Stegosaur Canyon (North Fork)

Beta for the North fork of Stegosaur Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park

Duration

5.5

- 7.5 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

115 ft

Number of Rappels

3

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City: Torrey

Camping:

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Cook's Mesa Camping Area

Approaches:

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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).

3. Exit Time:

Total Adventure Time:

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Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Stegosaur Canyon (North Fork)

Stegosaur Canyon (North Fork) Rappels

- 3 rappels

Bottom of rappel 1 of Stegosaur Canyon

Rappel 1

Length: 115 ft

Type of Rappel: Low-angle

Coordinates: 38.29979,,-111.24387

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

This rappel is on a very low-angled slope. The max distance this rappel could be is about 115 ft., but you can get off rappel sooner and scramble down the rest of the slab. Once you reach the bottom, head in a southern direction to drop into the North Fork of Stegosaur. It is very obvious where the canyon is because the natural features of the land at the bottom of rappel 1 will take you there.


Downclimbing in Stegosaur Canyon

Downclimb

Length: 25 ft

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More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

This drop can be rappelled if desired but is a straightforward and easy downclimb. It is encountered shortly after dropping into the North Fork of Stegosaur Canyon after the first low-angle rappel.


The slot section of Stegosaur Canyon in Capitol Reef

Stemming

Length: 50 ft

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More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

Between the first and last rappels, there is a fun, tight, and short slot section that requires some stemming. Depending on the time of the year and whether or not it has rained recently, there can be some water midway through the slot section, but nothing that would require a wet suit.

Tips

It is easier to stem up higher where there is more room but can be a fin squeeze down lower if you are smaller.



Top of rappel 2 in Stegosaur Canyon

Rappel 2

Length: 100 ft

Type of Rappel: Two-stage

Coordinates: 38.29773,-111.24004

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

This rappel immediately follows the exit of the tight slot section. The rappel is over two stages but is very straightforward.

Tips

Extend the webbing to reduce rope groves and maintain an easy pull.



Stegosaur Canyon (North Fork) Trip Reports

September 26, 2020

The North fork of this canyon is definitely the preferred route. It takes a bit longer, but it provides a smidge more adventure. Clear skies when we descended the canyon. We finished up as soon as it was got dar and didn't end up needing our headlamps, but we were glad we had them just in case. The rappels are not the most extreme in this canyon, but the tight slot section is very fun!

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