Blue Pool Wash

A short but scenic slot canyon along the outskirts of Page. One of the most worthwhile among the surrounding mini-slots NW of Page. Depending on the time of year, the canyon may hold some shallow, unavoidable pools of water.

The canyon is right off of Highway 89. Headed towards Kanab/Utah, the parking area is to the left, immediately before the bridge, down a very short dirt road (between mile marker 3 and 4). Begin a down climb into the canyon just upstream from the bridge, pretty much right at the parking area.

Most of the obstacles are fairly easy downclimbs. The longest has a slightly difficult move to get under the chockstone and is fairly exposed. Most will prefer/need a rope. Follow the slot canyon with a couple downclwimbs before reaching rap1. Rap 1: 20 ft. From a boulder Rap 2: 20 ft. Bolted anchor canyon left at eye height on the sloping rock. Rap 3: 50 ft. Bolted. Be mindful of rope pull. A crack on the left has eaten ropes. Anchors are present on canyon left and right, but the left side is recommended to avoid worsening rope grooves on the right.

Continue to the mouth of the canyon, turn right, and scramble back up to the rim. Some class 3, borderline class 4 moves. Hike cross country to the road, staying to a social trail that meanders along the edge of the slickrock parallel to the canyon. Try to avoid damaging the sensitive soils. There is a barbed wire fence near the road you will need to navigate. For an even quicker yet more challenging exit (ref. “Exit (Alt)” KML track), take a side drainage canyon right beyond the last rappel where Blue Pool widens. It soon slots up and offers a couple hundred feet of stemming. At the end of the slot section you must traverse right on a narrow sloping ledge (some may want a hand line) and then scramble up the remainder of the way to the top.