Canyoneering Route Description
Upper Neon Canyon - 4A(B) IV
Escalante National Monument, Utah.
06-12-20, 7 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 12 hours)
- Time includes a side trip down canyon to see the Triborough Bridges.
Time Required - 11 to 13 hours
Distance - 10.3 miles Total, 3.6 miles Technical
Rappels - 6 Rappels, Longest Rappel 160 feet.
Elevation Range - 4880 - 5860 Feet
Shuttle Required - No Vehicle - High Clearance
or carefully driven passenger car
Permit Required - No
Rappelling and anchor gear, Ropes and or pull cords for rappels up
to 160 feet and 30 feet of 1 inch webbing for sling placement. Wet
suits recommended since the big rap drops down into a huge deep pool
worth spending time playing in. Sandtrap, Watertrap
recommended to simplify some of the raps. If no no Sandtrap or
Watertrap, you may need to be more creative with anchor building and
or farm materials to build anchors.
This is not the traditional Neon Canyon route. The
more common Neon Canyon is the lower portion of Neon Canyon and best accessed
via the Egypt Trailhead from the west. This is the uppermost portion of
Neon Canyon and best accessed via the Moody Canyon road from the east.
The tippy top portion of upper Neon Canyon splits into a
few minor drainages. The route described here drops down the northern most minor
drainage as it was recommended to us as a the preferred choice. The Upper Neon
route requires good map reading and or GPS skills for navigation as there are no
trails and the route covers a lot of distance over varied terrain.
The Upper Neon route has a high pay to play ratio. The
route is a long hard day with the reward of having a few challenges mixed in
to keep it just interesting enough not to be just a full on hike. If you are
looking for a route with a quick approach to a high density of canyon
challenges this is likely not the route for you,. If on the other hand you
are looking for a long route to see remote areas with just enough canyon fun
to keep it interesting, this may be a good fit.
A lot of the drops in Upper Neon can be overcome using
solid partner assist techniques. Depending on your groups ability and or
willingness to engage in the effort of using partner assists, your rappel
count may vary from that described here.
The pool below the biggest rappel is a great treat on a
warm day as the pool is deep, pretty and inviting. In warm sun the pool is a
lot of fun scrambling up onto nearby rocks for multiple jumps to the water.
After getting to the large side fork used as an exit
for the Upper Neon route, you can take a side trip about 0.3 miles down
canyon to a deep slot where you will find 3 small bridges known to some as
the Triborough Bridges. Some of us on the trip had heard the name and
assumed the bridges would be large since someone took the time to name them.
The small size of the bridges was a little underwhelming but the slot is a
fun place to visit. These arches are all close together down in a deep slot
offering a worthy scenic side trip and a notable landmark for those who may
be traveling farther down canyon. If you plan to see the Triborough Bridges,
allow about 1 or 1.5 hours for the side trip.
Early into the exit route out of Upper Neon is an
upclimb of 10 to 12 feet that can be challenging stem style upclimb with an
awkward top out. A good upclimber can go first and send rope for
everyone else. Or a partner assist from below may be a good idea.
Warning there are sections of poison ivy in Upper Neon.
On our visit in June 2020 we found some patches of poison ivy that were
about 10 feet tall and had very healthy leaves.
To get to the Trailhead
From the town of Boulder Utah turn off of highway 12 onto the
Burr Trail Road. Follow the Burr Trail Road east for about 18.4
miles to an exit to a dirt road on the right (south) which is
the first turn off to the Wolverine Loop Road (extWolverine1).
Do not turn off onto this dirt road.
Continue on the paved Burr Trail another 10.5 miles to the
second turn off for the Wolverine Loop Road (exWolverine2). Turn
right onto the Wolverine Loop Road and drive the dirt road for
8.1 miles to the turn off onto the Moody Road (exMoodyCyn).
Turn left (south) onto the Moody Road and drive 2.7 miles to a
road junction on the right (west) for the Silver Falls Road (exSilverFalls).
