Hogwarts Canyon

Beta for Hogwarts Canyon in the North Wash

Duration

1.5

- 3 hrs.

Rating

3

Technical Class Indicates the technicality of the terrain and the tyoe of rope work require.

1 - 

Canyon Hiking Non-technical. No rope is required. See the route description for difficulties.

2 - 

Basic Canyoneering Scrambling, easy climbing or downclimbing. A rope may be handy for handlines, belays, lowering packs and emergency use. Exit or retreat possible upcanyon without fixed ropes.

3 - 

Intermediate Canyoneering Rappels or technical climbing and/or downclimbing. A rope is required for belays and single-pitch rappels. Retreat upcanyon would require fixing ropes.

4 - 

Advanced Canyoneering Aid climbing, multi-pitch rappels and/or complex rope work (such as re-belays, tyrollean traverse, or guided rappels) may be required. Might also require difficult pothole escapes, serious squeezing, extensive high-risk downclimbing, or have difficult-to-establish natural anchors. Rappels longer than 200 feet will usually earn a canyon a Class 4 rating.

A

Water Rating indicates complications due to flowing or still water, under normal conditions.

A - 

Normally dry or with very little water. Wading to waist deep at most.

B - 

Water with no current or light current. Still pools. Falls are normally dry or running at a trickle. Swimming expected.

C - 

Water with strong current. Waterfalls. Wet canyon rope techniques required.

II

Time or Grade indicates the length of the adventure.

I - 

Short. A couple of hours.

II - 

Requires about a half day.

III - 

Normally requires most of a day.

IV - 

Expected to take a long day. Get up early, bring a headlamp. Possible bivy.

V - 

More than one day. Normally done in two days.

VI - 

Two full days or more.

Additional Risk Rating indicates the presence of more risk factors than might be expected.

No Rating - 

Normal risk factors are present on this adventure.

R - 

One or more extraordinary risk factors exist that complicate the descent. Solid technical skills and sound judgment required. Not appropriate for beginners, even with competent leadership.

X - 

Multiple risk factors exist that will complicate the descent. Errors in technique or judgment will likely result in serious injury or death. Descent should be attempted by expert canyoneers only. This is the least-well-established part of the rating system, and the most subjective. Use by beta-providers varies widely, to the point that this part of the rating means very little.

Longest Rappel

90 ft

Number of Rappels

4

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City: Hanksville

Camping:

Camping Icon

Sandthrax Campground - BLM

Butler Canyon Campground

Approaches:

Approach Icon

First Rappel:

First Rappel Icon

Last Rappel:

Last Rappel Icon

Exits:

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Calculate time for your adventure

Select your approach, exit, and any shuttles in order to calcualte an estimated time

1. Approaches:

2. Canyon Time:

1 hour(s), 7.5 minute(s).

3. Exit Time:

Total Adventure Time:

(select route options above)

Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Hogwarts Canyon

Hogwarts Canyon Rappels

- 4 rappels

First rappel in Hogwarts Canyon mid-rappel view

Rappel 1

Length: 45 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Coordinates: 37.958416,-110.487296

Rappel 1 AnchorAnchor Icon


Overview

Once in a while, there will be some water at the bottom of this rappel if it has rained recently. Usually, it will be nothing more than ankle-deep. This rappel provides an easy start to the canyon and is pretty straightforward, dropping you into the actual slot of Hogwarts Canyon.

Tips

Watch out for the rope grooves on this first rappel. The last person down should take care to make sure the rope is placed well for retrieval.



Top of second rappel in Hogwarts Canyon with a top view

Rappel 2

Length: 60 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Rappel 2 AnchorAnchor Icon

The anchor for this second rappel is from webbing wedged between a small boulder in the watercourse and the canyon wall.


Overview

Rappel 2 is just a few yards down canyon from the bottom of Rapel 1. This rappel is framed by a beautiful arch/landbridge in the background. At the bottom of this rappel is an easy downclimb/slide down to the bottom of the wash.



Stemming across the semi-keeper pothole in Hogwarts Canyon

Semi-Keeper Pothole

Length: 15 ft

Type of Rappel: Stemming/Downclimb

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

Just down canyon from the second rappel, you will encounter a semi-keeper pothole. There are a few options to get around this obstacle. If dry, you can downclimb into the semi-keeper and pull yourself out the other side. Some may need a partner assist to accomplish this. Another option is to stem over the pothole. If you choose to do this, keep in mind that the last part of the stem is the hardest because it presents a steeper angle. Competent and experienced canyoneers/down climbers should have no problem with this. Some beginners may require a belay if either downclimbing or stemming.



Slot downclimb in Hogwarts Canyon

Slot Downclimb

Length: 20 ft

Type of Rappel: Downclimb

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

Immediately after getting over the semi-keeper pothole obstacle, you will need to downclimb through the narrowest part of Hogwarts Canyon. This downclimb is pretty straightforward and should present no problems for any level of canyoneers. Once you emerge from the narrow slot the canyon opens up for the final two rappels.



Rappelling the 3rd rappel in Hogwarts Canyon

Rappel 3

Length: 75 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Rappel 3 AnchorAnchor Icon

This anchor is from solution pockets on the canyon wall about 20 ft. back from the edge of the rappel.


Overview

This rappel provides the easiest start of any of the rappels of the canyon. After a sloped start, the rappel becomes completely vertical with a short free-hanging section before you hit the canyon floor.



Mid-rappel view on the fourth rappel in Hogwarts Canyon

Rappel 4

Length: 90 ft

Type of Rappel: Free-hanging

Coordinates: 37.959967,-110.486401

Rappel 4 AnchorAnchor Icon

This rappel is anchored around a large rectangular slab of rock with webbing that is extended for an easier rope pull. Inspect the anchor before using it as you always should.


Overview

Rappel 4 is at the end of the canyon wash is easy to find. This rappel is the tallest of Hogwarts Canyon and is mostly free-hanging. Enjoy the view during the rappel.