Long Gravel Canyons Loop
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| | Difficulty:3B VI PG (v3a2 VI) Raps:3 to 8, max ↨70ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 26 May 2025
"Days one and two can be combined, and the final day is quite fast, only a few hours camp to car. We had mild to warm weather and only put on wetsuits |
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| Best season: | April-May, September-October
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37.7081, -110.2391
37.7081, -110.2391
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Introduction[edit]
This is an absolutely spectacular backpacking canyoneering experience, quite possibly the best on the Colorado Plateau, maybe even exceeding West Canyon depending on your personal tastes. Steve Allen's Canyoneering 2: Technical Loop Hikes in Southern Utah documents this loop pretty well.
I've done this loop two times. Once in six days with more weight, not knowing the loop very well, and didn't get to do side canyons. The second time was with a very light and fast crew over seven days. We did seven side canyons (five in Long and two in Gravel) that were all very good and worth allotting time for. The fourth side canyon in Long is particularly good, easy, and not to be missed. The side canyons in Long can be done from walking up from the bottom, as can side canyon labeled 6281T in Gravel. You can see the walk off of 6281T at 3:20 into the video. This can be used as the approach, as well.
The most important parts on the attached kml map to pay closer attention to are the exit from Long Canyon and the drop off of the cliff band shortly after leaving the jeep track road during the transfer day. The kml of the transfer day isn't an exact track that we did, but a drawn line close to where we went. There were cairns on the East side of the route up out of Long, so look for those rather than trying to stay directly on the line I drew.
Water has not been an issue to find in either canyon in any reports I've come across or in my experiences. It can take a while of going down Gravel before finding water, though. We found water where camp three shows up on the map. Bring a very trusty water filter. A pre-filter (coffee filters or an MSR SiltStopper if you can get ahold of one) is highly advised. We killed three of the squeeze style filters going up Long alone, even with back flushing and visibly clear water to filter. We had a friend bring in a Katadyn Hiker Pro with an MSR SiltStopper when she joined on day four that saved the rest of the trip.
We used 3mm farmer john wetsuits in the upper sections of Gravel (put them on just below where 6281T comes in and had them off before camp 4) and in 6281T when daytime highs were around 70 to 75. We didn't need them in Long at all, even though it had been filled by recent rains.
The three mile hike down White Canyon to the junction with Long is quick and easy. Shortly after starting Long Canyon, you'll come to a beautiful section of slot with no way up. After exploring here, turn back and look for a trail on the left when looking up canyon. Up Long Canyon is not technical, but there are two challenging up-climbs that will be nice to have assistance. Before leaving Long Canyon, it is worth exploring the short hike from the exit to a dryfall / cliff that impedes further travel up Long. The exit out of Long Canyon on this track is shorter and easier than the one documented in the book; I've done both. The crossover between Long and Gravel is a legitimate challenge when it's warm. Be prepared to start as the sun is coming up and pack a lot of water; six liters is a good choice. There is a total of 1,900 feet of elevation gain on the transfer day. After you're out of Long, you'll cross three miles of desert to a cliff band. The labelled climb up the cliff bands isn't super hard, but it may be worth getting out the rope to pull up the packs depending on your groups climbing strength. If you plan to do the trip alone, make sure that you are a strong climber to be able to do this climb with a pack on or plan to climb with a rope attached to your pack to pull it up. After the climb, be sure to turn right (South) to go look out at the end of the prow before continuing on. The view here is impressive over Long Canyon, Jacob's Chair, and the Henry Mountains. To the West, the two peaks in the distance are the Little Rockies: Mt Holmes at 7,998’ is the closest; Mt Ellsworth at 8,234’ is the farthest away. Northwest: the three tallest peaks of the Henry Mountains are, from nearest to farthest: Mt Ellen at 11,506’, Mt Pennel at 11,132’ and Mt Hillers at 10,737'. Jacob's Chair will be a good landmark to give you perspective of where you are throughout the trip. Not long after the cliff band climb, you'll hit a jeep track road that you'll be on for two miles. After leaving the road, there is only one break in the cliff band to descend without ropes. It must have taken some time to first discover the break as it is well out of view for a ways. Once down off of the cliff band, you walk across the desert for a mile to a side canyon that flows into Gravel. Don't drop into the side canyon, walk a half mile along the rim on the right (South) side. When you reach the rim of Gravel atop the end of the side canyon, the track of the drop into Gravel is not accurate as I just drew that part in. You'll see the route clearly, as there is an obvious trail. While going down Gravel, there are three times that it matters which rim you choose. I labelled them on the map. Gravel Canyon has a few mandatory rappels to 70 feet. If you want to stay on the canyon floor the whole way, you're going to need a longer rope, maybe 150ft, and set at least three anchors. I've not done this, so I can't speak to it. I've only eyed the drops from the inner rim and thought that it looked fun. The rim walking is quite impressive and I don't care to pack the extra rope to do the extra drops. If you plan to do Cowboy Canyon, make sure to follow the Cowboy Canyon track when climbing out of Gravel correctly. If you rappel in Gravel just below the listed camp near Cowboy, you will not be able to get back up. The rappel just below where Cowboy Canyon comes in is one of the most unique and beautiful rappels on the Colorado Plateau. From the final campsite shown on the track, it is only two to three hours of hiking to get back to your car.