Continue past the Silver Falls road junction and continue south
on the Moody Canyon Road for 8.2 miles to a spot to park (pUprNeon)
for Upper Neon in a wash just off the main road where the road
crosses a wash about 300 feet before reaching a sharp left turn
in the road.
To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod
No exit vehicle is needed. This is done as a loop route.
GPS coordinate information listed at the bottom. For information about waypoint naming and map symbols, refer to the
Glossary page.
Click the links for maps of the route.
Map of the drive into the route.
Map of the entire route.
Map - zoom in of canyon 1.
Map - zoom in of canyon 2.
The Approach:
From the parking spot (pUprNeon)
walk away from the road
following northwest up a
wide wash. A ravine seen
to the north is not the
ravine you will be going
up. The main wash will
slowly hook right
(north) and lead up to a
boulder filled ravine
that can not yet be seen
from the trailhead.
About 0.23 miles from
the parking spot is a
small shelf (UprNeon01)
in the wash to scramble
up and where a smaller
side wash comes in from
the north. Continue
northwest up the main
wash.
About 0.35 miles farther
the wash starts getting
steeper (UprNeon02) with
more continuous
scrambling over
boulders. As you near
the top of the steep
ravine travel it is
easier to scramble up
the large boulders on
the west side rather
than directly up the
watercourse.
About 0.3 miles farther
is the top of the steep
part (UprNeon03) of the
approach wash where
boulder scrambling turns
to more level wash.
Continue north up the
wash about 150 feet to a
fork in the wash.
At the fork in the wash
(UprNeon04) scramble up
the nose between two
forks and continue north
in rolling slickrock.
After scrambling up the
nose, route find north
through rolling
slickrock valley then up
the other side then down
to an upper fork of
Upper Neon about 0.4
miles away.
Note:
The route we
took in June of 2020 was
to veer slightly
northeast and wrap
around over varied
terrain. A more direct
northerly route will
likely work better.
Almost 0.5 miles farther
cross over an upper fork
(UprNeon05) and continue
northwest up and over to
the northern most fork
about 900 feet away
scrambling down into the
canyon (yUprNeonTp).
The Canyoneering / Technical Section:
Once in the top of
the northern most fork
of Upper Neon (yUprNeonTp)
continue southwest down
canyon with a mix of
short easy downclimbs
and small easy to bypass
or bridge over potholes.
About 0.25 miles down
canyon is a drop of
about 12 feet
(UprNeon06) where the
last 6 feet requires a
partner assist.
About 350 feet farther
is a series of about 3
or 4 deep potholes
(UprNeon07) that are
easily bypassed up and
over on the RDC side
then back down to the
canyon floor (UprNeon08)
about 200 feet down
canyon where another
fork joins in from the
LDC (east) side.
A short distance down
canyon is a partner
assisted down climb
(UprNeon09) of about 8
feet with an overhanging
lip. Continue down
canyon with a few small
easy downclimbs and a
few potholes to easily
bypass or bridge over.
About 300 feet farther
is a pothole (UprNeon10)
that needs to be crossed
and requires partner
assist out of. If sand
scours out in the future
this pothole may need a
pack toss or potshot
toss to get out of.
Shortly after this
pothole is a sloped
downclimb of about 12
feet.
About 230 feet farther
is a partner assistable
downclimb (UprNeon11) of
about 10 feet where the
top rolls off to
vertical with no
features to hold onto.
About 700 feet farther
is rap 1.
Rap 1 (dUprNeonR1)
anchored from a small
log wedged in a pothole
about 10 feet back and
drops about 10 feet over
an overhung lip to a
shallow pool. This drop
can be partner assisted
with effort.
About 375 feet farther
is a sloped winding
slide (UprNeon12) of
about 15 feet with the
last 4 feet needing a
short jump to get down.
About 600 feet farther a
small side drainage
joins in (UprNeon13)
from LDC (east).
Shortly after is a drop
(UprNeon14) of about 8
feet to partner assist
downclimb. Continue down
canyon with a few short
easy galumphs and
downclimbs.
About 200 feet farther
is a downclimb
(UprNeon15) of about 6
feet that is a little
awkward as it is at the
end of a tilted crack.
