Descend MMI Canyon

For this descent you will need to be comfortable with 4th class slick rock, have two 60m ropes, and an Arches National Park canyoneering permit along with your usual canyon kit.

MMI Canyon can be accessed with 4WD/AWD as long as it has not rained.  The pin on the map will take you to this location.  There is a 2WD trailhead that almost doubles the length of the route that is a few miles northwest of the trailhead.

The top of the canyon can be accessed from the parking area by making your way to the right of a small hill.  In less than a half mile, you will reach a short down climb to the first rappel anchored by a pile of rocks.  This first rap is about 80 feet to a boulder where you will use the slung boulders to make a second rap of about 60 feet.  At the bottom of this second rappel you will find large boulders.  If you make your way from the top of the first boulder down under the right side, you will encounter a narrowing canyon.  The third rap is only ten feet or so anchored by a tree.  The fourth and final rap is less than a hundred feet as long as you have webbing that brings the anchor point close to the lip of the cliff.

From the last rappel, follow the widening canyon past a small arch until you reach a slickrock slab on your right.  If you reach an area where you can go up canyon to the right, you have gone too far.  There should be cairns which can mark your way to the summit of this exit.  From the top of the exit, you can follow the obvious trail back to your car. Please watch for the cryptobiotic soil and stay on the trail!