Neon Canyon and Golden Cathedral in Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument, UT

Canyoneer Neon Canyon and Golden Cathedral Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument, UT

Class 2 3B III (90 ft max) 10.4 miles 1400 gain 8-11 hrs Out + Back Sep 1, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Neon Canyon and Golden Cathedral 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.

There is a difficult to follow trail that we kept losing, but a general good word of advice is to head to a massive rock feature in the distance, which sits just east of Neon Canyon. If nothing else, use this as a landmark and then find a route down the sandy slope leading to the Escalante River. From the river, head into Neon Canyon and after the first bend, take the ramp to the west side of the canyon, where you can follow cairns to a good entrance. There seemed to be more than one spot to rappel (or scramble) into Neon Canyon. A few rappels and full swimmers later, we arrived at the final rappel into the Golden Cathedral, which has been an iconic image of canyoneering for me for years and I was really glad to final have the chance to rappel through the gorgeous hole in the ceiling.

Apparently at some points during the year, a pretty serious keeper pothole appears. Fortunately, the water was high enough that we didn't have a problem.

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Head down into the open desert, and hike for a few miles. That big rock in the distance marks Neon Canyon.
Head down into the open desert, and hike for a few miles. That big rock in the distance marks Neon Canyon.
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Big rock getting closer.
Big rock getting closer.
Overlooking the Escalante River. That big rock is right above Neon Canyon.
Overlooking the Escalante River. That big rock is right above Neon Canyon.
Crossing the Escalante River.
Crossing the Escalante River.
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Entering Neon Canyon.
Entering Neon Canyon.
Leaving the canyon and finding a route up the north side of the canyon. It's pretty easy going. Follow the rim for a couple miles.
Leaving the canyon and finding a route up the north side of the canyon. It's pretty easy going. Follow the rim for a couple miles.
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There seem to be a few entrance spots. We rappelled off some webbing that was set up on a huge pinnacle natural anchor.
There seem to be a few entrance spots. We rappelled off some webbing that was set up on a huge pinnacle natural anchor.
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Carlos squeezing through one of many narrow sections.
Carlos squeezing through one of many narrow sections.
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A quick shot of me coming down one of many obstacles.
A quick shot of me coming down one of many obstacles.
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Random natural arch in the canyon.
Random natural arch in the canyon.
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Carlos going for a swim.
Carlos going for a swim.
Open space before another rappel.
Open space before another rappel.
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Little eroded holes.
Little eroded holes.
And another swim.
And another swim.
Approaching the last rappel.
Approaching the last rappel.
Looks awesome.
Looks awesome.
It was awesome.
It was awesome.
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Big rock above Neon Canyon, shot at sunset on the way back.
Big rock above Neon Canyon, shot at sunset on the way back.

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!