Pictograph Canyon

Beta for Pictograph Canyon in the St. George area.

Duration

4

- 6 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

140 ft

Number of Rappels

7 -

9

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City: Springdale

Approaches:

Approach Icon

First Rappel:

First Rappel Icon

Last Rappel:

Last Rappel Icon

Exits:

Exit Icon

Calculate time for your adventure

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

1. Approaches:

2. Canyon Time:

3 hour(s).

3. Exit Time:

4. Shuttle Times / Other:

Snow Canyon - Tuacahn Amphitheater Shuttle

12.5 mins

If you choose to do the Tuacahn Theater Approach, you will need to shuttle between Snow Canyon State Park and the parking lot at the Tuacahn Center For the Arts. Leave your exit vehicle in the parking lot North of the sand dunes in Snow Canyon State Park. The shuttle time is short but helps you avoid a lot more hiking.

Total Adventure Time:

(select route options above)

Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Pictograph Canyon

Campsites Nearby

Pictograph Canyon Rappels

7 - 9 rappels

Rappelling down the first rappel in Pictograph Canyon

Rappel 1

Length: 100 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Coordinates: 37.204398,-113.657260

Rappel 1 AnchorAnchor Icon

Webbing from two bolted hangers.


Overview

A slopey start finished off with a nice vertical section about halfway down the rappel.



Rappelling the 2nd rappel in Pictograph Canyon

Rappel 2

Length: 35 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Anchor Icon

More anchor information coming soon.


Overview

Back up through some bushes and then down a 20 ft vertical groove. The total length of this rappel is about 35 ft.



Top of the third rappel in Pictograph Canyon

Rappel 3

Length: 35 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Rappel 3 AnchorAnchor Icon

Anchored from two bolted hangers with webbing.


Overview

Rappel down to the next ledge about 35 ft. This rappel provides a great view of the canyon ahead.



Rappelling the side of rappel 4 in Pictograph Canyon

Rappel 4

Length: 40 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Rappel 4 AnchorAnchor Icon

This anchor is a single bolted hanger with a small chain and a quick link on the end.


Overview

This rappel goes down a skinny crack to the canyon floor.

Tips

Getting to the anchor can be kind of exposed, so use a personal anchor to tether in while setting up the rappel.



Rappelling over a boulder in Pictograph Canyon

Rappel 5

Length: 12 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Rappel 5 AnchorAnchor Icon

Chains attached to two bolted hangers.


Overview

After scrambling and bushwhacking your way down the dry watercourse, you will reach a 12 ft. drop. The rappel starts off with a good undercut boulder but is easy-going once over the edge.



Looking up from the bottom of rappel 6 in Pictograph Canyon

Rappel 6

Length: 70 ft

Type of Rappel: Free Hanging

Rappel 6 AnchorAnchor Icon

Two bolted hangers with chains on the wall of the canyon RDC.


Overview

This is the only rappel in the canyon that can hold a significant amount of water at the bottom but doesn't seem like it can hold more than something thigh deep. This is probably the most scenic rappel of the canyon and you go down a natural spring seeping out of the canyon wall.



Going down the 7th rappel in pictograph canyon

Rappel 7

Length: 12 ft

Type of Rappel: Standard

Rappel 7 AnchorAnchor Icon


Overview

This is a very short rappel that can possibly be downclimbed LDC.



Bottom view of rappel 8 in Pictograph Canyon

Rappel 8

Length: 140 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional

Coordinates: 37.201327,-113.653289

Rappel 8 AnchorAnchor Icon

Two bolted hangers with chains.


Overview

This final vertical rappel is a great way to end the canyon with a bang. Enjoy the open view of Snow Canyon State Park as you go down this 140 ft. rappel with a free-hanging section at the end. If you choose not to do this rappel, scramble up the saddle to the West of the rappel about 20 yards from the end of the slot. Work your way down the gulley and then follow the exit out.

Tips

Back up as far as you can to pull the rope so that rope grooves are minimized.