Sunday, May 1, 2022

Leprechaun Canyon (south of Hanksville, Utah) - 4/26/22

The group exits Leprechaun Canyon

Entrance to Leprechaun Canyon

Entering Leprechaun Canyon

Hiking in from Trailhead
About one half mile north of the Sandthrax Canyon Trailhead is the Leprechaun Canyon Trailhead. Or, about 28 miles south of Hanksville, Utah on SR 95 on the east side of the road. We pulled into the parking area (or, 3 part parking area) and began our hike by following a trail along the wash to the left side of the entrance road. The trail eventually gave a choice of over-the-rock shelf on the right side of the wash or through the bamboo weeds on the left. We climbed up on the shelf and hiked to the other end where the trail dropped down to the wash again. A big boulder sat in the middle of the wash indicating the entrance to the large cathedral slot.

Over a Rock Shelf to Entrance

Big Boulder in Entrance

Wash Rut in Entrance Way

As the Canyon Narrows
The cathedral entrance gave way to a smaller slot and on to a very small narrow slot. Again, we were daunted by the narrowness of the walls. Leprechaun Canyon has a vaulted type slotted ceiling and the light coming in from the openings makes for good photography. Afterwards, we explored a side canyon with very large chock rocks overhead. Scary!

Stats: 2.2 miles; 200' gain; 1.75 hours

Now, it's single file!

Lettie shows us the Way Out

Rita in Leprechaun Canyon



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