Bluejohn Canyon
Made infamous by Aron Ralston's 127-hour ordeal. Beautiful intermediate technical descent.
Road Trip Ryan's recommended line for anyone with a little climbing ability is down the East Fork and back up the Main Fork. The East Fork holds water after rain, waist deep or deeper, which turns serious in cold months. Exits matter here: RopeWiki notes that going back up the Main Fork involves climbing that will stop some parties, and that the West Fork is the easiest way out. The full Blue John finishes with an 83 foot rappel, while shorter fork combinations need 50 feet of rope or none at all. The lower section where Aron Ralston was trapped in May 2003 is dark and narrow and still awkward with a pack. Flash flood exposure is rated high, and the approach from Highway 24 is a long 4WD drive, so build the drive out into your turnaround time.
Logistics
| Manager | BLM Hanksville / Henry Mountains Field Station |
|---|---|
| Permit | No permit or fee required for day-use or technical canyoneering. Dispersed BLM land managed by the Hanksville Henry Mountains Field Station. No developed facilities at the trailheads; pack out everything, no water, no toilets. Contact (435) 542-3461 for current conditions. |
| Distance | ~8-12 RT |
| Elevation | ~600 ft |
| Time | 8-12 hr |
| Technical | 3A III. Multiple short rappels, narrow squeezes |
| Season | Spring, fall |
| Flood risk | Moderate |
| Vehicle access | Long 4WD approach from Hwy 24 |
| Crowd | Low |
| Coordinates | 38.323, -110.165 |
Sources
- field office: https://www.blm.gov/office/henry-mountains-field-station
- robbers roost: https://www.blm.gov/visit/robbers-roost-dirty-devil
- north wash map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/uploads/BLMUtahNorthWashMap.pdf
- notes: http://roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/robbers-roost/blue-john-robbers-roost
- heroPhoto: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BlueJohnCooridoor.JPG