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 | Monument wide rule, not a canyon specific finding. BLM requires a free permit for all overnight stays anywhere in Grand Staircase-Escalante, self issued at developed trailheads or at the Escalante, Cannonville, Kanab and Big Water visitor centers. Day use by a private party requires no permit: BLM issues Special Recreation Permits for commercial use, competitive events, organized groups and recreation events, none of which covers a private party descending a canyon. The lottery permits BLM lists alongside the monument, Coyote Buttes North and Paria Canyon, are Vermilion Cliffs units administered from Kanab and do not apply here. |
| 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
- permit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/utah/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument/plan