Hiking Lower CATHEDRAL WASH Trail to the Colorado River | Marble Canyon at Lee's Ferry, Arizona
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2024
- For those wishing to get into canyoneering but lack the gear, the Lower Cathedral Wash Trail at Lee's Ferry provides a great intro to the decision making and wayfinding required with technical trails. It's truly an adventure to feel proud of!
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For those looking for a thrilling hike or an introduction to canyoneering without equipment, there is no better choice than Cathedral Wash through Marble Canyon in the Lees Ferry area of Arizona.
To reach the trailhead, turn north off AZ Route 89-A onto Lees Ferry Road and drive for 1.4 miles on the paved road until reaching a pull-off section on the left side of the road for parking.
The Upper and Lower Cathedral Wash Trails start at the trailhead parking. The Upper Cathedral Wash Trail is roughly 1.5 miles to the end of the box canyon and worthy of exploring, however, the Lower Cathedral Wash Trail is the one with more information and striking views.
This is not a trail to be rushed through or to simply sit back and enjoy the scenery with little thought. This trail is rather one to be immersed in - to stop, look around, and enjoy the scenery before deciding how to navigate over and through obstacles. No real technical knowledge or equipment is necessary to hike the canyon; just the ability to stop and look around for the best path for one’s abilities.
After hiking roughly ¼-mile through a relatively flat wash, the trail begins to descend deeper where some light scrambling will be required to drop down further or up and over areas with standing water. Depending on the time and weather, mud may be on the trail so the choice of shoes should be taken into consideration.
After 1.5 miles, the trail ends at the Colorado River where hikers can stop and take in the small rapids flowing by. The cold water remains between about 45 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit and provides some brisk relief to sore feet.
VIDEO FILMED: 9/7/2021
▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ Cathedral Wash - www.nps.gov/places/cathedral-...
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▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 Intro & Trail Description
01:16 Upper Cathedral Wash Trail Mistake
02:38 Lower Cathedral Wash Trail
21:19 Reaching the Colorado River
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking and day trips as well as campground reviews, and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!
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Great video. Thanks for taking us on this hike. I'm 70 now so my hiking days are behind, so I appreciate your videos.
Glad you like them! Thank you so much! 😊
Such a beautiful and majestic place. LIKE 32. 👍👍👍
Thank you! 😄
wow that really was one of the most amazing hikes! I would have to say it is natures own "escape room" hike.
It really is! A lot of problem solving is necessary to get around those layers. 👍
That was an amazing hike 😀 a little sketchy at times 😬 The view of the Colorado river was pretty cool 🤩
Yes it was! One of the most adventurous so far. Thanks for watching. 😀
I’m going on a desert trip soon. I have places marked on the map to do. Mostly outrageous and daring (for me). I’m a 60 year old woman with a brain injury. Doing some of this trail will be the cherry on the cake for me. I don’t have to make it down to the river, just do some of it without damaging body parts. Thank you much for your honest commentary during the hike. Loved it!!❤️❤️❤️
Just go as far as you're comfortable and you'll still see some amazing sights. Take your time and plot out your path. You got it! 😄
This was one of my favorite hikes in AZ. A lot of back tracking and negotiating, but so worth the effort and solitude. I got my feet wet at the Colorado, heard a rumble of thunder and got out of there!
Yikes! Would definitely cut a trip short too if hearing thunder. Absolutely agree on all other things mentioned though. It's a really fun hike. Thanks for watching!
Vermillion Cliffs is one of the most gorgeous regions in the entire southwest. Great video Glen!
It really is! We couldn't agree more. 😄👍
Yes you’re crazy! But oh what an adventure you had. I loved every minute of it. Kinda hairy in some places but you did it sir. Congratulations! 🙏🏻💕
Thank you so much!! 😄
Fantastic video, one of my favorites…..beautiful!
Many thanks! Happy to hear that! 😄
So amazing! Utah Arizona and Colorado are so awesome! Beautiful! There’s nothing like sticking your feet in cool water after a long hike. ❤️💜❤️ cheers!
