Conditions:Bear Canyon-20240918042033

Latest:	14 Sep 2024 (4 mos ago)

Reported by:	RFontaine (238 reports)
Quality:	Amazing
Waterflow:
Wetsuit:	Thin wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:
Time:	2 hours

Team: 3 people with experience level Beginner to Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: Incredibly beautiful, short, and easy. A must do! We only did the one bolted rappel, all others are easy down climbs. 3/2 wetsuit comfortable. One swim and a few wades. This is easily one of of the prettiest canyons in AZ but savor it, it’s over quick! 2.5hrs with sneak exit. After having done the sneak a few times, Id say Point Trail is an easier exit but more distance.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
14 Sep 2024	Amazing		Thin wetsuit		2 hours	3 people Beginner to Advanced	RFontaine (238 reports)
Comment: Incredibly beautiful, short, and easy. A must do! We only did the one bolted rappel, all others are easy down climbs. 3/2 wetsuit comfortable. One swim and a few wades. This is easily one of of the prettiest canyons in AZ but savor it, it’s over quick! 2.5hrs with sneak exit. After having done the sneak a few times, Id say Point Trail is an easier exit but more distance.
31 Aug 2024	Amazing	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Normal	6 hours	7 people Advanced to Brand new	Reallimbic (12 reports)
Comment: Thunder and rain! 6 yr old & 8 yr old plus three new for their first canyon presents challneges that require advanced rigging and precautions. Kids: 3/2 mm wetsuit, 3mm socks, 3mm gloves. 17 yr & 18 yr: 5mm. 20 yr: 2mm sleeveless vest. We prepared to properly warm him after out of all the water but not recommended to even try without sufficient neoprene. Wife: 3mm shorty, 3mm socks, runs cold and was cold but functional. I had 3mm shorty, 3mm socks and gloves and was cold. Knowing this canyon always has extremely cold water, we would have had more neoprene but lent it out. 1 dead rat and squirl but not in the water. 1st swimmer have to slide in a few feet. Other end of swimmer the water level was lower but able to climb out. If you cannot climb out, a second person has a spot to stand in the water to partner assist. This comes to the 25' bolted rappel. It started to thunder and rain into the canyon. Rappeled into ankle deep water and close by was place to wait for whole group out of the water. Next drop into water with the massive log. Log was too wet and slick to down climb with no grab branches. Had to have kids rappel into water and swim out. Off pinch rock so hard start for new people. Each time you enter the icy cold water, new people panic and can't function or use their hands. I was prepared for this and rigged in a way for them to do minimal to nothing when in the frigid cold water. Few more water sections up to chest or waist deep for older kids. Youngest 6yr old and 8 yr old swam through the swimmers. 8 yr old is a strong swimmer. 6 yr old also swam through swimmers. Some kids including adults, once in freezing water may not be able to swim and worse once too long in the water. Beautiful slot sections. Incredible canyon. 6 yr old and 8yr old love rappelling on their own and time in the canyons. All loved the canyon! Hot showers after is bonus for a fun but cold adventure. 6 hours car to car with the sneak exit and kids still with energy to play at camp!
18 Aug 2024	Good	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit		2 hours	1 people	Nclegg (384 reports)
Comment: A couple dead rats in the final pools before the sneak exit. 3/2mm wetsuit was perfect given overcast conditions.
16 Jul 2024	Great	Very Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	3 hours	4 people Brand new to Advanced	LEGNOR (11 reports)
Comment: Fun little canyon, water was cold, stagnant, smelly, all webbing appears to be near new. Took sneak exit and loved it, car to car in 3 hours
21 Jun 2024	Good	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Normal	5 hours	2 people	Nclegg (384 reports)
Comment: Removed two handlines that were fixed at the first rappel.
16 Jun 2024	Great		Thin wetsuit	Normal	5 hours	4 people Beginner to Advanced	EMoorcroft (434 reports)
Comment: Caution: Owls nesting just after the big log downclimb. Please do not disturb. We did 1-3 rappels. Water in the big log downclimb room is deep and dirty. Time includes taking our time, losing a cell phone, encountering nesting owls, and chilling at the creek.
2 Jun 2024	Good	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Normal	4 hours	5 people	EMoorcroft (434 reports),Nclegg (384 reports)
Comment: Water is still very cold. Removed extra anchors found along the approach. The bolted anchor was all that was needed. There is a dead rat in one of the pools. Took the creek exit which was very nice. Encountered a handful of day hikers at the creek and along Point Trail.
22 Jul 2023	Great	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Normal	5 hours	2 people Advanced to Intermediate	MRickerd (37 reports)
Comment: Second time through this canyon - brought wetsuits again - new rappel due to old giant log being gone/moved since last descent - skipped last rappel into pool and slid down giant log that is wedged in place - beautiful canyon for sure - skipped the sneak exit this time and went all the way to WCC to relax in the warmer water for a while.
14 Jul 2023	Great	Deep pools	Rain jacket	Normal	4 hours	3 people Beginner to Advanced	Nclegg (384 reports)
Comment: 2 cold swims (large log at last downclimb/rap has shifted, making this a mandatory rap and swimmer for some). We went no-wetsuits mid-afternoon on a 90+ degree day and were still shivering at one point. A thin shorty would probably be ideal for this time of year.
5 Jun 2023	Great	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Easy	5 hours	4 people Intermediate to Advanced	AZ Advocate (40 reports)
Comment: Rappelled where the big log used to be. Super fun canyon, clean water, and an excellent day out.
27 May 2023	Great	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Easy	7 hours	4 people Brand new to Intermediate	Stber321 (31 reports)
Comment: The big log has moved and is now harder to downclimb, but there is a good pinch point for a rap. I think it's wise to have at least a light wetsuit/shorty in May. Time includes a lot of hanging out in west clear creek, which was not so crowded away from the trailhead. Despite it being memorial day weekend.
30 Sep 2022	Amazing	Low	Thin wetsuit	Easy	5 hours	2 people Beginner to Intermediate	Grapefruit (29 reports)
Comment: Road had some sections that our low clearance sedan struggled to make. The canyon itself was beautiful. We took our time doing photography in the canyon. Pools were cold and clear. Swimmers made me glad I brought wetsuit gloves. Most challenges in the canyon were fun beginner level down climbing problems with only a couple of simple rappels. The second rappel was approx 21 feet, updating the beta accordingly. Plenty of room for two people and bags. Happy with our choice to take the sneak exit.
6 Sep 2022	Great	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Easy	4 hours	2 people Beginner to Advanced	Cooper smith (28 reports)
Comment: Water very high and clean after recent monsoons. Enjoyed the dark swims through twisting narrows. Worth doing for the beauty of the canyon. Spent a nice hour swimming in WCC before exiting via point trail.
21 Jul 2022	Amazing	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Normal	2 hours	4 people Beginner to Advanced	Jawx0420 (44 reports)
Comment: Beautiful canyon and a quick route! We did Bear / Sundance back to back. The sneak exit makes it quick and easy! All anchors in good shape.
3 Jul 2022	Great	Deep pools	Thin wetsuit	Normal	5 hours	4 people Advanced to Brand new	MRickerd (37 reports)
Comment: Approach is easy as you get into a no name wash after a slight descent - two tiny rappels with a few down climbs in between - sketchiest down climbs thus far, but nothing extreme - also beautiful - dead raccoon in hole - second rappel anchor is tricky to get to - group has to stagger due to spacing - ends higher than West Clear Creek - exit is not as long but is on an unmarked trail - incredibly steep up to FR that leads back to truck.

...additional reports