Granary Canyon - Moab - Canyoneering

Granary Canyon
Moab
Technical Canyoneering

Granary Canyon is one of the premier canyoneering routes near Moab. The route traverses some of the most beautiful red rock country in southern Utah. The route is beginner friendly with competent leadership.

Circle of Friends:
Granary Canyon is part of the "Circle of Friends" program. Members of the "Circle of Friends" have access to more specific information, explicit route information, GPS waypoints, trailhead location and detailed maps. If you would like more information on joining the "Circle of Friends" visit the sign up page.

"Circle of Friends"

General Information:
Granary Canyon is suitable for intermediate canyoneers with basic natural anchor building skills and beginners with skilled leadership. This canyon requires complete technical gear. Granary Canyon is rated 3A III using the Canyon Rating System. This canyon is accessible year round.

Navigation for this route is moderate. Good map reading skills are essential. To avoid wandering and trampling the cryptobiotic soil a GPS is mandatory if you have not completed this route before. The rappel anchors in this canyon are easy to locate, but a couple of them require a substantial amount of webbing to create easy rope pulls and to avoid rope burns in the sandstone. Please do your part, use a little extra webbing and do not scare the sandstone.

Tea Garden Bridge - Kathrine North, Justin Eatchel, Shane Burrows with Dan Sheeran below

Trailhead Information:
The trailhead is located near a paved highway and is accessible to all vehicles in all conditions. Options for doing the route with and without a shuttle vehicle are presented.

Nick North on the final rappel in Granary Canyon

Guide Service:
Desert Highlights provides a very reasonably priced, professional guide service for Granary Canyon. No previous climbing or rappelling experience is required to go on a trip when accompanied by one of their experienced guides. Desert Highlights has an excellent reputation of introducing beginners and children to the exciting sport of canyoneering.

Your tour guide with arch and Colorado River.

The granary for which the canyon is named.

Cryptobiotic Soil:
This route crosses area covered with cryptobiotic soil. Please avoid disturbing all cryptobiotic crust. Stay on existing trails, walk in wash bottoms or on slickrock. Go out of your way, literally, to avoid cryptobiotic soil. Cryptobiotic crust requires years of undisturbed growth before it becomes visible as an irregular, blackish mat on the soil surface. A single footprint by a careless hiker can destroy years of growth.