Skinnies like Leprechauns, Larry, or Not Mindbender closer to Zion or Vegas

[kokopelli99]

I'd like to take my two adult sons into canyons similar to the Leprechaun canyons or Larry and Not Mindbender (less emphasis on rappelling and more emphasis on downclimbing and stemming which is more fun to me), but closer to Zion or Vegas, as my one son lives in L.A. My sons are athletic and comfortable with red rock scrambling and have two Zion canyons under their belts (Keyhole and Birch Hollow). I would greatly appreciate any suggestions?

[Scott P]

There aren't many stemming canyons around Zion (at least that I know of), but there are canyons that have downclimbs and only a little rapelling. Echo, Subway, Right Fork, and Orderville have only short rappels. They are not similar to the canyons you list though.

The closest canyon I can think of that would be somewhat similar to Lep is the Wire Pass, but it's still different.

[ratagonia]

There aren't many stemming canyons around Zion (at least that I know of), but there are canyons that have downclimbs and only a little rapelling. Echo, Subway, Right Fork, and Orderville have only short rappels. They are not similar to the canyons you list though.

The closest canyon I can think of that would be somewhat similar to Lep is the Wire Pass, but it's still different.

What do you mean by "the Wire Pass"?

You might do some Virgin River Gorge Stuff... but no, it is not like Central Utah.

Tom

[Iceaxe]

I'd like to take my two adult sons into canyons similar to the Leprechaun canyons or Larry and Not Mindbender (less emphasis on rappelling and more emphasis on downclimbing and stemming which is more fun to me), but closer to Zion or Vegas, as my one son lives in L.A.

What you're looking for really doesn't exist. Probably the closest skinney/high stemming slots to Zion are on Lake Powell, and logistics there are a whole different can of worms.

[Scott P]

What do you mean by "the Wire Pass"?

Wire Pass is a side canyon of Buckskin Gulch and perhaps the most popular entry point. It is not that close to Zion (maybe you know of some closer ones), but is the closest canyon I can think of that might be even remotely similar to the ones asked about (but as mentioned, it's still different). The downclimbs are also fairly small and there is no high stemming, so it's similar in scenery, but not really in technical difficulty.

http://www.oceanlight.com/stock-photo/hiker-walking-through-wire-pass-narrows-photograph-20715-364863.jpg