Shillelagh Canyon
Shallowest of the Irish slots but with deep narrow sections mixed with wider photogenic chambers.
Both forks are short enough that most parties link them in one trip. On the East Fork, RopeWiki lists a 45 foot rappel and then a 110 foot rappel anchored off a rock set back about 30 feet from the edge, so rope drag and edge protection are real problems rather than theoretical ones. There is also a pothole that RopeWiki calls a swimmer or a semi keeper depending on conditions; carry pothole escape gear instead of betting it will be full. The link between forks is a walk of about 100 yards up the West Fork to easily climbed ledges, and the exit is simply down the wash to Highway 95. A 3A rating does not convey that 110 foot rappel or that pothole, so do not treat this as a photo walk.
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 | ~3-4 RT |
| Elevation | ~500 ft |
| Time | 3-5 hr |
| Technical | 3A. Most camera-friendly of the Irish slots (lots of light) |
| Season | Spring, fall |
| Flood risk | Moderate |
| Vehicle access | Same TH as Blarney |
| Crowd | Low |
| Coordinates | 37.9388, -110.4731 |