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Canyoneering Trip Report / Route Description

Lower Water Holes Canyon - 3A III or 4A III R
Grand Canyon National Park, Utah

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Pictures 03-15-08

Quick Facts

03-15-08, 4 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 10.4 hours) - Full Canyon

Full Canyon down the Big Drop or around via the Big Drop bypass
Distance - 4.1 miles Total, 3.4 miles Technical
Rappels - 11 Rappels, Longest Rappel 360 feet.

Down to the top of the Big Drop then Back Up - Will require re-ascending the rappels to get back up.
Distance -??
Rappels - 6 Rappels, Longest Rap 80 feet.

See the Canyoneer Trip Report Explanation Notes page for an explanation of how the technical mileage is determined.

Gear Used for Canyon

Rappelling and personal anchor gear, and 50 feet of 1" webbing for possible anchor replacement.  Wet suits may be required in cooler months as there may be a few wading spots if there have been recent rains.

If doing the entire canyon and dropping down the Big Drop
400 foot rope, 200 foot rope, and 200 foot pull cord.

If going down to the top of the Big Drop then back up canyon
Bring ropes to leave at raps 4 (25 feet), 5 (15 feet) and 6 (80 feet) as well as some extra webbing to leave where you may have trouble getting up on your way back to the escape route.

See the Canyoneer Trip Report Explanation Notes page for an explanation of how the gear used list is determined.

General Comments

Note on canyon rating:
The rating for the canyon done down to the top of the "Big Rap" then return back up canyon is said to be 3A II.  If done all the way to the Colorado River and dropping down the Big Drop, the rating would is 4A III R. 

The A rating of this canyon could easily change to a B under wet conditions.  If there has not been any recent rains a lot of potholes through out this canyon that will be dry.  Other times of the year with recent rain fall, these potholes would contain a fair amount of water.  The canyon would become more difficult due to multiple water filled potholes that would need to be dealt with.  So the canyon could arguably be an A or a B.  The dirt in the pot holes had a lot of clay content so even a little water can turn this into a slippery event with clay like mud sticking to everything. 

Lower Water Holes Canyon is located on Navajo Nation Land in Glen Canyon National Park near the border of Grand Canyon National Park.  The route starts from highway 89 about 6 miles south of Page Arizona.  The route ends at the Colorado River about 4 miles up river from Lee's Ferry.  Lower Water Holes Canyon is one of the few technical canyons in this area that are still open to the public.  To do the canyon, a permit is required from the Navajo Nation.

Permits for the canyon can be obtained from the Antelope Canyon branch of the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation.  The Antelope Canyon Navajo Nation office is located a few miles East of Page on Highway 98.  It is in a mobile home set up by the Lee-Chee Chapter house and a Church.  The cost was 5 dollars per person.

If completing the route all the way to the river, arrangements will need to be made to get down stream to Lee's Ferry.  Options are to pack your own rafts, arrange a ride out or have a local river guide company drop kayaks for you where the canyon meets the river.  Colorado River Discovery offers day river trips from Glen Canyon Dam to Lee’s Ferry.  They will drop kayaks for you for a reasonable fee.

A new anchor was added in early 2009 part way down the Big Drop to help alleviate issues with the "Rope Eating Crack".  See notes in the Route Description below.

Getting to the Trailhead and Exit Vehicle (Escape Pod) Parking

To get to the Trailhead

From Page Arizona at the intersection of highway 98 and highway 89, drive south on highway 89 about 4.2 miles.  There will be a turn out area on the left (east) side of the road.  This is where you park the vehicle for the entry trailhead.

To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod

If you are going to go down to the top of the Big Drop then back up canyon there is no need to leave an exit vehicle as this is an out and back route.

If completing the route to the river you will need to leave an exit vehicle in the boat ramp area at Lee's Ferry.  Remember to arrange a way to get the 4 miles down river to lee's Ferry after you complete the canyon.  From the Water Holes Canyon Trailhead, drive 17.9 miles to the junction of highway 89 and highway 89.  Yup you got it the same highway number both directions.  From this junction turn right (north) toward Lee's Ferry.  Drive another 14.3 miles and turn right at the turn off to Lee's Ferry.  Drive 5.6 miles to the parking area by the boat rap at Lee's Ferry.  Leave a vehicle here as the escape pod. If you intend to drop off the exit vehicle the morning of the route, be sure to allow ample time for this.  From the trailhead it is 38.5 miles to the drop off for the exit vehicle.  It is then another 38.5 miles to get back to the trailhead.  That's 77 miles round trip and about 2 hours travel time to drop off the exit vehicle.

