Ding and Dang canyons

Stephen Fischer Photography

Rating: 2B-II

These canyons follow a similar terrain from that of the more popular Little Horse canyon, a bit further to the west.  If you find Little Horse a bit too crowded, consider this slot instead. The route takes you on a loop up one canyon called Ding, followed by a mile long midsection at the top end, and then back down a second canyon called Dang even further to the west. The name seemed amusing at first, and ahead of the hike I didn't know why it was coined.  Hiking up Ding, it wasn't too difficult and mostly dry; but coming down Dang turned out to be trickier, and I ended up having to get wet in order to pass due to narrower sections with some deeper pools of muddy water. So now it is more clear, repeating the word "dang" multiple times on the way down.

More hiking details on Ding and Dang canyons can be found here.