Ghost Rider Canyon | Virgin River Gorge

Canyoneering Ghost Rider Canyon - Virgin River Gorge Canyoneering Ghost Rider Canyon

Virgin River Gorge

Overview

RATING: 3A
MAPS: MOUNTAIN SHEEP SPRING, AZ

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 61. East northeast wind 3 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

61 | 41

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

60 | 42

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 55.

55 | 38

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 52.

52 | 30

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

54 | 33

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, though summers can be hot.
RAPPELS: 3-4 to 24 m ( 79 ft. )
WATER: None
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate

Sat

Sunny, with a high near 61. East northeast wind 3 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.

61 | 41

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

60 | 42

Mon

Sunny, with a high near 55.

55 | 38

Tue

Sunny, with a high near 52.

52 | 30

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

54 | 33

View Full Weather Details
Bottom of the canyon before the exit.

Bottom of the canyon before the exit.

Ghost Rider makes for an excellent evening canyon or beginner friendly canyon. Though not touted as a destination canyon, I must say I enjoyed it immensely as a way to break up a long drive while passing through. Ghost Rider has a short approach with 3-4 rappels in relatively rapid succession, followed by a casual exit. A mile and an hour are all the canyon takes.

Ghost Rider is also an excellent choice for rounding out a Cherry Canyon day as well, as it is very nearby. As of 2018, all anchors were bolts and chains.

Joshua trees on the exit.

Joshua trees on the exit.

Getting There

Note: The road is generally pretty good. High clearance helps, but a carefully driven car should make it as well.

The trailhead is off the Cedar Pockets road in the Virgin River Gorge. This is exit 18 from I-15 about 17 miles west of St. George or 20 miles east of Mesquite NV. This is the same exit for the Virgin River Gorge Campground,

  • Reset your odometer on the north side of the freeway and head north of the dirt Cedar Pocket Road. There are a few primitive campsites next to the road a short distance from the freeway. ( 12S 250884mE 4093502mN / N36° 57' 17" W113° 47' 52" )
  • 1.6 miles - Cedar Pocket Wash Trailhead on the right. This is the exit point, and the recommended trailhead. ( 12S 250867mE 4095450mN / N36° 58' 20" W113° 47' 55" )
  • 1.8 miles - Ghost Rider Canyon on the right. Limited parking. ( 12S 250887mE 4095635mN / N36° 58' 26" W113° 47' 55" )
Big rappel in Ghost Rider

Big rappel in Ghost Rider

Getting started in Ghost Rider

Getting started in Ghost Rider

Route

Approach (5 minutes)
From the trailhead, follow the road a minute or so to the wash, then turn right and head down the wash. The wash is Ghost Rider Canyon.

Canyon
R1 - 2 m ( 7 ft. ) - This is a downclimb for most, but someone has installed a bolted anchor if needed.
R2 - 8 m ( 27 ft. ) - A few minutes down from R1, the canyon drops at the first "real" rappel.
R3 - 24 m ( 79 ft. ) -The big rappel in the canyon, and most photogenic in my opinion.

After R3, it is a short walk to R4.

R4 - 8 m ( 27 ft. ) - A final short rappel, then the canyon open and join a large wash.

Exit - 15-20 minutes
Just before Ghost Rider joins the large wash, look for a social trail leaving on the right. This well worn social trail climbs to the ridge, then follows a side road back to the main road right near the trailhead.

Side Trip: The Cedar Pocket Narrows are about 5 minutes down from the exit, and a nice side trip. To visit, continue down the wash about 5 minutes. On your return, look for a small sign indicating the Cedar Pocket Narrows trail leaves on the left. This alternate return joins the standard exit about 3/4 of the way up the hillside.

Videos

youtube thumbnail

Ghost Rider Canyon

By: richardpattison

Maps

Printable Maps:

Parking

12S 250914mE 4095590mN

N36° 58' 25" W113° 47' 53"

Drop In

12S 250877mE 4095636mN

N36° 58' 26" W113° 47' 55"

Rappel 1

12S 250968mE 4095609mN

N36° 58' 25" W113° 47' 51"

Rappel 4

12S 251133mE 4095598mN

N36° 58' 25" W113° 47' 45"

Exit

12S 251251mE 4095645mN

N36° 58' 27" W113° 47' 40"

Main Trail

12S 251255mE 4095572mN

N36° 58' 24" W113° 47' 40"

Comments

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