homegrown6
06-22-2009, 12:25 AM
A nice long day through the Elkheart cliffs. Dianas Canyon is unique because it ends through a cave
Rating: 3A IV
Time Required: ~7-9 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~50 Feet
Total Rappels: ~6
Camping/Lodging
Lots of primitive camping nearby, also Mt Carmel Jct. is a good place to stay close by.
Preferred Season
Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter poses difficult challenges to the upper slot.
Water Concerns
A few potholes that always have water
Special Challenges
Most rappels require a dead man anchor, to get to the upper slot some steep exposed hiking is required. Also bring a headlamp, this unusual canyon follows a man made cave under hwy 89 for a nice finale.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 150 ft of rope, ~50’ of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders, wetsuit depending on weather, also a small shovel to set deadman's.
Topographic Maps
Mt Carmel Jct USGS 1:24
Directions to Trailhead
Located on Hwy 89 between Mt Carmel Jct and Kanab UT. The canyon is best explored with a shuttle, the bottom of the canyon is located less than a quarter of a mile down Parunaweap rd. Park one vehicle there or leave it at Mt Carmel Jct. Drive up the hill to its apex, look for the point of the white cliffs called Diana's Throne on the left (north). You will see the turn off to Coral Pink Sand Dunes to the right, turn on the dirt road nearly straight across from that turn (heading North), the track is very sandy so anything less than a high clearance 4x4 should park here. If not, travel one mile up to a dead end nearing the head of the canyon. The canyon is not named on any maps.
Trailhead Grid Coordinate
37.193606--112.631175
Approach
From the end of the sandy 4x4 track you have two options, you can descend straight down into the deep gully that turns into a small slot (1 rappel) which connects with the main canyon just below the upper slot. To access the upper slot, hug the cliffs to the east around two drainages, then you will hit a ridge with massive white rock all by itself, circle this rock and drop into the upper slot.
Canyon Entry Grid Coordinate
37.200384-112.631140
Description: Upper slot route
Once you have dropped into the upper slot, there will be two rappels and lots of 10-15 ft downclimbs. The only option for achors is to use the limestone rocks for deadman anchors. Once through the upper slot (1 mile) you will have about a mile and a half of hiking through a scenic gorge (non technical).
The Lower slot section begins with some great downclimbs through pot holes. There are a few areas that we have always had to escape to the rim and hike around (one rappel). In the middle of the lower slot there is a large rappel that drops about 50 ft. This will require a deadman. Once into the lower section of the Lower slot the canyon gets dark and snakelike one more rappel 25 ft, and a few more downclimbs, then the canyon opens up fairly wide. From here trek 3 1/2 miles to the last rappel, a limestone dryfall with a large tree trunk bridging it, it makes a great anchor. From here head under the road through the carved out cave to the other side where your chariot awaits.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
37.211638-112.684798
Rating: 3A IV
Time Required: ~7-9 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~50 Feet
Total Rappels: ~6
Camping/Lodging
Lots of primitive camping nearby, also Mt Carmel Jct. is a good place to stay close by.
Preferred Season
Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter poses difficult challenges to the upper slot.
Water Concerns
A few potholes that always have water
Special Challenges
Most rappels require a dead man anchor, to get to the upper slot some steep exposed hiking is required. Also bring a headlamp, this unusual canyon follows a man made cave under hwy 89 for a nice finale.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 150 ft of rope, ~50’ of webbing, rap rings/links, ascenders, wetsuit depending on weather, also a small shovel to set deadman's.
Topographic Maps
Mt Carmel Jct USGS 1:24
Directions to Trailhead
Located on Hwy 89 between Mt Carmel Jct and Kanab UT. The canyon is best explored with a shuttle, the bottom of the canyon is located less than a quarter of a mile down Parunaweap rd. Park one vehicle there or leave it at Mt Carmel Jct. Drive up the hill to its apex, look for the point of the white cliffs called Diana's Throne on the left (north). You will see the turn off to Coral Pink Sand Dunes to the right, turn on the dirt road nearly straight across from that turn (heading North), the track is very sandy so anything less than a high clearance 4x4 should park here. If not, travel one mile up to a dead end nearing the head of the canyon. The canyon is not named on any maps.
Trailhead Grid Coordinate
37.193606--112.631175
Approach
From the end of the sandy 4x4 track you have two options, you can descend straight down into the deep gully that turns into a small slot (1 rappel) which connects with the main canyon just below the upper slot. To access the upper slot, hug the cliffs to the east around two drainages, then you will hit a ridge with massive white rock all by itself, circle this rock and drop into the upper slot.
Canyon Entry Grid Coordinate
37.200384-112.631140
Description: Upper slot route
Once you have dropped into the upper slot, there will be two rappels and lots of 10-15 ft downclimbs. The only option for achors is to use the limestone rocks for deadman anchors. Once through the upper slot (1 mile) you will have about a mile and a half of hiking through a scenic gorge (non technical).
The Lower slot section begins with some great downclimbs through pot holes. There are a few areas that we have always had to escape to the rim and hike around (one rappel). In the middle of the lower slot there is a large rappel that drops about 50 ft. This will require a deadman. Once into the lower section of the Lower slot the canyon gets dark and snakelike one more rappel 25 ft, and a few more downclimbs, then the canyon opens up fairly wide. From here trek 3 1/2 miles to the last rappel, a limestone dryfall with a large tree trunk bridging it, it makes a great anchor. From here head under the road through the carved out cave to the other side where your chariot awaits.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
37.211638-112.684798