North Fork of Maidenwater Canyon

Topographic Map of North Fork of Maidenwater Canyon

Location

The North Fork canyon is reached by UT 276 to Bullfrog. One possible start point is from the signposted parking area at Maidenwater Spring, near milepost 9; from here, the upper end of the drainage is 1.4 miles cross country, walking east then a little south, initially over uneven terrain of small gullies and hills, then across flatter, sandy ground. An alternative approach is from half a mile north on the highway, along a faint vehicle track that heads east over grassy flats, coming close to the drainage after 1.7 miles.

Photographs

11 views of the canyon.

Route Description

The uppermost part of the drainage is enclosed by steep slickrock, sloping down to a shallow slot that offers several entry points. The canyon is narrow though never very deep or dark, lacking any undulating cliffs or twisting rock formations, enclosed instead by smooth walls that rise up to form the sides of sandstone domes. The floor drops frequently, in steps of 5 to 15 feet over falls and chokestones, and often the passages are very narrow at the base, so progress is by stemming a little way above. Several bigger falls need quite difficult downclimbing, before the narrows end abruptly, replaced by a shallow, overgrown box canyon, filled with reeds, bushes and cottonwood trees, containing a few deep residual pools. The obstacles can be bypassed if necessary by exiting the canyon and walking over the steep slickrock on either side, then re-entering downstream. A short tributary joins from the north, leading to a circular chamber, with a much narrower slot above.