Woody and Woodsy Canyons in North Wash BLM, UT

Canyoneer Woody and Woodsy Canyons North Wash BLM, UT

Class 2 4B (70 ft max) 6.4 miles 1100 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Apr 12, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Woody and Woodsy Canyons 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.

Woody Canyon and Woodsy Canyon are two short and pretty canyons that make for a nice half day. We parked just off UT-276 and entered the Woodruff Canyon drainage. This sandy wash led us for a couple of miles down to the approach we'd use for both canyons. We started up via a minor side-drainage, heading up a sandy slope and continuing on Class 2 sandstone slabs along a ramp. This led to the rim above, where we took in views of seemingly endless humps of sandstone. 

First up was Woody Canyon, the more fun of the two. From the top of the rim, we headed generally south, navigating the humps of slickrock as best we could. There are many options, but make sure you're going generally south. Eventually it became clear the Woody Canyon was on our left and we dropped down toward the head of the canyon. Woody Canyon is known for its many potholes, but we didn't encounter a drop of water. While still fun to escape the potholes, I could imagine water would make this feel like a waterpark. We used a sandtrap for a single tricky rappel, and otherwise enjoyed the many obstacles as we descended Woody Canyon. A couple of tricky climbs out of potholes might require partner assists for some, and a final downclimb out of the narrows might require a handline.

We headed back up the same approach, now going for Woodsy Canyon. Once on the rim surrounded by humps of sandstone, we continued southwest, the navigation a bit easier than it was on the approach to Woody Canyon. We dropped into the drainage for Woodsy and started into the narrows. There aren't any serious obstacles aside from a couple of rappels. Some really pretty scuplted narrows finishes off the canyon and we emerged back into Woodruff Canyon.

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Leaving the road and heading into Woodruff Canyon. Mount Holmes visible top center.
Leaving the road and heading into Woodruff Canyon. Mount Holmes visible top center.
Entering Woodruff Canyon.
Entering Woodruff Canyon.
View back toward the Henry Mountains as we descend Woodruff Canyon's sandy wash.
View back toward the Henry Mountains as we descend Woodruff Canyon's sandy wash.
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Ascent out of Woodruff Canyon to the rim above.
Ascent out of Woodruff Canyon to the rim above.
Class 2 slickrock, max. Woodruff Canyon visible center.
Class 2 slickrock, max. Woodruff Canyon visible center.
At the rim, navigating the slickrock humps required to reach Woody Canyon.
At the rim, navigating the slickrock humps required to reach Woody Canyon.
There are a bunch of ways to get there. Make sure you're heading generally south.
There are a bunch of ways to get there. Make sure you're heading generally south.
Nearing the head of Woody Canyon.
Nearing the head of Woody Canyon.
Close-up toward the sandstone humps as we descend to Woody Canyon.
Close-up toward the sandstone humps as we descend to Woody Canyon.
First few potholes were an indicator we'd have no water.
First few potholes were an indicator we'd have no water.
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Really pretty pothole, completely avoidable.
Really pretty pothole, completely avoidable.
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Lots of fun pothole obstacles.
Lots of fun pothole obstacles.
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Sandtrap first rappel. It's a pretty short drop, but we were happy to not down-climb.
Sandtrap first rappel. It's a pretty short drop, but we were happy to not down-climb.
More pothole obstacles. Since there was no water in this one, we were able to use a cute little arch at its base.
More pothole obstacles. Since there was no water in this one, we were able to use a cute little arch at its base.
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More fun climbs to escape the potholes, partner assist might be required for some.
More fun climbs to escape the potholes, partner assist might be required for some.
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Gorgeous section of narrows as we neared the end of Woody Canyon.
Gorgeous section of narrows as we neared the end of Woody Canyon.
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Short down-climb out of Woody Canyon.
Short down-climb out of Woody Canyon.
Exiting Woody Canyon.
Exiting Woody Canyon.
View back into Woody Canyon as we rejoin Woodruff Canyon.
View back into Woody Canyon as we rejoin Woodruff Canyon.
After re-ascending the same Class 2 slab ramp, we navigated along the rim to reach the head of Woodsy Canyon.
After re-ascending the same Class 2 slab ramp, we navigated along the rim to reach the head of Woodsy Canyon.
Woodsy Canyon.
Woodsy Canyon.
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First rappel of Woodsy Canyon.
First rappel of Woodsy Canyon.
Bottom of rap 1.
Bottom of rap 1.
Fun elevator down climb.
Fun elevator down climb.
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Beautiful sculpted narrows.
Beautiful sculpted narrows.
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Image 38 from gallery
Very pretty last section of Woodsy Canyon.
Very pretty last section of Woodsy Canyon.
One of the final obstacles before exiting Woodsy Canyon and entering Woodruff Canyon, which we followed back to the trailhead.
One of the final obstacles before exiting Woodsy Canyon and entering Woodruff Canyon, which we followed back to the trailhead.

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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!