May 172 min read

Canyoneering - Boltergeist Cyn, Leeds Cyn, St George 5/11/24

Updated: May 21

Itinerary:

Trailhead - 10:00 am

Run Boltergeist - 10:30 am - 1:00 pm

Packed Lunch 1:00 pm

Run Yankee Doodle Cyn- 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Dinner - 6:00 pm

Directions: Boltergeist Trailhead Parking (exit and entrance are the same), Leeds

Activity:

Canyoneering Boltergeist Canyon (3AI) - 0.8 mile loop, dry. Canyon starts just a few minutes from the dirt parking area. Takes about 3-4 hrs (2 hrs if you don't do the last rappel). You hit 4 rappels pretty quick after each other.

Rappel 1 - 2 bolts, abt 30 ft (straight forward rappel)

Rappel 2 - Sling around a hole in a rock, abt 35 ft (rappel down a slot cyn with a chock stone in the middle - can down climb if desired)

Rappel 3 - Sling around a tree, abt 50 ft (VERY difficult pull as it has a sloping tier with a small wedging crack at the bottom - recommend last rappeller double rope rappel)

Rappel 4 - 1 rappel ring, abt 40 ft (straight forward rappel)

You are then out of the small slot canyon and then walk a bit to drop into the larger canyon. You can exit at this point and just scramble up the steep canyon sides for an easy walk to the car.

Rappel 5 - Slings around a tree, 120 ft (100 ft partial hanging rappel to a wide ledge to continue 20 more ft to complete the rappel)

Rappel 6 - looks like a 30 ft rough rappel - we skipped it due to rockfall and ability to walk around.

Hike out:

Continue down the canyon to the junction with Water Canyon. Head up Water Canyon a few minutes and look for a good exit on the left side. Follow any number of trails up to the rim. Some scrambling may be required depending on the route you select. One section has a small slot requiring some stemming. Road Trip Ryan Trip Report

Bathrooms - no

Cell Phone Service - at trailhead

Dogs - no

Tips:

We had weather (thunder/hail) both times in the early afternoon in May. Recommend hitting this canyon early as the storms seem to come into the area later.

Gear: harness (can rent), helmet (can rent), rappel device (ATS, Squirrl, Critter, etc), locking carabiners, (NO COTTON) thin liner T-shirt, hiking pants, fleece jacket, rain/windproof jacket, hiking boots or grippy shoes, headlamp, backpack, 2 L water, 6-8 snacks, first aid kit, small knife, sunscreen, sunglasses, 3 - 65 m static ropes, webbing, quick links, figure 8s, carabiners

Rentals:

- Harness: $5/day (BYU Outdoors Unltd); $17 (BYU Outdoors Unltd)

- Helmet: $4/day (BYU Outdoors Unltd); $4/day (UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

(red pins are the rappels)