The Beehive and Eye of Heaven Arch via Squirrel Canyon in Canaan Mountain Wilderness Area BLM, UT

Hike The Beehive and Eye of Heaven Arch via Squirrel Canyon Canaan Mountain Wilderness Area BLM, UT

Class 3 14.5 miles 3100 gain 6-8 hrs Out + Back Apr 19, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Aftering hiking Canaan Mountain yesterday, I was feeling pretty excited about exploring more in the Canaan Mountain Wilderness Area, so I headed back to summit The Beehive and Water Peak, with a visit to the Water Canyon Arch (aka Eye of Heaven Arch). I'd seen the arch from below in Water Canyon multiple times, but seeing it close-up sounded pretty appealing.

I left the Squirrel Canyon Trailhead and followed the wide trail up the creek and made a left at the only obvious junction a couple of miles in. The trail started to gain in steepness and eventually led to great views of The Beehive as I neared the junction with the Sawmill Trail (the same trail that leads west toward Canaan Mountain). I wanted to do The Beehive (right at the junction) first since it was Class 3 and earlier in the day, but I'd be back at this junction afterward to bag Water Peak (left at the junction. The trail lost some elevation and entered a slickrock wash. The trail continued steeply out of the wash, heading east, but I kept within the wash, which led south to the now very visible The Beehive. Eventually after some easy cross-country terrain, I landed at the base of the peak. It seemed formidable on the approach, but a Class 3 route became clear. I'd head up the steepening slickrock to a pine tree, where a break seemed to lead higher to lighter terrain to the summit. This was exactly what happened, fortunately. Summit block was attained via Class 2 on its east side.

Back at the saddle, I headed west through a pretty canyon with a ridiculously cool dome of slickrock to the north. The Eye of Heaven Arch side-trail popped up on the left and I followed it, losing it at times because it's poorly marked and regularly crosses slickrock. The attached map should be pretty close to the trail's intended route. Water Peak can be summited by heading along the sandy ridge, and Eye of Heaven Arch is to the peak's southwest, and the trail leads right to it. Initially I didn't realize this and did some unnecessary exploring on the west cliffs of Water Peak, but I removed my mishaps from the map. The arch is incredible, and the views into Water Canyon are too.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
The Beehive
6476 ft
516 rise
2
Water Peak
6840 ft
360 rise

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!

Starting from the Squirrel Canyon Trailhead, following Short Creek.
Starting from the Squirrel Canyon Trailhead, following Short Creek.
Short Creek.
Short Creek.
Image 2 from gallery
Image 3 from gallery
The trail splits, left goes up Squirrel Canyon.
The trail splits, left goes up Squirrel Canyon.
Within Squirrel Canyon.
Within Squirrel Canyon.
Image 6 from gallery
Looking back as I began to ascend on the trail.
Looking back as I began to ascend on the trail.
Image 8 from gallery
Looking back as the trail mellows out, The Beehive visible on the left.
Looking back as the trail mellows out, The Beehive visible on the left.
The trail comes to a junction. Left goes to Water Peak, right to The Beehive. The wide, sandy trail looks the same in every photo.
The trail comes to a junction. Left goes to Water Peak, right to The Beehive. The wide, sandy trail looks the same in every photo.
The trail loses elevation as you head east toward The Beehive.
The trail loses elevation as you head east toward The Beehive.
The trail enters a pretty wash. Water was running.
The trail enters a pretty wash. Water was running.
The Beehive ahead, within the wash. The trail continues on the left, but I followed the wash, heading toward The Beehive's northern face.
The Beehive ahead, within the wash. The trail continues on the left, but I followed the wash, heading toward The Beehive's northern face.
Image 14 from gallery
Close-up of The Beehive. The route I chose goes up the left side, to the pine tree located on the smooth-looking section seen here.
Close-up of The Beehive. The route I chose goes up the left side, to the pine tree located on the smooth-looking section seen here.
At the northeastern base, looking up at The Beehive.
At the northeastern base, looking up at The Beehive.
Approaching the Class 3 crux section. The pine tree mentioned earlier visible in the center.
Approaching the Class 3 crux section. The pine tree mentioned earlier visible in the center.
Looking down at the route I came up (right), another scramble section visible on the left, in the crack.
Looking down at the route I came up (right), another scramble section visible on the left, in the crack.
Class 3 slab.
Class 3 slab.
A pretty ledge leading to easier terrain.
A pretty ledge leading to easier terrain.
Class 2 to the summit.
Class 2 to the summit.
Summit block of The Beehive.
Summit block of The Beehive.
The Beehive, looking south.
The Beehive, looking south.
The Beehive, looking west toward Water Peak.
The Beehive, looking west toward Water Peak.
Image 25 from gallery
Back at the trail junction, now headed west toward Water Peak and Water Arch.
Back at the trail junction, now headed west toward Water Peak and Water Arch.
Crazy slickrock dome of a landscape to the north.
Crazy slickrock dome of a landscape to the north.
Image 28 from gallery
Heading south along the Eye of Heaven Arch Trail. Water Canyon visible on the right, Water Peak on the left.
Heading south along the Eye of Heaven Arch Trail. Water Canyon visible on the right, Water Peak on the left.
Some slickrock that makes it hard to follow the trail.
Some slickrock that makes it hard to follow the trail.
Water Peak, a quick excursion from the trail.
Water Peak, a quick excursion from the trail.
Water Peak summit, looking south.
Water Peak summit, looking south.
Water Peak summit looking east at the Beehive.
Water Peak summit looking east at the Beehive.
A quick excursion off the trail to see Eye of Heaven Arch from above.
A quick excursion off the trail to see Eye of Heaven Arch from above.
Close-up of Eye of Heaven Arch, Water Canyon visible on the right.
Close-up of Eye of Heaven Arch, Water Canyon visible on the right.
Trail leads down to Eye of Heaven Arch.
Trail leads down to Eye of Heaven Arch.
Eye of Heaven Arch.
Eye of Heaven Arch.
Image 38 from gallery

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!