Wilbur Canyon in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Canyoneer Wilbur Canyon Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 3 3B (80 ft max) 2.2 miles 900 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Jun 8, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Wilbur 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.

After doing Bear Canyon and Sundance Canyon about a year ago with Matt, we were excited to add another canyon that drains into West Clear Creek to our resumes. Wilbur Canyon fit our requirement for being a half-day excursion. What we didn't foresee is quite how poor the road would be to get to the trailhead. Only high clearance vehicles with good tires can make it out there. Expect to add 6+ miles to your day without the proper vehicle.

We parked at a point along the road that made sense to drop to the west into Wilbur Canyon. We entered the watercourse as soon as we made it down, but you can avoid a few obstacles by staying on the rim for a few more hundred feet before dropping in. Some minor pools to either wade through or avoid, some gymnastics over a log or two, and short down climbs/partner assists brought us to the first rappel (80 feet, the longest of the canyon), and some incredibly colorful narrows.

The second rappel was short and into a wide and shallow pool. The third rappel was short and we decided to handline it instead of rappel, but put us into a narrow pool with a big log that we all successfully balanced on to avoid swimming. The third rap could be done as a two-stager with the fourth, but a bolt was in place so we took advantage of it for the fourth rappel. This rap was the prettiest in my opinion, a colorful and narrow drop into a slightly darker section of the canyon where the walls were much closer together.

A couple of handlines/downclimbs led to the final rappel into a warm pool. A 20 foot swim brought us into West Clear Creek, where we enjoyed the sunlight and tall, pretty sandstone walls before heading east. All too quickly, we had to start looking for the escape route out of West Clear Creek, and we all wished we had more time to walk through this pretty area. The only reasonable-looking weakness is the one we took, and it ended up being correct. However, its steepness led to a few rocks being kicked, so I recommend wearing helmets. A few Class 3 moves kept the ascent interesting, and we saw two rattlers on the way up. It's a bit relentless, but only lasts a few hundred feet. The slope mellowed out and we followed a social trail until it disappeared under pine needles, but we soon found ourselves on the terrible road we drove in on, spotting Matt's Jeep shortly after.

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Dropping north into the Wilbur Canyon drainage.
Dropping north into the Wilbur Canyon drainage.
Entering Wilbur Canyon.
Entering Wilbur Canyon.
One of many obstacles within the drainage, though rappelling is not necessary. You can avoid a few of the obstacles if you follow the rim for a bit before dropping in, but where's the fun in that?
One of many obstacles within the drainage, though rappelling is not necessary. You can avoid a few of the obstacles if you follow the rim for a bit before dropping in, but where's the fun in that?
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
Some minor potholes.
Some minor potholes.
Image 6 from gallery
Image 7 from gallery
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Image 9 from gallery
A log/pool obstacle that had all of us giggling.
A log/pool obstacle that had all of us giggling.
Image 11 from gallery
First rappel.
First rappel.
Bottom of the first rappel.
Bottom of the first rappel.
Looking back up at the first rappel.
Looking back up at the first rappel.
Second rappel, two stage.
Second rappel, two stage.
Second part of the second rappel.
Second part of the second rappel.
Third rappel, which we hand-lined to reach a log roll below. The fourth rappel starts directly after the log, where Shawn is in the center.
Third rappel, which we hand-lined to reach a log roll below. The fourth rappel starts directly after the log, where Shawn is in the center.
Fourth rappel.
Fourth rappel.
Another shot of the fourth rappel.
Another shot of the fourth rappel.
Down climb obstacle in a narrower section of Wilbur Canyon.
Down climb obstacle in a narrower section of Wilbur Canyon.
Looking back at the down climb obstacle.
Looking back at the down climb obstacle.
More fun obstacles.
More fun obstacles.
Looking back into the tighter section as we near West Clear Creek.
Looking back into the tighter section as we near West Clear Creek.
Final rappel into West Clear Creek.
Final rappel into West Clear Creek.
Looking back at the final rappel.
Looking back at the final rappel.
West Clear Creek, view back toward Wilbur Canyon (left).
West Clear Creek, view back toward Wilbur Canyon (left).
Continuing down West Clear Creek.
Continuing down West Clear Creek.
Image 28 from gallery
Looking back.
Looking back.
We used this gully as the escape from West Clear Creek.
We used this gully as the escape from West Clear Creek.
It's very steep and loose, and we encountered two rattlesnakes. Keep your helmets on and watch out.
It's very steep and loose, and we encountered two rattlesnakes. Keep your helmets on and watch out.
Looking back down one of the steeper sections.
Looking back down one of the steeper sections.
Nearing the top of the escape gully. There was a decent social trail the whole way up.
Nearing the top of the escape gully. There was a decent social trail the whole way up.
Looking back as we work our way out of the gully and along the short ascent back to the car. The social trail disappeared at this point.
Looking back as we work our way out of the gully and along the short ascent back to the car. The social trail disappeared at this point.

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!