Rappelling Cassidy Arch

A few weeks ago, my husband and two of my boys drove down to Capitol Reef National Park so they could explore and rappel through Cassidy Arch Canyon.  It's a popular and highly rated canyon just off the Scenic Drive in the park. 

The 1.5 mile approach starts at a busy little parking lot. There were a lot of people on the trail, but no one in the canyon.

They worked hard to take care of the pre-rappel jitters.

The hike up is a little strenuous, but not too bad. The elevation gain is about 800 feet in about 1.5 miles.

The first view of Cassidy Arch from the trail.

This is a view of the arch looking back towards the trail.

My son on rappel! This is the first rappel, right next to the arch, looking from the top. The rappel is 132' and nearly all of it is through the air under the arch. It's a little nerve-wracking to get on the rope the first time.

This is the same rappel but looking up from the canyon below. 

The second rappel is just a steps away down canyon. It's another 130-footer. Here is Talmage again, going down the 2nd rappel.

Everett waiting his turn to go down.

Finally, his turn comes!

My husband on the same rappel, but looking up from the canyon below.

The next few rappels were pretty short.

And then there was this fantastic rappel through a little natural bridge and into a little cove below.

A few little down-climbs...

...and scrambling through an amazing boulder field...

...before hiking a half-mile back to the car.

On the way out of the canyon, they stopped to look at the entrance to a few caves. These are abandoned uranium mines.

Before heading home, they drove to a canyon called "Old School" a little farther down Hwy 24. They waded across the Fremont River (not quite knee deep) and hiked up a fairly steep boulder-strewn hill. Then they dropped into this little slot.

There was only one mandatory rappel in the canyon. It was a little tricky because there was a pothole full of water about half-way down. With a little work, they all made it down without falling into the water. 

Possibly the highlight of the trip was stopping for dinner at the Hot Spot in Salina. My husband, the erstwhile healthy eater, can't stop talking about the deep-fried tater tots.