Acheron Canyon (Hellsgate Wilderness)
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| | Difficulty:3B IV (v3a2 IV) Raps:10-11, max ↨100ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:4WD - Very High Clearance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 22 Mar 2025
"Rugged, remote and scenic.. We drove in via the South trail from Young. These trails are rough and rocky. I believe a stock high clearance midsize |
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| Best season: | Spring Summer Fall; HOT during Summer
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34.2091, -111.1381
34.1984, -111.1369
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Introduction[edit]
A very remote and rugged canyon featuring incredible far reaching views, fun moss covered drops, and a trickle of water through picturesque ankle and waist deep pools.
The trails to and from the canyon have a few obstacles that require high clearance 4x4 with good off-road tires. 33s with a mild lift and a capable driver should be fine. If you enjoy off-roading, for the best experience, take the North trail (FR1673) up to the canyon, then take the South trail (FR133) out afterwards for a fun loop! off-road trails are both about equidistant and take roughly 1.75-2hrs one way if you are a careful driver.
This canyon can be ran with Hell's Boundary as a remote wilderness two day off road, two canyon adventure. The parking for Hell's Boundary and Acheron Canyon are very close to each other.
Approach[edit]
Super straight forward. Follow drainage to first rappel. Lightly used trail RDC side. Minimum brush.
Descent[edit]
R1: 100' off of large dead tree LDC.
R2: 65' off of tree RDC using about 15' of webbing. Number of cracks for rope to get jammed in. Rappel goes under large boulder.
R3: 40' off of small bush.
R4: 75' off of boulder.
No good anchor on next obvious rappel, downclimb RDC
R5: 20’ Rock pinch beneath rabbit hole
R6: 30' off rock pinch LDC
R7: 30' fiddle off of small tree LDC directly above rappel.
R8: 30' off rock
R9: 80' two-tier off of large tree. First drop about 30', walk about 20', 30' second drop.
R10: 60' off tree LDC to miss pool. two-tier
Exit[edit]
As soon as Tonto Creek becomes visible after the last rappel and the smooth rocks invite you to continue down, you climb up and out on the right. You can also continue to the creek after the last rap for an awesome dip and to filter water and still connect with the exit if you desire. Follow obvious gulley up with a few minor small ledges to make way up. Stay to the right until obvious large cliff. Follow base of cliff left and up through some brush until opens to boulder field. Follow boulder field all the way up and past some brush. Final tops out on great views of Acheron Canyon. start staying to the right from here. Go up ledges on left until above cliff line. Then follow cliff rim right. Eventually meet up with canyon above first rappel. Follow same approach up to parking spot.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4350455818308158&type=3
Background[edit]
Discovered by Jay Wisocki, First descent by Jay Wisocki, Erek Burek and Cole Anderson on May 15, 2021.
Updated by Ryan Fontaine October 31, 2021
Acheron is known as 'river of woe' in Greek mythology. It is the river the newly dead would have to cross after passing through the gates of hell to enter the underworld.