A little over 200 feet
farther is the next rap.
Rap 2 (dUprNeonR2) just
after a large pothole to
downclimb into and swim
or bypass on the RDC
side the scramble down
to the anchor on the
down canyon side of the
pothole. Anchored from a
choke stone and would
use about 35 feet of
rope as it winds down a
couple downclimbable
ledges to a vertical
drop of about 10 feet.
On our visit June 2020
we were able to partner
assist this drop using a
large stick and multiple
people. The next
rap is about 200 feet
farther.
Rap 3 (dUprNeonR3)
anchored from a chock
stone and drops about 25
feet down a narrow crack
that slowly flares out
and becomes slick making
the last 10 feet risky
to downclimb. Continue
down canyon and over a
couple easy downclimbs
and short wades in water
along the way. On
our visit June 2020 we
were able to find a long
log and use multiple
people to partner assist
this drop. The
next rap is about 550
feet farther.
Rap 4 (dUprNeonR4)
anchored from a tree
about 20 feet back and
uses about 160 feet of
rope dropping about 125
feet down a mostly
vertical wall over a
hanging garden and very
deep pool. The pool at
the bottom is deep,
super pretty and invites
multiple rounds of
jumping from rocks and
swimming. Continue down
canyon in a long watery
thickly vegetated
section.
About 0.35 miles farther
is a side bowl like area
on the LDC side
(UprNeon16) where a side
drainage joins in. Just
after this side drainage
then canyon begins to
widen to easier walking
as the vegetation thins
out. Continue down
canyon in wide open
spaces and easy travel
with a couple short easy
downclimbs.
About 0.5 miles farther
is the start of a short
slot to galumph through
for about 80 feet to the
next rap.
Rap 5 (dUprNeonR5)
anchored from a single
rusted bolted hanger LDC
about head high and
drops about 60 feet down
through and arch and is
free hanging most of the
rappel.
About 600 feet farther
is a corridor
(UprNeon18) a couple
hundred feet long with
the RDC wall carved out
forming a half sided
subway.
About 0.25 miles farther
a small boulder filled
drainage joins
(UprNeon19EE) in from
LDC (south) that
can be climbed up to
exit and connect with
the exit route.
Shortly down canyon is a
slide (UprNeon20) of
about 12 feet down into
a pool.
About 500 feet farther
is a stem style
downclimb (UprNeon21) of
about 15 feet down a
crack to a narrow
section of canyon with a
pool to swim then
galumphing for about 100
feet to a log jamb and
rappel.
Rap 6 (dUprNeonR6)
anchored from a log jam
and drops about 15 feet
to a deep narrow section
of canyon with wading
and swimming. Shortly
down canyon is a
downclimb of about 10
feet down to water in a
very narrow slot that
can be stemmed over with
effort.
A little over 200 feet
farther the canyon does
a sharp left - right jog
through cross joints
(UprNeon22) then opens
up to brief easy
walking.
About 300 feet farther
is another narrow slot
(UprNeon23) with water
to swim through. Shortly
after is a downclimb /
scramble down a sloped
and winding downclimb.
About 600 feet farther
are a few
downclimbs (UprNeon24)
into narrow sections
with water to wade
through before reaching
a confluence with a
large fork
(UprNeon25EE).
The Exit:
Once at
the large confluence
(UprNeon25EE) you can
turn left and begin
travel east up the side
fork to start the exit
out or you can drop your
packs and take a 1 or
1.5 hours side trip down
to the Triborough
Bridges.
Side trip to
Triborough Bridges:
If you decide
to go to the Triborough
Bridges, continue west
down canyon from the
large confluence
(UprNeon25EE).
About 700 feet farther
is a corridor
(UprNeon25) about 150
feet long.
About 400 feet farther
is a side drainage
(UprNeon26) that drops
in on the LDC (north)
side.
About 500 feet farther
is start of (UprNeon-TriArch)
a 15 foot deep
committing slot where
you can see the first of
the three small bridges
known to some as
Triborough Bridges. To
go see the three bridges
you will need to drop
into this slot, go see
the bridges then get
back out of this slot.
