Dwayne27
09-08-2008, 10:52 AM
A beautiful, fun and short canyon- excellent for beginners and experienced canyoneers.
Rating: 3A II
Time Required: ~2-4 hours
Longest Rappel: ~50
Permit Information
None required
Camping/Lodging
Plenty of primitive camping near the trailhead. Sandthrax campground is just south of mile marker 28
Preferred Season
Any- summer can be hot
Water Concerns
Shouldn’t be any. Possible wading after rains. Small drainage
Special Challenges
Natural anchor skills will be required. Awkward rappel starts
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 100’ rope, ~ 50 feet of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5 ‘Turkey Knob’
Directions to Trailhead
From Hanksville UT, head south on UT 95 towards Hite. Just before you reach Mile Marker 28 (~27.7), there will be a small turn off with a short dirt road (100 yards). Drive to the end of this road and park at the bottom of a sandstone cliff
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
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Approach
To reach the ridge top, hike across the Blarney drainage and begin to find your way up the slickrock outcropping on the left side of the canyon. It seems staying on top of the ridge or to the right (east) of it will provide the easiest path. If you are careful, you wont find anything above class 3 climbing. Keep finding your way up until you reach a flat dirt area overlooking the region. You will find a trail to follow heading towards the canyon heads. This area will give you a nice overview of Blarney on your right and Shillelagh on your left. Soon the trail will split, the right fork heading to Blarney, and the left to Shillelagh. There are many canyons in the area that look similar, so make sure you are dropping in to the correct canyon.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
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Description: Standard Route
Shortly after taking the right fork in the trail, you will reach the head of the Left Fork of Blarney. Find a good route down in to the bowl. There will be a short downclimb that leads to your first rappel, or you can set up a rappel from the rim. There should be plenty of boulders to sling around all the rappels. Shortly after your first rappel you will encounter another rappel where the canyon begins to slot up. You will find some beautiful slot and fun downclimbing with nothing too difficult, although quite narrow at times. Eventually you will reach the final rappel in to a dark section of slot. After that there will be plenty of squeezing and down climbing until you reach the right fork of the canyon.
Exit
From here you have a short 40 minute stroll down the wash to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
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Rating: 3A II
Time Required: ~2-4 hours
Longest Rappel: ~50
Permit Information
None required
Camping/Lodging
Plenty of primitive camping near the trailhead. Sandthrax campground is just south of mile marker 28
Preferred Season
Any- summer can be hot
Water Concerns
Shouldn’t be any. Possible wading after rains. Small drainage
Special Challenges
Natural anchor skills will be required. Awkward rappel starts
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 100’ rope, ~ 50 feet of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5 ‘Turkey Knob’
Directions to Trailhead
From Hanksville UT, head south on UT 95 towards Hite. Just before you reach Mile Marker 28 (~27.7), there will be a small turn off with a short dirt road (100 yards). Drive to the end of this road and park at the bottom of a sandstone cliff
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
To reach the ridge top, hike across the Blarney drainage and begin to find your way up the slickrock outcropping on the left side of the canyon. It seems staying on top of the ridge or to the right (east) of it will provide the easiest path. If you are careful, you wont find anything above class 3 climbing. Keep finding your way up until you reach a flat dirt area overlooking the region. You will find a trail to follow heading towards the canyon heads. This area will give you a nice overview of Blarney on your right and Shillelagh on your left. Soon the trail will split, the right fork heading to Blarney, and the left to Shillelagh. There are many canyons in the area that look similar, so make sure you are dropping in to the correct canyon.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Description: Standard Route
Shortly after taking the right fork in the trail, you will reach the head of the Left Fork of Blarney. Find a good route down in to the bowl. There will be a short downclimb that leads to your first rappel, or you can set up a rappel from the rim. There should be plenty of boulders to sling around all the rappels. Shortly after your first rappel you will encounter another rappel where the canyon begins to slot up. You will find some beautiful slot and fun downclimbing with nothing too difficult, although quite narrow at times. Eventually you will reach the final rappel in to a dark section of slot. After that there will be plenty of squeezing and down climbing until you reach the right fork of the canyon.
Exit
From here you have a short 40 minute stroll down the wash to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -