Canyoneering Na-gah Canyon
Capitol Reef
Overview
Sun 52 | 33 |
Mon 46 | 28 |
Tue 48 | 34 |
Wed 44 | 33 |
Thu 40 | 23 |
View Full Weather Details |
Sun 52 | 33 |
Mon 46 | 28 |
Tue 48 | 34 |
Wed 44 | 33 |
Thu 40 | 23 |
View Full Weather Details |
Na-gah Canyon is a short fork of Shinob Canyon that drains into Grand Wash. The canyon is good, but really short. A couple of down climbs, followed by a few rappels through an impressive dark and twisty section, and it is done.
Though tough to recommend Na-Gah on its own, it does make a pleasant 1/2 or 3/4 day when combined with hiking Ferns Nipple (the map shows both the canyon and Ferns Nipple Route). The scenery on the approach and Ferns Nipple make for a great day, with the short slot on the return being the icing on the cake. Typically the canyon shouldn't hold much water, making it a good early spring or late fall outing. The canyon is fairly beginner friendly, most of the down climbs could be set up as rappels using natural anchors without much difficulty, or yield to partner techniques well.
The main canyon, Shinob, is not currently labeled on USGS maps, but is on the visitor center map. Shinob is a Piute word meaning "Great Spirit". In Piute legend, a People of the Sky were restless and travelled into the heavens. According to legend, they can still be seen moving through the heavens every night. One of these people, however, is stationary and cannot move. This is Na-gah, the north star. Presumably the canyon was named Na-gah because it is the northern most fork of Shinob.
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