Snow Canyon State Park, UT
Arch CanyonCanyoneering
Permit Description Arch Canyon is a major drainage for the west side of Highway 18 from the Ledges golf course south to the Gold Diamond ranches. The area is a maze of brief slot canyons, eroded monoliths, isolated basalt flows and innumerable small cliffs descending into Johnson Canyon in Snow Canyon State Park. The canyon system itself is comprised of several pour offs into pool areas interrupted by basalt boulders and open sand washes in between. The canyon is capable of holding water in deep pools throughout the year, necessitating deep wading at a minimum and potential short swims. As the season permits travel only during the late fall and winter, hypothermia is a significant risk, and all participants should be prepared with wet/dry suits and dry bags for additional clothes. Each rappel is progressively longer, culminating in a spectacular 200 foot drop into the very head of Johnson Canyon.
This hike requires the following gear:
- Harness
- Rappel device
- Wet/dry suit
- Dry Bags
- 400 feet of rope
Arch Canyon has 6 rappels of progressively increasing length. The anchor systems are 1/2 inch X 6 inch glue in bolts, or 1/2 inch x 3/34 inch Rawls or equivalent, with chains. Anchors in the canyon are new and placed in winter of 2010/11 Please note: Each permit is good for up to six people.
Permit Details - Accessible: No
- Effort: Difficult
Important Information
- Your safety is your responsibility. Canyoneers should be in good physical condition and be prepared with proper safety and survival equipment. First aid kits, headlamps, and extra food, water and clothing.
- Check local weather forecasts and future radar before heading into a narrow canyon. If precipitation is forecasted you should reschedule your trip.
- Group size is limited to six. A group is any people sharing the same affiliation (school club, scout troop, family, friends, business). Any group splitting to avoid the size limit for the trips on the same route, on the same day, is a permit violation. Group mergers are also prohibited. Group size is controlled to reduce bottlenecks, protect park resources, and maintain the quality of experience.
- Route descriptions, maps, compass, and appropriate gear are all necessary. Make sure you are properly equipped. Your safety is your responsibility.
- Backup plans are essential. Ability to belay, ascend, create extra friction, and travel after dark can prevent serious accidents.
- Prevent bottlenecks allow faster parties to pass
- Any drilling, bolting or alteration of route is prohibited.
- Hike only on existing trails when approaching the route. Hike in canyon drainages and on slick rock when on the route.
- Carry out all trash, including toilet paper.
- Use of human waste disposal bags is encouraged for solid human waste. All human waste should be buried at least 4 inches deep and, whenever possible, 200 feet from water or dry washes.
- Overnight camping is prohibited.
- Fires are prohibited.
- Pets are prohibited.
- Hunting is prohibited.
- All plants, animals, minerals, and other natural features are protected. It is unlawful to remove, alter, or destroy them.
- All natural objects and cultural artifacts are protected and must be left where they are found. It is unlawful to destroy or deface cultural sites.
- Any accidents must be reported to a ranger.
- Permits are non-transferable and non-refundable
Directions Stage or arrange pick-up from the Johnson Canyon trailhead at the south entrance of the park. To reach the starting trailhead: From Snow Canyon Parkway return to SR-18. Drive north on SR-18 for approximately 1/2- mile (0.5-miles). Turn left into the signed Chuckwalla parking lot. Hike north along the Chuckwalla Trail for 0.9-miles. Turn left onto the Turtle Wall trail. Continue north-west for one-mile. At the junction of the Turtle Wall and Paradise Rim trails turn right, heading north on the Paradise Rim trail. Continue north on the Paradise Rim Trail for 0.25-miles eventually merging onto the Gila Trail. Continue north on the Gila trail for approximately two-miles. Once you reach the major drainage to the west of Gold Diamond Ranches turn left into the wash. This begins your descent into Arch Canyon.
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