rcwild
06-23-2008, 02:43 PM
A pretty canyon, with lots of challenging downclimbing, that empties into the Chute of Muddy Creek.
Rating: 3B III
Time Required: 8-10 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~30-40 Feet
Permit Information
No special permits required for canyoneering.
Camping/Lodging
There is excellent camping near the airstrip at Hidden Splendor.
Preferred Season
Spring to autumn, when rain isn't threatening. Summer is ok but can be hot.
Water Concerns
Potential of waist deep wading in the canyon, as well as in the exit hike through the Chute of Muddy Creek. High flash flood potential. Check the weather and the stream flow of the Muddy River near Emery for the Chute Exit.
Special Challenges
No obvious natural anchors and lots of downclimbing involved. May need to construct natural anchors, use human anchors and sequencing, partner assisted techniques, etc. The approach and exit is in the full sun, so bring plenty of water.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard technical gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 100’ rope or longer (anchors may not be easily found right next to the rappels), long pieces of webbing, rap rings/links, ascending gear (if you plan on reversing the route and re-ascending rather than exiting via the Chute of Muddy Creek)
Topographic Maps
Tomsiche Butte and Hunt Draw USGS quads
Directions to Trailhead
On UT-24, turn west on the Temple Mountain Road heading directly into the Reef. Pass the turn off to Goblin Valley on your left and continue past the end of the paved road and on through the Reef. The Temple Mountain Road runs northwest passing Flat Top (pt. 6480) on your left to a fork in the road at Taylor Flat. Take the left fork. After about four miles you will meet another road coming in from the right at Tan Seep. Stay left again. After about another mile you will come to yet another fork. Family Butte (pt. 7393) dominates the skyline in front of you. Stay left here and follow this road about ten miles across McKay Flat. At the next intersection one option takes you right to Tomsich Butte and Reds Canyon. However, you want to go left one more time and follow this winding road another fifteen miles or so down to the air strip at the old Hidden Splendor Mine.
Leaving a car in the Hidden Splendor area will cut off a few miles on the return hike.
Drive back up the road for 2 and a quarter miles to the turnoff for Quandary/Knotted Rope/Ramp Canyons. Don't turn on the side road, instead reset your trip odometer and drive an additional 4.1 miles up the main road. Park on the side of the road (there is not a lot of parking here).
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
UTM 12 507634E 4275012N
Approach
Drop into the drainage on the west side of the road, and continue downstream. You will soon hit an area with a bit of downclimbing (watch for loose rocks). The canyon opens again, continue hiking downstream another hour or so until the Music Canyon narrows begin.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
--
Description: Standard Route
A few rappels and sketchy downclimbs. Natural anchors are hard to come by. If you do not plan on reversing the canyon, sequencing and then spotting the last downclimber works well for most of the drops. Starts as a rather open canyon, narrows to a slot. Towards the end there is a downclimb into a nice chamber.
Variation
Many people leave fixed ropes and ascend them back to their car, instead of descending the Chute of Muddy Creek. If you wish to do this, bring at least 5 50 foot lengths of rope to fix plus plenty of webbing, and plenty of natural anchor building experience. If you can swing the car or bike shuttle at Hidden Splendor, though, it is recommended to skip reascending Music Canyon and simply descend the Chute to cap off a great day in the canyons.
Exit
The canyon drains into the top of the Chute of Muddy Creek. Hike down Muddy Creek, through the best parts of the Chute. The canyon eventually opens, continue hiking along the creek for several miles until you reach the old miner's track to Hidden Splendor airstrip on canyon left (east side). Follow it back to the airstrip and your car shuttle.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Rating: 3B III
Time Required: 8-10 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~30-40 Feet
Permit Information
No special permits required for canyoneering.
Camping/Lodging
There is excellent camping near the airstrip at Hidden Splendor.
Preferred Season
Spring to autumn, when rain isn't threatening. Summer is ok but can be hot.
Water Concerns
Potential of waist deep wading in the canyon, as well as in the exit hike through the Chute of Muddy Creek. High flash flood potential. Check the weather and the stream flow of the Muddy River near Emery for the Chute Exit.
Special Challenges
No obvious natural anchors and lots of downclimbing involved. May need to construct natural anchors, use human anchors and sequencing, partner assisted techniques, etc. The approach and exit is in the full sun, so bring plenty of water.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard technical gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 100’ rope or longer (anchors may not be easily found right next to the rappels), long pieces of webbing, rap rings/links, ascending gear (if you plan on reversing the route and re-ascending rather than exiting via the Chute of Muddy Creek)
Topographic Maps
Tomsiche Butte and Hunt Draw USGS quads
Directions to Trailhead
On UT-24, turn west on the Temple Mountain Road heading directly into the Reef. Pass the turn off to Goblin Valley on your left and continue past the end of the paved road and on through the Reef. The Temple Mountain Road runs northwest passing Flat Top (pt. 6480) on your left to a fork in the road at Taylor Flat. Take the left fork. After about four miles you will meet another road coming in from the right at Tan Seep. Stay left again. After about another mile you will come to yet another fork. Family Butte (pt. 7393) dominates the skyline in front of you. Stay left here and follow this road about ten miles across McKay Flat. At the next intersection one option takes you right to Tomsich Butte and Reds Canyon. However, you want to go left one more time and follow this winding road another fifteen miles or so down to the air strip at the old Hidden Splendor Mine.
Leaving a car in the Hidden Splendor area will cut off a few miles on the return hike.
Drive back up the road for 2 and a quarter miles to the turnoff for Quandary/Knotted Rope/Ramp Canyons. Don't turn on the side road, instead reset your trip odometer and drive an additional 4.1 miles up the main road. Park on the side of the road (there is not a lot of parking here).
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
UTM 12 507634E 4275012N
Approach
Drop into the drainage on the west side of the road, and continue downstream. You will soon hit an area with a bit of downclimbing (watch for loose rocks). The canyon opens again, continue hiking downstream another hour or so until the Music Canyon narrows begin.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
--
Description: Standard Route
A few rappels and sketchy downclimbs. Natural anchors are hard to come by. If you do not plan on reversing the canyon, sequencing and then spotting the last downclimber works well for most of the drops. Starts as a rather open canyon, narrows to a slot. Towards the end there is a downclimb into a nice chamber.
Variation
Many people leave fixed ropes and ascend them back to their car, instead of descending the Chute of Muddy Creek. If you wish to do this, bring at least 5 50 foot lengths of rope to fix plus plenty of webbing, and plenty of natural anchor building experience. If you can swing the car or bike shuttle at Hidden Splendor, though, it is recommended to skip reascending Music Canyon and simply descend the Chute to cap off a great day in the canyons.
Exit
The canyon drains into the top of the Chute of Muddy Creek. Hike down Muddy Creek, through the best parts of the Chute. The canyon eventually opens, continue hiking along the creek for several miles until you reach the old miner's track to Hidden Splendor airstrip on canyon left (east side). Follow it back to the airstrip and your car shuttle.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -