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Sep 02, 2018 — Knotted Rope Canyon is a super fun canyon that likely won't require any ropes for rappelling. We brought a short rope just in case, but didn't use it. Some of the potholes may require some care to get out of, but I don't think any should present real difficulties. Expect many semi-keeper potholes you can jump in and climb out, and about half of them can be bypassed, but where's the fun in that? This route requires a shuttle, unless you want to ascend the canyon to return back to the initial car, or want to walk a few miles on a dirt road to return to the trailhead.
We parked at the wilderness boundary past an old rusty car. To get here, follow the graded dirt road to here (38.58508, -110.92550), where you turn left. Although there are a couple of rocky sections toward the end of the road, likely any car can make it here. I saw a passenger car parked, but I imagine they bottomed out at least once. Once you turn left (east) onto the Behind the Reef Road, you'll want at least some clearance to get in and out of dips in the road. The shuttle car should be left here (38.56654, -110.95918) near the Muddy Creek exit.
Starting from the same trailhead as Quandary Canyon, follow a wash up to an old mining road. The road leads through a notch in the sheer face above. Quandary Canyon continues descending from here, but the apporoach for Knotted Rope Canyon heads to the right, where it ascends a gully. Within the gully, there's a Class 3 move that goes under a chockstone before leading to the top of the San Rafael Swell, where you get incredible views of the surrounding region. Follow the ridge crest southwest, keeping to the right of a massive yellow dome, before descending into Knotted Rope Canyon. There are a bunch of spots you can drop into the canyon, no rappells required. We did use a handline to get down since the spot we chose was a bit steep.
Once within Knotted Rope Canyon, head through a sandy open space before the canyon begins to narrow and you'll find a bunch of avoidable potholes. Make sure you can get out on the other side before jumping in! Apparently people have had trouble escaping, a tragic story recently resulting in a death. You'll eventually get to a bunch of potholes that require you hop in as the canyon narrows farther, and then the canyon opens up again into bright yellow slickrock. The fun isn't over. The more photogenic of the potholes appear, the Henry Mountains visible in the distance, and the Swell in the foreground.
A couple of pothole obstacles require some slightly sketchy Class 3 slickrock scrambling both to avoid or drop into them, so use caution. Once at the base of the final potholes, keep your eyes peeled for a social trail leading up to a ridge to the southeast. Don't miss this exit since the canyon continues away and to a sheer drop. Once on this ridge, a social trail takes you down to Muddy Creek, which you can follow north to the Hidden Splendor Trailhead, where your shuttle should be waiting.
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