3/4 Day Canyoneering Trip – Hypatia Canyon
Requiring a bit more stamina than our 1/2 Day Trips, our “intermediate” loops are still suitable for people of all skill levels who are used to activity and will enjoy the exertion of scrambling, climbing, and hiking as well as the rope work of canyoneering.
Hypatia Canyon is tucked within a sweeping lunar landscape of rock dunes and fins are several quiet and rarely visited canyons. Dinosaur tracks, a sweeping secluded arch, and a multitude of shady canyon obstacle-courses, including a short wade through pot-holes, mark the passage with three opportunities to rappel. Groups preferring to ease into the experience of rappelling can bypass the first rappel, a stunning 130ft drop beside Teardrop Arch, and begin with the second rappel. The 50ft second rappel is our access into an impressive rock amphitheater, and ushers us into our last challenge: an exposed 100ft rappel. A short hike back to the trip’s starting point closes this fantastic desert loop!
Private or Chartered Guide
$70 / person added to your cost ensures that no one else will join your party, providing your group with more time for discussion and one-on-one instruction from our professional guides who specialize in the safest climbing/canyoneering techniques as well as the local natural history, geology, flora, and fauna.
Group discount of 10% available for nine or more.
Trip Overview
- Duration: 6-7 hours
- Drive from Moab: 10 minutes
- Max. guide to client ratio: 1:7
- Season: March – October, temperatures permitting
- Technical: 5 miles of advanced hiking
- 3 Rappels (130 ft, 50ft, 100ft), some short rope-assisted scrambles; short wades up to 5ft deep (depending on conditions)
Skill & Fitness Level
- No canyoneering experience required
- Beginner-intermediate athletic skill level
- Must be able to hike 5 miles over natural terrain with steep grades
- Must be able to scramble, stem, and climb up, down, or over canyon obstacles with a rope assist
- Must be comfortable wading through cold water
- Minimum age: 12 years
- Children must be mature enough to use reason and logic to mitigate their instinctual fear of backing over a cliff edge and also weigh enough (around 50lbs.) to counter the mass of the rope they’ll need to push through their rappel device.
What to Bring
- 3 liters of water per person
- A long sleeve, quick-drying shirt to use to warm up after swims
- Extra dry clothes may also be necessary depending on the temperature that day
- Sun screen
- Lip balm
- Brimmed hat
- Light long-sleeve shirt (for sun protection)
- Sun glasses
- Light rain gear
- Camera (waterproof)
- Extra snacks if you get really hungry, are a growing teenager, or have dietary restrictions or allergies
We provide
- Sandwich & snacks
- All of the technical gear you will need for canyoneering
- Wetsuits, if deemed necessary
- Rental canyoneering shoes with extra-sticky rubber for gripping the rock and quick-draining material for comfort for $8
- Transportation from our office to the route and back to our office.
What you should wear
- Shoes with a soft, flexible sole, such as running shoes or lightweight hiking shoes that you are comfortable possibly getting wet or dirty
- No open-toed sandals, please
- Clothes that are light-weight and loose fitting to allow you flexibility and freedom of movement
- Clothes that are suitable for the season
- No cotton jeans or sweatshirts
Departure Times
All trips depart from our office at 253 North Main, Moab UT. See location on Google map
- 7:00am or 8:00am, weather depending
Please be at our office at least 15 minutes before departure for check-in.
Early reservations are recommended!
