Rating: | 4A IV | |
Season: | Spring, Summer or Fall. The canyon itself is very well shaded. Ending in the Orderville "Waterpark", you may want to bring a wetsuit if it is not hot out. | |
Length: | 8 to 10 hours. | |
Equipment: | Rappels to 300 feet. Helmet, slings, drybags. | |
Drinking Water: | None available, bring plenty. | |
USGS 7.5' Map: | Temple of Sinawava . | |
Difficulties: | Long entrance rappel. Some natural anchors to figure out. This is an all-natural canyon, please leave it that way. | |
Logistics: | Start at the East Mesa Trailhead, end at the Temple of Sinawava . | |
Permit: | Required for normal route. If exiting UP Orderville, a permit is not required. | |
Flash Flood Danger: | Moderate. Weather Report available at Visitor Center. |
A good un. Englestead starts with a long, cool rappel, then continues with interesting raps and narrows, dropping into Orderville in time to catch the best stuff there. Other than a few non-useful bolts placed for the entrance rappel, this is an all-natural canyon. Please respect this and DO NOT PLACE BOLTS in this canyon.
Start: Follow the East Mesa Trailhead to Englestead directions. Park at the end of the road.
HIKE: From the carpark, take a few steps over the edge Northeast, and immediately pick up a small trail heading right and down. Follow the trail a long way right, then down to a bench and a forest. Cut left through the forest until finding a steep slope again, then follow old logging roads right and down. Cut down a steep slope to attain the wash bottom. Follow the wash downcanyon to the BIG DROP - it takes about 30 minutes to get to the first drop.
WALK: along the left side of the canyon about 50 feet to a tree perched on the edge. Rappel 300 feet to the second pothole ledge, a clean, straight shot, mostly vertical.
Alternative: it is possible to rap with less than a 300 foot rope. Rap 80 feet to a small ledge with 2 bolts tucked into a corner and under a block. Be sure to locate this station from across the canyon before dropping in. Then rap 220 feet to the second pothole ledge, or 180 feet to the first pothole ledge. Build a cairn or rappel from a single bolt anchor 40 feet to the second pothole ledge.
From the Second Pothole Ledge, continue rapping off natural anchors several raps up to 120' long. Set your rappels carefully to avoid getting the ropes stuck.
More Canyon: After a final, spectacular rappel down a smooth chute, walk and clamber downcanyon. After a short open section, the canyon narrows and is pretty durn nice. A couple rappels off flood debris, some easy downclimbing and a lovely natural bridge add interest to the narrows, which eventually lead to Orderville Canyon (it gets wider). The last drop can be rappeled, or climb up left and down a chimney (about 5.4). Turn left and follow Orderville to the Narrows (it gets wider), then the Temple of Sinawava .