The Wives | Capitol Reef

Canyoneering The Wives - Capitol Reef Canyoneering The Wives

Capitol Reef

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

Wed

Sunny. High near 42, with temperatures falling to around 38 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 5. West northwest wind 12 to 18 mph.

42 | 18

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 39. North northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.

39 | 17

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

45 | 19

Sat

A slight chance of snow after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

40 | 24

Sun

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

34 | 20

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SEASON: Any, no snow
RAPPELS: 0+ Depending on Canyon
WATER: Wife 5 can have a few pools to waist deep.
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate

Wed

Sunny. High near 42, with temperatures falling to around 38 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as 5. West northwest wind 12 to 18 mph.

42 | 18

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 39. North northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.

39 | 17

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

45 | 19

Sat

A slight chance of snow after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

40 | 24

Sun

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

34 | 20

View Full Weather Details
Wife 3 Canyon - Anchor

Wife 3 Canyon - Anchor

The Wives are a total of 7 short canyons in Capitol Reef that are side drainages of Cohab Canyon. The canyons are all very short, so only take an hour or so once the approach is made. A competent group can do 2-3 of them easily in a day.

That being said, if you are OCD, such as myself, you will undoubtedly do all 7. For those more quality oriented, Wife 5 is head and shoulders above the rest. Wife 3 is also fairly good. Beyond that, I would not highly recommend the others. Wife 4 and 1 are OK, next I would put Wife 2, and TOTGA. I would not recommend Wife 6, it is brushy and not particularly interesting.

Warning: Wife 4/TOTGA have very tight crack downclimbs. Members of the deuce+ club (200+lbs) may find these very difficult. You have been warned! Not a good choice for claustrophobic canyoneers either.

Note: Wife 5 is sometimes rated as harder because the 4th rappel was originally done from a small rock wedged in a solution pocket that is difficult to inspect/replace the webbing on. While this is true, look around at the rap, and there are a couple of solution pockets that go all the way through creating an easy thread. These make for better anchors; they are up out of the watercourse and easy to inspect.

All of these canyons are fault canyons, and contain a lot of fragile, crumbly rock. Helmets recommended and be sure to evaluate anchors carefully.

Wife 3 and TOTGA beta image

Wife 3 and TOTGA beta image

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