Escalante Neon Canyon - Zion Adventure Company

GUIDED BACKPACKING/CANYONEERING

ESCALANTE - NEON CANYON

Grand Staircase-Escalante was the last place in the continental United States to be mapped. The 1.9 million acres of canyons, cliffs and plateaus are rugged, remote and strikingly beautiful. The Escalante drainage is home to a myriad of narrow, sinuous canyons cut into the Navajo and Wingate sandstone.

A journey through Neon Canyon is a canyoneering and backpacking experience for the strong, capable adventurer. Its location evades many, who often must make multiple trips before uncovering its whereabouts.

Those committed souls fortunate enough to locate it, are duly rewarded by Neon’s majesty. A day of rappelling, down-climbing, stemming, pothole escapes, and swimming lead them to the most awe-inspiring site of all. The Golden Cathedral. You may recognize this world-renowned chamber from magazines and advertisements. Can you envision yourself rappelling down through the floor of the canyon; through that ancient, beautiful, pothole arch? Let us make that dream a reality.

Be one of the fortunate ones and

experience Neon's majesty

Details

We designed this event for proficient backpackers excited to combine their skills with ours to visit extraordinary places reachable only with technical assistance. Backpacking experience is very helpful on this trip, as we must pack all necessary gear into camp, including technical equipment for the canyon's swims and rappels. In addition to your personal gear, you will also be responsible for packing in a shared portion of group gear. Technical experience is not necessary, but we ask participants to meet the following requirements:

Age 18 or older
Must be comfortable swimming in small pools of stagnant water (pond-like)
Reasonably fit
Comfortable backpacking over rugged, off-trail terrain with a 35lbs+ pack

LOGISTICAL DETAILS:

Day 1: Depart from Egypt Trailhead early, backpacking to the mouth of Neon Canyon on the Escalante River. Set up camp, grab your headlamp, and then spend the afternoon in one of the darkest canyons in Escalante: Ringtail Canyon.

Day 2: Descent of Neon Canyon; including an epic rappel through the ceiling of the world famous Golden Cathedral.

Day 3: Break camp and hike back to the Egypt Trailhead

Pricing includes meals, technical gear including: harnesses, devices, helmets, drysuits/wetsuits (seasonally), group camping equipment (as detailed in "What to Bring"), and a 4:1 guest to guide ratio. We aim for trips of six guests and two guides, though we often have more or less.

We recommend travel insurance if the trip dates need to change or itinerary modified/cancelled due to weather, logistics complications, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Dates

2023
Due to temperatures and conditions, this trip is the most enjoyable in the Spring and Fall.

Late March - Late May & Late September - Early November

Pricing

$1499 for 2 people

$1399 for 3 people

$1099 for 4+ people

*Two person minimum

What to Bring

You are responsible for packing lightly AND thoroughly. Your supplies should include:

60 - 80-liter backpacking pack that fits you
Personal hygiene items
Two to three 1-liter water bottles (NO hydration packs)
Bug repellant
Sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat
Hiking socks and extra hiking socks
Rain jacket
Warm jacket (could get windy and cold at night)
Quick-dry hiking shorts
Non-cotton t-shirt or two
Warm skull cap or thin wool hat for under the helmet
Non-cotton underwear
Pertinent allergy meds, insulin, epi-pen, etc., as needed
Camp shoes (Crocs work very well)
Light hiking footwear (if not used to 5.10 Canyoneers)
Headlamp with back-up set of batteries
Hiking poles (optional)
Sleeping gear (tent, sleeping bag & pad)
Snacks, electrolyte drinks, and personal junk food stash

Zion Adventure Company will provide:

Camp kitchen, including plates, cups, and flatware
Canyoneering gear (individual and group items)
Canyoneering shoes and socks for everyone
Canyoneering packs and drybags
Drysuits and/or wetsuits, as needed
Healthy food for all meals
- Please let us know if you have any particular dietary restrictions or allergies

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"We hiked, climbed, down climbed.swam, and rappelled. The trip had everything you could ask for in a canyoneering adventure... By the end of the trip those who had little experience with this type of activity were comfortable in their skills. I just can't say enough good things about this organization. I would recommend them to anyone without reservation."
Tripadvisor - October 2014