One option to see the
bridges is to take turns
rappelling from a meat
anchor then ascending
out then trading places
so everyone can go see
the bridges. For the
taller people
comfortable with
stemming you can bridge
over the slot for about
50 feet to just over the
top of the first bridge
then drop down to the
top of the bridge and
easily scramble into the
slot. To get out reverse
this. Travel down canyon
with easy drops until
you have seen 3 bridges
then turn around.
Continuing past the 3rd
bridge is not advised as
it leads to potholes
that will not be easily
reversed.
After enjoying the
bridges, return back up
canyon to the large
confluence to begin the
exit from Upper Neon.
To exit Upper Neon walk
east up the large side
fork for about 140 feet
to a sloped constriction
(UprNeonEx01) of about
15 feet to upclimb while
exiting up this fork.
About 80 feet farther up
the side fork is an
awkward stem style
upclimb (UprNeonEx02) of
about 10 feet. Partner
assist can help get the
first person up who can
then toss a rope to
those who follow.
Skilled up climbers can
do this without assist.
Almost 300 feet up the
side fork is a crack /
chute (UprNeonEx03) on
the LUC (north) side to
scramble up about 15
feet to a ledge system.
After scrambling up,
follow the ledge system
east up canyon.
About 200 feet along the
ledge system is where
you start up a sloped
crack (UprNeonEx04)
leading up from the
ledge system then
scramble onto and up the
steep slickrock nose up
to the next higher ledge
system in wide open
rolling slickrock. Once
in more level terrain
route find northeast
about 1000 feet to wide
slickrock saddle.
Once at the wide saddle
(UprNeonEx05) continue
east by route finding up
slickrock fins.
About 500 feet farther
turn right (UprNeonEx06)
and scramble up to the
south about 80 feet to
cross over to another
set of fins where you
can then continue east
again up those fins.
About 800 feet farther
as you approach a small
dirt mesa (UprNeonEx07)
contour around it on the
left (northside) for
easier travel. After
getting around the small
dirt mesa, walk about
1000 feet down then up
gently sloped wide open
slickrock.
When nearing the top of
the smooth slickrock
(UprNeonEx08) do not
start scrambling up to
the mesa top yet.
Instead stay along the
top of the smooth
slickrock and contour
left (north) around the
mesa following a
slickrock sidewalk zone
just below the dirt and
rock slope.
About 0.4 miles farther
the slickrock sidewalk
turns right
(UprNeonEx09) as it
begins to travel
southeast following the
rim of a side fork. As
you round the corner
begin contouring up dirt
and rock slopes toward
the mesa.
About 600 feet farther
where convenient begin
scrambling (UprNeonEx10)
directly up the hill and
up onto the mesa top.
Once on the mesa top
(UprNeonEx11), route
find east through
rolling desert and
slowly turn left
wrapping around minor
drainages as you head
north.
About 0.6 miles farther
the route passes the
highpoint (UprNeonEx12)
on the mesa continue
north a few hundred feet
then begin route finding
out onto and slowly down
a wide ridgeline.
About 0.5 miles farther
when the ridge turns
from dirt to more
slickrock (UprNeonEx13),
continue down and begin
to veer right to travel
more northeast looking
for a way to scramble
down to the right (east)
down into the drainage
below. The large
drainage seen below is
the same drainage you
were in on the approach
and where you want to
get to for your exit.
About 1000 feet farther
begin (UprNeonEx14)
scrambling and or crab
walking steep slickrock
down to the large
drainage below
navigating up and around
minor rock fins on the
way.
About 1000 feet farther
you will be back down in
the large drainage by
confluence (UprNeon04)
turn right and travel
south down the wash and
reverse the approach
route back to the
parking spot (pUprNeon).
Downloadable GPX files
available at
BG-Gear Store
(easier than manual entry and a great way to support
Bluugnome).
Waypoint naming convention and map symbol information can be found on the Glossary page.
Elevations are approximate.
BEFORE
manually entering coordinates set your system to WGS84 datum and Lat/Lon hddd.ddddd° coordinate format.
