 8 or 12, provided they do not occupy the same canyon, drainage, general area or the same route on the same day.
Canyoneering groups are limited to a maximum of 12 people for the following:
- Cassidy Arch Canyon
- Wives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
- Old School
- Beaver Bay
- Na-Gah
- Arch Nemesis
Park Entrance Fee:[edit]
The Scenic drive is the only area of Capitol Reef where an entry fee or park pass is required. Passes can be attained at the visitor center or at a self-pay kiosk at the start of the scenic drive. Fees are good for seven days and can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/fees.ht
Seasonal Closure[edit]
The following canyons and routes close seasonally each year, effective April 1 through August 31, for the protection of sensitive natural resources
- The heads of Burro Wash and Fivemile Wash continuing east two miles (top-down routes).
- Shinob Canyon and any route descending into Shinob including, Na-gah, Nighthawk, and Timpie.
Beta sites[edit]
RoadTripRyan.com : The Wives- Super Amazing Map : The Wives (7 of them)
- BluuGnome.com : The Wives
Trip reports and media[edit]
- http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68536-The-Wives-of-Cohab-Canyon-in-Capitol-Reef-National-Park&p=534355#post534355
- Candition.com : The Wives
- https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/the-wives-wife-1