Trachyte Area Canyons 2017

The destination for our annual fall Southwest Canyoneering trip this year was in Southern Utah in the area around Trachyte Creek. Near Hwy 276, the road that goes to the Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell. Jeff Fisher and I initially found a camping place off the Trachyte Point Road about 3½ miles west of the junction of Hwy 95 and Hwy 276. However, after enduring the persistent wind here for 3 nights, we moved to the Starr Campground further west which turned out to be a much better place to camp. Other canyoneering participants were Hal Tompkins (trip organizer), Joan Marshall, Dave Erskine, Craig Tayler, Carol Drummond, Helga Zimmerer, and Jim Welch. Erik and Jan Simpson along with Charley and Mary Sinclair as also joined us at the Star CG for a few nights. The daily Itinerary was as follows:

Day 1 - Sat Oct Oct 7 - North Wash - Leprechaun East (3AII) - Jeff and Rich
Day 2 - Sun Oct 8 - Hog No 1 (West) (3AII) - Jeff, Rich, Hal, Joan
Day 3 - Mon Oct 9 - Hog No 2 (Middle) (3AII) - Jeff and Rich
Day 4 - Tue Oct 10 - Woodsy (Woodruff Middle) (3AI) - Hal, Joan, Jeff, Jim, Rich
Day 5 - Wed Oct 11 - Maidenwater, Middle Fork (3AII) - Jeff, Craig, Carol, Joan, Helga, Jim, Rich
Day 6 - Thur Oct 12 - Hog No 3 (East) (Razorback)(3AIIR) - Craig, Dave, Helga, Rich
Day 7 - Fri Oct 13 - Maidenwater, South Fork (3A(B)II) - Craig, Carol, Helga, Joan, Rich

The report contains photos of all the above descents, mostly people squirming around in very narrow canyons. It is amazing what adults do to amuse themselves!

Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
The approach - from the parking area off Hwy 95 - the crux of the route
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
It has been very dry and we did not get our feet wet
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
Setting up a rappel
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
Tough down climb
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
Biner block
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 1
North Wash - Leprechaun East - Rich and Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
This was a very good canyon
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
This photo was taken before doing the regular climb out
From left to right - Hog 4 (Miss Piggy), Hog 1, Hog 2
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
The regular climb out is west of Hog 4
Isn't that sweet?
Trachyte Canyons - Day 2
Hog No 1 (West) - Hal, Joan, Rich, Jeff
We are half way up the regular climb out. Not technical but it is a good idea to wear helmets
Trachyte Canyons - Day 3
Hog No 2 (Middle) - Rich and Jeff
This photo was taken the following day while approaching Hog 2
From left to right - Hog 4 (Miss Piggy) - barely visible, Hog 1, Hog 2
(Hog 3 is further away and not visible)
Trachyte Canyons - Day 3
Hog No 2 (Middle) - Rich and Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 3
Hog No 2 (Middle) - Rich and Jeff
Trachyte Canyons - Day 3
Hog No 2 (Middle) - Rich and Jeff
Rich leading the 5.7 Climb out (actually about 5.3)
Trachyte Canyons - Day 3
Hog No 2 (Middle) - Rich and Jeff
Rich leading the 5.7 Climb out (actually about 5.3)
Trachyte Canyons - Morning of Day 4 at Star CG
Joan + Hal's gear
Trachyte Canyons - Day 4
Woodsy (Woodruff Middle) - Rich, Jeff, Hal, Joan, Jim
The approach - up the slabs
Trachyte Canyons - Day 4
Woodsy (Woodruff Middle) - Rich, Jeff, Hal, Joan, Jim
The approach - short tough down climb
Trachyte Canyons - Day 4
Woodsy (Woodruff Middle) - Rich, Jeff, Hal, Joan, Jim
The approach
Trachyte Canyons - Day 4
Woodsy (Woodruff Middle) - Rich, Jeff, Hal, Joan, Jim
Trachyte Canyons - Day 4
Woodsy (Woodruff Middle) - Rich, Jeff, Hal, Joan, Jim
Trachyte Canyons - Day 4
Woodsy (Woodruff Middle) - Rich, Jeff, Hal, Joan, Jim
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Morning at Star CG
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Morning at Star CG
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Maidenwater, Middle Fork - Rich, Jeff, Craig, Carol, Jim, Helga, Joan
The approach - our canyon on the right
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Maidenwater, Middle Fork - Rich, Jeff, Craig, Carol, Jim, Helga, Joan
Near the drop in
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Maidenwater, Middle Fork - Rich, Jeff, Craig, Carol, Jim, Helga, Joan
Carol is having a good time
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Maidenwater, Middle Fork - Rich, Jeff, Craig, Carol, Jim, Helga, Joan
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Maidenwater, Middle Fork - Rich, Jeff, Craig, Carol, Jim, Helga, Joan
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Maidenwater, Middle Fork - Rich, Jeff, Craig, Carol, Jim, Helga, Joan
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Maidenwater, Middle Fork - Rich, Jeff, Craig, Carol, Jim, Helga, Joan
The route is below, says Craig
Trachyte Canyons - Day 5
Maidenwater, Middle Fork - Rich, Jeff, Craig, Carol, Jim, Helga, Joan
The only water in this canyon