Dairy Canyon | Sevier Valley

Canyoneering Dairy Canyon - Sevier ValleyHiking Dairy Canyon - Sevier Valley Dairy Canyon

Sevier Valley

Overview

Thu

Sunny. High near 57, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. South southwest wind around 7 mph.

57 | 31

Fri

A chance of snow after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. South southwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

48 | 32

Sat

A chance of snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

37 | 26

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 18

Mon

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 24

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any when there is no snow on the ground. Hot in the summer.
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear / Technical Gear if Rappelling
RAPPELS: 1 to 10 m ( 33 ft. )
WATER: Generally none.

Thu

Sunny. High near 57, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. South southwest wind around 7 mph.

57 | 31

Fri

A chance of snow after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. South southwest wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

48 | 32

Sat

A chance of snow before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

37 | 26

Sun

Sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 18

Mon

A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 24

View Full Weather Details
The start of the Dairy Canyon hike.

The start of the Dairy Canyon hike.

Dairy Canyon is not a destination canyon, but if you are in the area it makes for a great family friendly outing.

The canyon can be hiked up from the bottom by all in a short hour or so as an out and back to an impassable dry fall. Though short, it visits a lovely section of canyon and is easily accessible from Richfield. Technical canyoneers can follow the rim of the canyon and descend through a short narrows, rappel the dryfall, and amble back to the car in likely an hour or less. The short approach, straightforward rappel, and ease of the canyon make it well suited to beginners.

Historical Note: The canyon traditionally had a ladder climbing a smaller dryfall. Floods in 2021 made the drop more formidable and washed away the ladder.
Warning: The dry fall can be climbed around on the right (looking up canyon), but is very exposed, sandy, and would have high consequences for a fall. Climbing around is NOT recommended!
Richfield from the canyoneering approach.

Richfield from the canyoneering approach.

Getting There

The trailhead is on the west side of I-70. From downtown Richfield, head west on 530 South. The road turns to dirt and crosses under the interstate. After crossing the interstate, the area becomes a tangled web of ATV and off-road trails. Using the path of least resistance, head west. There are two canyons in view, Dairy Canyon is the one on the left (south). Use the tangled web of roads to reach the bottom of the canyon. The trailhead is passable by most 2wd vehicles, but high clearance may be required depending on patch chosen. If needed, it is easy to walk from the interstate crossing. Total distance from the interstate crossing to the bottom of the canyon is about a half of mile depending on the path.

The dryfall in Dairy Canyon

The dryfall in Dairy Canyon

Great colors in Dairy Canyon

Great colors in Dairy Canyon

Route

Hiking Route:
From the trailhead, simply walk-up the canyon. The lower part is travelled by ATVs, but boulders soon make it a hiking route only. In 2021 there was a memorial here, early in the canyon. Hike up stream, with red and white walls that begin to tower overhead. A few minor obstacles present themselves, but there is always an easy path. At a small bend, the dry fall is reached. Return the same way.

Canyoneering Route:
From the trailhead, head south. You will see a road/ATV trail climbing steeply up the hill. Hike up this trail, staying on the main trail/road as it follows along the south side of the canyon. As the road crests a hill, the view opens, and you can see down into the open upper area of the canyon. Leave the road and work down to the canyon bottom.

Once in the canyon bottom, simply head down the canyon. A very short slickrock narrow section occurs right before the dryfall. At the dryfall, there are numerous good natural anchors for the rappel. The drop is currently about <span class="metersHeight">10 m</span>. Once down the rappel, it is an easy amble back down to the trailhead through a scenic section of canyon.


Maps

Hike / 0.87 miles / Elevation Range 5,384 - 5,495 ft.
Canyon / 1.11 miles / Elevation Range 5,384 - 5,594 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12S 403255mE 4291043mN

N38° 45' 46" W112° 06' 49"

Canyon Bottom

12S 402733mE 4290921mN

N38° 45' 42" W112° 07' 10"

Dryfall

12S 402807mE 4290971mN

N38° 45' 44" W112° 07' 07"

Comments

Want to make a comment? Login and let yourself be heard.