Overview

Hype:

Wife 3 Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem for intermediate canyoneers seeking a balance of adventure and beauty. This slot canyon offers a series of technical challenges, including multiple rappels, narrow passages, and occasional water obstacles depending on recent weather conditions. The approach involves a scenic hike from the Cohab Canyon Trailhead, taking you through the rugged desert landscape characteristic of Capitol Reef. With its stunning sandstone walls and thrilling rappels, Wife 3 provides an engaging experience for those comfortable with technical canyoneering gear and techniques. Free permits are required and can be obtained at the park’s visitor center.

Canyon Rating: 3A

Time: 2.5 hours from Betrothed to bottom of canyon

Length: 0.2 miles with 1 mile approach from trailhead to Betrothed and 0.5 mile approach from Betrothed to top of Wife 3

Longest Rappel: 200 ft

Gear: 200 ft rope, 200 ft pull cord, standard rappelling gear

Fees: Entrance Fee

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.

Canyon

Rappel #1: 200 ft off a tree on the west side of the canyon. 

Rappel #2: 50 ft off a chockstone.

Rappel #3: 30 ft off a solution pocket.

Rappel #4: 2-stage rappel 15 ft into a pothole then 15 ft to the canyon floor.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Coordinates: 38.279713, -111.242661

Interactive Guide Map

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November 12, 2016 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Anthony Dye,

Logistics

3:30 Leave parking lot. Start hiking Cohab Canyon.

4:05 Betrothed Canyon turnoff.

4:25 Top of Wife 3 Canyon (Anthony drops in, pull cord too short, look for other options).

5:00 I drop rope and Anthony continues without me.

5:15 Anthony reaches bottom of Wife 3 Canyon.

5:35 Anthony hikes back to top of canyon.

5:40 Drop into Wife 2 Canyon.

6:45 Bottom of Wife 2 Canyon.

7:01 Parking lot.

Story

Anthony and I did this canyon after finishing Cassidy Arch Canyon. Well, actually that's not entirely true. We both started to do the canyon, but then we realized our pull cord was only 100 ft long instead of 200 ft long, so Anthony did the canyon by himself. After he went down the first rappel (200 ft) I untied the rope and dropped it to him. He did the canyon solo in about 15 minutes and then ran back up to the top so we could both do Wife 2 Canyon before it got too late.

While I was waiting, I explored upper TOTGA from the bottom up.

Video of Trip

Pictures