erica.owens05
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Blarney Canyon - North Wash
Date: 11/02/2019
Did this canyon with a group of four: two rock climbers, my inexperienced/timid wife, and myself. It took us 2.5 hours almost on the dot and we didn't move super quickly. What a fun, shorter canyon! We did the left fork and getting to the first rappel was super easy to navigate. The first rappel has a bit of an awkward start, but it very manageable after the first 5-10 feet. It had a nice overhang to it. Within 100 yards is the second "rappel," but after lowering three in the group I was able to downclimb without issue. The length of the downclimb might be intimidating, but the rock provides enough good places to step and stem that most confident canyoneers can do it. The slot sections were very nice in this canyon and I didn't see any major areas where water would pool. We had one final rappel that's scarier from above than it is once you are able to get your body under the chock stone. I would guess that very confident people have even downclimbed this section before, despite it being 10-15m deep. The slot section after this rappel is really nice! It was probably 20 minutes from here to the wash, which provided an enjoyable hike back to the trailhead. I absolutely would do this canyon again, though this is one I would definitely leave the dogs at home for -- it's much too narrow and has more downclimbing than would be enjoyable with the fur babies.
Did this canyon with a group of four: two rock climbers, my inexperienced/timid wife, and myself. It took us 2.5 hours almost on the dot and we didn't move super quickly. What a fun, shorter canyon! We did the left fork and getting to the first rappel was super easy to navigate. The first rappel has a bit of an awkward start, but it very manageable after the first 5-10 feet. It had a nice overhang to it. Within 100 yards is the second "rappel," but after lowering three in the group I was able to downclimb without issue. The length of the downclimb might be intimidating, but the rock provides enough good places to step and stem that most confident canyoneers can do it. The slot sections were very nice in this canyon and I didn't see any major areas where water would pool. We had one final rappel that's scarier from above than it is once you are able to get your body under the chock stone. I would guess that very confident people have even downclimbed this section before, despite it being 10-15m deep. The slot section after this rappel is really nice! It was probably 20 minutes from here to the wash, which provided an enjoyable hike back to the trailhead. I absolutely would do this canyon again, though this is one I would definitely leave the dogs at home for -- it's much too narrow and has more downclimbing than would be enjoyable with the fur babies.
Angel Cove Slot - Angel Point
Date: 11/01/2019
Did the north fork with a group of four and two dogs: two rock climbers, my inexperienced and timid wife, myself, and the two doodle pups. It took us just over 4 hours and we weren't able to move very quickly. I didn't see any major areas that could hold water in the wet season. The last half mile or so of the dirt road driving to the trailhead was sandy, followed by a pretty steep section that almost proved too much for my friends in their sedan. The best trail to take to the wash is more north east than I remember, but as long as you point yourself east, you will find your way to the wash. First rap is super easy and beginner friendly, being short and not a complete vertical face. The dogs really enjoyed how open most of the canyon was -- they had plenty of sand to run around in and they could do quite a few of the downclimbs without assistance. We lowered the more timid people of the group on a few sections that could be downclimbed. None of the fixed ropes were there anymore, which is too bad for the base jumpers! The canyon narrowed up toward the end and made traversing it with the dogs a little tricky, but doable. The last two rappels are for sure the best part of the whole canyon in my opinion. Both have overhanging sections which are super nice with the dogs. Hiking out is a bit of a slog -- head right (south) and follow the social trail/cairns until you can find a good place to climb up the slick rock. It took us just under an hour to make it to the top, close to a mile with 700' elevation gain mostly in the form of heading directly up slick rock. From there we headed north by northwest through the flat plain to get back to the car. Not too difficult to navigate.
Did the north fork with a group of four and two dogs: two rock climbers, my inexperienced and timid wife, myself, and the two doodle pups. It took us just over 4 hours and we weren't able to move very quickly. I didn't see any major areas that could hold water in the wet season. The last half mile or so of the dirt road driving to the trailhead was sandy, followed by a pretty steep section that almost proved too much for my friends in their sedan. The best trail to take to the wash is more north east than I remember, but as long as you point yourself east, you will find your way to the wash. First rap is super easy and beginner friendly, being short and not a complete vertical face. The dogs really enjoyed how open most of the canyon was -- they had plenty of sand to run around in and they could do quite a few of the downclimbs without assistance. We lowered the more timid people of the group on a few sections that could be downclimbed. None of the fixed ropes were there anymore, which is too bad for the base jumpers! The canyon narrowed up toward the end and made traversing it with the dogs a little tricky, but doable. The last two rappels are for sure the best part of the whole canyon in my opinion. Both have overhanging sections which are super nice with the dogs. Hiking out is a bit of a slog -- head right (south) and follow the social trail/cairns until you can find a good place to climb up the slick rock. It took us just under an hour to make it to the top, close to a mile with 700' elevation gain mostly in the form of heading directly up slick rock. From there we headed north by northwest through the flat plain to get back to the car. Not too difficult to navigate.
Shillelagh Canyon - North Wash
Date: 11/25/2016
Day One: Right fork. Reasonable approach, straight up the slick rock. The canyon was muddy and had a lot of knee-deep pools of water. It was very narrow and v-shaped with a lot of stemming and down climbing. Not dog friendly. Day Two: Left fork. Same approach, only we had to walk an extra 15 minutes or so west. This canyon was much drier and open, proving to be more enjoyable for everyone. The rappels had awkward starts, but were manageable once you got going. With how easy the canyon is following the rappels, I would do this fork of the canyon again. Temperatures were fine -- a long-sleeved shirt was sufficient for most of the day.
Day One: Right fork. Reasonable approach, straight up the slick rock. The canyon was muddy and had a lot of knee-deep pools of water. It was very narrow and v-shaped with a lot of stemming and down climbing. Not dog friendly. Day Two: Left fork. Same approach, only we had to walk an extra 15 minutes or so west. This canyon was much drier and open, proving to be more enjoyable for everyone. The rappels had awkward starts, but were manageable once you got going. With how easy the canyon is following the rappels, I would do this fork of the canyon again. Temperatures were fine -- a long-sleeved shirt was sufficient for most of the day.
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