Buckskin Gulch is occasionally referred to as the longest slot canyon in the world I think that is a bit of a stretch, it is a big world, however Buckskin is likely one of the longest on the Colorado Plateau It is stunning, with miles of absolutely incredible slot By slot, think 10-or-so-foot-wide slot, not have-to-turn-sideways to pass slot I would put it in my short list of canyons I have done on the Plateau for scenery and overall fun factor It is amazing to me that such a long slot is relatively easy to navigat...

Crystal Geyser is a cold water geyser near Green River Due to its unpredictability, it can be an exercise of patience It can go off anywhere between every hour to 24+ hours! A 2005 study found 66% of the time the geyser erupts about every 8 hours However, a few years later, the eruptions become very sporadic and widely spaced In 2023, likely due to the heavy winter, eruptions have become more common again Feeling lucky Even if you don't get lucky enough to see it erupting, it is an interesting place to visit The ge...

Important Note: The Scenic Drive, used to access the upper trailhead, will be closed from April 29, 2024 through fall of 2024 See the park page for details: https://wwwnpsgov/care/planyourvisit/scenic-drive-rehabilitation-projecthtm You can still do Burro, but will need to access it from the bottom trailhead Burro Wash is a great technical canyon in Capitol Reef The approach is lengthy, requiring either a long car shuttle or a bit of a grunt up the reef This description takes the grunt up the reef approach and requ...

Happy Canyon is an amazing place, with a long approach Because of the approach and relatively short canyon section, this is an adventure I would highly recommend to hikers with a bit of technical experience Hardcore technical canyoneers are likely to be disappointed with the long approach Happy Canyon is a hike many people underestimate! Many have had to turn back well before reaching the canyon or end up returning in the dark Be prepared for a long day Those with a high clearance 4x4 or ATV may be better-suited hi...

Often described as "an incredible hike", the Chute of Muddy Creek is also often followed up closely by "but what a long day" This is a pretty accurate description From Tomsich Butte to Hidden Splendor is a long day hike, but is through one of the most impressive non-technical canyons in the Swell This is a must do for fit hikers It can be backpacked, but Muddy Creek is not suitable for filtering or drinking, making water availability a problem There are small springs in lower Chimney Canyon, but by that time, you a...

Happy Canyon has thwarted more of my canyoneering buddies' efforts to visit it than probably any other canyon There are two common options to visit The first, via Burr Point, is long and always underestimated Many groups try that route, but have to turn back before Happy or return in the dark Reaching the trailhead for Burr Point is easy and is generally accessible to all vehicles This route, via Poison Spring, is the preferred route and makes a very casual day hike What is the catch The road requires a high cleara...

The Gulch, not to be confused with Grand Gulch on Cedar Mesa, is one of the area jewels It is officially designated a National Outstanding Natural Area, and easy to see why The Gulch itself is long, running both north of the Burr Trail, and south from the trailhead about 12 miles to the Escalante River The length makes it good choice for a backpack, though those wishing a shorter trip can easily day hike part way down and back The area has abundant evidence of Native American habitation, as well as relics from the ...

Arch Canyon has to be one of the best beginner friendly canyoneering adventures in the Saint George area Good anchors, relatively short, with some impressive rappels and nice though short narrow sections, this is a good one I highly recommend The rappels start small and get bigger, culminating in a 60 m rappel near Johnson Arch Expect to have an audience for the final rappel on any busy weekend! The canyon is in the Snow Canyon State Park, and requires a permit To protect nesting birds, it is closed from March 15th...

Is Craner Peak the most dangerous mountain in Utah to hike!!! A bit sensational, but from my experience, quite possibly At a mere 2019 m, this is an easy peak to bag and probably of interest to most people only because it is close to the Wasatch Front, and #82 on Utah's list of 100 peaks by prominence The hike is unremarkable, and the summit a bit humdrum, though the views along the way of the Great Salt Lake and West Desert are pretty So what makes this one so dangerous Diane, Lucy and I hiked it one winter day, i...

If you have drive between Price and I-70 on highway 6, you have likely noticed Mount Elliot The peak is a high point on Book Cliffs near the ghost town of Woodside The summit is particularly stunning at sunset Though tantalizingly close to the highway, reaching the peak is a bit of an adventure A Bit of History: If you look at maps, a dirt road snakes its way up from the highway to within 1/2 mile or so of the summit of Mount Elliot From near the summit, the road then snakes around a couple of canyons and heads eas...