Technical (Photogenic) Slot Canyons that have an non-technical part

Hi,

we've been to a lot of the non-technical slots already or they are on our to-do list. But when I look at this website:
http://climb-utah.com/index.htm there are lot more canyons in the technical section. We're not expericend enough for technical canyons but I wonder if there are some in the technical section that have an non technical part. For example where you can hike halfway in and as a non technical hiker you have to turn around then while someone more experienced can go further.

Beein an amateur photographer I'm especially interested in canyons that are very photogenic.

Thanks
Richie

Leprechaun Canyon can be hiked from the bottom and has some exceptional photo opportunities. I send hikers there all the time.

Arscenic, Blarney Canyon, Constrychnine, Crescent Creek and Goblin's Lair are also in the same general area and can be hiked from the bottom

In Zion both Echo and Keyhole have good photo opportunities by hiking in from the bottom.

All of the routes mentioned above can be accessed by reversing the route descriptions found on Climb-Utah.com

But if you want to make things simple just take a one day beginning technical canyoneering class. The ability to do a simple 15' rappel will open up a whole new world of opportunity to you.

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Originally Posted by Richie

Hi,

we've been to a lot of the non-technical slots already or they are on our to-do list. But when I look at this website:
http://climb-utah.com/index.htm there are lot more canyons in the technical section. We're not expericend enough for technical canyons but I wonder if there are some in the technical section that have an non technical part. For example where you can hike halfway in and as a non technical hiker you have to turn around then while someone more experienced can go further.

Beein an amateur photographer I'm especially interested in canyons that are very photogenic.

Thanks
Richie

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The bottom section of the Leprechaun complex is very easy to get to, and very scenic. The Subway proper is a long hike from the bottom trailhead, and very pretty. However, last summer I ran into a pro photographer in The Subway and she exclaimed "THIS IS IT??" when she arrived (from the bottom). It was mid-afternoon, and the lighting was terrible. So if you want to shoot that one, get started early in the morning.

There is a long hallway in Middle Blue John that is spectacular, and accessible from the bottom. The bottom section of Burro Wash is long, and just off of a road. Even if you don't get any good photos, you will still have fun in Burro.

Egypt 3 IMHO is where you start to push the limits of non-technical canyons, it's very pretty, and no ropes or real climbing skills are required. I'm just going to guess you haven't been there yet. :ne_nau: :mrgreen:

Bob

Thanks:

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Leprechaun Canyon can be hiked from the bottom and has some exceptional photo opportunities. I send hikers there all the time.

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This one is already on our list.

Which of the others are mostly photogenic. I'm also interested in the Swell Area. (We've been at LWC already and Crack Canyon is on the list).

In the Swell area: Crescent Creek & Goblin's Lair. And if you haven't done Moonshine Wash and Lower Black Box put them near the top of your list.

In Zion Echo & Keyhole. And don't miss Kanarra Creek, It is in my top 5 photograph canyons of any type.

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Echo could be a problem. We will be there probably in March (Water in the Canyon?)

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Originally Posted by Richie

Echo could be a problem. We will be there probably in March (Water in the Canyon?)

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I March you might have 20' of snow in the canyon.

Ok Moonshine Wash has its place on the list now. What about Crack Canyon, Ding&Dang Canyon? Goblins Lair and Crescent Creek I can only find directions for the technical hike?

Will these canyons be usually hikeable in March?

And what do you think about Upper Chute Canyon and Muddy Creek?

For the Kanab Area, I found for canyons. How would you rate them for scenic value?
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...fs/canyon.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...yon/index.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...ow/canyon.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo.../red-cave.html

Ding & Dang aren't that great of canyons IMO......the "slots" are short, and they are more fun to do for completions sake.

Crack is nice, it doesn't have the sculpted narrows like Antelope or Happy, but there is some good lattice work type stuff and a nice subway section.

The Yellowcat area (Winter Camp/L&F/MMI etc) has some nice orange Entrada that is good for colors....

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Originally Posted by yetigonecrazy

The Yellowcat area (Winter Camp/L&F/MMI etc) has some nice orange Entrada that is good for colors....

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Never heard of that area. What is MMI and L&F??

Happy Canyon looks nice but I guess it's too far to drive for us (rental SUV).

Yellowcat is northeast of Moab and Arches. MMI & Lost & Found/Undercover are two of the slots in there, those are more technical affairs and would involve a serious hike to get to without ropes. However, Winter Camp, Repeat, and Fun Size are all hiker-accessible nearby. Again, its not sculpted like others, but the colors can be very strong here and if you get the right light the slots will explode with orange.

Spooky is pretty hard to beat with the right lighting.

I've always hard a bit of a soft spot for Willis Creek......it's not tight slots but there is something about it that makes it gorgeous......i dunno, ymmv

Yeah Willis Creek is not thight but somehow very beautiful. We've already been there. We've also been to Spooky. This one is also cool.

But as we probably stay a few days in Kanab it would be still interesting to know this:
For the Kanab Area, I found for canyons. How would you rate them for scenic value?
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...fs/canyon.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...yon/index.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...ow/canyon.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo.../red-cave.html

Don't know. Asked around about those myself a while back and nobody seemed to want to tell me anything. They're on my hit list but likely not until this fall. Sorry.

I always thought the Lucky Charms were quite pretty.....maybe we were just there on a good day but they have some nice striations and good, curving patterns.....

Have you done Water Holes?

Round Valley draw is a real beauty. Very easy to get to. Both Muley Twists in Capitol Reef have many great photo ops.

There are some nice short slots off the Upper Paria, easy hiking in all the area :http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=6313
I'll second Round Valley Draw nice sculpting not great color. Lower end of Hackberry is nice although not a slot--great colors:http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=5262 I like Yellow Rock.
Willis Creek is easy and cute. Buckskin Gulch is interesting if you haven't been there.

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Originally Posted by Richie

But as we probably stay a few days in Kanab it would be still interesting to know this:
For the Kanab Area, I found for canyons. How would you rate them for scenic value?
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...fs/canyon.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...yon/index.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...ow/canyon.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo.../red-cave.html

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Red Cave (Upper & Lower) is the most scenic of these 4 canyons, its worth a visit.
We have been in the Upper 2 times. We hiked in the Upper from the back side on our second visit till the Graffiti Room.
The Lower is very deep in the last part but there was a dryfall we can't climb up.

Red Canyon (Peek-a-Boo Canyon) is scenic too, but it is not so narrow and deep like other slots.

Red Hollow is not so scenic, but we have been just a few meters in that canyon.
It is just a short hike, so you will loose not much time.

I don't know Elkhart Cliffs.

I can recommend Egypt 3, West Fork of Red Breaks (1 difficult drop), Upper Chute Canyon & High Spur.

cyrstal

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Originally Posted by cyrstal

The Lower is very deep in the last part but there was a dryfall we can't climb up.

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You can climb around the dryfall pretty easy. At the mouth of the slot climb the hill to the south, which will put you above the slot. Walk the top edge of the slot until you find a walk down that lets you back to the bottom of the slot.... easy...

Here is a route description that turns Lower and Upper Red Cave into a great loop hike.

http://climb-utah.com/Zion/redcave.htm

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