Inconsistent datum's and coordinate formats will result in location errors.
Click to show / expand the list of waypoints below........
| Upper Neon (1) - Drive to Trailhead |
- exWolverine2
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.86551
W -111.10404
Elev: NaN Feet
There are 2 exits for the Wolverine Loop Road off of the Burr Trail Road. This is the farthest southeast and is labeled on some maps as the Escalante Grand Staircase road 110 going south from here.
- exMoodyCyn
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.77177
W -111.09247
Elev: 6,251 Feet
Exit off of the Wolverine Loop Road (road 110) to the Moody Canyon Road (road 116) goes off to the south.
- exSilverFalls
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.73698
W -111.09086
Elev: NaN Feet
Exit off of Moody Canyon Road (road 116) where Silver Falls Road (road 117) goes off to the west.
- pUprNeon
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64189
W -111.07784
Elev: 4,880 Feet
Park spot for Upper Neon in a wash just off the main road where the road crosses a wash about 300 feet before reaching a sharp left turn in the road.
To go to start the Upper Neon Route walk away from the road following northwest up a wide wash. A ravine seen to the north is not the ravine you will be going up. The main wash will lead up to a boulder filled ravine that can not yet be seen from the trailhead.
|
| Upper Neon (2) - Approach |
- pUprNeon
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64189
W -111.07784
Elev: 4,880 Feet
Park spot for Upper Neon in a wash just off the main road where the road crosses a wash about 300 feet before reaching a sharp left turn in the road.
To go to start the Upper Neon Route walk away from the road following northwest up a wide wash. A ravine seen to the north is not the ravine you will be going up. The main wash will lead up to a boulder filled ravine that can not yet be seen from the trailhead.
- UprNeon01
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64428
W -111.08090
Elev: NaN Feet
Small shelf in the wash to scramble up and where a smaller side wash comes in from the north. Continue northwest up the main wash.
- UprNeon02
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64597
W -111.08656
Elev: NaN Feet
Wash starts getting steeper with more continuous scrambling over boulders. As you near the top of the steep ravine travel it is easier to scramble up the large boulders on the west side rather than directly up the watercourse.
- UprNeon03
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64956
W -111.08813
Elev: 5,525 Feet
Top of the steep part of the approach wash where boulder scrambling turns to more level wash. Continue north up the wash about 150 feet to a fork in the wash.
- UprNeon04
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64997
W -111.08801
Elev: NaN Feet
Fork in the wash.
On the approach, scramble up the nose between two forks and continue north in rolling slickrock. After scrambling up the nose, route find north through rolling slickrock valley then up the other side then down to an upper fork of Upper Neon about 0.4 miles away.
Note: The route we took in June of 2020 was to veer slightly northeast and wrap around over varied terrain. A more direct northerly route will likely work better.
On the exit once down into the wash, turn right and travel south down the wash and reverse the approach route back to the parking spot.
- UprNeon05
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.65565
W -111.09040
Elev: NaN Feet
Cross over this upper fork and continue northwest up and over to the northern most fork about 900 feet away.
- yUprNeonTp
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.65733
W -111.09260
Elev: 5,760 Feet
Top of the northern most fork of Upper Neon. Continue southwest down canyon with a mix of short easy downclimbs and small easy to bypass or bridge over potholes.
|
| Upper Neon (3) - The Canyon |
- yUprNeonTp
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.65733
W -111.09260
Elev: 5,760 Feet
Top of the northern most fork of Upper Neon. Continue southwest down canyon with a mix of short easy downclimbs and small easy to bypass or bridge over potholes.
- UprNeon06
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.65447
W -111.09498
Elev: NaN Feet
Drop of about 12 feet where the last 6 feet requires a partner assist.
- UprNeon07
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.65355
W -111.09533
Elev: NaN Feet
Series of about 3 or 4 deep potholes that are easily bypassed up and over on the RDC side then back down to the canyon floor about 200 feet down canyon where another fork joins in from the LDC (east) side.
- UprNeon08
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.65298
W -111.09536
Elev: NaN Feet
After bypassing a small series of potholes scramble back down to canyon floor by a side fork joining from the LDC (east) side.
