Hype:

Happy Canyon is an amazing place, with a long approach. Due to the approach and relatively short canyon section, this is an adventure I would highly recommend to hikers with a little bit of technical experience. Hardcore technical canyoneers are likely to be disappointed with the long approach.

Trailhead:

From Hanksville, head south on Highway 95 towards Hite for 15 miles to mile marker 15.5. Turn east on the well graded and signed road to Burr Point. There are several side roads, stay on the most used road heading east for 11 miles to it's end at Burr Point, overlooking the Dirty Devil river. This is the trailhead.

Route:

From Burr Point, follow the old mining road south and east down a steep dugway. This old road is still used by ATV's, but is in poor shape and not recommended to be driven.

At the bottom of the dugway, a side road goes off on the left. (East) Follow this side road a short distance (5-10 minutes) to it's end. From the end of the road, locate cairns heading east toward the Dirty Devil. This is the old miners trail, and is heavily cairned. After about 10-15 minutes, it reaches the edge of the Dirty Devil gorge, and follows it's rim east contouring along the rim to a point. (20-30 minutes after leaving the end of the road.)

Several cairns on a point indicate the route down (12S 548823mE 4223226mN). Locate the descent route as the only obvious route down to the talus. The first 10 m ( 33 ft ) are steep dirt and can be downclimbed, before dropping off vertically the last 4 m ( 14 ft ). Tie your rope to any number of natural anchors and rappel single strand 15 m ( 50 ft ) down to the talus.

You can see the flat bench off to the south east you will eventually end up on where the Dirty Devil turns south (2.5 miles away). Hike down the talus to the intermediate bench. Follow this bench 2.5 miles until you are directly across from Happy Canyon. There is an intermittent trail along this bench, but beware, there are many cairned side trails down to the Dirty Devil. You do NOT want to drop off this bench until you are across from Happy Canyon. In places, the trail is on steep loose talus between benches. Be careful, and be sure to stay at the same level.

As you approach the bench across from Happy Canyon, you will find an old mining road and some fantastic petrified logs (12S 551757mE 4221751mN). Once across from Happy Canyon (5 minutes from the petrified logs), route find your way down to and across the river.

Head up Happy as far as you like. The narrows last 30-60 minutes. It is an amazing place! Late Spring or early Fall are likely the best times to visit for photographs. In the dead of winter, the canyon does not recieve much light.

Return the way you came.

Photos:

Maps:

Download map(s): Map 1

My History:

In the winter of 2007, I finally made the trip to Happy Canyon. It was an amazing place, with the mining ruins and trails along the way adding a lot to the hike.

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