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Timpie Fork of Shinob Canyon, Capitol Reef NP 11/24/2012
Timpie Fork of Shinob Canyon, Capitol Reef NP 11/24/2012
Once upon a time, a time that is so far back that there was no one around to remember, the Paiute gods Shinob and Tobats, who gave names to everything that they encountered, came across a great bulk, a great rock that had separated itself from the mountain. They named it Timpie, the rock.
Timpie, the canyon, the middle fork of Shinob Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park, makes for a great half day wander. It is rated 3AI. It took us about 6 hours car to car. For us maybe a 3BII was more like it. We ghosted the first rappel.
Timpie the rock was proud and strong. The gods at first took little notice of Timpie and made fun of him for how simple he seemed. As time went by Timpie became agile and quick. Shinob and Tobats gave him a blanket and leggings with fancy colorful stripes to make up to him once they realized how strong, agile and mighty he had become.
We mistook the shortness of Timpie the canyon for “short and easy”. It starts out easy but it is not a slacker canyon to take too casually. Just the sight from the top of the 275 foot rappel is a sobering experience. Dave hauled a 330 foot 10 mil rope in his pack for the big rappel. This rappel has a lot of crack to it. Our temperament was tested a bit with a hang up of the 300 foot pull cord. The rope pull from the bottom of the 275 foot rappel is the hardest one that I can remember. It took all of us to muscle it down. There are chock stones and a log in that crack that will easily snag a rope. The third rappel had at its bottom a waist deep, icy black pool to wade thru.
Timpie the rock also grew a bad temper over time. Timpie the rock would roll over trees and animals and would leave his striped belongings on the ground. He even attempted to roll over the god Shinob when Shinob attempted to take back the striped clothing. It took y-bru-sats (Night Hawk - another canyon) to save Shinob. Shinob took Timpie’s striped belongings from him and gave them to y-bru-sats. From then on Shinob declared that any rock that pulled free would break into pieces. Shinob also declared that rocks are living things and they can have mean tempers but they are useful if they are put in their places and made to serve man.
Timpie the Canyon is a lot of fun with some fantastic scenery all the way including a great view of Etta Place arch, a great rock that has separated from the mountain.
Thanks to BluuGnome for Beta
Thanks to Dave, Monica and Paul for Pictures
Paiute excerpts are taken from several sources (internet) including “Pauite Legend of the NightHawk”
Doug French
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top to chockstone less than 200'
yeah checking my picture 2x200' will make to the chockstone!Attachment 70733