UT: Capitol Reef July visit to Capitol Reef - Shinob Canyon, Na-gah Fork

​

Na-Gah is an easy, family friendly canyon for those with a bit of technical equipment and experience. Just completed this one last weekend.

Approach is one of the best parts; climbing up and watching everyone below hike the Grand Wash. If you are quiet, the folks below don't even know you are there! Great for just the views and scrambling.

​

Previously we did a lot of hiking in an area called Smokestack Canyon, starting at the Chimney Rock Trailhead. But oh yeah, warning warning: water in the parking lot, and throughout the approach. All early indications that this may not be a true 3A canyon today...and other gear may be in order. When we got to the first rap, the deadman was underwater, if there was one still built there? Maybe not. This place had seen a lot of water pour through recently. The next long narrow slot was full with tiny debris floating around. Furthermore, natural anchors were surprisingly limited. With a lot more webbing/rope, or riskier rock tower stacking time, it was doable. But alas, given the lateness of the day, and possibly being further ill equipped for the unknown that lay ahead (no wetsuits either); we resigned to keeping this one to a hike and a 5th class retreat.

​

Our Na-Gah plan came together much better.

The Grand Wash road is closed to motor vehicles, but there is still lots of hiking traffic. We ran into another fellow who was doing the same canyon. I invited him a long, but he kindly declined and went on ahead. We never found him again, nor ran into anyone else the rest of the day.

The descent is straightforward, and anchors are all in good shape. Bolts solid. There was a section or two that was dark and deep. And only one spot where we had water, up to our knees.

We spent a lot of time just relaxing, eating lunch, and taking our sweet time. I really enjoy mixing up the pace sometimes, and not always compressing things into a schedule.

​

The last rap was s-l-i-p-p-e-r-y! Still moss and residue left over from earlier precipitation.

Burgers and shakes to finish it off at Slackers of course.


Featured image for the homepage:

​

Thanks for sharing. Any beta links for these routes?

Special thanks to Luke at Bluugnome for posting the beta, and to John D. and Penny M. for answering my last minute late night emails.

Let's not forget KUDO's to Malia exploring these canyons in the first place.

Tom

Thanks Malia...looking forward to checking these out.