EARDLEY CANYON - STRAIGHT WASH TECHNICAL SECTION
Eardley Canyon has a neat technical section near its exit from the San Rafael Reef. This is accessed via Straight Wash at milepost 148 on Utah 24 south of I70. There are a lot of rappels and some deep potholes. We went through in early October. Two nights before it rained like crazy, with lightning lacing the sky for hours over the swell. I was sure that Eardley would flash flood and that the potholes would be full up. No such luck. Pretty dry and skanky. Goes to show how a thunderstorm cell must actually sit over the right catchment basin in order to flash a canyon. Eardley's basin is large, but nonetheless... So our trip was not as scenic as I would have liked. At least we got to see the depths of the potholes, which include a huge 12foot deep hole that might be interesting getting out of if about half full.
The somewhat nasty part of this day-hike in Eardley is getting down to the canyon floor just above the technical section, rather than hiking down the whole thing (which can be done, as a multi-day trip). To do the day hike you have to climb a mile or so up either the N or S rim of Eardley from Straightwash, gaining about 1300 feet. Then the trick is to find a good gap in the rim-cliff to get down about 40 feet to a steep downclimb-over-scree slope that leads down to the floor of Eardley. We took the North route, where you start climbing just before the mouth of Eardley. The South route, described in the canyoneeringusa website, looks longer and higher, but may be easier to downclimb. It's a 45 minute class 4 descent through not-so-pleasant terrain. Be patient and work sideways back and forth scouting the safest route, rather than trying to shortcut and go straight down. Lots of loose stuff between quasi-steady boulders....
Photographically, there is good potential for action shots in the potholes, if there is any water in them. The canyon itself is not as pretty as others in the area like Crack or Upper Chute, but this is made up for by the technical aspects (potentially) of the water sports. Swimming the last pool, which we found to be only half-full and a little rank for my taste, would be great if topped up and in full sun. To catch this, along with a recent flooding, you would need to arrive by mid-day, which would mean starting the up-climb as early as lighting permits.
Refs. Kelsey, "Hiking and Exploring Utah's San Rafael Swell," 3rd Edition, 1999.
Canyoneering USA, Tom's Guide, http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/swell/eardday.htm
Disclaimer: The goal of these trip notes is to suggest good photographic locations and what I consider pretty neat hikes. These paragraphs should not be used as a canyoneering guide. Seek out good maps and detailed trail information, and get properly prepared before entering any slot canyon.