Overview:

Hype:

Eardley requires a fair bit of effort for a short technical section. Due to it's proximity to Salt Lake, and the beauty of the technical section, it is one I recommend. The pools make it a good choice when it's hot. Due to it's pothole nature, it has a very different character depending on it's water level. Regardless of water level, it is charming. A video from Earldey Canyon is available here.

Trailhead:

Head south from I-70 on highway 24 about 12 miles. Turn right (west) just before mile post 147 on a good road. Follow this road to it's end, about 3.6 miles. You are looking up Straight Wash. En route to the trailhead, there are a couple of bad spots in the road that will require high clearance. At 1.6 miles the road forks. Both forks go to the same place, right fork is a slightly better road.

Route Description:

  NOTE: Not a technical canyoneer? Hiking from the trailhead to the bottom of the last rap (and amazing pool) in Eardley makes a great 1/2 day non-technical hike and is highly recommended.

From the trailhead hike up Straight Wash. 5 minutes from the trailhead, there is a great petroglyph panel on the right (north) side. As you head up Straight Wash, 15-20 minutes from the car, it will make a right, then left turn and deepen substantially as it cuts through the reef. Though the hike through the reef is interesting, you can shortcut the s-curve by going up a wash on the left a short distance to where a trail cuts over a low hill and back into Straight Wash.

Eardley is the first canyon coming in on the right after the S turn, and is identifiable by some large boulders at it's entrance. Hike up it about 5 minutes to inspect the final rappel and pool.

To get to the technical portion of the canyon, go back to the entrance of Eardley and head up the east (right looking UP Eardley) side of Eardley. It is a bit of a grunt up the reef, staying fairly close to the rim of Eardley as you ascend. About and hour of hiking brings you to a shallow traversing canyon before a steep hill. There is a steep loose gulley that descends from here to the floor of Eardley canyon. Be cautious of falling rocks as you descend the gulley.

Head down Eardley. It is a bit of walking to reach the short technical section before the final pool. The technical section starts with a short rap (7 meters) from bolts on the left into a pool. From here to the last rappel, it is one pool after another.

After the first rappel/pool, you find a 12 M (36 ft.) rappel off of 2 bolts.

Rappel 3 is off a single (poor bolt) on the right, and is about 3 meters (10 feet). This can be downclimbed or jumped depending on water conditions.

Rappel 4 is about 6 M (20 ft.) into a pool. This pool could be a semi-keeper in certain conditions.

Rappel 5 is off a bolt 5 meters (15 ft.) back from the edge.

Rappel 6 is off a slung boulder pinch, and is the final rappel. It is about 4 M (12 ft.) to a low angle slab you can downclimb to the final pool.

Retrace your steps back to the trailhead by going down Eardley, turning left, and following Straight Wash back to your car.

Photos:

Route Map:

My History:

I have been through Eardley a couple of times. Once right after a flood, while it was still flowing a little, and once after it had not rained for a long time. The experiences were very different, but both had their charms.

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