Trip Date: October 25, 2018
2018 UTAH ADVENTURE VACATION
Goblin’s Lair Cavern Exploration Loop
Goblin Valley
The Goblin’s Lair
Trip Report Summary
Region: Utah
Sub-Region: Southeastern Utah
Sub-Sub-Region: San Rafael Swell
Area: Goblin Valley State Park
Starting & Ending Point: Goblin Valley Trailhead on Goblin Valley Road (Elev. 5000 feet)
Way Points: Goblin Valley & Goblin’s Lair cavern (trail hike & rock scramble & rappel); return via backside trail (rock scramble & trail hike)
Invert: The Goblin’s Lair (down & out traverse)
Approximate Stats: 2 miles traveled; 100 feet gained & lost; 2.4 hours elapsed.
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Full Trip Report
Eileen and I made an autumn trip to southeastern Utah for three days of canyoneering with friends Lisa, Kevin, and Dwayne. We met up at Goblin Valley State Park and spent the night in the local campground. The impressive sandstone cliffs of Wild Horse Butte stand above this campground like a desert Parthenon.
- Wild Horse Butte At Goblin Valley
The campground offers nice accommodations. Every campsite has a small shelter, a picnic table, a fire pit, and two tent platforms.
- Goblin Valley Campground
Sunrise at the campground is pretty nice, too.
- Sunrise At Goblin Valley
The next morning, we made a short drive over to Goblin Valley Trailhead and began hiking through the vast field of bizarre rock formations. They are called “goblins” here, for obvious reasons; elsewhere, they might be called “hoodoos.” Such formations are caused by differential weathering of rock outcrops.
- Field Of Goblins
- Walking Thru Goblin Valley
We wound our way around hundreds of goblins until coming upon a hole in the bedrock. This hole leads directly into a dark subterranean cavern called “The Goblins Lair.” I had never been canyoneering before, so it was a bit unnerving when my companions started pulling out harnesses and a rappel rope. Apparently, this sport routinely involves rappelling into scary, dark, bottomless holes—something quite different from the mountaineering rappels that I’m accustomed to!
Using an established anchor, we took turns making an 80-foot free-hanging rappel into the abyss. It did indeed seem suitable for a goblin’s lair.
- Rappelling Into The Goblins Lair
- Eileen In The Goblins Lair
Fortunately, there was an exit opening off to the side, allowing for an easy hike back to the trailhead (2.4 hours round trip).
Area Map
- Goblin Valley Relief Map (Goblin Valley State Park Visitor Center)
Photo Gallery
Click to enlarge…
