The Hype
Biggest Bang for the Buck in North Wash – and No Squeezing!
A great little Wingate canyon in the heart of Navajo country. Morocco gives a respite from the squeezing found elsewhere, with many short rappels and downclimbs, and sometimes a swim or two. The approach is short, the canyon is sweet and pretty. Six rappels to 45 feet are from natural anchors, some requiring a little bit of work to get. The canyon is quite popular.
Our thanks to Dave Pimental for discovering this little gem.
Getting There
Starts on Route 95, 1.0 mile north of the Hog Springs picnic area. Park on the east side of the highway, on the north side of a trough UDOT cut for a watershed, on slickrock. The trough is Casablanca Canyon. Use the road to get to the south side of the road, and spy out the route from there.
The route climbs the low-angle face to the east, starting at left-bottom, to reach a ledge at right-top that allows non-technical access around the corner to the right into Morocco Canyon. Climb onto the face where some rocks allow an easy climb onto the face. Up, then right to access the traverse ledge. Follow the ledge out to the nose, then pick up a social trail on the bench above the canyon. Follow back to a slickrock bowl at the top of the canyon.
The Canyon
The canyon starts with a low-angle rap off a cairn down into a hole, then a downclimb into a pool, which varies from ankle-deep to a full swim. Follow the canyon with several rappels and downclimbs, and often a swim or two.
The Exit
From the bottom of the last rappel, traverse right to gain the bench on the side of the highway. Walk back to your car (5 minutes).
Red Tape
No Red Tape in North Wash.
