Canyoneer Burro Wash Slot Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

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Burro Wash slot canyon typify the canyon country of southern Utah: deep, narrow, secret places within the Waterpocket Fold. The routes are largely unmarked. A few rock cairns may mark key points; carrying a topographic map is recommended. It is extremely hot in summer and water sources are unreliable; carry adequate water. Use caution in narrow canyons during flash flood season (typically July-September). The slot canyon is difficult hikes and only experienced canyon-country hikers should attempt these routes. All contain obstacles in the form of dry falls and chock stones (large boulders wedged in narrow slots) which must be climbed over. The canyons are extremely narrow in places; most people will have to work their way through sideways. Often there are pools of water that may require deep wading or short swims. Burro Wash can be done as long day hikes. This route is not an official, maintained trail. Route conditions, including obstacles in canyons, change frequently due to weather, flash floods, rockfall, and other hazards. Routefinding, navigation, and map-reading skills are critical. DO not rely solely on unofficial route markers (rock cairns, etc.); they are not maintained by the National Park Service (NPS), may not indicate the route in this description, or may be absent. Burro Wash is located 7.8 miles (12.6 km) south of Hwy 24 on the Notom-Bullfrog Road. As you proceed up the wash (west), always take the left branch at major wash junctions. Approximately two miles (3.2 km) in from the Notom-Bullfrog Road, the canyon begins to narrow as it cuts into the Navajo Sandstone. Soon you will encounter a narrow, sandy wash on the right. Proceed up this wash to a large chockstone, which may be preceded by a pool of water. You can bypass this obstacle by backtracking 20 yards (18 m) to a slickrock slide on the south side of the canyon. A route leads from the right side of the slide around the ridge over the chockstone and down into the wash on the other side. As you proceed up-canyon you will encounter several more chockstones that require some climbing to negotiate and two sets of narrows that constrict to shoulder-width. About 3.4 miles (5.5 km) in from the trailhead, two large chockstones must be negotiated to access the third and final section of narrows, which is often preceded by a cold pool of water. At the upper end of the final narrows is a large chamber with an impassable pour-off. This marks the end of the route for most hikers. It is possible to bypass the pour-off by backtracking a couple hundred yards (180 m) through the last section of narrows and then friction climbing up the steeply-sloping canyon wall on the right (north). A few rock cairns may mark the route. This section traverses steep slickrock with loose footing and severe exposure in several places, and is not recommended for most hikers. Use extreme caution, especially if wet or icy conditions exist. At the top, descend back down into the wash above the pour-off. The route continues another mile (1.6 km), traversing several short sections of narrows and eventually ends at a sculptured, fluted pour-off which will be impassable to most. Continuing up-canyon requires technical rock climbing equipment and expertise and routefinding skills. For those with such capabilities, the canyon continues several more miles and will eventually come out on the South Draw Road. (See note above under Trailhead Locations.) To return to the trailhead, retrace the route back down the canyon. WARNING: Slot canyons are particularly dangerous due to the risk of flash floods. Storms far away can send walls of water down the narrow canyons and hikers have been killed in such events. In many slot canyons, it can be miles before a safe exit or rescue is possible. Hikers should check conditions carefully and not rely on seeing the sky to judge the weather. If there is even a slight chance of rain, do not enter slot canyons. Source: NPS

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