Maps

Map showing entire route.

Click for High-Res version.
Right Click then select "Save Target As" to save the Hi-Res version.

GPS Waypoint Information

Waypoint coordinates are given with the WGS84 datum and in Lat/Lon hddd° mm.mmm' format unless otherwise noted.

Details

The Approach:
From the trailhead off highway 89 (tWaterHoles), travel east about 0.2 miles while looking for a convenient path down toward the canyon floor on the right (south).  Once down in the canyon floor (yLwrWtrHoleTp), start walking down canyon (west).

The Canyon / Technical Section:
From the drop in point (yLwrWtrHoleTp) head down canyon to the west toward the Colorado River. The canyon starts out with great views immediately!  After only a short distance you feel like you are in the heart of a canyon even though you just started. 

The canyon crosses under highway 89 about 0.2 miles down canyon of the drop in point.  Just after crossing under the bridge (highway 89) is a wrecked car wedged between the canyon walls at the canyon floor (wLoWtrHolsRP-1).  Down climb the wreckage to continue. The views just keep coming.  Some spots widen out and others get pretty tight. 

About 0.2 miles down canyon of the car wreckage is a down climb of about 12 feet (wLoWtrHolsRP-2).  At the top of this down climb you may find left over bolts in the rock from when ladders used to be installed in this portion of the canyon.  The bolts can be used to hold webbing to assist with the down climb.

Rap 1 (dWatrHlsR1) is about 1 mile down canyon of the 12 foot down climb.  Rap 1 is anchored from a set of bolted chains LDC and drops about 60 feet into a pothole with a sandy bottom and lots of debris.  This pothole at the bottom of rap 1 will be a swimmer with an easy escape in wet conditions.  The climb out of the pothole starts with about a 5 foot wall then an easy scramble along a slopped outlet.

Rap 2 (dWatrHlsR2) is a very short distance after rap 1.  Rap 2 is anchored from 2 bolted anchors and drops about 15 feet to a pothole below.  The escape from this pothole is also pretty simple.

The stretch of canyon below rap 2 is scenic and goes through a series of narrow and wide sections.  After exiting a narrow portion about 0.3 miles below rap 2 you will see a huge slab of rock RDC that almost looks like the side view of a huge slice of bread ready to fall over.  On the canyon wall next to this huge slab are 2 huge meaty Metolius anchors.  These things were the biggest thickest anchors I have ever seen with no chains.  I was later informed that this style of anchor was made to not use chains or rapids.  They are sold in pairs and with rounded corners so rope can be run right through them.  These anchors were for rap 3.

Rap 3 (dWatrHlsR3) is about 0.3 miles down canyon of rap 2.  Rap 3 is anchored by the 2 huge Metolius anchors RDC and drops about 50 feet to the sandy floor below.

The mid point escape route (yLwrWtrHoleMd) is about 200 feet down canyon of rap 3. The canyon opens up a little with sides that are not so steep.  The RDC side (north) was sloped enough to allow escape from the canyon.  A route up and out of the canyon is marked with cairns.  This escape route is what can be used if doing the canyon down to the Big Rap then back up.  Descending any rappels beyond this point would require leaving ropes to re-ascend to get back to this point to escape the canyon.

Continuing down canyon from the escape route are a few down climbs that are made easier if you assist one another but it is not required.  About 700 feet down canyon of the escape route is a down climb to a pothole LDC (wLoWtrHolsRP-3).  This down climb is very deceiving and looks very difficult.  After down climbing it you find it is quite simple to get down.  The best route is up and around to the right of the pothole where you will find some great hand holds.  For safety all but the last person can use someone at the top as a meat anchor.

About 200 feet down canyon of the pot hole climb around, is another down climb through a hole in the sandstone (wLoWtrHolsRP-4).  A very short distance after this down climb is rap 4.

Rap 4 drops about 25 feet and is anchored by 2 bolted hangars RDC.  An interesting thing to see at the anchors for Rap 4, are the markings on the wall next to them.  There were noticeable divots and grooves next to the anchors caused by the chains flailing about during high water flow during flash floods.  If you are planning to go to the Big Rap then return up canyon to the escape route, this (rap4) is first rap you will need to leave ropes so you can ascend them to get out.

