Canyoneer Portal Canyon Virgin River Gorge BLM, AZ

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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.

I've always been impressed by the cliffs within the Virgin River Gorge, and Shawn, Josh, and I finally got to check out the largest canyon I know of in the Gorge, Portal Canyon. It's really fun and serves as a great late winter or early spring canyon. Note that even though this is a dry canyon, you'll have to cross the Virgin River in order to start the approach. Check for river flow conditions before doing the canyon. Also, there is a divider within the Virgin River Gorge, making the northbound side of the Interstate the only place to park.

We crossed the Virgin River and headed up the major wash that curved east and then south. An easy-to-miss turn-off on the left up a minor drainage would serve as our ascent route. It's a little convoluted, but the drainage hits a dryfall and we began ascending up a Class 2+ crack to get to the ridge above. From here, we followed a ridge and a gully, picking the least brushy route we could find for about a thousand feet of vertical gain. We reached the end of a ridgeline where we could see the entrance to Cherry Canyon. Rather than head right into the drainage, we went left, Portal's head another 1,200 feet of vertical to go. We followed the wash, but ascending the ridge would have been fine, too. Once the wash became less pleasant and brush-choked, we decided to ascend a steep slope and then side-hill to the head of Portal Canyon.

Once at the head of the canyon, we dropped into an unnecessary short down climb (or 20 foot rappel), avoidable on the right. And then we saw the true start of the Portal Canyon narrows. The canyon overall was far less intense than we suspected it would be. We rebuilt only one cairn anchor, and replaced one piece of webbing, but otherwise the natural anchors were solid and the many rappels were mostly short and easy. Definitely be sure you know how to build natural anchors, as only a few of the rappels were bolted. I'll let photos tell the story below. The one section I think requires a bit more notice is the 180 foot rappel. It's got two stages, but likely should be done as one rappel. There is a lot of loose rock at the top of this rappel, and the pull could be difficult if the rope gets caught on some of the protruding rock pieces.

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Starting down to the Virgin River, crossing it and heading to the opening visible on the right.

Heading up the major wash. Eventually a small drainage comes in on the left.

After heading up the small drainage, we hit the dryfall you can see on the left, and ascended the Class 2+ crack on the right.

Looking back as we ascend a gully/ridge combination.

Looking back, much higher up the ridge.

Dropping into the wash leading to Cherry Canyon, heading farther up the wash. Cherry is out of frame on the right.

Ascending a steep slope.

Still ascending, the Interstate visible far below.

Side-hilling to the ridge over there.

Looking back as we side-hill.

Dropping into Portal Canyon. A short and avoidable down climb is the first thing we encounter.

After the short down climb, the true start of Portal Canyon's narrows.

What I thought was the most scenic section of Portal Canyon.

Looking back at the prettiest part.

Big rappel.

Looking back up the big rappel. It's 2-tiered, but should be done as a single rap.

At the base of the second big, but less big, rappel.

Looking back toward the first section of narrows we descended through.

Portal Canyon narrows up again.

Lots of short little rappels to keep it interesting.

A difficult down-climb that we likely should have just set a rappel up for.

More pretty narrows as we near the end of Portal Canyon.

Last rappel out of Portal Canyon.

Portal Canyon drains into the main wash.

What some call Bonus Canyon. If you stay within the main wash, you'll get here.

Looking back at the Class 5 down climb (we hand-lined it).

Continuing back, some nice lighting on the way out.

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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!