Sunglow Canyon

Beta for Sunglow Canyon near Capitol Reef National Park

Duration

2.5

- 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

95 ft

Number of Rappels

4 -

5

In the town of Bicknell, located outside Capitol Reef National Park, Sunglow Canyon — aka known as Pete’s Dragon Canyon– is a wonderful route for beginners. While the actual slot is very short, it is still very fun. Once you drop into the canyon at the first rappel, there are no possible escapes, but the slot section is very short and can be run through quickly. The rappels come one right after the other once in the canyon, with only a handful of yards between each rappel station. If you run this canyon in the evening, you will notice the walls of the canyon glow and it will leave no question as to why the canyon was named the way it was.

On most weekends, you might run into a group or two depending on what time you start. On holidays, there is a possibility of the canyon getting slightly backed up, but it’s rare. So if there are no groups in front of you, this canyon can be completed very fast, but if a couple of groups get ahead of you, the canyon can take a surprising amount longer.

There is an east fork of this canyon as well but is not as fun as the west fork. The east fork is still worth doing, but the majority of people find the west fork to be better. If you or your group are not up for a technical route for the day, this can be an enjoyable hike as well. For hikers, follow the Crescent Canyon Trail and instead of dropping into the wash as noted below, just continue along the trail.

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City: Torrey

Approaches:

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First Rappel:

First Rappel Icon

Last Rappel:

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Exits:

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1. Approaches:

2. Canyon Time:

1 hour(s), 30 minute(s).

3. Exit Time:

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Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Sunglow Canyon

Sunglow Canyon Rappels

4 - 5 rappels

The rappels come in rapid succession after the first drop and range from 20 ft. to 95 ft. A single 200 ft. rope will get you through the canyon, but the smart play is always to have an extra length of rope just in case of an emergency or rescue. Make sure that the bottom of rappels are clear before dropping your ropes, especially if there are groups in front of you. The starts of these rappels are very friendly, but a couple of them might be a bit awkward for beginners.

Looking up from the bottom of rappel 1

Rappel 1

Length: 40 ft

Coordinates: 38.34951,-111.51761

Rappel 1 AnchorAnchor Icon

There is a large slung boulder right in the watercourse. The webbing is extended to the edge of the rappel about 12 feet. If re-rigging to extend to the edge, you would need around 25 ft. of webbing.


Overview

This is a great first rappel for beginners. The start is a low angle that becomes more steep towards the end.

Tips

Use a courtesy anchor for those who are not comfortable nearing the edge to hook up.



Rappelling the short drop of rappel 2 in Sunglow Canyon

Downclimb/Rappel 2

Length: 21 ft

Type of Rappel: Optional

Rappel 2 AnchorAnchor Icon

A slung small boulder in the watercourse serves as an anchor.


Overview

Located less than a minute down the canyon from rap 1, is an optional rappel. For those more experienced, a downclimb is quicker and appropriate here. A partner assist can be used for the last 5 ft drop of downclimb.

Tips

A soft, sitting start might be considered since the anchor is at ground level.


Rappel 3

Length: 30 ft

Rappel 3 AnchorAnchor Icon

A glue-in and a hanger with a bolt and webbing serve as great anchor. It's impossible to miss and is on the wall DCL.


Overview

Just after the optional rappel is the third rap. This can be a but of an awkward start for beginners. Halfway down, it becomes free-hanging and can swing you pretty good if rappelling quickly.

Tips

Beginners might find a sitting start beneficial.



Looking up from the bottom of rappel 4 in Sunglow Canyon

Rappel 4

Length: 65 ft

Rappel 4 AnchorAnchor Icon

DCR are a bolt and hanger and one glue-in with webbing.


Overview

A few steps from the bottom of rap 3 is rap 4. From the top, you can actually see the last rappel and bottom of the canyon floor. This rap can have another awkward start for beginners. After the start, the rappel is very straight-forward.

Tips

Again, beginners might want to do a sitting start.



Beginning rappel 5 in Sunglow Canyon

Rappel 5

Length: 95 ft

Coordinates: 38.348885,-111.517815

Rappel 5 AnchorAnchor Icon

Two bolts and chains with webbing are in place DCL for this rappel. The anchors are a decent way back from the edge.


Overview

This is the longest rappel in the canyon and has a really easy start.



Sunglow Canyon Trip Reports

May 27, 2023

We had a group of 4 with 2 beginners. The approach trail was easy to follow. There were three groups in front of ours so we had to wait a bit since one of them was a guided group. All of the anchors and webbing were in good shape. Our 200 ft. rope was the perfect length for the final rappel. There was no water in the canyon and we had a great time!