Blarney Canyon Trail at North Wash

more stats

4,160 ft

Distance

144 ft

Climb

-7 ft

Descent

01:12:07

Avg time

139 ft

Altitude change

4,524 ft

Altitude min

4,671 ft

Altitude max

4,532 ft

Altitude start

4,672 ft

Altitude end

3.4%

Grade

-4.7%

Grade max

20.8%

Grade min

2,011 ft

Distance climb

384 ft

Distance down

1,765 ft

Distance flat

01:12:07

Avg time

Blarney Canyon Details

Activities
- Hike
Riding Area

North Wash
Hanksville, Utah
Difficulty Rating

Blue Rate
Local Popularity

90 in Hiking
Global Ranking

#174 in Hiking
Hiking SAC Scale

T1 Hiking
Trail Type

Primitive
Direction

Both Directions
Physical Rating

Moderate
Trail Visibility

Always easy to follow
Family Friendly

Yes
Dogs Allowed

Yes
Land Owner

BLM

This one of the "Irish Canyons" is usually listed as a technical canyoneering route, but most of this slot canyon (the entire route shown on this map) can be easily explored by hikers with no technical equipment. There are several small obstacles that require basic chimneying, stemming, and slickrock scrambling skills, but with very little danger. Just do whatever obstacles you are comfortable with, then turn around, but at each one, the answer to the obvious question is, yes, it is worth it.

From the parking area, simply walk up the wash bottom; the canyon is almost immediately interesting. After about a quarter mile is a "mini-slot" to get you in the mood. Just above this is a confluence; go left. At the next confluence, it is obvious that straight is a dead end, so go right. Almost immediately will be a third confluence. Both directions are great slot canyons with small but frequent obstacles. The right fork is more interesting, but the left can be hiked longer.

Access Info

The trailhead is the first dirt road you will see on the left as you descend North Wash from the junction with Hwy 276, between mile markers 27 and 28. Going up the canyon, it is the second dirt road on the right after the Irish Canyons camping area (the pulloff with the kiosk)