Canyoneer Sheets Gulch 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. Sheets Gulch can be done as a long day hike or an overnight, depending on where you turn around. Free backcountry permits are required for all overnight trips and can be obtained at the visitor center. 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. Sheets Gulch is located 12.7 miles (20.4 km) south of Hwy 24 on the Notom-Bullfrog Road. One mile (1.6 km) up the wash (west) you will encounter a major side drainage on the right (north); stay left. A short distance further up canyon another drainage enters; stay right at this junction. One mile (1.6 km) further, the wash bottom narrows and you may find a few pools of water associated with several small chockstones and dry falls. The most difficult obstacle along the route, another chockstone and pool, is encountered about 4.1 miles (6.6 km) from the road. A good climber will be able to negotiate this alone, but most people will need assistance from another person. The last obstacle is about 5.3 miles (8.5 km) from the trailhead. Here you will encounter a high pour-off in a cave-like chamber; bypass this by backtracking about 100 yards (91 m) and climbing out of the wash on the left (north) side of the canyon. Beyond this point, numerous stands of Douglas fir begin to appear on cool, shaded, north slopes, and the canyon walls begin to change from the white Navajo sandstone to the red Wingate. There is an intermittent seep with cottonwood trees about 6.7 miles (10.8 km) in from the trailhead. Soon the canyon opens up and becomes much wider. This is a good place to turn around if you are on a day hike. To return to the trailhead, simply retrace the route back down the canyon. If you left a second vehicle at South Draw Road/Tantalus Flats, or if you are on an overnight trip (free backcountry permit required), it is possible to continue up canyon for several more miles. One-way distance from the Notom-Bullfrog Road to South Draw Road/ Tantalus Flats is approximately 11.6 miles (18.6 km). Eventually, an old jeep trail will lead you out of Sheets Gulch to South Draw Road and Tantalus Flats. If you left a vehicle at Tantalus Flats, your hike will end there. If your vehicle is on the Notom-Bullfrog Road, return to the trailhead by retracing the same 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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