Class 2 3B III (170 ft max) 3.6 miles 1500 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Oct 7, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Water 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.

Follow a sandy trail that takes you into the mouth of Water Canyon. The trail becomes less clear once you enter Water Canyon, but keep to the west side of the canyon and you can find ledges that will lead you up Water Canyon. The ascent route intersects with a few rappels, so you'll find yourself within Water Canyon wondering if you made a wrong turn when you see bolts next to you, but fear not! Eventually, if you get to a spot that feels like Class 4 or harder, you've gone too far. Scope out a ramp on the west side of Water Canyon and follow a thin use trail up the cliff face on what feels like an impossible route, but actually goes quite smoothly. Once on top of the west side cliff, you'll be at Top Rock, which has some great views into Water Canyon. Continue on a less obvious trail down into a shallow canyon that drains east into Water Canyon. Take this to Water Canyon's head and the first rappel will be waiting for you.

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Follow a sandy trail into Water Canyon.
Follow a sandy trail into Water Canyon.
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Entrance to Water Canyon. You come out the same way after the rappels.
Entrance to Water Canyon. You come out the same way after the rappels.
Really pretty grotto.
Really pretty grotto.
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Heading up the left side of the canyon. It's pretty easy to follow, but you may need to backtrack in spots to find the route.
Heading up the left side of the canyon. It's pretty easy to follow, but you may need to backtrack in spots to find the route.
A section where the entrance route intersects with the canyoneering route.
A section where the entrance route intersects with the canyoneering route.
Getting out of the canyon and starting the steep ascent.
Getting out of the canyon and starting the steep ascent.
Looking back down Water Canyon.
Looking back down Water Canyon.
Beautiful trail up the side of the cliff.
Beautiful trail up the side of the cliff.
After lots of gain, arrive at Top Rock. Continue past it until you get to a wash.
After lots of gain, arrive at Top Rock. Continue past it until you get to a wash.
The wash marking the start of Water Canyon.
The wash marking the start of Water Canyon.
Head of Water Canyon, looking down the route.
Head of Water Canyon, looking down the route.
Short narrow section willed with water before the first big rappel. This is avoidable.
Short narrow section willed with water before the first big rappel. This is avoidable.
First and longest rappel.
First and longest rappel.
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Super pretty.
Super pretty.
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Narrow section opens up. There are lots of avoidable rappels if you want to just downclimb, but the raps tend to land in water, so don't miss the fun.
Narrow section opens up. There are lots of avoidable rappels if you want to just downclimb, but the raps tend to land in water, so don't miss the fun.
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Me prepping to rappel.
Me prepping to rappel.
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A rappel that comes through that crack in the wall. Obviously, you could just downclimb just upcanyon, but where's the fun in that?
A rappel that comes through that crack in the wall. Obviously, you could just downclimb just upcanyon, but where's the fun in that?
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Me rapping down one of the longer rappels.
Me rapping down one of the longer rappels.
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The last rappel, next to a tiny waterfall.
The last rappel, next to a tiny waterfall.
Back at the grotto.
Back at the grotto.

Hire me or show me some love!

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!