A couple hundred feet down canyon of rap 4 is a down climb to what appears to be a dead end (wLoWtrHolsRP-5).  The canyon takes a very sharp left turn through what feels like a side exit to the slot.  After turning left here there is an easy down climb into a muddy hole in dry conditions.  Under wet conditions, this hole would be a muddy soupy mess but is an easy walk out on the other side.  The mud is clay like and sticks to your shoes in a thick coat.  Wow what a mess if you were to slip and fall in this stuff.

Rap 5 (dWatrHlsR5) is about 200 feet down canyon of the muddy hole.  Rap 5 is anchored by slinging a rock protrusion at the top of the rap and drops about 15 feet.  Rap 5 is arguably a down climb and ropes should be left here as well if returning up canyon.

A short distance past rap 5 is a short down climb to a water filled hole, even in dry conditions.  The water here will likely be a swimmer.  There are anchors on the wall LDC above the water hole and anchors RDC just down canyon of the water hole.  A zip line can be set up between these anchors to get people across.  But one unlucky soul will need to be the one to swim across and help set up the zip line.

Just past the water hole with a zip line possibility is a pot hole that can be avoided by walking LDC of it on a steep side wall.  It would be difficult to get packs across the ledge due to its angle.  It may be helpful for someone to drop into the pothole to assist getting packs across it (if the hole is dry).

Rap 6 (dWatrHlsR6) is shortly after the pothole.  Rap 6 is anchored from 2 bolted hangers with chains and drops about 80 feet down a smooth vertical wall.  At the bottom you find yourself in a soft sandy area that is like a cul-de-sac blocked in with canyon walls.  It is a very peaceful feeling spot. Ropes should be left here as well if returning back up canyon.

Shortly after rap 6 the flat sandy bottom turns to rock then the canyon drops.  A ledge continues RDC next to the large crevice that drops on the left.  This ledge leads to the anchors for rap 7.  Raps 7, 8 and 9 collectively make up the Big Drop.

Rap 7 (dWatrHlsR7-9) is at the end of the ledge.  Rap 7 is anchored from 2 bolted hangers RDC and drops about 90 feet down another crevice to a flat floor below.  This floor is a horizontal section in the crevice but is only large enough for 2 people and a a couple packs or 3 people and no packs.

Rap 8 is anchored from 2 bolted hangers LDC in the small landing below rap 7.  From this point Rap 8 is well over 300 feet to the canyon floor and quite invigorating once you get out on the rope and see how far up you are and how small you feel in comparison.

Note:
It is possible to rappel all the way to the canyon floor (about 350 feet or so) and do the Big Drop in one long rappel from the top of 8 but it is not recommended! The first 20 feet or so of rap 8 drops at an angle slightly less than vertical with cracks running along it that WILL easily stick ropes when being pulled from the bottom.  Ask me how I know this!  We lost a 400 foot rope, a 200 feet rope and most of a 200 foot pull cord doing the rap this way.  Luckily while rapping down we were able to retrieve one of the many ropes stuck from a previous party.  This rope allowed us to finish that canyon after the Big Drop, so luck was on our side that day.

There is also a hanging rap station about 130 feet down.  Using this hanging rappel station is also not recommended.  The station is about 20 feet LDC of the natural fall line of rap 8 and requires some pendulum action to get to it.  The anchors there consist of 2 bolted hangers (placed a bit too close together to be safe) and 4 old pitons.  With the station being off the natural fall line and a hanging anchor station this is not the best way to get down the Big Drop.

The preferred option to get down the Big Drop is to use a new anchor station installed by Tom Jones and Ram on a trip down Water Holes Canyon in February of 2009.  I Have not personally seen this yet since it was set up about a year after our descent.  They set more bolted hangers just below the rope eating crack where there is a ledge that can accommodate 2 people (not sure ledge is a good term for this rap sation).

Rap 8 is the next step to getting down the Big Drop.  Drop down Rap 8 about 30 feet to the new anchor station for what is now rap 9.

