Barnhardt Canyon
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| | Raps:6, max ↨80ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 10 Apr 2023
"Plenty of cold water. "High" water for this canyon isnt that intense as it never really constricts all that much. Definitely a bit pushy at times but |
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| Best season: | BEST in Oct;Nov;Mar;Apr
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34.0944, -111.4537
34.0928, -111.4220
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Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
Approach[edit]
Descent[edit]
The descent includes many obstacles that some may wish to rappel based off skill level or current conditions. For a group of advanced downclimbers, the 80’ drop may be the only mandatory rappel in the canyon. Other groups may rig 6+ rappels. Be prepared with the skills and anchor material needed to assess each obstacle and construct an anchor if necessary.
The first vertical obstacle is encountered at the confluence of the access drainage and Barnhardt Canyon. It is a moderately difficult downclimb. Some have opted to use a retrievable here.
After a 15’ drop into a pool, a massive amount of rock fall will be encountered. Much of it is not quite settled, and anything can move under you. Traverse LDC on the high side to avoid most of it.
More downclimbing will lead to the 80’ rappel which is currently anchored from a rock cairn high RDC. You'll want to make sure to extend the webbing/link over the lip to avoid pull issues. Pool at the bottom is shallow.
Down canyon of this rappel are several more drops all under 30’. Most are 10-20’ and can be easily downclimbed in low flow but some will be more challenging and may become mandatory rappels in higher flow. Many of the obstacles end in waist depth pools, though some (when full) will require short swims.
Exit[edit]
Technical section is done prior to the confluence of Barnhardt and Big Kahuna. If you feel like exiting the canyon at that point, turn into the Big Kahuna drainage RDC. Scramble up Big Kahuna to the first significant waterfall. From here make your way carefully up LDC, avoiding all the stabby-plants. Near the ridge you will find some faint social trail which can be followed up to the lowest switchback. (This is quite a bit lower than the Big Kahuna exit)
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Super Amazing Map : Barnhardt Canyon- CanyonChronicles.com : Barnhardt Canyon
- HikeArizona.com : Barnhardt Canyon
- ToddsHikingGuide.com : Barnhardt/Sandy Saddle Semi