Canyoneer through North Wash
Rapell into sculpted slots like 'Leprechaun' or 'Blarney' near Hite, where the red rock narrows to just shoulder-width. October provides the ideal temperature for technical desert movement without the summer heat.
Itinerary tips
- 1Pack a 30-meter rope, extra webbing, and quick-links, as anchors in these slots often require frequent replacement due to flash flood wear.
- 2Plan for roughly 3 to 5 hours per canyon, allowing you to link multiple slots like Blarney and Leprechaun in a single day.
- 3Park at the designated pull-outs along Highway 95 near mile marker 27; no formal permits are currently required for North Wash canyons.
- 4Wear durable, sacrificial clothing and knee pads, as the 'Sandthrax' sandstone is notoriously abrasive on gear and skin.
- 5Download offline topographic maps before leaving Hanksville, as there is zero cellular service once you descend into the Hite area.
- 6Carry at least 3 liters of water per person even in cooler weather, as the strenuous chimneying and stemming maneuvers are physically taxing.
More in Southern Utah Parks
Canyoneer through North Wash Slot Canyons
Navigate tight sandstone slots like 'Leprechaun Canyon' using technical rappels and stems near the Hite end of Lake Powell.
AdventurePaddle Kayaks to Antelope Canyon
Launch from Antelope Point Marina to explore the narrow, water-filled lower reaches of the world’s most famous slot canyon.
AdventureBackpack the Escalante River to Coyote Gulch
Trek through a lush riparian canyon to see Jacob Hamblin Arch and Stevens Arch, two of the desert's grandest spans.
AdventureSqueeze through Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Slots
Test your claustrophobia in these famously narrow non-technical slot canyons that require agility and a small frame.
Adventure
