Leprechaun Canyon (Right Fork)

Beta for the right fork of Leprechaun Canyon

Duration

3

- 6 hrs.

Rating

3

Technical Class Indicates the technicality of the terrain and the tyoe of rope work require.

1 - 

Canyon Hiking Non-technical. No rope is required. See the route description for difficulties.

2 - 

Basic Canyoneering Scrambling, easy climbing or downclimbing. A rope may be handy for handlines, belays, lowering packs and emergency use. Exit or retreat possible upcanyon without fixed ropes.

3 - 

Intermediate Canyoneering Rappels or technical climbing and/or downclimbing. A rope is required for belays and single-pitch rappels. Retreat upcanyon would require fixing ropes.

4 - 

Advanced Canyoneering Aid climbing, multi-pitch rappels and/or complex rope work (such as re-belays, tyrollean traverse, or guided rappels) may be required. Might also require difficult pothole escapes, serious squeezing, extensive high-risk downclimbing, or have difficult-to-establish natural anchors. Rappels longer than 200 feet will usually earn a canyon a Class 4 rating.

A

Water Rating indicates complications due to flowing or still water, under normal conditions.

A - 

Normally dry or with very little water. Wading to waist deep at most.

B - 

Water with no current or light current. Still pools. Falls are normally dry or running at a trickle. Swimming expected.

C - 

Water with strong current. Waterfalls. Wet canyon rope techniques required.

II

Time or Grade indicates the length of the adventure.

I - 

Short. A couple of hours.

II - 

Requires about a half day.

III - 

Normally requires most of a day.

IV - 

Expected to take a long day. Get up early, bring a headlamp. Possible bivy.

V - 

More than one day. Normally done in two days.

VI - 

Two full days or more.

Additional Risk Rating indicates the presence of more risk factors than might be expected.

No Rating - 

Normal risk factors are present on this adventure.

R - 

One or more extraordinary risk factors exist that complicate the descent. Solid technical skills and sound judgment required. Not appropriate for beginners, even with competent leadership.

X - 

Multiple risk factors exist that will complicate the descent. Errors in technique or judgment will likely result in serious injury or death. Descent should be attempted by expert canyoneers only. This is the least-well-established part of the rating system, and the most subjective. Use by beta-providers varies widely, to the point that this part of the rating means very little.

Longest Rappel

45 ft

Number of Rappels

2 -

4

Country: united states

State/Province: UT

City or Nearest City: Hanksville

Camping:

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Sandthrax Campground - BLM

Butler Canyon Campground

Approaches:

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First Rappel:

First Rappel Icon

Last Rappel:

Last Rappel Icon

Exits:

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Calculate time for your adventure

Select your approach, exit, and any shuttles in order to calcualte an estimated time

1. Approaches:

2. Canyon Time:

3 hour(s), 30 minute(s).

3. Exit Time:

Total Adventure Time:

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Seasonal Gear Recommendations
for Leprechaun Canyon (Right Fork)

Leprechaun Right Canyon Rappels

2 - 4 rappels

The Right Fork of Leprechaun Canyon in the North Wash is an exciting canyon that features a few rappels, but even better tight, slot sections. This is a great beginner canyon for those who don't mind some moderately tight spaces. Pack light and think skinny thoughts! Don't wear clothes you care too much about because you might come out of the canyon with a few holes or tears in your clothes.

Descending the first rappel in the right fork of Leprechaun Canyon

Rappel 1

Length: 35 ft

Coordinates: 38.03691,-110.51871

Rappel 1 AnchorAnchor Icon

There is a solid cairn anchor located just at the head of the right fork of Leprechaun Canyon.


Overview

Drop in directly at the head of the canyon, and then downclimb 3 short drops to where the canyon opens up.

Tips

It is not a bad idea to start this rappel sitting down because the anchor is so low to the ground.



Going down the second rappel in Leprechaun Canyon - Right Fork

Rappel 2

Length: 40 ft

Rappel 2 AnchorAnchor Icon

This anchor is another cairn anchor located just left of the watercourse looking down the canyon. There are plenty of rocks in the area to reinforce the cairn anchor if needed.


Overview

After walking down the canyon for about 100 yards, you'll come to another drop in the watercourse. Rappel down perpendicular to the watercourse into the begining of the upper slot section.

Tips

Instead of rappelling off of the cairn anchor, you can downclimb directly in the watercourse until the final drop of a 3-drop series. It is an easy downclimb to a deadman anchor at the top of the third short drop that that you can use to descend to the canyon floor.



Nearing the bottom of the third rappel in Leprechaun Canyon - Right Fork

Rappel 3

Length: 15 ft

Rappel 3 AnchorAnchor Icon

Rappel from a small deadman anchor directly in the watercourse. You can back this up with a meat anchor if you wish.


Overview

After the second rappel, continue down canyon for a while, working your way through some skinny sections of the canyon. Sometimes it is better/faster to stem above the canyon floor in the tighter sections. Soon, you will come to the third rappel. Rappel down the skinny watercourse that opens up about 6 feet before reaching the bottom.

Tips

This could be potentially downclimbed with some skill. The first part of the downclimb is straightforward but when the watercourse opens up a bit the last part of the downclimb gets harder. The first person down could assist others as they downclimb the last 6 feet. It is recommended just to rappel this drop though.



Going down the final rappel in the right fork of Leprechaun Canyon

Rappel 4

Length: 15 ft

Coordinates: 38.029372,-110.528961

Rappel 4 AnchorAnchor Icon

A few large rocks provide a stable anchor. Make sure to extend the webbing for an easy pull.


Overview

After the third rappel, keep working your way through the tightest parts of the slot. The canyon will open and tighten again before the last rappel. Just before this rappel, downclimb/slide down to the anchor. Then rappel down an angled wedge for about 5 feet and then down a vertical wall for another 10 feet.



Leprechaun Canyon (Right Fork) Trip Reports

April 9, 2022

Our group of 4 descended the right fork of Leprechaun Canyon and had an absolute blast. Two in our group were beginners and were able to complete the canyon just fine. All anchors were in good shape! The rappel station for the second rappel has moved from directly in the watercourse to just left of the watercourse, perpendicular to the canyon. It looks like the rope grooves were getting pretty bad in the watercourse from the original rappel station. There was some water in the lower part of the canyon, especially where the canyon got pretty tight. All water was avoidable though, and the deepest pool was probably about shin-deep.

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