Bantam Canyon
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| | Difficulty:2A I (v1a1 I) Raps:0
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle: Vehicle:4WD - High Clearance | |||
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| Condition Reports: | 8 Oct 2021
"Time is car-to-car doing Bantam and Mini Hollow (MH) as a loop (up Bantam and down MH - this is recommended). Bantam was unremarkable, but I found MH |
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33.5408, -110.9577
33.5460, -110.9578
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
A very short, decent non-technical canyon near Roosevelt Lake. Bantam Canyon does have some nice narrows - though they are shorter and more shallow than its bigger brother Miniature Hollow - in an interesting conglomerate rock layer with just a few climbing challenges. We explored a total of eight drainages in the area and found only what I'm calling Miniature Hollow and Bantam Canyon (silly, indeed) worth the time. Though certainly not destination canyons, they are in a good geographic position to be done on the way to or from something more significant.
From Phoenix, drive east on US60 through Miami and Claypool, then turn north on SR188 towards Roosevelt Lake. After 14.6 miles (just before the turnoff onto SR288) turn left onto FR242 which is well graded dirt. After 2.1 miles, turn left onto FR1492 (signed) which travels directly up Blevens Wash. This portion of road is sandy, but mostly hard-packed and solid. 4x4 and high clearance may be useful or necessary depending on conditions. This road may be impassable when wet. Drive southeast on FR1492 for approximately 2 miles to find a parking spot on one side of the road or the other.
Approach[edit]
The most efficient way to explore the canyon is to go right up it, then return back down again.
Alternatively, a loop can be made up Bantam and down Miniature Hollow (or vice versa).
From the car park, hike south on FR1492 a short distance. Bantam Canyon is the second major (still fairly minor) tributary on the west side of the road, though be careful not to miss it as it is obscured by trees and brush. Thrash your way through the brush to move up the drainage until in relatively short order it opens to reveal a nice slot canyon. Stay in the main canyon and move up through a few fun climbing obstacles that require stemming and some slightly tricky climbing maneuvers to get up.
Climb these canyon obstacles with care, as some areas are prone to crumble away upon contact. Return the way you came, or scramble up to the ridge and drop into Miniature Hollow to complete the loop.
Descent[edit]
Return the way you came, downclimbing through the canyon.
Or, a more rewarding option is to scramble up to the ridge, cross over to Miniature Hollow (per KML), and descend through that canyon. The last deep narrows section truly makes doing this loop worthwhile.
Exit[edit]
Follow the drainage to Blevens Wash and to your vehicle.
