Canyoneer Ringpin Canyon Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

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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.

Ringpin Canyon is a cute little remote canyon on the Arizona side of the Colorado River, south of Lake Mead. Apparently it used to be a wet canyon, but it's completely full of gravel now. This resulted in a really easy introductory canyon experience, but it's quite pretty and worth the minimal effort, though it's not really a destination canyon by any means. That being said, there are no bolts at the rappels, so expect to build your own anchors. You can access Cranes Nest Wash Road by navigating here (35.94507416248944, -114.64520244512336) and following the gravel and sand to the trailhead. Mid-clearance required to avoid a couple of big rocks, but likely not 4WD.

From the parking area, we hiked up the road for a minute and continued up a side-drainage leading east. A couple of Class 2/2+ moves within the wash up small dryfalls brought us to a wide saddle. We dropped south into the drainage that would lead to the mouth of Ringpin Canyon. The walls became colorful and narrow and we encountered two short stemmy-downclimbs (one of which might be better rappelled for some parties). We came across the first true rappel, where we rebuilt a cairn anchor. After more pretty narrows, we came to the second and final rappel, which used a pinch point in the canyon wall. Both raps were short and straightforward, and we found ourselves at the Colorado River in no time.

There are a few options to complete this canyon. Since the rappels are so short, you could just set up handlines and return back up-canyon. Alternatively, you could likely just skirt the east bank of the Colorado River and head north to Cranes Nest Wash. At least from our rafts, the terrain seemed to be maximum Class 2/3, which is uncommon since the walls tend to be sheer cliffs in the Black Canyon. A fall would result in a three-foot drop into the river, so it's certainly not high-risk. It would likely not be a pleasant experience though, since the banks are loose and crumbly. The fun way, and honestly probably the highlight of the route in my opinon, woud be to bring inflatable rafts and paddle upstream back to Cranes Nest Wash. We felt ridiculous as actual kayakers passed our giggling selves as we paddled upstream with our stupid $25 floaties. Once at Cranes Nest Wash, we headed up the canyon back to our cars, a couple of short Class 2 obstacles along the way.

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Starting to the east up a drainage.

At the top of the drainage looking back on some Class 2/3 osbtacles.

At a wide saddle as we drop down to the south into the drainage leading to the head of Ringpin Canyon.

Heading west toward Ringpin Canyon.

Ringpin Canyon ahead.

Entering the narrows.

One of a few short down climbs.

A stemmy-downclimb that some parties may want to rappel.

View at the stemmy-downclimb.

The narrows were delightful.

First rappel off a cairn anchor.

Second rappel off a pinch point. We backed each other up for this one, but the anchor was great.

Last bit of narrows.

Another short downclimb.

Ringpin Canyon opens up, Colorado River visible ahead.

At the river, view back up Ringpin Canyon.

Saddled up and ready to paddle upstream. It was slow, but totally doable. The river was barely moving.

View back at Shawn, Ringpin Canyon visible center. Also, you can see the bank of the river is pretty reasonable and you can likely just skirt the side to get up to Cranes Nest Wash, but it would be loose and unpleasant compared to paddling.

About 3/4 mile upstream, the sheer wall marks the mouth of Cranes Nest Wash.

Heading up Cranes Nest Wash, back to the car.

View back down Cranes Nest Wash as we continue up the canyon.

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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!