Bird Shit Alley
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| | Difficulty:3A III R (v5a1 III) Raps:1-2
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 2.5 miles Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Spring, Autumn
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38.3523, -110.4122
38.3655, -110.3987
38.3672, -110.4367
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Introduction
To our knowledge the first descent of this canyon was when we did it on 2/24/2024. If this is not the case please update the page with correct information. While remote and relatively short compared to others in the area, this canyon offers surprising beauty and the opportunity to practice R-/R stemming and downclimbing. With multiple sections with required stemming 15-20 feet off the deck, and an optional fork with a ~60 foot elevator-style downclimb, this canyon is worth the visit if in the area.
Approach
From the trailhead, head south towards the Middle Fork of Robbers Roost. Once on the rim (38.36236, -110.39879), aim to descend between two visible sandstone islands. There are a few easy downclimbs before reaching the bottom of the Middle Fork of Robbers Roost (38.35878, -110.40096). Once there, head up the sand dunes on the south side to gain the plateau south of the Middle Fork (38.35612, -110.40305). Easy hiking S-SW across the plateau will eventually lead you to the head of the canyon (38.35233, -110.41221).
Descent
Main Fork: Enter the canyon from LDC on mellow sandstone slope. After reaching the canyon bottom, there is ~100 feet of mellow galumphing until the first down climb into possible water (38.35291, -110.41495). When we were here, it was knee-deep at its deepest. Immediately after the water, the canyon slots up in a small stemming section for 50 ft. This is followed by a series of rockslides with small downclimbs. The second of these is between a large hanging block on the right (this can be squeezed by small people or gone over, if you decide to go over there is a small ledge for a foot on the RDC side around the corner of the block). The next obstacle is another small tight section with stemming ~10 feet up for 50 ft. After this stemming section, a small side canyon comes in on the RDC side. This canyon can be used as an alternate entrance if you want to avoid the water at the start of the canyon (38.35361, -110.41616). After the bypass, there is a semi-featureless downclimb above possible water. Then the canyon opens to a beautiful but short overhung subway section. A fork then comes in on LDC side with ~60 foot elevator-style downclimb (38.35198, -110.41803). We highly recommend doing this side fork from the top if there is time (more info is written below). If you want to scout the downclimb fork before committing to it, walking up this side fork will provide an opportunity to see the downclimb from the bottom. After the downclimb fork, the canyon slots up for an R-/R section, ~20 feet off the deck, 100-150 feet long (38.35292, -110.41906). The canyon then opens after a few hundred feet of slot to a sand covered beach-like area. After the beach section, the canyon slots up one more time in a low v shaped slot with easy galumphing. The canyon then opens wide in bushy sandy area. In a few hundred feet, a large side fork comes in on LDC side. Immediately after the side fork is a rib that can be followed to escape the canyon if you are avoiding the final rappel or if you want to access the downclimb fork ((38.35494, -110.42414). If choosing to do the final rappel, continue for a few hundred feet to where the canyon drops in to middle fork of robbers roost (38.35773, -110.42547). There are multiple potholes and decent rocks to use to build an anchor for the final rappel. On our first trip down, we opted to skip the last rappel so do not know the exact length. To access the downclimb fork: If skipping the main fork, continue from the top of the plateau further down to the head of a visible side fork (38.35004, -110.41500). If doing the main fork and hoping to circle back to repeat the downclimb fork, head up a visible rib near the end of the canyon to regain the plateau (38.35494, -110.42414). Head east, passing another side fork on the way. Drop in to the downclimb fork after ~10 minutes of walking (38.35082, -110.42084). Access to the downclimb fork is easiest on the LDC side. Before the canyon slots up, there is a shelf that comes in on LDC side that will deposit you ~10 feet up from the canyon bottom. This may be possible to downclimb, but it is virtually featureless and may result in a fast slide and having to catch yourself on the other side of the canyon. We decided to rappel off of some not-so-great bushes about 30 feet up from the shelf on the LDC side. Anchor options are not ideal here, so be prepared to get creative if not using the bushes. Once in the canyon, it is easy galumphing for ~100 feet to where the canyon drops. A ~60 foot elevator downclimb will deposit you at the canyon bottom. This fork converges with the main fork in a few hundred feet
Exit
If doing the final rappel, drop in to the Middle Fork of Robbers Roost. Follow this down to where the North Fork of Robbers Roost comes in on the right. Follow this up to the well-known Moki exit used for the Mindbender canyons (38.36806, -110.44835). If not doing the final rappel, backtrack up to where a sandstone rib separates two side forks of BSA (38.35494, -110.42414). Following this rib will return you to the high plateau. Use the approach route to return to the trailhead.