U-Turn Canyon in Arches National Park, UT

Canyoneer U-Turn Canyon Arches National Park, UT

Class 3 3A I (60 ft max) 1.2 miles 400 gain 2-4 hrs Loop
Effort
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Solitude
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This route may have access issues.

Free permit required from the Visitor Center.

This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

Nov 6, 2018 — A great, short beginner canyon just inside Arches National Park. Starting at the Park Avenue Trailhead, follow the main road for a short time until a small sign marks a social trail leading to an obvious gully that takes you up some short Class 3 to the top of the mesa. Continue along the rock fin for a short time and enter U-Turn Canyon on the right. A short section of pretty narrows and two short drops (one can be scemmbled down, the other I recommend a handline) lead you to a great view of the rock pinnacles of Park Avenue. You can head north and get an option rappel in, or scramble down Class 2 slabs to the final rappel, off a big boulder on the rim. A social trail leads you back to the Park Avenue Trailhead.

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Just off the main Arches National Park road on a social trail marked by the brown marker on the left. The gully in the center of this photo is the goal.
Just off the main Arches National Park road on a social trail marked by the brown marker on the left. The gully in the center of this photo is the goal.
Almost at the gully.
Almost at the gully.
Class 2+ up the gully.
Class 2+ up the gully.
Looking back down the gully, the La Sal Mountains in the distance.
Looking back down the gully, the La Sal Mountains in the distance.
Class 3 short section toward the top of the gully.
Class 3 short section toward the top of the gully.
Top of gully, looking back.
Top of gully, looking back.
Top of gully looking toward the route, following a ridge.
Top of gully looking toward the route, following a ridge.
Looking back along the ridge, a couple domes serving as easy obstacles.
Looking back along the ridge, a couple domes serving as easy obstacles.
Entering U-Turn Canyon.
Entering U-Turn Canyon.
Image 9 from gallery
Downclimb or handline, or rappel if you need to. It's only a short drop.
Downclimb or handline, or rappel if you need to. It's only a short drop.
Views in U-Turn Canyon.
Views in U-Turn Canyon.
Image 12 from gallery
Longest rappel, and the only mandatory one. Others can be handlined, and one can be skipped completely.
Longest rappel, and the only mandatory one. Others can be handlined, and one can be skipped completely.
Bottom of the rappel.
Bottom of the rappel.
Image 15 from gallery
Continuing out of U-Turn Canyon.
Continuing out of U-Turn Canyon.
Image 17 from gallery
Approaching Park Avenue Overlook.
Approaching Park Avenue Overlook.
Image 19 from gallery
Park Avenue Overlook.
Park Avenue Overlook.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

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