- UprNeon09
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.65275
W -111.09530
Elev: NaN Feet
Partner assisted down climb of about 8 feet with an overhanging lip. Continue down canyon with a few small easy downclimbs and a few potholes to easily bypass or bridge over.
- UprNeon10
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.65201
W -111.09573
Elev: NaN Feet
A pothole that needs to be crossed and requires partner assist out of. If sand scours out in the future this pothole may need a pack toss or potshot toss to get out of. Shortly after this pothole is a sloped downclimb of about 12 feet.
- UprNeon11
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.65138
W -111.09598
Elev: NaN Feet
Partner assistable downclimb of about 10 feet where the top rolls off to vertical with no features to hold onto.
- dUprNeonR1
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64992
W -111.09729
Elev: NaN Feet
Rap 1 - Upper Neon. Anchored from a small log wedged in a pothole about 10 feet back and drops about 10 feet over an overhung lip to a shallow pool. This drop can be partner assisted with effort.
- UprNeon12
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64906
W -111.09798
Elev: NaN Feet
Sloped winding slide of about 15 feet with the last 4 feet needing a short jump to get down.
- UprNeon13
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64777
W -111.09870
Elev: NaN Feet
Small side drainage joins in from LDC (east).
- UprNeon14
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64767
W -111.09894
Elev: NaN Feet
Drop of about 8 feet to partner assist downclimb. Continue down canyon with a few short easy galumphs and downclimbs.
- UprNeon15
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64740
W -111.09955
Elev: NaN Feet
Downclimb of about 6 feet that is a little awkward as it is at the end of a tilted crack.
- dUprNeonR2
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64706
W -111.10019
Elev: NaN Feet
Rap 2 - Upper Neon. Just after a large pothole to downclimb into and swim or bypass on the RDC side the scramble down to the anchor on the down canyon side of the pothole. Anchored from a choke stone and would use about 35 feet of rope as it winds down a couple downclimbable ledges to a vertical drop of about 10 feet.
On our visit June 2020 we were able to partner assist this drop using a large stick and multiple people.
- dUprNeonR3
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64689
W -111.10077
Elev: NaN Feet
Rap 3 - Upper Neon. Anchored from a chock stone and drops about 25 feet down a narrow crack that slowly flares out and becomes slick making the last 10 feet risky to downclimb. Continue down canyon and over a couple easy downclimbs and short wades in water along the way.
On our visit June 2020 we were able to find a long log and use multiple people to partner assist this drop.
- dUprNeonR4
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64569
W -111.10150
Elev: NaN Feet
Rap 4 - Upper Neon. Anchored from a tree about 20 feet back and uses about 160 feet of rope dropping about 125 feet down a mostly vertical wall over a hanging garden and very deep pool. The pool at the bottom is deep, super pretty and invites multiple rounds of jumping from rocks and swimming. Continue down canyon in a long watery thickly vegetated section for about 0.35 miles.
- UprNeon16
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64032
W -111.10568
Elev: NaN Feet
Wide bowl like area on the LDC side where a side drainage joins in. Just after this side drainage then canyon begins to widen to easier walking as the vegetation thins out. Continue down canyon in wide open spaces and easy travel with a couple short easy downclimbs.
- UprNeon17
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63645
W -111.11385
Elev: NaN Feet
Start of a short slot to galumph through for about 80 feet to the next rap.
- dUprNeonR5
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63628
W -111.11404
Elev: NaN Feet
Rap 5 - Upper Neon. Anchored from a single rusted bolted hanger LDC about head high and drops about 60 feet down through and arch and is free hanging most of the rappel.
- UprNeon18
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63572
W -111.11609
Elev: NaN Feet
Corridor a couple hundred feet long with the RDC wall carved out forming a half sided subway.
- UprNeon19EE
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63391
W -111.12037
Elev: NaN Feet
Small boulder filled drainage joins in from LDC (south) that can be climbed up to exit and connect with the exit route.
- UprNeon20
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63414
W -111.12091
Elev: NaN Feet
Slide of about 12 feet down into a pool.
