Cedar Mesa

The Black Hole of the White Canyon

The Black Hole of the White Canyon is a wonderfully dramatic canyon name, perfect for this beautiful route. Located in the remote wilds of Cedar Mesa, Utah, this canyon can be accessed from UT 95, about an hour south of Hanksville. It is best to set a shuttle for the exit, which is also along a pullout along the highway. Beta is available here: Canyoneering The Black Hole of White Canyon - Hite - Road Trip Ryan. White Canyon is a huge canyon system, spanning more than 45 miles and passing through Natural Bridges National Monument. This canyon runs for more than 30 miles along UT 95 – a very remote and scenic highway that gives access to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Natural Bridges NM and Bears Ears NM. Most of the White Canyon can be hiked and accessed from the highway in multiple places. However, the deepest, [...]

Cheesebox Canyon, Cedar Mesa, Utah

Deep in the wilds of Cedar Mesa is an incredible canyon with a ridiculous name. The strangely named Cheesebox Canyon is about an hour south of Hanksville, UT. One theory about the name of the canyon is that it is overlooked by an interesting box-shaped mesa. Perhaps someone had a similarly shaped box where they stored cheese. Perhaps we will never know. Cheesebox is a fairly beginner-friendly canyon with five short rappels and quite a bit of water. I would almost classify it as a hikeaneering route going through spectacular scenery. Getting to the trailhead requires four-wheel drive with good clearance for the 11 mile drive down a rough road off highway and setting a shuttle for the exit is a good idea. Beta is available here: Cheesebox Canyon - ropewiki It was the very end of May when we found ourselves at the trailhead getting ready to plunge [...]