Make A Reservation Request

Hanksville / North Wash

Leprechaun Canyon

Within the Irish Canyon complex there exists a magical canyon system that is no longer the playground of only small bearded men dressed in green. It has been discovered and has even immortalized in films (127 Hours) and reality TV shows (I Shouldn’t Be Alive). Yet it retains an aura of mysticism, as tucked within its slots and exquisitely polished slots are hidden challenges, wonderfully polished and colorful striated walls punctuated with sections for roped downclimbs and fun rappels.

The Forks of Leprechaun

On either side of the Main Fork of Leprechaun are two other forks with similar beauty but vastly different obstacles that can challenge the strongest of athletes or be enjoyed by a determined group of beginner canyoneers.

Blarney, Shillelagh, Morocco Canyons, Arsenic & more!

More spectacular canyon options exist since none of these canyons is short of amazing!

Moab Cliffs and Canyons was the first canyoneering outfitter to ever be permitted to guide these canyons and our experience and depth of knowledge enables us to create a fantastic itinerary customized for you and your group.

Cedar Mesa

Black Hole of White Canyon / Cedar Mesa

Undoubtedly, the Black Hole section of White Canyon is Southeastern Utah’s deepest slot canyon. While it doesn’t have the gravitational pull to consume massive stellar objects, it does have the ability blow peoples minds with its stunning depth, lengthy cold-water swims and tremendous beauty.

Getting to the bottom of White Canyon is the first challenge since one must descend nearly 500ft down to the floor of this boulder and gravel strewn canyon. Negotiating the mogul field of giant SUV sized boulders is another of the challenges that is part and parcel in the approach to the Black Hole. In all but the driest years one will have already waded, swam, dog-paddled, crawled, scrambled and been lowered over the massive fluted and varnished iron black boulders and bedrock.

As the canyon deepens and constricts, log jams appear nearly 100ft overhead, more evidence of how the power of water, rock and gravity have sculpted, caressed and devastated the canyon walls creating a multitude of natural cathedrals of epic proportions.

Ideal for the summer months when the temperatures are between 90-110ºF,  you’ll wonder why on earth you’re carrying a black wetsuit, but don’t chuck it yet – you will definitely need it.

As the walls close in and the air temperature turns chilly, we arrive where boulders block the passage and a 10ft drop signifies the start of the serious fun. Shouts and squeals of brisk delight usually punctuate the start of the swimming – but wait. You must detach from the rope while floating before swimming towards the twisting corridors!

Depending on water levels, gravel bars appear – one can get out of the water and watch in giddy humor as the rest of your party figures out the best way to climb in and out of all the pools that comprise the depths of the Black Hole portion of White Canyon.

Soon the canyon begins to open and the pools begin to warm. Natural swimming pools are passed, beckoning a jump and a plunge in order to rewet the wetsuit since we are now seeing sections of full sun. Words fail to describe the sensational feeling of playfulness one feels from physically engaging one of Mother Natures’ most impressive and ancient creations!

Cheese Box, Gravel Canyon, Duckett, and more…

Cedar Mesa is the immense shelf that juts off the southwest side of the Abajo Mountains 100 miles south of Moab. It is also the name of the geologic layer that is thickest and most prevalent in this area. Over 600 ft deep, this layer has been stripped, chiseled, and scoured to expose the ancient red and white banded coastal sand dunes that lithified into a very dense and handsome sandstone.

It is here where these remote canyons provide the experienced canyoneer an athletic and deeply gratifying challenge. Like the Black Hole these canyons get deep and dark in sections and usually have long swims through chilly water with stupefying beauty.

By having adequate preparation, proper leadership, tools and skills, the challenges in these canyons fall to group problem-solving in the most stunning classroom imaginable. More remote and rope-intensive than the Black Hole, with more demanding route-finding, these canyons are perfect for people who are athletic and enjoy long, strenuous days in a wondrous and isolated landscape!

Trip Overview

Hanksville/North Wash

• Drive from Moab:  2+ hours
• Season:  March – November
• Technical:  some very narrow slot canyons, rope-assisted down climbs, steep hiking, stemming, chimneying, bridging, un-roped down climbs, and multiple rappels up to 200ft.

Cedar Mesa

• Drive from Moab:  approximately 2.5 hours
• Season:  May – August
• Technical:  steep hiking, scrambling, boulder hopping, tight narrows, multiple cold swims up to 100ft long, rappels to 70ft (some into water) and/or rope-assisted down climbs

What You Can Expect 

• New skills and specialized techniques for canyon travel
• A knowledgeable, enthusiastic and professional guide
• Geology, ecology and cultural history of the region
• Challenging teamwork and group interaction
• Physically active days immersed in remarkable beauty!
• High-quality technical equipment suitable for the rigor of canyoneering
• You can choose to Camp or stay in a Motel

Skill & Fitness Level

Hanksville / North Wash Canyoneering

• No canyoneering experience required
• Intermediate to advanced athletic skill level
• Must be able to travel for a minimum of 4 hours through tight canyon system requiring stemming, chimneying, scrambling and advanced hiking on steep grades
• Minimum age:  8 years

Cedar Mesa Canyoneering

• Intermediate canyoneering skill levels
• Previous canyoneering or other forms of endurance athletic experience recommended
• Moderate to advanced athletic skill levels
• Must be able to travel through long canyon systems with large obstacles requiring stemming, chimneying, scrambling and advanced hiking on steep grades
• Must be able to swim long distances through narrow corridors while carrying a wet backpack
• Minimum age: 10 years (anyone smaller than a size X must supply their own wetsuit)
• Children must be mature enough to use reason and logic to mitigate their instinctual fear of backing over a cliff edge and also weigh enough (around 50lbs.) to counter the mass of the rope they’ll need to push through their rappel device

What to Bring

• 3-4 liters of drinking water PER PERSON PER DAY
• Enough food for the entire trip
• A long sleeve, quick-drying shirt to use to warm up after swims
• Extra dry clothes may also be necessary depending on the temperature that day
• Sun screen
• Lip balm
• Brimmed hat
• Light long-sleeve shirt (for sun protection)
• Sun glasses
• Light rain gear
• Camera (waterproof)
• Extra snacks if you get really hungry, are a growing teenager, or have dietary restrictions or allergies

We provide

• Sandwich for the first day, snacks for the whole trip
• All of the technical gear you will need for canyoneering
• Wetsuits, if deemed necessary
• Rental canyoneering shoes with extra-sticky rubber for gripping the rock and quick-draining material for your comfort.  See Pricing*

What you should wear

• Shoes with a soft, flexible sole, such as running shoes or lightweight hiking shoes that you are comfortable possibly getting wet or dirty
• No open-toed sandals, please
• Clothes that are light-weight and loose fitting so to allow you flexibility and freedom of movement
• Clothes that are suitable for the season
• No cotton jeans or sweatshirts

 

*Canyoneering Shoes for Rent:

Sizes and availability are limited- $8

 

Departure Time- 7am

Departure Time is flexible and will be determined by you and your guide depending on which lodging option and canyon system is chosen.

Early reservations are recommended!

Review Our Cancellation Policies