- UprNeon21
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63488
W -111.12245
Elev: NaN Feet
Stem style downclimb of about 15 feet down a crack to a narrow section of canyon with a pool to swim then galumphing for about 100 feet to a log jamb and rappel.
- dUprNeonR6
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63478
W -111.12292
Elev: NaN Feet
Rap 6 - Upper Neon. Anchored from a log jam and drops about 15 feet to a deep narrow section of canyon with wading and swimming. Shortly down canyon is a downclimb of about 10 feet down to water in a very narrow slot that can be stemmed over with effort.
- UprNeon22
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63427
W -111.12375
Elev: NaN Feet
Canyon does a sharp left - right jog through cross joints then opens up to brief easy walking.
- UprNeon23
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63364
W -111.12449
Elev: NaN Feet
Another narrow slot with water to swim through. Shortly after is a downclimb / scramble down a sloped and winding downclimb.
- UprNeon24
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63260
W -111.12628
Elev: NaN Feet
A few downclimbs into narrow sections with water to wade through before reaching a confluence with a large fork.
- UprNeon25EE
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63198
W -111.12582
Elev: 5,020 Feet
Confluence where a large fork joins in from LDC. This large fork is where you start the exit out of Upper Neon.
Before exiting you can walk about 0.3 miles down canyon to what is known to some as Triborough Bridges then back to here to begin the exit.
To exit walk east up the side fork about 240 feet to a stemming upclimb up a short sloped constriction.
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| Upper Neon (4) - Side Trip down to Triborough Bridges |
- UprNeon25EE
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63198
W -111.12582
Elev: 5,020 Feet
Confluence where a large fork joins in from LDC. This large fork is where you start the exit out of Upper Neon.
Before exiting you can walk about 0.3 miles down canyon to what is known to some as Triborough Bridges then back to here to begin the exit.
To exit walk east up the side fork about 240 feet to a stemming upclimb up a short sloped constriction.
- UprNeon25
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63169
W -111.12832
Elev: NaN Feet
Corridor about 150 feet long.
- UprNeon26
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63210
W -111.12919
Elev: NaN Feet
Side drainage drops in on the LDC (north) side.
- UprNeon-TriArch
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63201
W -111.13073
Elev: 5,020 Feet
Start of a 15 foot deep committing slot where you can see the first of the three small bridges known to some as Triborough Bridges. To go see the three bridges you will need to drop into this slot, go see the bridges then get back out of this slot.
One option to see the bridges is to take turns rappelling from a meat anchor then ascending out then trading places so everyone can go see the bridges. For the taller people comfortable with stemming you can bridge over the slot for about 50 feet to just over the top of the first bridge then drop down to the top of the bridge and easily scramble into the slot. To get out reverse this. Travel down canyon with easy drops until you have seen 3 bridges then turn around. Continuing past the 3rd bridge is not advised as it leads to potholes that will not be easily reversed.
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| Upper Neon (5) - Exit |
- UprNeon25EE
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63198
W -111.12582
Elev: 5,020 Feet
Confluence where a large fork joins in from LDC. This large fork is where you start the exit out of Upper Neon.
Before exiting you can walk about 0.3 miles down canyon to what is known to some as Triborough Bridges then back to here to begin the exit.
To exit walk east up the side fork about 240 feet to a stemming upclimb up a short sloped constriction.
- UprNeonEx01
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63197
W -111.12536
Elev: NaN Feet
Sloped constriction of about 15 feet to upclimb while exiting up this fork.
- UprNeonEx02
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63203
W -111.12509
Elev: NaN Feet
Awkward stem style upclimb of about 10 feet. Partner assist can help get the first person up who can then toss a rope to those who follow. Skilled up climbers can do this without assist.
- UprNeonEx03
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63187
W -111.12420
Elev: NaN Feet
Crack / chute on the LUC (north) side to scramble up about 15 feet to a ledge system. After scrambling up, follow the ledge system east up canyon.
