rcwild
06-25-2008, 08:11 AM
AKA Miner's Hollow. A fun romp high above Hidden Splendor, through a number of cold potholes. Depending on water levels, can vary in difficulty.
Rating: 3B III
Time Required: ~6-8 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~30 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
Short swims, wading, potholes, wetsuit needed in cold weather
Special Challenges
Pothole escapes can be very difficult in low water levels. If the water level is high, there won’t be many difficulties
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), at least 60’ of rope, ~40’ of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders, pothole escape kit, wetsuit depending on weather
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Map ‘Hunt Draw’
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. From Hidden Splendor, take the road east (that is, heading back out) for just over 2 miles. On your right will be a 4wd road, turn here. The road can be rough for all but 4wd cars, so those with low clearance may want to park here and walk the rest of the way. After a half mile you will reach an old junked car. This is a great place to park. Take the road right. Hard core 4wd'ers can drive a little further up, but it is not recommended.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
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Approach
Continue hiking up this road, heading generally west. The road becomes a wash, but you will see it fork off eventually. Keep following it as it gains elevation and winds up to a notch in the large cliffs. On the other side of the notch is a wash. Follow the wash. It soon turns left (Quandary Canyon), but you want to continue straight ahead at this point, up a steep gully with a large block at the top. The top of this gully is 4th class. Once at the top, route find until you reach the top of the reef. You will have amazing views of the Hidden Splendor area, far below. Hike generally along the reef for a mile or so. You will find some ruined cabins and mining equipment. This is the head of the canyon. From the cabins, head down the drainage.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
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Description: Standard Route
Enjoy the many potholes and some tight narrows. Some potholes have old pipes that can be used as an aid to climbing. Others can by bypassed with pack tosses or partner assists. One deep pothole has a single piton hidden on a shelf above (canyon right) that you can anchor a rope to. If the water levels are high you can swim across most of the potholes. Eventually the canyon opens, where you hike around a bunch of potholes. The canyon turns right, and drops 300 feet to Muddy Creek. Instead of following it right, keep heading straight ahead on to cattle trails.
Variation
You can rappel the 300' drop with natural anchors on nearby boulders (you need a lot of webbing). The rope will be nearly impossible to pull, though.
Skilled canyoneers can reverse the route and head up Knotted Rope to create a loop with Quandary Canyon
Exit
Follow the cattle trails to the foot of the reef, then head right towards Muddy Creek. Hike up Muddy Creek through a spectacular gorge back to Hidden Splendor. If you do not have a car parked in this area, hike another 2 miles up the road to the 4wd road, and follow it to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
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Rating: 3B III
Time Required: ~6-8 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~30 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
Short swims, wading, potholes, wetsuit needed in cold weather
Special Challenges
Pothole escapes can be very difficult in low water levels. If the water level is high, there won’t be many difficulties
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), at least 60’ of rope, ~40’ of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders, pothole escape kit, wetsuit depending on weather
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5’ Map ‘Hunt Draw’
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. From Hidden Splendor, take the road east (that is, heading back out) for just over 2 miles. On your right will be a 4wd road, turn here. The road can be rough for all but 4wd cars, so those with low clearance may want to park here and walk the rest of the way. After a half mile you will reach an old junked car. This is a great place to park. Take the road right. Hard core 4wd'ers can drive a little further up, but it is not recommended.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
Continue hiking up this road, heading generally west. The road becomes a wash, but you will see it fork off eventually. Keep following it as it gains elevation and winds up to a notch in the large cliffs. On the other side of the notch is a wash. Follow the wash. It soon turns left (Quandary Canyon), but you want to continue straight ahead at this point, up a steep gully with a large block at the top. The top of this gully is 4th class. Once at the top, route find until you reach the top of the reef. You will have amazing views of the Hidden Splendor area, far below. Hike generally along the reef for a mile or so. You will find some ruined cabins and mining equipment. This is the head of the canyon. From the cabins, head down the drainage.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
--
Description: Standard Route
Enjoy the many potholes and some tight narrows. Some potholes have old pipes that can be used as an aid to climbing. Others can by bypassed with pack tosses or partner assists. One deep pothole has a single piton hidden on a shelf above (canyon right) that you can anchor a rope to. If the water levels are high you can swim across most of the potholes. Eventually the canyon opens, where you hike around a bunch of potholes. The canyon turns right, and drops 300 feet to Muddy Creek. Instead of following it right, keep heading straight ahead on to cattle trails.
Variation
You can rappel the 300' drop with natural anchors on nearby boulders (you need a lot of webbing). The rope will be nearly impossible to pull, though.
Skilled canyoneers can reverse the route and head up Knotted Rope to create a loop with Quandary Canyon
Exit
Follow the cattle trails to the foot of the reef, then head right towards Muddy Creek. Hike up Muddy Creek through a spectacular gorge back to Hidden Splendor. If you do not have a car parked in this area, hike another 2 miles up the road to the 4wd road, and follow it to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
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