Devils Canyon (Utah)
The exploration of this location has not yet been documented All information is unverified estimation | ||||
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| | Difficulty:2 (v1) Raps:
Red Tape: Shuttle: Vehicle:4WD | |||
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| Regions: | ||||
38.8441, -110.9259
38.8366, -110.8979
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Introduction[edit]
The beta for this canyon comes from AmericanSouthwest.net slot canyon guide. While there is information there, and it's clear the area was visited, it is also clear that the side canyons described therein were not fully explored. For this reason I marked the page as "Explored = No." I have also created a KML/GPX map using the information and map image form the AmericanSouthwest.net slot canyon guide while adding some other information. The goal being to create a useful map track to aid in visiting and exploring the side canyons and tributaries outlined in the AmericanSouthwest.net slot canyon guide.
AmericanSouthwest.net did not provide a canyon rating but it seems, from their description, that Devil's Canyon (insofar as it was explored) is class 2 terrain. The side canyons also seem to have been explored to a class 2 level, but the beta describes pour-offs, potholes, and other obstacles and even says "...although easy exploration ends below a pour off, there will probably be more slot canyons above." so future explorations of these side canyons may revel new, class 3 slot canyons.
If in the future any of these side canyons prove worthy of thier own ropewiki page, updates here will also be necessary. For now, since they are merely interesting diversions to explore from the bottom up while traveling through Devil's Canyon they are included here.
Approach[edit]
Getting There[edit]
Take exit 116 on I-70 and head southeast on the access road towards the Justensen Flat Trailhead / Parking area. From there the road will turn to dirt, with several dirt roads and ATV tracks intermingling. Follow the main road as it continues southeast and then switches back to the southwest and descends the grade. The road winds a bit here and there as it descends and on the last turn there will be a sign for the Devil's Canyon Wilderness. The road will then point due south and shortly cross a wash in a wide section of canyon. This is the Devil's Canyon Wash. Find a place somewhere in this vicinity to park. Note, the road is narrow and parking options may not be great but park in a way that will not block vehicle access on the road. Parking in the wash is not ideal--in case of of a flood--but there may not be much other choice.
Standard Approach[edit]
Once parked, begin from the point where the dirt road crosses the wash and travel west/northwest (downstream) into Devil's Canyon. The canyon is wide and winds northwest for about 1.7 miles. Form here it will continue west for a bit before making its turn to an overall southwest course.
Unexplored Potential Alternate Approach / Exit Route[edit]
This is not explored yet. Do so at your own risk! It may be possible to approach / exit beginning at the Devil's Canyon View Point and Rest Area. It is clear that people hike from the view point out to a ridge. Looking at Satellite imagery, it may be possible to follow this ridge to it's point and either continue southward down the side, or switchback and drop into the drainage on the west. It also may be either too steep or to crumble to do so safely. The feasibility of this option has not yet been tried.
Descent[edit]
Devil's Canyon Descent[edit]
In Devil's Canyon, there is a very short, class 2 slot section about 2.25 miles from where the road crosses the wash. This section does have a pool. Midway through this short slot section Tributary 2 intersects with the main canyon.
Tributaries[edit]
The AmericanSouthwest.net slot canyon guide describes several side canyons, which they label as tributaries, that join Devil's Canyon. Not all of these side canyons have not been fully explored. From the short description and few pictures given, they seem interesting and some offer short class 2 fun but others may potentially have class 3 terrain above some obstacles.
- Tributary 1
- The first significant tributary downstream of the entrance point on the south side of the canyon.
- It takes a little while to become narrow but then has some nice passages.
- Tributary 2
- A side ravine that joins the middle of the main narrows of Devils Canyon from the south.
- A curvy passage with an unusual, knobby texture at first.
- This becomes quite a lengthy slot canyon.
- Tributary 3
- The longest tributary - a branched slot that joins Devils Canyon due southeast of a point marked WC 6,722 feet on the topographic map.
- This is quite narrow with graceful, curved rock walls and although easy exploration ends below a pour off.
- There will probably be more slot canyons above the unexplored part.
Lower Tributaries[edit]
There are other tributaries much further down the Devil's Canyon but AmericanSouthwest.net only shows them on the map but does not describe them.
Exit[edit]
To exit Devil's Canyon simply reverse the canyon.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
AmericanSouthwest.net : Devils Canyon