Especially the Colorado! 😄
Didn't hike there, but enjoyed just driving to Lee's Ferry a couple weeks ago.
There's so much to do there. We'd love to go back and explore more! 😄
WOW!!! Glenn that was awesome how you maneuvered your way through the canyon. I loved hearing the Colorado too. Congratulations!! It is so beautiful. There are what is called baby bathtubs near Ouray, CO. My friend and I took off our shoes and soaked our feet it was such a hot day. Thanks.
Thanks 👍 I think this one still remains one of Glenn's favorites. The wayfinding through the levels makes for a different experience. 😊
Beautiful trip. Thanks for sharing .
Our pleasure! Thanks for watching! 😄
Woohoo 😂😂😂 icy cold feet and a (cool) coke!! Im so glad you found the river! I hope you got out of there safely!!!
Safely, yes. Just a little late getting home. 😄
Really enjoyed this video. I felt like I was right there with you on this hike! So beautiful! Adding this to my bucket list.
Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you get to experience the trail for yourself one day as well. 😊
One of your best videos Glenn and we could tell how charged you were by the scenery and the challenge. Well done!
Thanks 👍 We're glad that you enjoyed the video! 😄
Fantastic area and great place for a hike, but also a place one need to be very carefully, cos of loose rocks. Thank you for sharing and the information about the place🙂👍
Anytime. Thanks for watching! 😊
You did it! Huzzah!!
Thank you! 👍
Not in Arizona, but this reminded me a little bit of Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley NP. I loved that hike, and I'm looking forward to checking out Cathedral Wash (and other hikes) when I visit Page in a few months!
Haven't done that one in Death Valley. We were planning a trip back last year but unfortunately all those rains and road closures sort of made us have to put that trip off until repairs are made. Hope that you enjoy your time in and around Page! 😄
Absolutely fabulous, Glenn. You were scaring me there, buddy. I kept saying (aloud), "Back up! Back up!" What a wonderful adventure!
You and me both at some points! 😂 Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed.
Nice video Glenn! Haven't been there yet but hope to..my fav CA vid so far!
Thanks 👍 We're glad that you enjoyed the video! 😄
great video. you had me a little nervous there. glad to see you made it back in one piece.
You and me both! Thanks for watching. 😄
Test your footing before stepping on piled rocks or you might slip, fall and smash against the rocks. Also finish before nightfall, because it's too risky to be alone at night with just a flashlight.
What an incredible area!! I enjoy silence so much but I get nervous out without a clear trail with no one around. I enjoyed exploring it with you! PS you dont look 6’2” in the videos! 😂😂. The tadpoles were so cute!!! 🥰
I'm the same... I could never hike without coordinates or markings/signs. Glenn's fine with it though. And yup! He's about 6'2". I'm only 5'6" and think nothing of it until I'm standing right next to him. 😂
@@CactusAtlas I’m with you I’ve heard too many horror stories! I’m 5’2” 😂😂
I can't get over how challenging it is to traverse on this trail. So gorgeous. I thought about stopping at lees ferry while driving on hwy 89. that was such a gorgeous hwy w/ the vermillion cliffs
It really is a fantastic area with much to do. There's a lot left for us to explore there. 😄
The most dangerous thing I do these days is fart! Good video man!
LOL! Thanks for watching, the comment and laugh. 😄
Amazing hike, thank you for sharing! I love hiking but I know I couldn't do this one because of how high the ridges are to traverse the deep canyon at times, my anxiety was in overdrive when your Gopro pointed to the deep canyon 😳
Definitely not for anyone with a sense of vertigo for sure! 😅
Looks like a beautiful and challenging hike so far. If only I was younger to see this. Nice going and a great video of my favorite hike so far. Well done
Thank you very much! Happy to bring you along on the hike with us. 😊
I love your videos & it's inspiring me to start travelling further & hike some of these myself. Just stunning scenery!
