Overview

Hype:

The west fork of Shillelagh Canyon is short and fun. The canyon has two mandatory rappels and a couple shorter drops that can be rappelled or downclimbed. The approach and exit are straightforward. This canyon has a lot of bang for the buck.

Canyon Rating: 3A

Time: 2-3 hours

Length: 2.75 miles, 1.4 mile approach, 0.75 miles in canyon, 0.6 mile exit

Longest Rappel: 2-3 rappels up to 70 ft

Gear: Standard canyoneering gear. Wetsuit generally not required.

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/shillelagh

Getting There

Navigate to 38.021079, -110.544731.

Park along the gravel road or on the shoulder of Highway 95.

Route

Approach

1.4 miles with 600 ft of elevation gain. From the parking area, head northwest. When you get to the base of the slickrock, turn north and hike up the nose of the slickrock. Stay left of the spire. You'll gain almost all of the elevation in the first half mile of the approach. Once you scramble up to the plateau top, a very obvious trail is visible. The approach trail leads to the Shillelaghs and the Blarneys. Where the trail splits, take the north fork.

At the top of the East Fork of Shillelagh, the trail disappears. Head due west for 0.4 miles to the top of the West Fork of Shillelagh. Contour around hills as necessary.

Canyon

A dryfall marks the head of the west fork of Shillelagh Canyon. Some groups choose to rappel this drop, but you can bypass this drop by staying on the south rim for about 250 feet, where there is an easy scramble down to the canyon floor.

After about 600 feet, you'll come to the first mandatory rappel. Harness up. Rappel 30 ft from a boulder anchor with extended webbing.

Almost immediately after the first rappel, you'll come to the next drop. Rappel 70 ft from a boulder anchor down a scenic chute.

After a couple hundred feet, the final two obstacles are in quick succession. The first is a chute that can be chimneyed down. Some may wish to rappel 20 feet. The second is a 10 foot chimney downclimb over a chockstone with a possible mud puddle at the bottom. This marks the end of the technical section. 

Continue down canyon 0.5 miles to the junction with the East Fork of Shillelagh. 

Exit

0.6 miles. From the confluence, follow the wash down to the highway then follow the highway to your car.

Maps

Closest City or Region: North Wash, Utah

Coordinates: 38.032290, -110.550452

Interactive Guide Map

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May 26, 2024 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Tara Dye, Ondylyn Wagner, Friends,

Story

Ondy's group did Monkey Business then came back to camp, but they were looking for a little bit more in the day, so Tara joined them and did the West Fork of Shillelagh Canyon.

Pictures

October 15, 2022 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Ondylyn Wagner, Jaren Wagner, Killian Wagner, Calliope Wagner, Matt Laurendeau, Amanda Laurendeau, Alex Laurendeau, Caleb Laurendeau, Rose Laurendeau,

Logistics

Start: 1:00

Finish: 4:45

Story

Matt and I took Ondy's Jeep and retrieved the shuttle truck. We had a lazy morning and swapped stories. We ate lunch then started Shillelagh Canyon (west fork) at about 1:00. It was a bit warm on the approach, but not too bad. The canyon went smoothly and everyone had a great time. Amanda commented that Shillelagh was much more her style than Shenanigans and that she was glad to have a positive canyon experience to end on. At one of the boulder downclimbs, Matt lost his footing and fell flat on his back in deep mud. He was absolutely covered in mud but unharmed. At the end, the kids and I played a game called "don't let the adults catch up to us". The kids also played a make believe game on the hike out where everyone was knights. Tara was the candy store owner, and I was the stable hand. I gave each of them a horse so they could gallop fast. Savannah's horse was only 3 feet tall. Madi's horse was purple. Caleb's horse only had 3 legs, so he traded it for a camel. It was fun. We finished a little before 5:00.

 

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Pictures