Canyon Name: Engelstead Canyon
Class: 5BIII upclimbing (5.2) Orderville, or 4BIV if descending Orderville into the Narrows.
Gear: WCCM layers for colder weather, 1 – 300′, 2 – 120′ & 1 – 60′ rope, 70′ webbing, 8 rappel rings, dry bags, headlamp, self-rescue gear. Permits from the Zion N.P. Visitors Center. Please note the longest rappel in bold below and the rope lengths mentioned do not meet the WCCM rule of thumb which suggests to bring 3 times the longest rappel of rope into any canyon route. With certain exceptions regarding rope management this rule can be negated. The longest drop after the 300′er is 120′ and its the last in the technical section.
Expected Time Commitment: For a solid team, 6 – 10 hours
Technical Obstacles: Large 300′ + rappel which has been the scene of numerous accident. Set your friction high and or be trained on how to add friction mid decent. Rappels and swims up to 120′, awkward starts, compromised natural anchors and possible stuck ropes in more than one spot, Long class 3 descent of orderville into the narrows.
Non Technical Obstacles: Route finding for the drive in, Heat on the approach cold in the canyon with frigid water temps, Crowded popular route, Long class 3 and 2 walk out, Long car shuttle on”impassable when wet” dirt roads. Difficult route finding. USE A MAP!
Recommended Time of Year: Summer or Fall. Never during Flash Flood threats.
Finding the Trailhead: High clearance cars and or trucks only. 4×4 recommended during the wet season. Parties have gotten their vehicle stranded for days on end due to rain events that occurred in the high country during the parties canyon descent. (Stay out of the canyons when there is a threat of rain period to avoid this problem entirely). Drive through the tunnel and out of the park at the East Entrance/ Exit. drive 2.4 miles then turn left (N) on the paved North Fork road. Drive 5.1 miles to the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort then turn left into the Resort. Continue on the North Fork Road for 2.8 miles to a small dirt road on the Left/ West. 2 wheel drive park here, 4×4 continue 1/4 mile down this road which is fenced on both sides to a small parking area at the top of a hill. Do not continue down past this point. It is an ATV trail not suitable for trucks.
The Approach: Walk down the old brushed in road. 15 minutes in and ATV trail forks RIght towards Birch Hollow. Pass a campsite see on the right until you reach an old rusty log loading machine reached 25 minutes from the car. Continue following the road off the end of a ridge and down into Engelstead canyon wash. Follow the wash down stream to the 1st rappel.
The Canyon Descent: Option 1: 50′ left of the main watercourse fall is a tall Pine tree used to rig the 1st 300′ drop. Option 2: Rappel from same tree 90′ traversing “rappellers right” to a small ledge and a set of bolts located underneath a large block. Rappel 200′ from these bolts to the bottom. Both routes end up in the same place. From here continue rappelling and down climbing several drops down canyon until you reach the last drop. Final Rappel: 120′ Tree anchor, rap 15′ into pothole then traverse pothole while on rappel, exit pothole for the final 100′ rappel. Make sure the anchor is good before going off it. Rig the pull rope carefully as ropes tend to get stuck here often.
Egress: Engelstead runs into Orderville Canyon. Hike/down climb/ rappel Orderville canyon until it hits the Virgin River Narrows. You will be exposed to quite a bit of water for this part of the route. Walk “The Narrows” down stream back to the paved trail, continuing back to the Temple of Sinawava shuttle stop. (Plan your departure time to at least catch the last tram back. If you miss the tram hike the road back to the Zion Lodge and try to get a ride back to your lower car park. (Tech Tip: DONT MISS THE TRAM!) UPCLIMBING ORDERVILLE can make for a shorter day but will require some 5th class climbing. 5.2 up a chimney that can be rather wet and unpleasant especially if your not a climber. Have the leader trail a rope up this section and build and anchor topside so that others may ascend the 5th class section. Our vote is to go down Orderville and the Narrows, all things considered.
