Winter Cabin Canyon in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Canyoneer Winter Cabin Canyon Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 2 3B III (30 ft max) 10.8 miles 2800 gain 6-8 hrs Loop May 5, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Winter Cabin 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.

Hoping for a dry canyon after a long day in cold water yesterday, we set out along the Winter Cabin Trail toward Winter Cabin Canyon. The trail was well-maintained if not a little rocky. After a short time, we reached a trail junction at the Winter Cabin, an old rusted heap of shelter. The trail led southwest, and we took a short detour to Ott Lake as the forest opened up into large area of shrubs, a view down toward Sycamore Canyon in the distance. Eventually we reached a point where the official trail curves west and starts to rapidly lose elevation. We would be returning that way after Winter Cabin Canyon, but instead we left the trail and bushwhacked southeast down a not-too-unpleasant animal trail through a gully. This gully led to the start of Winter Cabin Canyon, which turned out to be really pretty. After some rock hopping and minor obstacles (some of which had natural anchors set up for optional rappels), we entered gorgeous red rock narrows filled with lush scenery. Though the canyon never becomes a true slot, its narrow enough to feel comfy and interesting. There was one 30 foot rappel toward the end of the narrow section, and then more great scenery. We were spit out at Sycamore Canyon, where we could pick up the lightly overgrown Winter Cabin Trail, taking it back to where we left it earlier.

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Starting down the Winter Cabin Trail.
Starting down the Winter Cabin Trail.
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Approaching the Winter Cabin.
Approaching the Winter Cabin.
Inside Winter Cabin.
Inside Winter Cabin.
Continuing along the Winter Cabin, headed southwest.
Continuing along the Winter Cabin, headed southwest.
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Winter Cabin Trail leaves the forest and enters shrublands.
Winter Cabin Trail leaves the forest and enters shrublands.
Looking back the way we came.
Looking back the way we came.
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Quick detour to Ott Lake.
Quick detour to Ott Lake.
Ott Lake.
Ott Lake.
Back on the Winter Cabin, headed south.
Back on the Winter Cabin, headed south.
Approaching the junction where we'd leave the trail and turn left.
Approaching the junction where we'd leave the trail and turn left.
Junction - we will come back up from the right later.
Junction - we will come back up from the right later.
Bushwhacking through a gully.
Bushwhacking through a gully.
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Within Winter Cabin Canyon.
Within Winter Cabin Canyon.
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Optional rappel - we set up a handline.
Optional rappel - we set up a handline.
Winter Cabin Canyon begins to get more narrow and vegetated.
Winter Cabin Canyon begins to get more narrow and vegetated.
Another optional rappel - we used another handline.
Another optional rappel - we used another handline.
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Down climb.
Down climb.
Winter Cabin Canyon gets deeper, more trees within.
Winter Cabin Canyon gets deeper, more trees within.
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Particularly pretty section of Winter Cabin Canyon.
Particularly pretty section of Winter Cabin Canyon.
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The 30-foot rappel.
The 30-foot rappel.
Looking back up the 30-foot rappel.
Looking back up the 30-foot rappel.
Some really great scenery after the rappel, the walls becoming taller.
Some really great scenery after the rappel, the walls becoming taller.
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I took a ton of photos in this section. I really liked the green against red walls. It was a comforting canyon.
I took a ton of photos in this section. I really liked the green against red walls. It was a comforting canyon.
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Image 42 from gallery
Eventually Winter Cabin Canyon opens up and meets with Sycamore Canyon.
Eventually Winter Cabin Canyon opens up and meets with Sycamore Canyon.
Looking south down Sycamore Canyon.
Looking south down Sycamore Canyon.
Looking north up Sycamore Canyon.
Looking north up Sycamore Canyon.
Looking back the way we came, Winter Cabin Canyon on the right. The trail is marked with an old wooden marker, and heads left.
Looking back the way we came, Winter Cabin Canyon on the right. The trail is marked with an old wooden marker, and heads left.
Back along the Winter Cabin Trail, looking south into Sycamore Canyon.
Back along the Winter Cabin Trail, looking south into Sycamore Canyon.
Looking back along the Winter Cabin Trail.
Looking back along the Winter Cabin Trail.
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Winter Cabin Trail, Winter Cabin Canyon on the right.
Winter Cabin Trail, Winter Cabin Canyon on the right.
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Image 52 from gallery
Close-up down into Winter Cabin Canyon.
Close-up down into Winter Cabin Canyon.
Eventually Winter Cabin Trail meets back up with where we left it earlier in the day.
Eventually Winter Cabin Trail meets back up with where we left it earlier in the day.

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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!