Hog 1 (Boss Hawg) and Hog 2 (Swine Flue) Canyons in North Wash BLM, UT

Canyoneer Hog 1 (Boss Hawg) and Hog 2 (Swine Flue) Canyons North Wash BLM, UT

Class 3 3B (80 ft max) 4.9 miles 1400 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Oct 23, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Hog 1 (Boss Hawg) and Hog 2 (Swine Flue) Canyons GPX Track

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This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

The Hogs are a series of 4 canyons in close proximity to one another. Unsure which we'd want to do, our decision was made along the approach when Matt and I saw Hogs 1 and 2 in the distance, parallel streaks of excitement embedded in the rock. We did Hog 1 first, and then Hog 2. Overall I'd say Hog 1 had more stemming and scrambling, and required more work to get through. There were also some fun partner-assist moves, and the longest rappel was 50 feet. Hog 2 was prettier, but a bit easier. It had an 80-footer (apparently there's a longer (130ft) rappel that we must have bypassed by accident via our approach?). Neither canyon has particularly crazy surprises, but expect to do a lot of squeezes through Hog 1, and Hog 2 has a particularly interesting dark rappel at its mouth known as the "Birthing Canal".

There are two routes to escape the drainage from both canyons (see map): a Class 3 gully just to the south of the junction of Hog 1 and Hog 2, and a Class 5 shortcut on the ridge that separates the two canyons. If you're comfortable on sketchy sandstone slab, head up the Class 5 shortcut to more easily access Hog 2 after finishing Hog 1. Add a mile to the day if you don't do the Class 5 slab move and instead need to head up the Class 3 gully to get back up to the rim. The Class 3 gully exit is fairly straightforward, but there is a bit of crumbly rock and the moves aren't trivial toward the top.

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As we started along the social trail through the desert, this is a photo looking toward the Henry Mountains.
As we started along the social trail through the desert, this is a photo looking toward the Henry Mountains.
Hog 1 and Hog 2 visible center and right, respectively. Upon seeing these two, we decided these would be the two Hogs we'd do for the day.
Hog 1 and Hog 2 visible center and right, respectively. Upon seeing these two, we decided these would be the two Hogs we'd do for the day.
Working down into Hog 1 along the rim.
Working down into Hog 1 along the rim.
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Image 4 from gallery
The fun begins shortly after dropping into Hog 1.
The fun begins shortly after dropping into Hog 1.
Starting into the narrows. Lots of fun high stemming.
Starting into the narrows. Lots of fun high stemming.
A few partner-assist or handline obstacles shortly after entering the narrows.
A few partner-assist or handline obstacles shortly after entering the narrows.
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More fun stemming and squeezing.
More fun stemming and squeezing.
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A rappel that could be down-climbed except for the last ten feet or so.
A rappel that could be down-climbed except for the last ten feet or so.
Pretty walls as the narrows open up a bit, a reprieve from the squeezing.
Pretty walls as the narrows open up a bit, a reprieve from the squeezing.
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Exiting Hog 1 and heading to the confluence with Hog 2. A ridge separates the two that serves as a shortcut. It's a Class 5 slab move, and the alternative would be to ascend the Class 3 gully, skipping the shortcut.
Exiting Hog 1 and heading to the confluence with Hog 2. A ridge separates the two that serves as a shortcut. It's a Class 5 slab move, and the alternative would be to ascend the Class 3 gully, skipping the shortcut.
The Class 5 ridge shortcut. Matt later came down and we hoisted our packs up with a rope, and took off our shoes. Slab is scary.
The Class 5 ridge shortcut. Matt later came down and we hoisted our packs up with a rope, and took off our shoes. Slab is scary.
Looking back toward the confluence of Hog 1 and Hog 2.
Looking back toward the confluence of Hog 1 and Hog 2.
Hog 2 visible ahead.
Hog 2 visible ahead.
Entering Hog 2, a rappel.
Entering Hog 2, a rappel.
Image 26 from gallery
Image 27 from gallery
A pretty section within Hog 2.
A pretty section within Hog 2.
Some fun down climbs and nice lighting on our visit.
Some fun down climbs and nice lighting on our visit.
A really pretty rappel.
A really pretty rappel.
Looking up at a rappel into another pretty rappel.
Looking up at a rappel into another pretty rappel.
A brief section of openness before more pretty narrows.
A brief section of openness before more pretty narrows.
Image 33 from gallery
Image 34 from gallery
Some fun, optional high stemming.
Some fun, optional high stemming.
Entering the final rappel (some may down climb this), a really nice dark pit.
Entering the final rappel (some may down climb this), a really nice dark pit.
Looking back up at the last rappel. Matt used a headlight.
Looking back up at the last rappel. Matt used a headlight.
Exiting Hog 2.
Exiting Hog 2.
Looking back at the confluence of Hog 1 (left) and Hog 2 (right).
Looking back at the confluence of Hog 1 (left) and Hog 2 (right).
Approaching the Class 3 escape gully.
Approaching the Class 3 escape gully.
Class 2 stuff to ascend the first section of the escape gully.
Class 2 stuff to ascend the first section of the escape gully.
Looking back down the Class 2 section.
Looking back down the Class 2 section.
About to start up the Class 3 section.
About to start up the Class 3 section.
Looking back down the Class 3 sections at Matt coming up.
Looking back down the Class 3 sections at Matt coming up.
Looking back down into the escape gully below as we ascend back to the social trail.
Looking back down into the escape gully below as we ascend back to the social trail.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!