Cassidy Arch Canyon

Capitol Reef National Park, UT Capitol Reef + North Wash

Trip stats

Distance
1.9 mi
Net Gain
600 ft
Time
2-4 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
ACA Rating
3A I
Longest Rappel
140 ft
Route
Loop

Ratings out of 10

Effort
1.5/10
Personality
6/10
Beauty
6/10
Solitude
1.6/10
What do these mean? →

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

38.263810, -111.216220

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Technical canyon warning

This is a technical canyon requiring canyoneering skills and specialized equipment. If you are not experienced with building anchors or using the gear required for technical canyoneering, do not attempt this route.

Aug 12, 2017 — Cassidy Arch is a popular and pretty trail to a gorgeous arch. Mike and I headed along this well-maintained trail, which ascends above the sheer cliffs above the trailhead and continues on beautiful slickrock to the arch. Most turn around here, but we had our technical gear and were ready to start a canyon descent. The first rappel drops from bolts/chains right next to the arch. We headed through the base of the arch and the canyon fun began. A half dozen shorter rappels or so included a drop through a couple of smaller arches, a mysterious wooden bridge, gorgeous narrows that never quite turn into a squeeze, and mossy grottos. Once out of the canyon we hiked along Grand Wash Road back to the trailhead.

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Photos

26 photos

  1. Start up Grand Wash before breaking away onto the Cassidy Arch trail.
  6. Cassidy Arch in the distance.
  7. You can see a party ahead of us doing the first rappel.
  8. The first rappel.
  9. First rappel brings you just next to the arch opening.
  10. Looking back up at Cassidy Arch.
  11. Another party ahead of us on rappel 2.
  12. After rappel 2, looking back up toward Cassidy Arch.
  14. Rap 3 goes through a hole in the floor.
  15. This rap was a tight squeeze.
  16. Exiting the narrow part of the canyon.
  17. A rappel through another little arch.
  18. Continuing down the canyon.
  19. Approaching another rappel. There was a bridge installed and steps carved out of the rock, so this rappel could actually be avoided.
  21. The old wooden bridge.
  22. Last rappel.
  25. Exiting Cassidy Arch Canyon.
  26. Follow the road back.

Photo 1 of 1

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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