Tracking in the Leopard Canyon

Comments:
Back in the Leopard Canyon, now which I call the ‘LPC’. Yes, I used the word ‘tracking’ in the title. Seems the hiking community is running out of ‘surprise’ trails now, we end up here again. Good hike though.

Marking all other logs as private and using this a main reference for the general public / community.

Notes:
Parking for sedans is only possible on the side of the Jebel Jais road, next to the truck cafe where Google Maps shows 'Leopard Canyons'. From there, hike teams transfer to 4x4s for a 5-6 km drive over rocks and pebbles towards the hike start point. You will drive by 'Challenging Adventure' premises - don't park there, you should be able to park farther down on the side of this road. This area is popular so you'll see a lot of cars parked already.

The hike starts on the road with a mix of gravel and dust. You walk past a couple of houses and farms, an electrical power installation (on your right), a goat farm, onto the last house down the road with a lot of UAE Flags. I refer to it as the 'Flag House'. A friendly guy working at the house is usually hanging outside there - say hello - offering cold bottled water as goodwill. You will walk up the drive path of the Flag House and look for a downward path into the rocks on your left. Cross the rocks on to the other side of the dried riverbed. If you continue on the rocks on the dried riverbed you will suffer and have a much slower pace. It is tough and useless imo.

Navigate similarly on the side of the dried riverbed i.e. the foot of the hill which is a flattish track and gives you a faster pace. You will, however, approach a lot of impasses where you'll have to cross over onto the other bank until you reach the end of the canyon, the point that is being called 'hanging gardens', but I call, 'the wall'. You will encounter a lot of boulders and stones which are an interesting challenge of this trail, you will have fun solving (overcoming them). It is challenging if you start out in the sun and you're not comfortable with pulling yourself over large steps or stones.

Make sure you have 2.5L of water or a mix of liquids to keep you hydrated. I highly recommend investing a good pair of ankle covering hiking shoes and a backpack with a hook to support a 2L water bladder. In UAE you can order one from Amazon or Decathlon. Grab a small sandwich from a petrol pump on your way here for a nice break when you rest at the wall. Start the hike with your phone fully charged, keep a fully charged power bank as well. There are no signals inside the canyon. Wear a cap, sunglasses, long sleeve top, buff around your neck and rugged full-fingered gloves to protect your hands from the sharp rocks.

You'll come across a lot of playful mountain goats showing-off their mountain climbing skills.

I suggest complete beginners only to take this trail with someone more experienced, take a slower pace and to take several rest breaks on the numerous trees that dot this trail.