trips / utah/ north wash

Hype

Black Table Canyon is one of those canyons that any canyoneer worth their salt has wondered about as they drove by on the way to something else. I first descended the canyon several years ago, and have had numerous people ask me if I had any information on it since then.

To be honest, though it looks pretty interesting from a distance, its really not particularly good. One short rappel, and a unique granite section are pretty much it. Overall, not one I would recommend, but since many have asked, here is the information.

Trailhead

Start
Go south out of Hanksville on highway 95 about 26 miles to its junction with 276 to Bullfrog. Go on 276 toward Bullfrog/Ticaboo for 7 miles. Just before mile marker 7, a dirt road goes off on the right. This is the Ghost Ridge road, number 13800. Follow it for 1.5 miles to where a culvert goes under the road. Stay left at all junctions. The culvert is the trailhead, but there isn't a great place to pullout there, so you may need to go 0.1 miles further to a wide spot after a turn.

Exit
The exit is at Maidenwater Spring, mile post 8.6 on highway 276. There is a pullout and information sign there.

Route

From the trailhead, the cut of Black Table Canyon is clearly visible. Hike down 5 minutes to where you enter a large granite bowl. This is easy to down climb into on the left. 2 minutes below this is a second dryfall. Traverse left to a gully to by pass it.

The grand finale comes up 2 minutes past the dryfall, a 12 m ( 40 ft. ) rappel. You will need to build a deadman, or find another suitable anchor for the short rap. Once down, the geology changes from granite to sandstone. Follow the shallow canyon down 15 minutes or so to Maidenwater Spring.

Note: If you don't have 2 cars, you can exit left after the rappel and climb to the top on the right (looking up canyon, north) side of the canyon.

Photos (click on photo for more detail)

Maps

Comments