Leprechaun

Leprechaun

North Wash—Irish Canyons

The group of routes known as the Irish Canyons are (north to south) Lucky Charms, Shillelagh, Blarney, and Leprechaun.

2024-02-24—nine of us completed the left fork in 4h 30m. With how tight this fork was for me, I won't be attempting the middle fork anytime soon.

What to Expect
3A III** ACA Canyon Rating
  • This route requires standard technical gear.
  • You can usually expect dry conditions.
  • Competent and smaller groups (4±) typically complete the route in 5–8 hours
In my opinion, this route was pretty good and is worth doing again.
Other Details
Skill Level:
Beginner to expert (Middle Fork has the most risks)
Seasons:
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter—Hot in Summer
Rappels:
3 to 50 ft
Anchors:
Natural
Additional Gear:
Long sleeves and pants
Water:
Knee to waist deep, no swimming
Flash Flood Risk:
Moderate
Group Size:
Less than 6
Expected Time:
3–6 hours each fork
Notes:
  • Physical canyon requiring constant downclimbing, squeezing, stemming and chimneying. Basic rock climbing skills are a must and sticky shoes are a bonus.
  • A fun, physically demanding and a technically challenging adventure. The beauty of this canyon is spectacular, the narrows are extremely tight, dramatic, unrelenting and perilous.
  • Suggested order...
  • Right Fork is very straight forward and a good introduction
  • Left Fork has a bit of tricky anchor work
  • Middle Fork is VERY narrow! This is not a good place for claustrophobes, or large boned canyoneers. Although you can generally go high, it often is difficult to get above constrictions, and the rock is very crumbly and unpredictable.
Nearby Routes:
Death Canyon, Blarney, Lucky Charms, Shillelagh, Shenanigans, Monkey Business

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