The ground rules for climbing location "yeahs" and "neahs"
Summary
Echo Canyon is located off Interstate 80 about 1 hour east of Salt Lake City, UT or Ogden, UT. It is a small series of cliff/canyon bands of reddish colored conglomerate rock (similar to the famous Maple Canyon). Looking on a map, it seems like it is in the middle of nowhere, and as far as amenities are concerned, it is. But its trashiness and proximity to the Interstate and railroad tracks annihilate any sense of peaceful remoteness.
Grades, Bolting, and Guidebook Tips
This area is more recently developed and the grades are in line with "modern" climbing grades. The bolts are closely spaced and end in anchors. A number of climbs share anchors, so watch out for that.
A few climbs are in David Robb's Ogden Area Climbing Guide from Brigham City to Echo Canyon, but Mountain Project is currently the best resource for this area. On Mountain Project, find it under Utah (not Wasatch). In Mountain Project there are nice detailed directions with mileage listed for each wall/area. https://www.mountainproject.com/v/echo-canyon/105855359
Camping
There are primitive make-shift camping sites up in some of the canyons. There is one larger site that can be driven into at Bear Hollow. There is a "fire-pit" and small stream (that may not run in the summer) next to the site. Honestly, I don't know if you would get any sleep here between the trains and Interstate noise. With the number of shot gun shells and graffiti, I'd personally have the heebee jeebees "sleeping" here.
There is nice pay camping at nearby Echo Reservoir (about a 5-10 minute drive away).
Rock Type and Climbing Style
The rock here is conglomerate (river rocks and pebbles in sandstone), very similar to the famous (and far more beautiful and extensive) Maple Canyon. The rock quality is pretty solid, but rocks definitely do pop out of the matrix. It is recommended to wear a helmet. The climbing style is face. If you have never climbed this style of rock, you might consider trying some easier climbs first. From the bottom of a climb it looks like holds-galore - not necessarily so!
Yeahs
Neahs
- Each location will receive an opinion rating - "It Rocks!", "Worth It," "Meh," or "Trash."
- Each crag has its own personality with unique advantages and challenges, which are highlighted.
- It is tempting to list “beautiful” as a “yeah,” but that is true for a lot of crags. I allude to beauty and scenery in the summary. You can also (sometimes) tell by the photo. If the place is a dump, then that will be listed in the “neahs” and rated as "Meh" or "Trash.
Summary
Echo Canyon is located off Interstate 80 about 1 hour east of Salt Lake City, UT or Ogden, UT. It is a small series of cliff/canyon bands of reddish colored conglomerate rock (similar to the famous Maple Canyon). Looking on a map, it seems like it is in the middle of nowhere, and as far as amenities are concerned, it is. But its trashiness and proximity to the Interstate and railroad tracks annihilate any sense of peaceful remoteness.
Grades, Bolting, and Guidebook Tips
This area is more recently developed and the grades are in line with "modern" climbing grades. The bolts are closely spaced and end in anchors. A number of climbs share anchors, so watch out for that.
A few climbs are in David Robb's Ogden Area Climbing Guide from Brigham City to Echo Canyon, but Mountain Project is currently the best resource for this area. On Mountain Project, find it under Utah (not Wasatch). In Mountain Project there are nice detailed directions with mileage listed for each wall/area. https://www.mountainproject.com/v/echo-canyon/105855359
Camping
There are primitive make-shift camping sites up in some of the canyons. There is one larger site that can be driven into at Bear Hollow. There is a "fire-pit" and small stream (that may not run in the summer) next to the site. Honestly, I don't know if you would get any sleep here between the trains and Interstate noise. With the number of shot gun shells and graffiti, I'd personally have the heebee jeebees "sleeping" here.
There is nice pay camping at nearby Echo Reservoir (about a 5-10 minute drive away).
Rock Type and Climbing Style
The rock here is conglomerate (river rocks and pebbles in sandstone), very similar to the famous (and far more beautiful and extensive) Maple Canyon. The rock quality is pretty solid, but rocks definitely do pop out of the matrix. It is recommended to wear a helmet. The climbing style is face. If you have never climbed this style of rock, you might consider trying some easier climbs first. From the bottom of a climb it looks like holds-galore - not necessarily so!
Yeahs
- Cool rock
- Nicely bolted routes
- Echo Reservior - A lake is about a 5-10 minute drive away. Great for a cool dip on a hot day.
Neahs
- Very loud - frequent trains and constant semi-trucks cruising by. The noise is so close and so loud that it is difficult to concentrate. A bad combo if you are trying to stick a hard move on lead.
- Diesel and creosote fumes - The fumes are strong and constant. A headache is almost guaranteed.
- Black soot on the rock and in the soil from the trains. It gets all over your clothes and hands.
- Trashy - Glass, shot gun shells, and graffiti.
"Rock Art" adds to the "ambience" at Echo Canyon, Utah.
Opinion Rating
Meh (I really wish I could give it "worth it"...)
I vacillated between giving this a Meh versus a Trash rating, and I really wish I could give it a "worth it" rating because the rock and bolting are great. I want to applaud and thank the efforts of the route developers here. The area is actually pretty but unfortunately marred by thoughtless people and detracted from by the trains and interstate. The trashiness (e.g. shot gun shells, graffiti) combined with diesel fumes, soot on the rock, and loud noise push things towards a "Trash" rating. So I settled in the middle with "Meh." If you think you can tolerate the noise, smell, and trash, then definitely check it out.