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Cathedral Wash

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.9 (22)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Flagstaff and Northern AZ
  4. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
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“Short and sweet slot canyon that ends on the banks of the Colorado River. Serious fun! ”

Almonzo Wilder
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Map Key

2.9

Miles

4.7

KM

Out and Back

3,435' 1,047 m

High

3,165' 965 m

Low

270' 82 m

Up

270' 82 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

8%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views

Overview

Cathedral Wash is a short and scenic slot canyon with easy access and big rewards. This moderate adventure has no major technical challenges, though there is some scrambling and care should be taken to choose safe routes over ledges and dropoffs. And, of course, any hike in this desert wilderness needs to be taken seriously with respect to heat and weather.

Need to Know

This canyon has potential for flash flooding - avoid if there are thunderstorms in the area.

Description

The trailhead for Cathedral Wash is 1.3 miles north of Navajo Bridge on the road to Lee's Ferry. From the parking pullout head east into lower Cathedral Wash, which at this point is a shallow sandy arroyo. As you walk downstream the canyon walls quickly rise above and the scenery improves dramatically. Further on, the wash develops into a true slot canyon, with high sheer walls, fantastic geology, and not much sunlight penetrating to the canyon bottom.

While most of the walking is easy, there are a few ledges that require some scrambling and care should be taken to scout the best route. Eventually Cathedral Wash opens up at the Colorado River within Marble Canyon. Because the Glen Canyon Dam is not far upstream, the river runs clear and blue here.

Enjoy the scenery, which may include groups of rafters just beginning their trips through the Grand Canyon from the Lee's Ferry put-in spot a few miles above. When you're done soaking in the canyon scenery head back up the way you came.

Shared By:

Almonzo Wilder
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 22 votes

#1

in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

#397

Overall
  4.9 from 22 votes
5 Star
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5%
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Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Glen Canyon National R…

#23

in Arizona

#397

Overall
66 Views Last Month
16,747 Since Apr 26, 2015
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Photos

Deep in Cathedral Wash
Apr 26, 2015 near LeChee, AZ
View from the trail
Dec 25, 2022 near LeChee, AZ
View from the trail
Dec 25, 2022 near LeChee, AZ
View from the trail
Dec 25, 2022 near LeChee, AZ
Ascending out the Cathedral Wash slot canyon level by level...a very adventuresome route!
Jan 17, 2018 near LeChee, AZ
At the end of the Cathedral Wash it opens up to the Colorado River...great place to have lunch!
Jan 17, 2018 near LeChee, AZ

2 Comments

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 1, 2024
Marc Daniel
With Mila — 14h 00m
Jun 11, 2024
John Pianezze
this.is.mot.2.9 miles it's 4.0 miles. 4mi
Oct 26, 2023
Jello DeMarco
Loved the rock scramble
Dec 22, 2022
Stewart Carnes
Wonderful fun hike
May 30, 2022
G Allen Daily
3.7mi — 1h 31m
Apr 14, 2022
Jason Cronk
4.5mi
Aug 21, 2021
James Harris
Feb 26, 2021
Nick Koester

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