Conditions:Alcatraz Canyon-20221113191632

Latest:	12 Nov 2022 (10 mos ago)

Reported by:	Ingalls (8 reports)
Quality:	Amazing
Waterflow:	Deep pools
Wetsuit:	Full wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Special challenges
Time:	6 hours

Team: 3 people with experience level Brand new to Expert

Trip report URL:

Comments: Attempted to access via BLM Road 1619 which is strongly not advised. With a high clearance 4x4 we almost got stuck several times crossing washes and had to dig out one wash where the road was washed out to make it even remotely passable. Eventually got to a wash that was going to be too time consuming to pass and left the truck. ~5k later began our descent into the canyon. As we didn't have a vehicle to rappel off, left a small amount of brown webbing to the east of the traditional entrance, and a tree anchor at the second "stage" of the first rappel. The canyon itself is strenuous and technical in nature - definitely wish I had a small pack throughout the journey. Potholes were entirely full and while the first half of the canyon was possible to only get wet up to the calves, the second half of the canyon guaranteed full immersion. Going without wetsuits would be extremely ill advised. The hike out of the canyon, while long, is heavily cairned and fairly straightforward.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
12 Nov 2022	Amazing	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Special challenges	6 hours	3 people Brand new to Expert	Ingalls (8 reports)
Comment: Attempted to access via BLM Road 1619 which is strongly not advised. With a high clearance 4x4 we almost got stuck several times crossing washes and had to dig out one wash where the road was washed out to make it even remotely passable. Eventually got to a wash that was going to be too time consuming to pass and left the truck. ~5k later began our descent into the canyon. As we didn't have a vehicle to rappel off, left a small amount of brown webbing to the east of the traditional entrance, and a tree anchor at the second "stage" of the first rappel. The canyon itself is strenuous and technical in nature - definitely wish I had a small pack throughout the journey. Potholes were entirely full and while the first half of the canyon was possible to only get wet up to the calves, the second half of the canyon guaranteed full immersion. Going without wetsuits would be extremely ill advised. The hike out of the canyon, while long, is heavily cairned and fairly straightforward.
20 Feb 2022	Great	Very Low	None	Special challenges	5 hours	5 people Beginner to Expert	TEnzweiler (3 reports)
Comment: Road to Alcatraz was in good condition as of 02/20/2022, but there were strong winds blowing sand as we left. It appears there have been quite a few good flashes since I was there in April 2021. A large amount of the bottom of the canyon has been washed out making it a lot tighter and forcing at least twice as much stemming as before. The pothole to rappel wasn't holding any water (but that may change with the recent snow), but it should be noted that the anchor doesn't currently extend to the outer lip of the pothole. The rappel itself is still roughly 27' but make sure to account for rope reaching the anchor. The 17' downclimb/rappel has a handline hidden amongst some debris.
3 Apr 2021	Amazing	Dry	None	Advanced	3 hours	2 people Advanced to Expert	Dwentzel (11 reports)
Comment: Fun canyon. A little bit of water, but you can stem over it. The final bolt isn’t there, but the 2 useless bolts mid canyon are there. No idea why.
25 Mar 2021	Great	Dry	None	Special challenges	5 hours	5 people Beginner to Expert	DMonroy (182 reports)
Comment: All pothole with a little water were avoidable.
20 Oct 2019 Trip report	Amazing						CanditionBot (2096 reports)
Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by sdunne.
8 Oct 2019 Trip report	Amazing						CanditionBot (2096 reports)
Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by ktc.
28 Apr 2018 Trip report	Amazing						CanditionBot (2096 reports)
Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by DirtyDevil.
14 Nov 2016							Beerslot (16 reports)
Comment: Great canyon!! Excellent opening sequence with the rappel off the car and the rest of the canyon included tight squeezes, down-climbs, and really only one actual rappel after the start. The canyon was wetter and colder than expected so we ended up travelling through nekked at times. Had a few near misses with the lesson of the day being to bring shoes with traction! Long, scenic, meandering exit hike ended with a potential sighting of a bobcat (or whatever feline may live in the desert). Excellent day! ST, LT, MS, JT, DC
1 Apr 2016 Trip report							Candition.com (287 reports)
Comment: Most recent conditions reported at Candition.com, see Trip Report for full details.
1 Apr 2016 Trip report	Amazing						CanditionBot (2096 reports)
Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by qedcook.
13 Sep 2015 Trip report	Amazing						CanditionBot (2096 reports)
Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by criamat.
29 Mar 2015 Trip report	Amazing						CanditionBot (2096 reports)
Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by bighornmonkey.
28 Mar 2015 Trip report	Amazing						CanditionBot (2096 reports)
Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by Brokedownjeep.
20 Mar 2015 Trip report	Amazing						CanditionBot (2096 reports)
Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by TNugent.
25 Oct 2014 Trip report	Amazing						CanditionBot (2096 reports)
Comment: See the full condition report at Candition.com. Submitted by peakbaggers.

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