Upper Neon Canyon - Late April 2026

Brewster1960

Brewster1960

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Joined
Jun 12, 2026
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After 40 years of remote backcountry trips (mostly in Southern Utah), I've finally joined this site and am writing a post. I'm starting with my most recent trip, hiking the SE rim of Neon Canyon in the Escalante. It was supposed to be a loop... up Neon, crossing a pass at the head, and descending the SE rim of Choprock. Along the way I was wanting to rap into the canyons to explore and reascend with a 100' rope. Alas, the canyon was at least twice as deep in the lower and central sections than what the USGS contours indicated. So my 3.5 lbs of gear for that ended up being dead weight. The trip was cut short into an out-and-back due to a lack of pothole water (despite recent rains), as well as not bringing enough backup battery for my new iPhone to last. But at least I managed to see all of Neon from the rim. It wasn't a very photogenic trip but it was an enjoyable Wingate route. Sorry for the large image sizes...I assumed this site would size them down smaller. I guess pre-editing is required. :-(

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Mysterious hoof marks (likely bighorns) indicating an activity I can't figure out. Anyone ever seen something like this, and know the cause?:
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From the Neon/Choprock pass looking north:
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Please, keep the photos full size. Only way to do it justice.
Nice pics and nice report. thanks for sharing
 
Very nice. I have been up between Neon and Choprock, opposite rim per your description- it seems you were on the Baker Bench?
There is a lot more convoluted micronavigating up there than a map suggests.

I like the shot through the little arch. Water was tantalizingly close...
 
Ugly said:
Very nice. I have been up between Neon and Choprock, opposite rim per your description- it seems you were on the Baker Bench?
There is a lot more convoluted micronavigating up there than a map suggests.

I like the shot through the little arch. Water was tantalizingly close...
Click to expand...
I suppose you could say Neon is the dividing line between Choprock Bench and Baker Bench. So I was indeed on the Baker Bench side then. Convoluted micronavigation, but made easier by pre-trip analysis of satellite imaging. The arch (natural bridge) actually had a rap anchor there, but for a few reasons, I didn't descend from it...water was easily accessible upstream.
 
Wow - great scenes! I especially love the pictures from up above, including the wavy one. We hope to hike Silver Falls/Choprock this fall. You were on the SE rim of Neon, but I have a line on my map (but I can't remember where I got it from) that's on the NW side. We don't have any technical skills, and I'm wondering if we have enough ability to get above Neon - on one side or the other - for an out-and-back dayhike to see some of that fun lumpy stuff. Do you think that might be possible? Based on @John Morrow's info, we're planning to go above the Escalante on the west side between Harris and Fence, but I'd love to consider additional options. Also, you mention the Neon/Choprock pass. I assume we wouldn't get there, but I'm curious where it actually is. Any additional info would be great!
 
Janice said:
Wow - great scenes! I especially love the pictures from up above, including the wavy one. We hope to hike Silver Falls/Choprock this fall. You were on the SE rim of Neon, but I have a line on my map (but I can't remember where I got it from) that's on the NW side. We don't have any technical skills, and I'm wondering if we have enough ability to get above Neon - on one side or the other - for an out-and-back dayhike to see some of that fun lumpy stuff. Do you think that might be possible? Based on @John Morrow's info, we're planning to go above the Escalante on the west side between Harris and Fence, but I'd love to consider additional options. Also, you mention the Neon/Choprock pass. I assume we wouldn't get there, but I'm curious where it actually is. Any additional info would be great!
Click to expand...
Hi Janice! I'll DM you later today, but briefly...there are several class 2 routes up onto the benches near Neon from the Egypt TH.
 
I have a pair of Gibbs ascenders on one knee and one foot and a pair of Jumars for the hands ........ way old school but still works adequately climbing up ropes. Don't do much of that anymore tho.
 
hellroaring said:
Fabulous pics! A curious question, what kind of setup do you use to reascend the rope?
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Hi! My entire gear setup is all about weight savings, since I'm going multi-day backcountry with it. I got it down to 3.5 lbs., but it requires items that are intended for ski mountaineering: Petzl Whisper harness, Tibloc ascenders, and a 100' Petzl 6mm Rad Line (expensive!). Rappelling with that skinny slick rope is sketchy unless using specific techniques to keep from losing control. If you're really interested, and have experience with rappelling/canyoneering, I can DM you with some details.
 
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