Rap 9 has a ledge that can accommodate 2 people according to Tom Jones.  After looking at pictures I would say while this may be true it should be treated more like a hanging rappel rather than a ledge.  When I get the chance to re do this route I will update this accordingly.  Rap 9 is anchored from 2 bolted hangers and drops about 300 feet to the canyon floor.  Rap 9 is incredible.  The awe inspiring height and layout of Rap 9 is just as incredible looking from the bottom as it is from the top.  Looking up the huge wall with a person hanging from it leaves you almost speechless.  You truly feel like a spider hanging from a web slowly going down the side wall of a huge sandstone cull-de-sac.  The area at the bottom is full of nice soft sand and would be a great place to do lunch if the timing were right.  Its also a large enough area to play foot ball in.

Tom used a fresh cut 300 foot rope for rap 9 and it barley made it.  So if the rope used, is at least 300 feet you are good to go for rap 9.  Ropes can shrink though so a once 300 foot rope may no longer be 300 feet after some use.  Keep this in mind when planning your trip down this rappel.  If you want to see pictures of the new set up being installed, you can find them on Tom's site here

There is also a bypass route to get around the Big Drop.  I have not personally seen this route yet.  Eric Leifer told me about the bypass route he and some friends had done March of 2009.  The bypass route goes down along a ledge system RDC starting just above rap 7.  All the anchors found appeared to be bomber.  The third anchor station on this bypass route was completely buried in sand and dirt, and was spotted by rotted faded webbing.  He gauged the anchors had been covered over for at least 10 years and guessed this was an old forgotten route around the Big Drop.  The bypass route involves a series of 4 rappels with the longest being about 150 feet.  Here is a sum up of what he relayed to me via Email.

From the top of rap 7, follow a ledge system RDC just above rap 7 for about 300 yards.  Look closely for the first set of 3 bolted hangers placed precariously on a ledge about 30 feet down a prominent crack system.  The down climb to the anchors is not incredibly difficult but is very exposed so a belay is a good idea for someone climbing down to them.

Bypass-Rap 1 is from this first set of 3 bolted hangers.  Bypass-Rap 1 drops about 100 feet down a crack in the canyon wall.

Bypass-Rap 2 is from a wide platform at the bottom of bypass-rap 1, with room for plenty of people. Bypass-Rap 2 is anchored from 2 bolted hangers and drops completely vertical about 60 feet down to another ledge and crack.  From the bottom Bypass-Rap 2, traverse about 40 feet to a third rap station.  The traverse is across a somewhat exposed sandy ledge where care should be taken.  

Bypass-Rap 3 is found after traversing the 40 feet along the ledge at the bottom of bypass-rap 2.  Bypass-Rap 3 is from two bolted hangers and drops about 150 feet.  Along the 150 foot drop are several ledges with various places to stand. 

Bypass-Rap 4 is the final rap for the bypass route.  Bypass-Rap 4 is from 2 bolted hangers and drops about 80 feet to the canyon floor.  The anchors are easy to spot and are located on a sloping ledge. The sloped ledge has loose rock on it.  To be safe one should clip into the anchors before getting off the rope from the rap above.   Eric and friends did not use this 4th rap station since they had a 300 foot rope and were able to bypass it.

According to Eric this bypass route could be done using only two 60 meter ropes (so the entire canyon could be done with only two 60 meter ropes).  Pictures from Eric's trip are here.

Raps 10, 11 and 12 (dWatrHlsR10-12) are very close to each other and are about 400 feet down canyon of the Big Drop.  They are all within a section of canyon about 200 feet long and all LDC.

Rap 10 is anchored by 2 bolted hangers and drops about 20 feet.

Rap 11 is anchored from bolted hangers and drops about 15 feet down a sloped wall.

Rap 12 drops a total of about 75 feet.   The first part is about 55 feet to a large pot hole then another 20 feet below the pot hole to the floor of the wash.  This rap uses a natural anchor which is a bump sticking up from the floor.  Webbing is tied around it with rap rings.

The Exit:
From the bottom of rap 12 to the river is an easy walk along the wash.  The river (yLwrWtrHoleBt) is about 1 mile down canyon of rap 12.

Once at the river you will need to use what ever you set up to get down river 4 miles to Lee's Ferry.  Options are pack in your own rafts, have kayaks or rafts hauled in and dropped for you or arrange for someone to pick you up by boat.  Float 4 miles down river to the Lee's Ferry boat ramp to get to your exit vehicle.

Links to Pictures are at the top of the page.

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