Neon Canyon
The final rappel drops through a hole in the roof of the Golden Cathedral, about 80 feet with roughly half of it free hanging, into an alcove that day hikers walk up the Escalante to photograph.
Two things catch people out here. First the road: about 20 miles of Hole in the Rock Road that can puncture tires, then the Egypt turnoff, whose last stretch is rugged enough that many parties park short and walk it. Carry a real spare and a plan for a flat. Second the return: from the parking area you drop slickrock with no trail, so pick out distant landmarks on the way down, because RopeWiki's warning is that finding the vehicle in the dark is the hard part of the day. The approach crosses the Escalante several times, so weigh the flow before you start. Hikers gather under the Golden Cathedral to photograph it and your rope comes through the roof above them, so look down before you rig. The pool under the last rappel is often chest deep and can be a swim.
Logistics
| Manager | BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (Escalante Interagency Visitor Center) |
|---|---|
| Permit | None required |
| Distance | 10.8 mi |
| Time | 8 hr-10 hr |
| Technical | 5 rappels, longest 83 ft |
| Season | Spring; Summer; Fall |
| Vehicle access | High clearance |
| Coordinates | 37.5933, -111.2181 |
Sources
- manager: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/utah/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument/plan
- permitType: https://ropewiki.com/Neon_Canyon
- desc: https://www.dankat.com/swhikes/neoncn.htm
- notes: https://ropewiki.com/Neon_Canyon
- heroPhoto: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Golden_Cathedral,_in_Neon_Canyon._Glen_Canyon_National_Recreation_Area,_Utah_(50132775187).jpg