Shillelagh Canyon - North Wash
(1 Ratings)
RATING: 3B
LENGTH: 2-3 hours each fork.
GEAR: Standard Technical Gear, Extra webbing to extend anchors if needed
MAPS: Tukey Knob, UT
RAPPELS: 2 in either fork. Biggest is 30 m ( 99 ft. )
WATER: Generally little or none unless right after rains.
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate, but you can see the whole drainage and skies on the approach.
SEASON: Any, although summers can be hot.
DOWNLOAD:
PDF Version 
| WAYPOINTS: | ||
| Trailhead | 12S 539972mE 4208224mN | |
| Right Fork | 12S 540080mE 4209445mN | |
| Left Fork | 12S 539666mE 4209703mN | |
Hype
Shillelagh is a different animal than most North Wash canyons. The rappels are bigger, and the canyon more open than others. If big raps are your bag, this is the place for you.Trailhead
From Hanksville, head south on Highway 95 towards Hite. About milepost 27.7, just after a culvert, is a spur road on the left going a short distance and ending next to a sandstone wall. This is the trail head.Route
The trail head is actually the same trail head as Blarney. To get to Shillelagh, hike across Blarney and route find your way up the slickrock rib on the west (left) side. If your careful with your route finding, nothing is above class 3. Generally staying on the top or right side of the rib seems to be the easiest path. Continue up until you are above slickrock on a flat dirt area. Once on top, there is an emerging trail you can follow to the head of Shillelagh. En route, you will have great views of Blarney (on your right) and Shillelagh (on your left). As you near the head of the canyons, the trail splits. Left goes to Shillelagh, right goes a short distance to the head of Blarney.Right Fork
The right fork is the first fork you will reach on the approach. Follow the shallow drainage down to the first drop, a 15 m ( 50 ft. ) rappel. Shortly below this first rappel is the second and final rappel. The rappel height is almost exactly 30 m ( 99 ft. ) if you rappel off a slung boulder on the left. This is the most scenic section of the left fork. From here down, there are a few small downclimbs, but no real obstacles. Once you reach the junction with the left fork, simply continue downcanyon until you reach the highway and follow it back to your car.
Left Fork
To reach the left fork, continue past the right fork on the approach, following the map closely. The left fork starts as a shallow dirt wash, and quickly comes to the first drop, about 8 m ( 27 ft. ) off a boulder back from the edge. This is followed shortly by a second rappel of 20 m ( 66 ft. ) down a beautiful chute. Just below this rappel is another 10 m ( 33 ft. ) chute that some may downclimb, and some may wish to rappel. That marks the last of the technical difficulties. Continue down canyon, with a few short downclimbs, before reaching the junction with the right fork. From here, it is a short walk down to the highway and back to your vehicle.
Photos (click on photo for more detail)
Maps
