Lost & Found Canyon Technical Canyoneering (hiker, mtn biker options too)
Details
http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/c/6/6/event_88076422.jpeg
Lost & Found (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/undercover.htm) or MMI Canyon (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/mmi.htm)
Technical Canyoneering
(canyon ratings on both 3AII (http://climb-utah.com/ratings.htm))
Crescent Junction exit off I-70 (~ 18 miles east of Green River. Google Maps (https://www.google.com/search?q=google+map+green+river+ut+to+salt+lake+city+ut&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7ADRA_enUS423) says Cresecent Jct is 3 hr 30 minutes, 200 miles from SLC)
(Any off pavement trip or canyon-country outing is alway subject to chance to to weather (http://www.wunderground.com/US/UT/Green_River.html#forecast); adverse or unexpected environmental conditions. In this case we will monitor Green River, UT weather (http://www.wunderground.com/US/UT/Green_River.html#forecast).)
WHEN/WHERE:
8 AM at YELLOW CAT exit from I-70, (29 miles east of Green River, UT)
DETAILS:
Lost and Found Canyon aka Undercover Canyon (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/undercover.htm) plus a short walk to see Covert Arch (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/covert.htm) &/or MMI Canyon (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/mmi.htm). Other canyon options in the area might include Winter Camp Slot (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/wintercamp.htm).
These canyons are described as fun routes that explore a rarely visited section of Arches National Park. This offers seclusion inside the remote northern edge of Arches National Park. The routes are beginner friendly with competent leadership. A visit to the stunning Covert Arch is part of either L&F or MMI..
OPTIONS:
Dirt road mountain biking - lots and lots of roads back in here Hiking - Arch hunting (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/index.htm) - Covert (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/covert.htm), La Boca and Harold's Arches (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/covert.htm) are accessible by overland &/or user-trail routes. These can be 1-4 hour family-friendly trips from the trailhead. Gem & mineral hounding in Yellow Cat area (http://www.peaktopeak.com/njeffco/2006/yellowcat/yc06_rep.php) BRING:
Basic clothing in layers; prefer non-cotton this time of year. This will not be an abrasive canyon(s) on your clothing so you can wear light weight nylon, etc. Sturdy light hiking boots, running shoes. No need for sticky rubber canyon shoes. Gloves/mittens/warm hat(s)/neck gaiter Wind shell (probably no need but have it in the car at least)http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/d/8/8/event_88076712.jpeg Water, snacks & lunch; thermos of hot beverage in the car (optional) CANYONEERING GEAR:
(minimal list for a technical canyon you do with WSA, please.)
HELMET (required. no helmet-no canyons with this group. Bike helmet is OK) harness rappel/belay device (ATC is the preferred but can be Figure 8, Pirana, Totem, etc.) locking carabiners (prefer 4/person but can get by with 2 or 3; they start at ~$9 each at REI or Summit Canyon) slings (at least 1 4' long, 1" webbing sling for general purposes. Suggest 2 of those per person; or, 1 4'er and one 8'. If you do not bring a daisy chain you will need at least these 2 slings, minimum plus 1-15-25' sling of 1" webbing (for use on anchors if we need to set an anchor &/or replace old webbing on an anchor.) gloves leather/ fake leather for rappeling and preventing sandpapered hands on the rock. pack - some kind of pack to carry this gear and your portion of the group gear. When we do skinnier canyons you will need to carry all your gear through the canyon INSIDE your pack. In skinny slots and on rappels NOTHING CAN HANG OUT, so please make it a habit on any canyon trip that once you start down canyon, nothing is on the outside of your pack. http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/e/2/8/event_88076872.jpegCARPOOLING:
Great idea. We can leave cars at the meeting place in Fruita. We need as many high clearance (4WD?) drive vehicles as possible for the dirt roads in the Yellow Cat area.
If you are not meeting here for a carpool/ caravan please note other plans in your RSVP.
COST:
Please share gas $$ generously. CANYONEERING INFO SOURCES: (some, not all, and not in any order of preference)
Climb Utah (http://climb-utah.com/Powell/leprechaun1.htm) (the bible of remote UT info) Mini Slot Guide (http://www.math.utah.edu/~sfolias/minislot/) (a few routes, great descriptions) North Wash Outfitters (http://northwashoutfitters.com/blog/?p=174) (Blanding, UT guide) Tom's UT Canyoneering (http://canyoneeringusa.com/utah/) (very detailed) AJ Roadtrips (http://www.ajroadtrips.com/go/t/utah/north-wash/shillelagh) (canyons, mountains, etc.) http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/f/4/a/event_88077162.jpeg CONTACT:
Doug Van Etten 970-433-4312
DETAILED DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From Crescent Junction: Follow I-70 east for 11 miles to Exit 193 (N38° 56' 32", W109° 36' 53"), signed Yellow Cat. Exit I-70 and turn south. Follow the graded Yellow Cat Road southeast for 6.2 miles to a fork (N38° 52' 04", W109° 33' 00"). Take the east (left) fork. Continue following the road for 2.1 miles to the Yellow Cat Mine Ruins (http://climb-utah.com/Moab/yellowcat.htm) (N38° 50' 53", W109° 31' 42"). The ruins are located on the east side of the road.
From The Yellow Cat Mine Ruins follow the road east for 1.0 mile to a fork (N38° 51' 01", W109° 30' 38"). Take the south (right) fork and follow the road 2.6 miles to a fork (N38° 49' 27", W109° 29' 48"). Take the east (left) fork and follow the road 3.1 miles to a junction (N38° 48' 31", W109° 26' 53"). Take the south (right) fork and follow the road 1.2 miles to a junction (N38° 47' 51", W109° 26' 06"), with a less traveled road heading west (right). Carefully driven passenger vehicles and high clearance vehicles can normally reach this junction without problems, beyond this point the roads might contain sections of sand.
Follow the less traveled road west for 2.9 miles to where a fence crosses the road. This is the Undercover Canyon Trailhead. Park next to the fence in what is starting to develop into a small parking area. This is also the trailhead for MMI Canyon (http://climb-utah.com/pr/mmi.htm).