Overview

Hype:

The east fork of Blarney Canyon mostly consists of canyon hiking and scrambling. There are a couple of drops that some people will want to rappel, but the rappels are not mandatory if everyone in the group is comfortable with downclimbing. This canyon is fun if you're in the area, but it is not a favorite and is much less fun than the neighboring west fork of Blarney. My recommended way to experience the Blarneys is to go up East Fork and down West Fork in a loop. This is only recommended for capable athletic types. Larger groups or mixed groups will prefer East Fork from the top down with the ridge approach.

Canyon Rating: 3A

Time: 2-3 hours

Length: 1.5 mile approach, 0.3 mile canyon, 0.6 mile exit

Longest Rappel: 0-2 rappels to 50 ft

Gear: Standard canyoneering gear.

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Links: https://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/north-wash/blarney
https://ropewiki.com/Blarney_Canyon_(Right_Fork)

Getting There

Navigate to 38.021103, -110.544699.

Route

Standard Approach

Hike 1.2 miles along the west rim of Blarney Canyon to the top of West Fork. This section of the approach is generally easy to follow. There is a very obvious trail except for up the slickrock. Once at the top of West Fork, turn south and continue another 1/3 mile to the top of East Fork. This section of the trail is much less visible, and route finding will likely be required. If you hike to the true head of the canyon, there is a 50 rappel to drop into the canyon. If you follow my GPS track, there is a break in the cliff line where you can climb down to the canyon floor, avoiding the top rappel but not missing any good sections of the canyon. 

Canyon

The canyon starts off with a short downclimb down a sculpted flute. It then opens up through some sections of canyon hiking and scrambling. About 3/4 of the way down the canyon section, there is a 10-15 ft drop that some will want to rappel. There is a slung boulder that can be used as an anchor. Continue down canyon another 0.1 miles to the confluence with West Fork.

Exit

From the confluence, hike down the wash 30-40 minutes to your car.

Loop Option (Recommended for Capable Groups)

From the trailhead, hike up the wash (not up the standard approach). At the confluence, turn right and go up East Fork. Once at the top of the East Fork, hike overland to the top of West Fork and descend the West Fork of Blarney Canyon. Hike down the wash to your car.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Hanksville, Utah

Coordinates: 38.030276, -110.536743

Interactive Guide Map

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May 26, 2024 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Cooper Dye, Anthony Dye, Miller Dye, Kevin Christensen, Cosette Christensen,

Logistics

Trailhead: 10:30

Top of West Fork: 11:30 (descending west fork)

Confluence: 1:40 (returning to car)

Intersect Anthony's Group: 2:00 (change plans and turn around to ascend east fork)

Confluence: 2:15 (heading up east fork)

Top of East Fork: 3:10 (then hike overland to west fork)

Top of West Fork: 3:30 (descending west fork)

Confluence: 4:30

Trailhead: 4:50

Story

We had another leisurely morning, waking up around 8:00. We had breakfast of bagel sandwiches and packed up for another canyon day. The original plan was to do Hogwarts, but based on reactions to the 50 ft rappels on Saturday, we decided not to do the bigger rappels in Hogwarts. Instead we did the West Fork of Blarney Canyon, and everyone had a great time. 

The hike up went much quicker than we remembered, probably because the previous trip had several 2-year-olds on it.

We rappelled the first drop and down climbed or lowered on all but one of the other drops. 

When we got to the bottom of the canyon, we met Anthony, Miller, Kevin, and Cozy coming up. They had done both forks of Shillelagh Canyon and were still going strong. Cooper asked if he could go with them, so we restocked his snacks and water and sent him up with their group. A couple minutes later, I decided to join them as well.

We hiked up the East Fork of Blarney, crossed over and came down the West Fork again.

The kids did amazing, and it was an awesome day. 

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Pictures