Leprechaun Canyon (Middle Fork)
RopeWiki calls the Middle Fork the most challenging of the Irish canyons, then notes that most people can stay low the whole way and treat the stemming up to 20 feet as optional.
Garfield County now requires a free permit for this canyon after a run of search and rescue callouts, and entering without one can be charged as a Class B misdemeanor. Pick it up at brycecanyoncountry.com/permits before you drive out. Two starts feed the canyon: the eastern standard branch opens with a downclimb and a 30 foot rappel off a pinch point, while the western alternative uses a deadman anchor for a 20 foot drop and a chockstone for a 30 foot one. They join above a 25 foot rappel off a rock fin. Every anchor here is natural, so inspect rather than trust the last party's webbing. RopeWiki's own progression note is worth taking at face value: if you finish this wanting more and higher stemming, West Butlers, Trachyte or Ticaboo are next, and those are genuine R canyons.
Logistics
| Permit | None required |
|---|---|
| Distance | 2.9 mi |
| Time | 3 hr-8 hr |
| Technical | 3 rappels, longest 50 ft |
| Season | Any; hot in Summer, cold in winter |
| Vehicle access | Passenger |
| Coordinates | 38.0354, -110.5289 |