Merry Piglet is one of our first canyons to rappel in North Wash, Utah. It is a short and fun canyon, a great addition to fill a few hours in the day. Merry Piglet Canyon is also great to pair with Hogwart Canyon since it is almost right across from the exit of Hogwart. Even though Merry Piglet is suitable for beginner canyoneers, you’ll need competent leadership. There are a few areas that required climbing skills where beginners might need to be assisted with a rope. Merry Piglet is pretty neat as you drop through elevator-like slots in the narrow canyon. When we went, it was bone dry, however, there might be a few pools during the rainy season.
Stats
Where
Merry Piglet Start Point:
37°57’37.4″N 110°29’01.2″W
Parking
You can park on the side of the road.
Restroom
The closest restroom is about 0.5 mile down the road, at Hog Springs Picnic Area.
Best Seasons
Fall and Spring. Summer can be really hot.
Weather
Caution
Like any slot canyon, please avoid if there is chance of rain because of flash flood.
Rating
3A/B I
Click here to learn more about canyoneering ratings.
Distance
Total: 1.3 miles
Elevation Gain
479 ft
Time
2 – 4 hours
(We had 9 people and took 3.5 hours)
Permit
None
Rappels
7 rappels. Max is about 60ft.
Shuttle Required
None
Vehicle
Passenger
Water
Might be a few pools that are either waist-deep or short swimmer, depends on the rain.
Video
The Approach
Getting to Merry Piglet Canyon Trailhead
To get to Merry Piglet Canyon, from Hanksville, Utah, take Highway 95 South for about 34 miles. It is about half a mile past (south of) Hog Spring Rest Area. The start of Merry Piglet Canyon is on the left (east) side of the road. You can park on the side of the road.
The Approach to the Dry Fall
From the road, walk toward and up the gully full of boulders. Make sure to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. These boulders are the perfect places for them to hide. After a short climb, you’ll come up to a short dry fall, about 14 ft or so. This is where your last rappel is. You will need to climb up this dry fall to continue your route. If you look to your right, there is a rock wall that you can climb up. This wall is rated 5.5/5.6 ish. Kelly and other experienced canyoneers in our group climbed up first to assist the beginners with a rope.
From the Dry Fall to the First Rappel
Once everyone made it to the top of the dry fall, we proceeded left to go up the hillside, crossing over the gully to the other side. We worked our way up the steep sandstone hill, around to the left, and then follows it up to the white ledge above. Upon the ledge is the perfect place for a quick break from the climb and the heat. It was over 85 degrees the day we went and the approach is very exposed. The view from here is quite beautiful. After a quick break, we continued to follow the ledge around and up to the top of the canyon for Merry Piglet. This is where you’ll find the first rappel.
Technical Section:
Note: The conditions of the canyons are ever-changing depending on the seasons or how much water it has. You will need to adapt or adjust your route accordingly.
Rappel 1
The first rappel is about a 60ft, mostly overhang. You can find or make your own anchor from one of the rocks above the drop. Our anchor was a chock stone in the crack so Kelly backed it up just to be extra caution.
Rappel 2
After rappel 1, we continued down the open canyon for about 200ft to the start of some shallow slots. From here, we go LDC (left down canyon) to scramble down the semi-steep hillside, down to the tree in the slot for rappel 2.
The anchor for rappel 2 is from a tree in the shallow slot. It drops about 25ft to a sandy area. During the rainy season, there might be a waist-deep pool there. Experienced canyoneers can downclimb this rappel, however, it doesn’t look that fun.
Rappel 3
Almost after rappel 2 is a narrow slot that might have to wade in thigh-high water for a couple of spots. It was pretty dry when we went. You’ll also need to stem down an easy 15 ft downclimb before the canyon opens up. From here, it’s about 130ft or so before getting to rappel 3.
Rappel 3 is about a 25ft drop down the watercourse. This rappel is narrow at the top and then opens out at the last half to a sandy hole. Depends on when you go, there might be water here. If there’s a lot of rain, it can be a swimmer.
Rappel 4
After rappel 3, we stemmed down another 10ft downclimb. Merry Piglet is the first canyon for Dustin and me to experience famous stem-style downclimbs of North Wash. The sandstone makes it easy but it’s not good for the clothes. After the downclimb, there might be a waist-deep pool at the bottom. This pool can be a swimmer if full.
Rappel 4 is a bit interesting. To get to the anchor, you’ll need to stem your way down to it. From the anchor, it is about 65ft down a narrow sloped slot. During the rainy season, rappel 4 drops into a waist-deep pool. Make sure to extend your anchor far enough to get past the choke stones. This way, you can pull your rope without it getting caught. Rappel 4 can be downclimbed most of the way until the last 8 ft.
Rappel 5
Rappel 5 is immediately right after the pool. It is anchored from a choke stone. It is about a 40ft drop through a narrow slot. There’s no water when we went but the water at the bottom of rappel 5 can be chest-deep. This rappel can be downclimbed elevator-style.
Rappel 6
After the pool at the bottom of rappel 5, it is a short walk to rappel 6. Rappel 6 is also anchored from a choke stone. It is about 50ft down through another narrow slot. There is a big choke stone near the bottom of the rappel. If you enjoy stemming, you can downclimb rappel 6.
After rappel 6, the canyon opens up. It is about 500ft down canyon to the last rappel.
Rappel 7
This last rappel is located right at the dry fall, next to that big rock wall that you had to climb up earlier during your approach. You can either use or make your anchor from the tree or rocks and rappel down, or downclimb the rock wall the same way you came up. We made a cairn anchor, backed up with a rock horn. This rappel is about 15 ft.
Exit
After the last rappel, it is the same way back as you came from. It is about 300ft down the canyon to the main road.
These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
adventure gear
We love these La Sportiva TX3 approach shoes! They have pretty good traction on wet rocks and muddy areas. They also drain well, especially when you have to wade through water.
This is the male version of the La Sportiva TX3.
This will be a long day in the sun! We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen, Stream2Sea SPF 30.
Face sunscreen is also important. We love these tinted, organic All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter.
Canyoneering bags are essential, especially for wet canyon. This Imlay Pandora Bag not only has tons of drainage holes, it’s also very well-made. It’s also perfect for shorter people like Vy with heigh range from 5ft – 5ft 4
Teton Sport makes a pretty decent beginner canyoneering bag. It has a few drainage holes that will be useful for wet canyons. What we love about this bag is the price and the amount of pockets it has!
If you want something lighter, we love the packable Patagonia Women’s Houdini® Jacket and Patagonia Men’s Houdini® Jacket
We were introduced to this Hoodoo rappel device from our expert canyoneering friends. So far, we love it!
Another popular option for the rappel device is this ATS
Of course, you will need to bring your canyoneering ropes.
So far, our Black Diamond Half Dome helmets have served us pretty well
You will need canyoneering harness. Climbing harness will work too.
Even when dry, you’ll still need dry bags for Water Canyon. There are a few swimming sections. You will need this to keep your items dry.
other things to bring
Always good to bring some snacks with you. For healthy and easy snacks, check out some of our recipes.
camera gear
Related Posts
Save your pins:
