Canyoneering Adventure with Desert Highlights in Moab
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6–8 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should be in good physical shape, comfortable with climbing and extended hiking over uneven terrain.
Overview
Dive into Pool Arch Canyon’s thrilling mix of sandstone rappels, climbs, and water scrambles with Desert Highlights. This private Moab tour showcases one of the area's best hidden canyons, perfect for adventurous spirits seeking a full-day challenge.
Pool Arch Canyon (aka Rock of Ages)
Private Full Day Canyoneering | Difficulty: Moderate
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Pool Arch Canyon, where you'll explore stunning sandstone formations, rappel down breathtaking cliffs, and navigate a thrilling water-carved maze. This private tour offers a unique blend of climbing and canyoneering, perfect for both beginners and experienced adventurers seeking hidden gems in Moab's natural beauty.
Visit a spectacular arch, squeeze through a water-carved canyon and marvel at big canyon walls as you rappel your way through this maze of sandstone!
All tours are private - just your group and your guide!
Departure
6:00, 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM (depending on season)
We can often be flexible with our departure times. Please call 435-259-4433 or email info@deserthighlights.com to inquire about alternate start times.
Duration
6 - 8 hours
Tour Highlights
- Physical Difficulty: Moderate
- Technical Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Minimum Age: We suggest a minimum age of 12 for Pool Arch Canyon trips. Exceptions are sometimes made, so please give us a call or shoot us an email to discuss your options.
- Rappels: 3 - (130ft/40m, 50ft/15m, 100ft/30m)
- Climbing: The approach to Pool Arch requires climbing up a 700ft/213m gully. There are a couple of short, easy fifth class sections of near vertical rock within the gully, sometimes requiring the use of a rope for a belay and/or handline
- Total Distance: 4mi/6.5km
- Total Ascent/Descent: 836ft/255m
Tour Description
Pool Arch Canyon (aka Rock of Ages/Land Before Time) provides some of the best hidden views in Moab with an adventurous hike up through sandstone fins, over ancient sand dunes, and down through narrow canyons. As we navigate this natural obstacle-course, we'll climb, down-climb, shimmy, scoot, wade through water and rappel to navigate many obstacles throughout the day. With competent leadership (that's us!), this canyon is excellent for adventurous beginners and those with some canyoneering experience.
Adventure Tips
Wear grippy shoes
Choose sturdy footwear with excellent traction for scrambling and rappelling on slick sandstone surfaces.
Bring a waterproof bag
Water sections are unavoidable, so keep your electronics and essentials dry in a sealed dry bag.
Prepare for rope work
Basic climbing and rappelling experience helps, but guides provide full instruction on technical sections.
Start early
Begin your tour at first light to avoid afternoon heat and to maximize daylight for the 6-8 hour adventure.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert bighorn sheep
- Collared lizards
History
The Moab area carries a legacy of ancestral Puebloans and Ute tribes whose trails and rock art still connect visitors to the past.
Conservation
Desert Highlights emphasizes Leave No Trace principles to protect fragile desert ecosystems and sandstone formations from erosion and damage.
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Adventure Hotspots in Moab
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Approach shoes
Shoes with sticky rubber soles are vital for slippery sandstone and climbing sections.
Dry bag
Protect electronics and valuables from water sections encountered in the canyon.
Helmet
Safety helmet helps protect from rockfall and bumps during rappelling and climbing.
Layered clothing
Layer up to adjust to fluctuating temperatures and protect from sun exposure.
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