Leprechaun Canyon (Middle Fork)

A narrow slot canyon, the most challenging of the Irish. Most can stay low the whole way. Optional high-stemming to 20 feet. If you like this one and crave more and higher stemming, you may be ready for a real R slot canyon in nearby West Butlers or Trachyte or Ticaboo.

Leprechaun Canyon can be explored using two primary approaches: a bottom-up hike starting near Highway 95 or a top-down route beginning at the upper trailhead accessible via the Turkey Knob dirt road. The upper trailhead is located along Turkey Knob Road, a dirt road passable to most vehicles, although high-clearance is recommended. This road is marked on most maps, so detailed directions are not included here. Pro Tip: Parking can become crowded. Turn your vehicle around when parking to avoid maneuvering difficulties later. From the trailhead, several social trails lead southward following natural watercourses but two routes are most prominent. To minimize environmental impact, stick to these established routes, which should appear on most modern maps. Western Approach Drainage: This is best for reaching the West or Middle Leprechaun Forks. (Alternative) Eastern Approach Drainage: This this approach drainage is most suitable for accessing the East Leprechaun Fork, and while it will get you to the other forks, it is a less efficient option for doing so. Near Highway 95, a short dirt road next to the Leprechaun Canyon drainage provides an ideal parking area for your starting/exit vehicle. From this point: Fork where route climbs out of river bed Start of the middle fork Maybe half the approach is on rock.

The Middle Fork of Leprechaun Canyon begins with two tiny branches at the top, either of which can be used to start the descent. Both involve technical drops and rappels. The eastern branch is considered the standard entry, while the western branch provides a solid alternative. These two quickly merge, leading into the main canyon. Within the main canyon there is only one rappel, but a significant amount of technical stemming is required. The canyon follows a distinct rhythm: sections that are still narrow but more open and comfortable alternate with tighter constrictions that demand sustained stemming. After each technical stretch, there’s usually a brief reprieve before the canyon narrows again. As you progress, each skinny section becomes progressively narrower. The final stretch is the tightest of all, eventually opening out at the junction with the West Fork. Keep in mind that if you find the early sections challenging, the stemming will only get tighter further down. That said, it is generally possible to stem up and over each constriction—though not always easy for everyone. Eastern (Standard) Branch Start Western (Alternative) Branch Start Main Canyon Some stemming required for our group Second rappel Lots of tight squeezes