Blue John Canyon (3B III) Trip Plan Sample – Robbers Roost, Utah
Trip Leaders – Scott, Steve & Rob
Goals & Objectives
Goal I: Teamwork
• Exciting Canyon Descent & hike requiring:
1. Excellent Communication
2. Team encouragement & support (spot & aids)
Goal II: Skill Development
• Safe Canyon Travel & Routefinding Skills
• Climbing/Down Climbing & Rappelling Skills
• Physical Endurance and Energy Management
Goal III: Fun
• Maintain proper focus in regards to pursuit of goals (means not end)
• Enjoy & appreciate the great beauty & history of Blue John Canyon!
Itinerary
Friday April 29th
(Night Before): Canyon trip briefing & packing pack to prep for an early start (13 miles total!)
5 AM- Scott & Steve set up shuttle
6:00 AM Arise & last minute packing!!!
6:30 AM – Devotional, song & prayer, Simple Breakfast (Erin & Levi - Cooks)
7 AM – Begin Hike from Granary Spring Trailhead . (UTM: 561823mE, 4243944mN)
7:30 AM – Lesson on technical canyoneering safety…helmets on! (next 11/2 miles is technical)
12:30 PM – Lunch in Horseshoe Canyon; view famous pictographs
5 PM – Arrive back at camp & Free time
6 PM – Dinner
7:00 PM –Free Time
8:00 PM – Debrief Leaders of the Day & discuss the day’s activities
8:30 PM – Briefing of tomorrow’s activities
9:00 PM – Final thought, Closing song & prayer
9:30 PM Bed time (another long and exciting day tomorrow!!!!)
Remember to pack the 10 Essentials!
o Compass
o Sunglasses & Sunscreen
o Extra Food & water (3 – 4 quarts)
o Extra Clothing
o Headlamp/Flashlight
o First aid supplies
o Fire starter
o Matches
o Knife
o Map
o Plus – Harness & Belay device
o 1 locking carabiner
Group Gear
o 50 & 20 Meter Ropes
o 50 feet of webbing
Hazards & Risks
o Getting lost
o Falls
o Dehydration & Heat Stroke
o Flash floods
o Insects and poisonous animals (snakes &
scorpions)
o Getting stuck - entrapment
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Blue John Canyon
Blue John Canyon
GETTING THERE:
From the junction of Utah Highway 24 and
the Goblin Valley Road, drive south on
Rte 24 about 1/4 mile to a signed dirt road
on the left that heads south and east
toward Hans Flat, The Maze, and
Horseshoe Canyon. Follow this road 23.8
miles to a prominent junction with a sign.
Turn right (south). Continue south 7.1
miles to a fork. Go Left toward Hans Flat
Ranger Station, and continue another 2.7
miles to a small dirt road on the left
(east). Follow this .2 miles to 2 scrappy
buildings and a cowed up yard. Park here.
All roads are suitable for 2WD cars. (UTM:
561823mE, 4243944mN)
ROUTE INFORMATION:
Hiking Time 8-10 Hours for 11 miles
Follow a shallow drainage from Granary
Springs North for 1.75 miles. At this point
the canyon drops 18 feet (rap #1). After
the first rappel we will encounter difficult
downclimbing (for 75 meters), possible
pools and chokestones. Following this
section we’ll be in a deep (50 meter) slot
that is up to 5 meters wide. The tight slot
runs for about ¼ mile. Eventually the
canyon opens up to where several
tributaries come together.
1.5 miles
further down canyon Blue John slots up
again (location of Ralston’s accident)
prior to a 75 foot rappel (rap #2). After the
final rappel 2 miles of hiking brings us
into Horseshoe canyon (site of world
famous pictographs) …4.5 miles to the
truck!
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