The full loop alone is 32 miles. Add more for whatever number of side canyons you choose to do. Both times that I've done it were in early May, which seems like an ideal time to be there. The labelled campsites were all really great! I don't suggest staying at camp three if there are any potential weather issues.
Approach[edit]
Descent[edit]
Going up Long and down Gravel could be considered the "Descent." The side canyon mentioned in Steve Allen's book is labelled 6281T on the kml map here. There is a trail that follows up along the canyon. You can see the walk off of the end of this canyon at 3:20 in the video linked below. This side canyon is definitely worth adding, especially if you are just doing the standard Gravel Canyon route. The section we did was not nearly as formidable as Steven Allen wrote about. Maybe we didn't go far enough up. A sandtrap is a great addition for the 6281T side canyon. I would suggest a 120ft rope if you're adding it to the standard Gravel descent. To stay in the water course, a 75ft rope will require a two stage rappel with a sandtrap or deadman anchors. If it's totally full of water and all you have is a 75, there is an option down canyon right that is more like 60ft. It can be investigated before choosing which one to do.
Screenshot from the 1987 USGS Cheesebox map showing 6281T
Maps referenced by Steve Allen in the book:
1987 USGS The Cheesebox map free download: https://store.usgs.gov/product/103549
1987 USGS Indian Head Pass map free download: https://store.usgs.gov/product/918150
1987 USGS Black Steer Canyon map free download: https://store.usgs.gov/product/290973
1987 USGS Jacobs Chair map free download: https://store.usgs.gov/product/300954
Exit[edit]
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Blog write up with pictures: http://mcweyen.blogspot.com/2024/05/long-gravel-canyons-backpack.html
Brief write up with pictures: https://pbase.com/pudgy_groundhog/utah2013
Five minute video of the loop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5WCeTuXXQE
Extensive write up of a non-technical version of the loop: https://www.desertusa.com/desert-utah/hiking-white-canyon-utah.html
Hundreds of pictures from the loop and side canyons: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=mcweyen&set=a.10161569588848738
Even more pictures from the loop: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10155490597893738&type=3
Bogley forum info: http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?70415-Steve-Allen-s-Canyoneering-2-White-Canyon-Route
Background[edit]
Gear list that was used:
70+ liter backpack - know that it will get beat up some. Hyperlite Northrim is a very good choice.
Sleeping bag (A Sea To Summit Spark 28 worked great), sleeping pad (Thermarest NeoAir), optional pillow, ground cloth / tarp (Tyvek is best, tried Polycro, but it's not tough enough for this trip), breathable emergency bivvy (i.e. SOL Escape Lite)
Dry bag(s): The Sea To Summit 65L is a good starting point with secondary thin, smaller dry bags to go over the most important things like clothes, food, and sleeping bag.
Lightweight harness (lightest is the Camp Alp Racing Harness), 2 screwgate carabiners (Grivel K3N is the lightest), rappel device (DMM Mantis is only 45 grams), climbing helmet, volleyball elbow pads (Bodyprox makes good ones)
Wetsuit (full 3/2 or farmer john depending on water levels) and thick wool socks. The Neosport Waterman John 3mm is extremely light and cheap. We used the Waterman and were comfortable.
Water purifier – Katadyn Hiker Pro with an MSR Siltstopper. Some PolyAluminum Chloride (PAC) flocculant in case of silty water.
Stove (BRS-3000T), fuel canister(s), pot (MSR Titan), lighter, spoon/spork. One stove / pot for every two people to save weight. A single 4oz fuel canister will last one person seven days.
Water reservoir - 3L Platypus Hoser and 3 liters of water bottles. Start the connect day with 5+ liters.
(Optional) First aid, blister pads, sunscreen, anti-inflammatory drugs, whistle, headlamp
Tough approach / hiking shoes and light gaiters (Dirty Girl Gaiters are nice). Optional: Crocs / sandals around camp - I did not bring them.
Clothes: Lightweight rain jacket (Frogg Togg Xtreme Lite is ultralight & cheap), long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, light puffy, thin pants/tights, thick wool socks, polyester board shorts, canyon gloves, full coverage hat, maybe a bandana.
Food: I took 18lbs of food, which was 4,200 calories per day over 6.5 days. I only ate 16.5lbs of that. When I do it again, I'll aim for 3,800 calories per day. I weigh 190 to 195lbs.
Group gear: 75’ Slyther rope, 80’ Imlay pull-cord, fiddle stick, and roughly 60’ of 5/8” webbing.
My pack was 40lbs at the start of the most recent trip. I'm pretty sure I can get it down to 38lbs for a future trip.