Black Table Canyon is one of those canyons that any canyoneer worth their salt has wondered about as they drove by on the way to something else I first descended the canyon several years ago and have had numerous people ask me if I had any information on it since then To be honest, though it looks kind of interesting from a distance, it is really not particularly good One short rappel and a unique granite section are pretty much it Overall, not one I would recommend, but since many have asked, here is the informati...

Why are hikers always drawn to waterfalls I am not sure why waterfalls are always a popular hiking destination, but they generally are Waterfall Canyon, near Ogden, is no exception The 24-mile hike offers ok hiking to an excellent waterfall It is one of the more popular hikes in the area, and on any given summer weekend, you are likely to see many people on the trail Looking for high adventure In the summer season, guided waterfall zip lining is offered Bring your wallet if you are interested, it is certainly a stu...

Baptist draw is often touted as one of the best beginner friendly canyons in the San Rafael Swell A short approach, coupled with great narrows, easy downclimbs, and straight forward rappels make this a winner It doesn't hurt that it has some of the deepest, darkest narrows in the Swell I would agree it is beginner friendly, it was my first technical canyon in Southern Utah in the 90's, and I've been through several times since That being said, Baptist Draw has seen far more than its share of accidents, epics, and n...

If you are a canyoneer looking for deep, narrow slots, big rappels, and a hardcore adventure, pass on Upper Black Dragon This short roadside canyon excels in its colors, shapes, and ease of passage The shallow canyon has, with persistence, routes to scramble out and around any of the obstacles This ease of escape makes it an excellent place for beginners to practice anchor skills in a low-risk environment Though confident in my anchor skills, I enjoyed the canyons colors and many pools of this Coconino Sandstone be...

Arch Canyon overlook has to be one of the best primitive campsites around The lofty overlook is perched high above Arch Canyon and provides big views into Arch Canyon and the surrounding area A few ruins tucked under the viewpoint are the icing on the cake

For a canyon so pretty, and with such easy access, Iron Wash seems to be infrequently trodden Most will want to just visit the lower end where the canyon cuts through the reef Visiting just Iron Wash is a casual romp and suitable for most The hike starts in a pretty Navajo walled canyon then turns into a very pretty, deep, and wide Wingate walled canyon before it exits the west side of the reef For the very motivated, a loop can be made up Iron Wash, along Lone Man Draw, down Ernie canyon and back to the car This m...

Lower Harris Wash used to be quite popular The lower section of the canyon has an idyllic small stream meandering down to the Escalante river, cutting deep overhangs along the way The overhangs are reminiscent of the very popular Coyote Gulch, but maybe not quite as dramatic The canyon used to be one that ranchers ran cows in until the early 1990s when grazing was stopped Today, then canyon doesn't seem very popular It is quite overgrown and the easiest path is generally to hike in the stream bed proper A use trail...

Peekaboo and Spooky are the quintessential first slot canyon experience for many Relatively easy access, incredible slot canyons, and a relatively short day make this a hike to bring the family on These canyons are popular for good reason It was one of my first slot canyons long ago and once I have re-visited many times over the years Though the canyons are popular, there are a couple of minor obstacles The most difficult obstacle is a climb to get into Peek-a-boo that some may want a hand-line for, or use some tea...

The Red Canyon hike starts from the Cedar Mesa Campground in Capitol Reef National Park The campground offers 5 primitive campsites, with a pit toilet, fire pit, and picnic table No garbage collection or water available, but also no fee for staying there The hike makes a great early morning or evening outing when camping at the campground, and follows and old road to Red Canyon and its Wingate Sandstone amphitheater like end Not a hike that is recommended as a destination hike, but a great stretch your legs hike if...

Fremont Indian State Park is one of the often-overlooked gems in Utah It is an amazing state park that anyone with an interest in Native American culture, history, or art should put high on their list to visit I have visited Nine Mile Canyon many times over the years When I finally visited Fremont Indian State Park, I was dazzled by the amount and quality of rock art lining the canyon walls To me, it was as fascinating to visit as Nine Mile Canyon, though with easier access Even on a holiday weekend, we felt we had...