Parker Canyon in Tonto National Forest, AZ

Canyoneer Parker Canyon Tonto National Forest, AZ

Class 3 3B (80 ft max) 4.3 miles 900 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Jun 5, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Parker Canyon GPX Track

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This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

Parker Canyon (aka Parker Creek Canyon) was an excellent add-on to The Jug, which we did earlier in the day. The road to the head of Parker Canyon quickly became awful, so we parked just off AZ-288 and walked to the canyon head instead. A heavily-traveled social trail led us off the dirt road and into a minor drainage, which brought us to a small dam that is apparently used to determine the water flow before starting the canyon. It was clear that we would have a low flow day, and I'm sure the Class C rating would add some more fun to Parker Canyon, but we had a great time even with minimal water. Very quickly we knew it would be a good one. The overcast weather conditions meant great lighting, and the rock walls were unqiue sight for all of us.

The rappels were short and in my opinion, not the highlight of the excursion. Really, the colorful watercourse and incredible pinnacles of the canyon walls are what made it a gorgeous canyon. We were looking up in awe for the majority of the route. After a few straightforward rappels, we dropped down the final (and longest) rappel, which landed us a hundred feet or so from the escape gully. I used Google satellite as the background of my attached map rather than a terrain topo since it seemed more helpful to see the correct gully to exit out of. The exit included some low Class 3 and far less brush than we anticipated. After a steep scramble to the rim, we hiked cross-country on animal trails back to the dirt road that would lead us back to our cars.

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Despite how it appears in this photo, the dirt road is absolutely awful in spots. I recommend just parking shortly after leaving the main road marked 288.
Despite how it appears in this photo, the dirt road is absolutely awful in spots. I recommend just parking shortly after leaving the main road marked 288.
Entering the Parker Canyon from a side drainage.
Entering the Parker Canyon from a side drainage.
Entering Parker Canyon.
Entering Parker Canyon.
We passed the dam that determines water flow. Not much today, oh well.
We passed the dam that determines water flow. Not much today, oh well.
Continuing down Parker Canyon.
Continuing down Parker Canyon.
Incredibly colorful walls in Parker Canyon.
Incredibly colorful walls in Parker Canyon.
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Short drop into a narrow section.
Short drop into a narrow section.
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A handline or rappel. There are a bunch of obstacles like this for the first bit of Parker Canyon.
A handline or rappel. There are a bunch of obstacles like this for the first bit of Parker Canyon.
Looking back at a handline/rappel.
Looking back at a handline/rappel.
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Looking back toward one of the few short rappels.
Looking back toward one of the few short rappels.
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Final rappel before a long walk through the gorgeous watercourse.
Final rappel before a long walk through the gorgeous watercourse.
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Sorry for so many photos. We all took our time taking it in. Absolutely stunning colors and pinnacles.
Sorry for so many photos. We all took our time taking it in. Absolutely stunning colors and pinnacles.
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Another rappel.
Another rappel.
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Very pretty colors on this one.
Very pretty colors on this one.
Looking back toward the pretty rappel.
Looking back toward the pretty rappel.
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A little more watercourse hiking led us to the final rappel.
A little more watercourse hiking led us to the final rappel.
Final rappel on the right. The gully escape route we would use is visible top center.
Final rappel on the right. The gully escape route we would use is visible top center.
Looking back at the last rappel.
Looking back at the last rappel.
Close-up of the last rappel.
Close-up of the last rappel.
Heading up the gully escape route, which was less bad than expected.
Heading up the gully escape route, which was less bad than expected.
Looking back toward Parker Canyon's last rappel and watercourse as we ascend the escape gully.
Looking back toward Parker Canyon's last rappel and watercourse as we ascend the escape gully.
Class 2/3.
Class 2/3.
Looking back as we ascend.
Looking back as we ascend.
A social trail leads most of the way up, but expect some scrambling and bushwhacking. Pictured here is a section of scree.
A social trail leads most of the way up, but expect some scrambling and bushwhacking. Pictured here is a section of scree.
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At the top of the escape gully, looking into one of the many fingers of Parker Canyon.
At the top of the escape gully, looking into one of the many fingers of Parker Canyon.
Another shot from the rim of our escape gully.
Another shot from the rim of our escape gully.
Cross-country or on animal trails to get back to the dirt road.
Cross-country or on animal trails to get back to the dirt road.
We followed the dirt road back to our cars.
We followed the dirt road back to our cars.
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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!