Pool Arch Canyon (Rock of the Ages Canyon) in Moab BLM, UT

Canyoneer Pool Arch Canyon (Rock of the Ages Canyon) Moab BLM, UT

Class 3 3B II (110 ft max) 3.7 miles 700 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Nov 7, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Pool Arch Canyon (Rock of the Ages Canyon) GPX Track

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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.

Pool Arch Canyon (aka Rock of the Ages Canyon or Pritchett Canyon) is a short, but very sweet, canyon just outside of Moab. Though there are only two rappels, it has a little bit of everything. Starting from the Kane Creek RV Park ($3), head along the Pritchett Canyon ATV road until you see a narrow slow appear on the left. Follow this canyon all the way, passing a couple of Class 3 gullies that take some thought, to a high point where the canyon abruptly drops into a steep gully, the incredibly beautiful Pool Arch on the left. You can't miss it. Just after Pool Arch, the canyon seems to continue straight, but turn right and enter a short section of narrows. I encountered a chest-deep pool. A short rappel leads into a wider area that continues to the final drop. I did this canyon alone and only had a 60 meter rope because beta I read said the rappel was 100 feet. There is a really solid anchor that requires more than a 60 meter rope, for sure (I estimate a 70m would probably be fine), but there is an additional anchor station on the ledge below that felt sketchy to set up to me, so I extended one side of my rope with my shoelaces, etc. to be sure I could retrieve my rope after. From the base of the final rappel, continue down the canyon and join back up with the Pritchett Canyon ATV trail.

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Starting from the Kane Creek RV Park, head up Pritchett Canyon on an ATV road.
Starting from the Kane Creek RV Park, head up Pritchett Canyon on an ATV road.
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Take the first left up this narrow canyon, leaving the road.
Take the first left up this narrow canyon, leaving the road.
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Class 3 gully.
Class 3 gully.
Looking down the Class 3 gully.
Looking down the Class 3 gully.
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Rock fins lead the way up the approach canyon.
Rock fins lead the way up the approach canyon.
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Another Class 3 gully.
Another Class 3 gully.
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At the top of the approach. Continue down the gully to get to Pool Arch Canyon.
At the top of the approach. Continue down the gully to get to Pool Arch Canyon.
Once down the gully, you'll see Pool Arch. It's amazing.
Once down the gully, you'll see Pool Arch. It's amazing.
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Looking back up the gully, Pool Arch on the right.
Looking back up the gully, Pool Arch on the right.
Entering Pool Arch Canyon.
Entering Pool Arch Canyon.
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A couple of wet sections. One was chest deep and it broke my camera - oops.
A couple of wet sections. One was chest deep and it broke my camera - oops.
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First rappel.
First rappel.
My camera stopped working, hence the poor quality of my phone now my primary photo-taking device for the rest of the route.
My camera stopped working, hence the poor quality of my phone now my primary photo-taking device for the rest of the route.
After the first rappel, continue down the canyon.
After the first rappel, continue down the canyon.
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Final rappel. The anchors are right to my right (70m rope required). Or, you can scramble down and use the other set of anchors (60m rope likely okay).
Final rappel. The anchors are right to my right (70m rope required). Or, you can scramble down and use the other set of anchors (60m rope likely okay).
Bottom of the rappel. My rope wasn't long enough, so I had to improvise to be able to retrieve my rope.
Bottom of the rappel. My rope wasn't long enough, so I had to improvise to be able to retrieve my rope.
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Back on the Pritchett Canyon ATV Road.
Back on the Pritchett Canyon ATV Road.
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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!