Thank you so much! That is awesome to hear! Absolutely go for it. There's so many awesome places out there. 😄
@@CactusAtlas yes! Youre videos are informative & entertaining. You & youre wife are so blessed to be able to go all over these areas & explore! Im in canada & yes theres beautiful places too but a different kind of beautiful. Keep going! & i will make it to the states hopefully by spring to start my journeys there!
Hello Glenn, Thank you for sharing the amazing hike with us. I think I will stick with somewhat easier hikes. We have gone in Buckskin Gulch and your hike was much more difficult. Once again thank you for sharing the video and commentary.
Our pleasure! I have yet to hike Buckskin Gulch but it is near the top of my list!
WOW, what an amazing hike! And the payoff at the end with that incredible view of the mighty Colorado. Definitely gonna need to do this hike. We were so close by there recently. We spent a few hours at the nearby Navajo Bridge watching all the CA Condors. Great video guys, keep it up. Loving the places you've been exploring.
Thanks so much! It's an adventurous hike and having a payoff like that at the end is what makes it so fantastic indeed. 👍
@@CactusAtlas So how long did the whole hike take you? I'm guessing this is a hike you don't want to rush through.
I didn’t time it exactly but it was easily 4 to 5 hours. But, a lot of that is because I stop a lot to film. That adds a lot of time.
@@CactusAtlas ok thanks for the reply. I don't film but I definitely stop a lot just to soak it all in. Sounds like it will be a full day hike for me. Definitely gonna bring a picnic lunch to eat, sitting right by the Colorado. Thank you again for the video!
I've just started really watching your videos now...watched about...10? I think? I really enjoy them...always looking for new youtube travelers to watch...love getting ideas of where to go, especially here in AZ...been to Canyon Lake yet? I'm sure you have but I knew nothing about it and I've lived here for over 30+ years! That's my suggestion if you haven't yet. :)
We've driven by Canyon Lake once on the way back from the Roosevelt Dam years ago but didn't have time to stop unfortunately. Looked pretty busy from what I recall. Maybe one day. 😊
Wow, what an adventure! That was a really cool hike. How deep and rough was the water there? Could you have crossed the river on foot if you wanted?
Not sure how deep the water is right at that exact spot but I'm doubtful that it could be crossed anywhere there. That portion of the Colorado River (well, from the Glen Canyon Dam to Lee's Ferry) regularly has kayaking and ferries that will take you upstream to kayak back. Looks awesome to do, however, and hope to do someday! 👍
@@CactusAtlas Its amazing how much less water there is by the time it gets to Yuma. You can easily walk across the river, with it only going up to my waist or so.
The wave, the pandemic hold our schedule. Luckily they gave us rain check.
Dang. That really stinks! We've been trying to win the lottery for the Wave but haven't been successful yet. That's good to know that they gave you a rain check though. Congrats and I hope you get to head out there soon! 😄👍
Took us five yr, persistent finally work…
😲😲😲 Wow!
Thank you for this Lively vidéo ❤ in which season did you hike please ? I may spend holidays in September. Best thougts from France 🇫🇷
Sept 2021. 👍
Cool hike, when did you go here. I'm going to Arizona in November, but I'm sure it won't be hot, but super cold.
Thanks! Glenn went Sept 7th, 2021. You can find our filming dates in the info section of our more recent videos (still working on putting it in older videos when time allows 😊).
The valley here usually isn't super cold in November. Northern Arizona (around Page) is usually around 55-60 as a high (or so I'm seeing).
@@CactusAtlas I'm going to be in Northern Arizona. Heard it might snow.
If you follow some of your links, you will come across a page about restoring riverbanks and sandbars to pre-Glen Canyon Dame times. This is all well & good, but time consuming and expensive. I have a better idea---get rid of Glen Canyon Dam!
Had a Question, We will be coming from Phoenix to stay at Page,Az during our trip and want to try this hike before we check in to our Airbnb in Page. How safe would our stuff be (coming from airport with all our stuff) along the road in our SUV while we hike this? Thanks
I have never had any concerns in this area.
Nice video... I hope you made it out alive!! 😂😆
Haha! Very much so. It's a fun hike. 😄