- UprNeonEx04
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63175
W -111.12352
Elev: NaN Feet
Start up a sloped crack leading up from the ledge system then scramble onto and up the steep slickrock nose up to the next higher ledge system in wide open rolling slickrock. Once in more level terrain route find northeast about 1000 feet to wide slickrock saddle.
- UprNeonEx05
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63364
W -111.11991
Elev: NaN Feet
Saddle where you can look down to the north down into Upper Neon where you were earlier and look south down into the side fork used for the exit. Continue east by route finding up slickrock fins.
- UprNeonEx06
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63420
W -111.11798
Elev: NaN Feet
Turn right and scramble up to the south about 80 feet to cross over to another set of fins where you can then continue east again up those fins.
- UprNeonEx07
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63446
W -111.11535
Elev: NaN Feet
As you approach this small dirt mesa contour around it on the left (northside) for easier travel. After getting around the small dirt mesa, walk about 1000 feet down then up gently sloped wide open slickrock.
- UprNeonEx08
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63616
W -111.10968
Elev: NaN Feet
When nearing the top of the smooth slickrock do not start scrambling up to the mesa top yet. Instead stay along the top of the smooth slickrock and contour left (north) around the mesa following a slickrock sidewalk zone just below the dirt and rock slope.
- UprNeonEx09
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63813
W -111.10349
Elev: NaN Feet
Slickrock sidewalk turns right as it begins to travel southeast following the rim of a side fork. As you round the corner begin contouring up dirt and rock slopes toward the mesa.
- UprNeonEx10
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63730
W -111.10179
Elev: NaN Feet
Where convenient begin scrambling directly up the hill and up onto the mesa top.
- UprNeonEx11
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.63589
W -111.09937
Elev: NaN Feet
Once on the mesa top, route find east through rolling desert and slowly turn left wrapping around minor drainages as you head north.
- UprNeonEx12
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64121
W -111.09188
Elev: 5,860 Feet
As you pass the highpoint on the mesa continue north a few hundred feet then begin route finding out onto and slowly down a wide ridgeline.
- UprNeonEx13
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64736
W -111.09283
Elev: NaN Feet
When the ridge turns from dirt to more slickrock, continue down and begin to veer right to travel more northeast looking for a way to scramble down to the right (east) down into the drainage below. The large drainage seen below is the same drainage you were in on the approach and where you want to get to for your exit.
- UprNeonEx14
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64951
W -111.09092
Elev: NaN Feet
Begin scrambling and or crab walking steep slickrock to the large drainage below navigating up and around minor rock fins on the way.
- UprNeon04
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64997
W -111.08801
Elev: NaN Feet
Fork in the wash.
On the approach, scramble up the nose between two forks and continue north in rolling slickrock. After scrambling up the nose, route find north through rolling slickrock valley then up the other side then down to an upper fork of Upper Neon about 0.4 miles away.
Note: The route we took in June of 2020 was to veer slightly northeast and wrap around over varied terrain. A more direct northerly route will likely work better.
On the exit once down into the wash, turn right and travel south down the wash and reverse the approach route back to the parking spot.
- UprNeon03
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64956
W -111.08813
Elev: 5,525 Feet
Top of the steep part of the approach wash where boulder scrambling turns to more level wash. Continue north up the wash about 150 feet to a fork in the wash.
- UprNeon02
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64597
W -111.08656
Elev: NaN Feet
Wash starts getting steeper with more continuous scrambling over boulders. As you near the top of the steep ravine travel it is easier to scramble up the large boulders on the west side rather than directly up the watercourse.
- UprNeon01
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64428
W -111.08090
Elev: NaN Feet
Small shelf in the wash to scramble up and where a smaller side wash comes in from the north. Continue northwest up the main wash.
- pUprNeon
Lat/Lon (WGS84): N 37.64189
W -111.07784
Elev: 4,880 Feet
Park spot for Upper Neon in a wash just off the main road where the road crosses a wash about 300 feet before reaching a sharp left turn in the road.
To go to start the Upper Neon Route walk away from the road following northwest up a wide wash. A ravine seen to the north is not the ravine you will be going up. The main wash will lead up to a boulder filled ravine that can not yet be seen from the trailhead.
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