Pearson Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3B IV (v4a3 II) Raps:4-6, max ↨240ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Required 1 hour Vehicle:4WD - High Clearance Rock type:Limestone, Gneiss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 14 Jun 2025
"Very long and challenging day. With no beta available (before we posted ours), there was little information to prepare us for a very long day.. Re |
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| Best season: | Spring to Autumn
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41.3908, -111.9862
41.3756, -112.0263
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WaterflowIntroduction
If you’re up for a long day of descending 5,000 feet over five (5) miles with no trail to speak of, and have the leg and ankle stamina to traverse the large rocks and boulders, you will be rewarded with a gorgeous canyon with incredible rappels unique to Northern Utah.
You’ll need rope to handle rappels up to 240 feet. Our 300 foot rope was well used as was fiddle stick. Natural anchors throughout. Be prepared to replace webbing and rapides/quick-links.
Approach
Park a car at the base of the canyon and then drive up to Inspiration Point (from Mantua). Before July 15 the gate is closed and may be locked. If so, you’ll need to continue on the road by foot for four miles (though well graded and not a ton of added elevation climbing (~500 feet) as you’re traversing from one ridge to another.
From Inspiration point you begin your descent down Pearson Canyon. It could take an hour to get to the first optional rappel and hours to arrive at the first mandatory (as the canyon finally narrows and changes from the lighter to darker color rock cliffs).
Descent
Very challenging steep descent. You’ll be hiking over loose rock and down a very steep incline before getting to your first optional rappel(s). Recommend doing as it makes for a break from scrambling and some challenging descending.
As the canyon finally narrows, as the cliff walls turn darker, and as your legs are screaming to stop, you’ll arrive at your first mandatory rappel. The following will come in relatively short succession before a reasonable gap and then final mandatory 240’.
Exit
You’ll need at least 45 minutes to exit the canyon after your final ~240 foot rappel with many down climbs and small stream water crossings. Poison ivy is prevalent down here - so encourage long pants, shirt sleeves, and gloves. As the canyon finally opens, continue through rock retaining walls (to slow flood waters) and to a small dirt road. Go left (South) and follow it along the canal for a few hundred feet before veering off on a dirt trail down to the closest neighborhood.
Red tape
Note the challenge of getting to Inspiration Point during periods where gate is closed (and requiring ~4 miles of ascent from where you can no longer drive) as well as finding appropriate parking in or close to neighborhood in South Willard.
Beta sites
Super Amazing Map : Pearson Canyon
- Pearson Canyon : Pearson Canyon Beta