Cassidy Arch Canyon

Closed through August 31, 2022 to protect sensitive habitat. Please see park website for updates.
https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/canyoneering.htm

Cassidy Arch Canyon is a true classic! The entry rappel will take your breath away, but the excitement doesn't end there. There’s never a dull moment, with surprises around every corner in Cassidy Canyon. Set among tall walls in a neat little package of a canyon, it can be done as a casual sociable day with plenty of opportunities for practicing skills. Alternately, a fast and efficient group could move through the canyon quickly and combine it with a second half-day canyon nearby. Or, take advantage of its convenient central location to break up a long drive.

Note that due to the popularity of this canyon the time it takes you to do this canyon could be substantially lengthened due to getting "bottle necked" behind other groups - especially when there are large groups or groups with fairly timid or beginner rappelers.

Trailhead: Access is via the paved scenic drive, and the gravel/dirt Grand Wash road. The Grand Wash road is accessible to passenger cars under most conditions. The park may close this road when flash floods are threatening.
To get there, turn onto the scenic drive at the visitor center. Head south for approximately 3.4 miles to the Grand Wash turnoff. Drive East on the Grand Wash road for approximately 1.3 miles to the parking area for Grand Wash and Cassidy Arch. There is an outhouse at the trailhead.

Canyon: Walk a short distance in Grand Wash, keeping an eye out on the left for the signed Cassidy Arch trail. Follow the trail to a signed junction where the trail splits. Go southwest and follow the cairned route to Cassidy Arch. The first rappel station is to the north-west of the arch. The entry rappel station was changed in the spring/summer of 2016. Picture of the old and new rappel stations, and information about the rappel station changes can be found here: http://www.americancanyoneers.org/utah/cassidy-arch-canyon/
and here: https://www.canyoneeringusa.com/rave/cassidy-arch-canyon-capital-reef-anchor-work?rq=cassidy

Skills Required
This canyon requires a standard canyoneering skill set, as well as skills for long free hanging rappels. Standard canyoneering skills include safety and risk assessment skills, building anchors and setting rappels, use of appropriate friction on longer rappels, anchor assessment, careful travel on slickrock, poison ivy identification, minor route finding, minor downclimbing, and setting up ropes for ease of pull and avoiding rope grooves.

Rappels
7+ rappels. Several anchors have changed over the years, and will likely continue to change over the years to come. Some that were previously off of trees are now off of bolts. If something doesn't seem right, carefully look around and assess the situation and your options for safely descending the canyon. The third rappel in the canyon used to be done as a 2-stage rappel. A bolt has been added to split this rappel up and avoid some of the rope grooves that were forming. This is just one example of an anchor that changed. It could change again. At least one drop which used to be downclimbed is now bolted. Keep this in mind if you prefer to downclimb when possible. Some (older) beta may list only 6 rappels in the canyon. The difference is due to the addition of new bolted rappel stations.

Rope grooves are forming on many of the rappels. These can be avoided. For example, with rappels through arches, evaluate whether it would be possible to avoid rope grooves by pulling the rope from further down canyons. With Rap 6 (if counting every bolted rappel station) throw your rappel strand straight down, but throw your pull strand out—aiming downcanyon or for a ledge on the right looking down canyon (RDC). Pulling from further downcanyon or from the RDC ledge (rather than from straight below the rappel) will make it a smooth pull and will help to reduce or prevent rope grooves. It'll make more sense when you get there…

Water
Negligible, if any, though it is a slot canyon so conditions are subject to change. Please report if you have any water that is not negligible.

Anchor Conditions
Capitol Reef’s rules regarding anchors are as follows:

• The installation of new fixed anchors (bolts, pitons, etc.) is prohibited.
• Bolts may be replaced only if an existing bolt is unsafe.
• The use of power drills is prohibited.
• Where it is necessary to leave or replace existing webbing, the webbing should be black or closely match the color of the surrounding rock.
• Protection may not be placed with the use of a hammer except to replace existing belay and rappel anchors and bolts on existing routes, or for emergency self-rescue.
• Physical alteration of rock faces is prohibited, such as chiseling, glue reinforcement of existing holds, trundling rocks, and gluing of new holds.
• It is prohibited to wrap webbing or rope, or rappel off any arch with an opening greater than three feet.
• The intentional removal of lichen or plants from rock is prohibited.

Gear Recommendations
Gear for rappels up to 140 ft, helmet, harness, rappel device, safety tether, slings, 50 feet of webbing, and 2-3 rapides. Body armor (elbow and knee pads, etc.) is not necessary, but may be appreciated for rap 5. Pack size is not a concern. Bring extra layers if the weather is cold, as most of the canyon does not get sun.

Flash Flood Danger
Low. If flash floods are expected in the area the road to the Grand Wash trailhead may be closed and/or impassable.

After the last rappel the surprises keep coming. Follow along the wall RDC to find another neat natural feature, then follow along social trails down a steep slope into the main wash. Follow the wash to the Grand Wash road, then turn left (east) on the road. The trailhead is approximately 1/3 mile.

Access
Up to date access and emergency information is available here: http://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-capitol-reef/

Permits
As of January 1, 2020 a free permit is required for canyoneering and backcountry camping in Capitol Reef National Park. Please review all access information here: https://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-capitol-reef/ and here: https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/canyoneering.htm

Group size Limits
For the protection of park resources, canyoneering groups are limited to a maximum of eight people, with some exceptions for certain routes near the Fruita area.

Entrance Fee
(Last updated 11/30/2020 - check park website to verify this information.) The Scenic drive is the only area of Capitol Reef where an entry fee or park pass is required. Passes can be attained at the visitor center or at a self-pay kiosk at the start of the scenic drive. Fees are good for seven days and are as follows:

• Individual on foot or bicycle: $10.00
• Motorcycle: $15.00
• Private vehicle: $20.00
• Capitol Reef National Park Annual Pass: check with the visitor center
• Annual National Park Passes: varies - see https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

A Clean Canyoneering Area
Capitol Reef is a clean canyoneering area. Minimum impact techniques that do not damage or destroy rock or other park resources are required. More information here: https://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-capitol-reef/