Hiking up Leprechaun (Right fork)

[akavalun]

How far can one reasonably make it hiking from the bottom up? I'm not a small guy, 6'2", 240, but I do consider myself pretty agile for my size. My focus is fine art photography, and I've seen some pretty nice sections in various photos from Leprechaun. Can I reach the more "sculpted" sections from the bottom, or are the best sections in between rappels? Specifically, I'd like to photograph sections similar to the 1:00 mark in this video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGj9LD665IU From what I've read, there's some pretty narrow stuff in the upper half of the canyon. Not sure I want to risk dropping in from the top and not being able to get through the whole thing, hence, the idea of just hiking up as far as I can from the bottom.

[TommyBoy]

You can see some nice stuff hiking up from the bottom, the subway section comes to mind, however there is a rappel right at the end where the right fork joins the main canyon so the sculpted narrows are in the technical sections of the canyon. Its a pretty easy technical canyon, if you ask around (bribe) you could probably find someone willing to take you through. Right fork isn't the tightest of the lep system so while it would be harder for you I think you would fit.

I think from 2:04 onward is after the technical parts.

[akavalun]

Thanks TommyBoy,

I doubt the "typcial" canyoneer here would want to take me through the canyon. I often times will find a nice section in a slot and hang out for 3 or 4 hours to see how the light changes. In order to photograph it thoroughly, I'd spend the whole day in there, and more than likely, go back through it the next day and focus on different sections.

[TommyBoy]

Thanks TommyBoy,

I doubt the "typcial" canyoneer here would want to take me through the canyon.

Thats where the "bribe" comes in . I can't do it myself at least not in the near future since most of my free days have already been accounted for, but it doesn't hurt to ask around. Someone might have a hard trip planned and not mind taking you through on one of their rest days.

[Iceaxe]

Go prepared to wade through knee to chest deep water and you can reach all the best photo spots in Leprechaun Canyon. The Subway section often has water that requires wading, which often stops hikers from the bottom, or the section can be totally dry, you just never know.

All the pictures on this page can be reached by hiking up from the bottom.
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/leprechaun1.htm

Other good photo options for hikers in the area are:

Lower Maidenwater
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/maidl.htm

Trachyte Falls
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/trachytefalls.htm

Little Egypt
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/littleegypt.htm

Hog Spring
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/hogspring.htm

You should have no problem killing a full day in the area. I consider Lower Maidenwater a hidden gem for hikers. I think it's as good as Little Wild Horse, but without the crowds.

[Iceaxe]

I'd like to photograph sections similar to the 1:00 mark in this video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGj9LD665IU

Hey! I just noticed that was my video you referenced.

Everything from the 1:40 mark and beyond can be reached by hiking in from the bottom. The Subway section was completely dry the day that video was taken.

[akavalun]

Thanks guys, sounds like if I really want to hit the good stuff, I'll have to do the technical route. Appreciate the other advice too Iceaxe, I've looked at those canyons before and thought Maidenwater might be scenic. Would make for a good weekend.

[Iceaxe]

Thanks guys, sounds like if I really want to hit the good stuff, I'll have to do the technical route.

That's the exact opposite of what we told you.

Hiking the bottom section of Leprechaun is well worth the effort.

[akavalun]

Sorry, maybe I didn't quite explain what I was hoping to accomplish. The parts of the video that look most interesting to me (photographically) all appear before the 1:40 mark in the video; those sections of the most sculpted sinuous sandstone. The sections featured later in the video, while they may be scenic, it doesn't look (to me that is, and i'm only commenting on what I've seen in pictures and videos, no first hand knowledge) like they are as interesting photographically. I'm not saying that its not worth the hike up, but it looks like the sections I'm hoping to hit will require going the technical route.

[Iceaxe]

And as someone that has been through that canyon at least 40 times I'm telling you the photo shots you want are all in the lower section that is hikeable.

There is a really nice section of "sculpted sinuous sandstone" in the lower section I call the "Kiddie Narrows" which tech canyoneers just hike around and are not in the video. The kiddie Narrows actually have some great photo opportunities. You can do as you please, but I'm telling you that some great photo opportunities exist in Lower Leprechaun.

Both of these pictures are from the Kiddie Narrows, and remember I'm not a photographer and was not trying to shot anything special. These were just quickly snapped on the hike out.

[akavalun]

Ok, thanks for the clarification. Like I said, I don't have the first hand knowledge, just what I've gleaned from the various photos/videos I've seen.

[Sandstone Addiction]

The parts of the video that look most interesting to me (photographically) all appear before the 1:40 mark in the video; those sections of the most sculpted sinuous sandstone.

It would be quite possible to enter the canyon at the mid canyon entry/exit and hike up or down as far as your skills allow. Exit the way you came in.

Shane's Beta beta actually has the canyon starting at this point with the option of going up as far as you can. The sculpted section at the beginning of Shane's video looks like it's in that section. Can't recall if there are any upclimbs that would stop you, but it would be worth a try.

Just don't go down anything you can't get back up.

[Iceaxe]

Sandstone Addiction is correct.

For the record the entire middle fork of Leprechaun has been upclimbed from the bottom. Also the entire East Fork is hikable if you are willing to spend the time route finding in and out of the canyon, but it's probably easiest to take 30 minutes and learn to rappel the one 20' drop. That rappel is about as simple as they come with an easy start an no overhang.

[Canyonbug]

If you do the entire canyon from top down there are 3 rappels in the the Technical portion. You can by pass the first two rappels and enter mid canyon and still make it to the section referenced in the video at the 1:00 mark with out doing any rappels, however to get out of the canyon you would need to do the rappel at the 1:40 mark or back track which can be quite difficult with some up climbs being required. The section at 1:00 is closer to the end of the technical section and more worthwhile to just complete out the canyon all together with the 20' rappel.

[akavalun]

Thanks guys. I will likely try to use the entry/exits to get in and out and see the majority of the canyon. The problem is I don't own a harness or any ropes, and I typically carry a lot of photo gear, with a fairly large tripod so to tacking on the extra canyoneering gear can be pretty cumbersome. If I can't get to the really sculpted sections, I'll likely bite the bullet and go ahead and buy the necessary gear, and have someone come out there with me who knows what they're doing.

[mzamp]

Go prepared to wade through knee to chest deep water and you can reach all the best photo spots in Leprechaun Canyon. The Subway section often has water that requires wading, which often stops hikers from the bottom, or the section can be totally dry, you just never know.

All the pictures on this page can be reached by hiking up from the bottom.
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/leprechaun1.htm

Other good photo options for hikers in the area are:

Lower Maidenwater
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/maidl.htm

Trachyte Falls
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/trachytefalls.htm

Little Egypt
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/littleegypt.htm

Hog Spring
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/hogspring.htm

You should have no problem killing a full day in the area. I consider Lower Maidenwater a hidden gem for hikers. I think it's as good as Little Wild Horse, but without the crowds.

I would add Blarney to the list. I know first hand East Blarney can be up-climbed to the top. West Blarney, you need to be a better climber than me. :-) YMMV.