Overview

Hype:

Wife 4 Canyon is a short and fun canyon in Capitol Reef National Park. There are 2 rappels up to 80 ft. Like the other Wives, Wife 4 Canyon ends at the Cohab Canyon Trail.

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 0.4 mile approach from Betrothed to top of Wife 4

Longest Rappel: 75 ft

Gear: 150 foot rope. 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
Features:
  • Rappels
  • Downclimbs
  • Fixed Anchors
  • Wetsuit Generally Not Required
  • No Drinking Water
  • Slot Canyon
  • Wayfinding
  • No Restrooms
  • Road Access is Paved
  • Access Road is 2WD Accessible
  • Wildflowers and Vegitation
  • Wildlife and Birding

Links: Bluu Gnome

Getting There

Navigate to 38.285177, -111.246297.

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

Rappel #1: 80 ft off a tree at the head of the canyon.

Rappel #2: 40 ft off two solution pockets down a narrow, sloped crack. Can be downclimbed.

Downclimb #1: 15 ft, moderate difficulty. Easiest to walk out on the right then chimney down.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Torrey, Utah

Coordinates: 38.279372, -111.241845

Interactive Guide Map

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April 23, 2016 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Anthony Dye, Arianne Dye, Miller Dye, Brenen Dye, Shaylin Dye, Miguel Gomez,

Logistics

10:15 Leave parking lot. Start hiking Cohab Canyon.

11:15 Betrothed Canyon turnoff.

1:00 Top of Wife 4 Canyon.

2:15 Bottom of Wife 4 Canyon (split up, explore canyons from bottom, etc.).

4:30 Top of Wife 5 Canyon.

5:45 Bottom of Wife 5 Canyon.

6:00 Parking lot. 

Story

We did this canyon as a big group and had lots of fun. It was super windy, and I forgot the girls' jackets at home, so I ended up buying a hoodie at the visitor center for Madi, and Savannah used mine. But at the Betrothed turnoff, Madi tripped and fell on a bunch of cactus. Her whole hoodie was filled with prickly spines. Luckily Arianne had an extra shirt for Miller that Madi could fit into. 

Video of Trip

Pictures