Overview

Hype:

Wife 1 Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park offers a rewarding canyoneering experience with three exciting rappels, the tallest reaching up to 60 feet. The route features stunning sandstone narrows and classic desert canyon scenery, making it an ideal introduction to the "Wives" series. While not overly technical, this canyon still requires proper gear, including a harness and rope, as well as basic rappelling skills. The approach is relatively straightforward, and the canyon is typically dry, adding to its accessibility for prepared adventurers. Permits are required and can be obtained for free from the Capitol Reef Visitor Center. This canyon offers a blend of adventure and striking natural beauty, perfect for those looking to explore the rugged terrain of the park.

Canyon Rating: 3A

Time: 4-6 hours

Length: 0.12 miles with 1 mile approach from trailhead to Betrothed and 0.6 mile approach from Betrothed to top of Wife 1

Longest Rappel: 3 rappels to 60 ft

Gear: Standard canyoneering gear.

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Permits: Permits are required https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/canyoneering.htm

Links: http://www.bluugnome.com/cyn_route/cap-reef/cap-reef_the-wives/cap-reef_the-wives.aspx

Getting There

Navigate to 38.283433, -111.246052.

Parking in the parking lot on the north side of the road.

Route

Approach

Hike up Cohab Canyon until you get to Betrothed Canyon. Then take the cliff route south past Betrothed Canyon until you get up on top of the cliffs. Stay relatively high as you travel west to the top of the canyon.

Route

Wife 1 has a great start, with a 30 ft. drop into a cave-like feature. Many downclimb this, and some rappel. If rappelling, and using the solution pocket arch, use webbing on the arch! Some people aren't, and it is quickly wearing the arch and will soon make it not useable.

Once in the cave, a little more down climbing brings you to a rappel of about 20 ft. The exposure of this spot is stunning. Work down the crack. This can be downclimbed, or better, rappelled using a rock in a crack as an anchor.

Once down the crack, it ends at an airy perch and 65 ft. rappel.

Once down the rappel, it is easy continuing down. When the canyon narrows and turns, escape up a crack on the left and downclimb to Cohab Canyon. The crack may require a boost from your partner, or add to the pile of rocks someone has started as a step up.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Coordinates: 38.279368, -111.243580

Interactive Guide Map

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August 31, 2024 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Matt Laurendeau, Amanda Laurendeau, Alex Laurendeau, Caleb Laurendeau, Rose Laurendeau, Lila Laurendeau, Trey Laurendeau,

Logistics

Trailhead: 8:20

Top of Wife 6: 9:40

Bottom of Wife 6: 12:00

Top of Wife 1: 1:35

Bottom of Wife 1: 4:35

Trailhead: 4:50

Story

We set our alarms for 7:00, had breakfast, and got everyone packed for our canyon day. Morning came early for the Laurendeaus because Trey had thrown up a couple times in the night. We left Torrey shortly after 8:00 and got to Capital Reef in good time. We filled out a permit and tried to drive to the trailhead for Cassidy Arch canyon, but we found out that the road was closed, so we made some adjustments to our plans. We decided to do the Wives instead. 

We did Wife 6 first. We rappelled all the down climbs and stopped for lunch in an alcove at the bottom of the canyon. Then we circled around and descended Wife 1 last. We rappelled a ton of the drops that could have been down climbed by capable climbers, so it took several hours. We finished up around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. and went back to camp for dinner. It was a little bit more effort than the littlest kids wanted, but for the most part everyone had a great time.

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Pictures