Canyoneering - Yankie Doodle/Boltergeist Canyons 4/19/25

Emily Hacken
Aug 27
3 min read

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1:(optional overnight camping in Red Cliffs Rec Area)

Day 2:

Carpool - 6 am

Boltergeist Trailhead - 10 am

Run Yankie Doodle Canyon - 1030 am - 1pm

Run Boltergeist Cyn - 2-5pm

Dinner - 6:00 pm

Drive Home - 7-11:00 pm

Directions:

Yankie Doodle Trailhead, Red Cliffs Rec Area, Leeds (about 10 min drive apart)

Boltergeist Trailhead, Red Cliffs Rec Area, Leeds

Activity:

Canyoneering Yankie Doodle Cyn - 1.2 mile loop. 5 rappels up to 73 ft. Yankee Doodle offers a very fun and casual introduction to canyoneering in the area. Though not as long, deep, or as impressive as Zion canyons, it has a bit of the Zion canyon feel. Park on the dirt pullout pin above.

Approach - Hike 2 min south to the beginning of the canyon and your first rappel.
First rappel is about 20 ft off a tree on the right with webbing. Simple rappel. Continue down the canyon about 100 ft to the 2nd rappel.
Second Rappel is about 73 ft with chains on the left. Negotiate the large boulder and rappel down a fluted column to the bottom. From here continue down canyon.
3 more small rappels about 15-20 ft with 1-2 bolts are next which you can do handlines, rappels or just down climb depending on your skill level.
Exit - left when it opens up and you will see a slope and mochi steps and a tree root coming down the rock acting like a handrail. Hike out is about 20 min uphill moderate hiking and scrambling. Road Trip Ryan Trip Report

Canyoneering Boltergeist Cyn - 1.2 mile loop. 4-5 rappels up to 100 ft. The canyon offers a couple of options, a short route, and slightly longer route. The longer route has one more rappel, but the exit is more of a pain. The short route skips the final rappel and offers a quick, easy exit.

Approach - Hike south and then west from the trailhead. Trail takes you right into the gorge which then turns east.
First rappel is bolted on the left. 35 ft rappel with sloping and undercut sections. May have a small pool at the bottom which is usually avoidable. Hike downcanyon several minutes to 2nd rappel.
Second rappel is a sling anchor around a hole in a rock on the right. 45 ft. Use courtesy rigging if you are able to avoid the rope grooves on the edge. Rappel goes down slot and has some free hanging sections.
Third rappel is just another minute downcanyon. Tree anchor on the right. Also good to set up a courtesy rigging as the pull is tricky and can get caught in the small gully at the beginning of the rappel. 50 ft.
Fourth rappel is just a few minutes downcanyon. Bolts on the left. Usually has a small pool with standing water. You can wade it, chimney over it or use a guided rappel to a juniper tree about 30 ft out and 10 ft above the bottom.
Exit canyon left about 15 min STEEP hike out and follow trails to the west and to the parking area.
OPTIONAL Fifth rappel - after fourth rappel hike several minutes to the east to a large juniper tree with a sling on it. Rappel is 2 tiered. First rappel is straight down and free hanging about 100 ft. You can walk off to the canyon bottom or set up a Sixth shorter (about 50 ft) sloping rappel.
Exit - hike up the canyon gully to exit left and hike STEEP uphill to the plateau above. Can take up to an hour. Road Trip Ryan Trip Report

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

Rentals:

Harness: $6/day (BYU Outdoors Unltd)

Helmet: $4/day (BYU Outdoors Unltd); $6/day (UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

Food: we like to eat at the Casa Tequilana in Leeds before heading home

Yankie Doodle