Dwayne27
09-08-2008, 11:03 AM
A beautiful, fun and easy canyon- excellent for beginners and experienced canyoneers, with some bigger rappels than its neighboring canyons
Rating: 3A II
Time Required: ~2-4 hours
Longest Rappel: ~100 ft
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.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 200’ 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 of 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 new 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
Continue left on the canyon rim past the head of the right fork. You will soon find the wash for the Left Fork of Shillelagh. Follow the wash a short distance, until you reach your first rappel slung from a boulder. Shortly after, you will reach another, 2 stage rappel. Drop about 65 feet down a nice chute, and then there is another drop of 30 feet. Pack your gear, enjoy some narrow sections and down climbs, and you will soon reach the intersection with the right fork.
Exit
Follow the wash to the highway, where you will need to head left (east) a short bit back to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Rating: 3A II
Time Required: ~2-4 hours
Longest Rappel: ~100 ft
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.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 200’ 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 of 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 new 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
Continue left on the canyon rim past the head of the right fork. You will soon find the wash for the Left Fork of Shillelagh. Follow the wash a short distance, until you reach your first rappel slung from a boulder. Shortly after, you will reach another, 2 stage rappel. Drop about 65 feet down a nice chute, and then there is another drop of 30 feet. Pack your gear, enjoy some narrow sections and down climbs, and you will soon reach the intersection with the right fork.
Exit
Follow the wash to the highway, where you will need to head left (east) a short bit back to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -