Conditions:Ermahgerd Canyon-20231231145355

Latest:	30 Dec 2023 (1 yr, 4 mos ago)

Reported by:	RFontaine (270 reports)
Quality:	Good
Waterflow:
Wetsuit:
Water temperature:
Difficulty:
Time:	8 hours

Team: 6 people with experience level Beginner to Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: Approach is long but isnt bad, brush was minimal and not annoying. Took us about 2.5hrs to get to 1st rap. We rappelled in from the far East side which made for a FABULOUS 210ft free hang rappel. This was the best part of the canyon by far; a very nice and memorable drop in. The rest of the canyon was just okay. There are a few shallow pools that we were able to avoid but near the end on the 2nd to last rap there were 2 pools that were unavoidable, not cold, knee deep. Replaced and fixed a few anchors. Our group installed a 10ft piece of dynamic rope on the final anchor to connect bush/rock together and extend pull to edge. I dont entirely agree with this and feel it should be bolted as the natural anchor choices are slim/poor. At the very least the rope should be swapped with webbing, in my opinion. The final rap isnt that exciting and is mostly a walk down. We nearly got our fiddlestick stuck in a crack after pulling and spent some time trying to recover it. The exit is very long, boring, but easy. Not much catclaw and minimal brush, we were prepared for a fight but found a pretty solid trail developing leading to the main hiking trail. Even in winter, this hike is very hot and in full sun. I wouldnt recommend the route for summer, would be a scorcher.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
30 Dec 2023	Good				8 hours	6 people Beginner to Advanced	RFontaine (270 reports)
Comment: Approach is long but isnt bad, brush was minimal and not annoying. Took us about 2.5hrs to get to 1st rap. We rappelled in from the far East side which made for a FABULOUS 210ft free hang rappel. This was the best part of the canyon by far; a very nice and memorable drop in. The rest of the canyon was just okay. There are a few shallow pools that we were able to avoid but near the end on the 2nd to last rap there were 2 pools that were unavoidable, not cold, knee deep. Replaced and fixed a few anchors. Our group installed a 10ft piece of dynamic rope on the final anchor to connect bush/rock together and extend pull to edge. I dont entirely agree with this and feel it should be bolted as the natural anchor choices are slim/poor. At the very least the rope should be swapped with webbing, in my opinion. The final rap isnt that exciting and is mostly a walk down. We nearly got our fiddlestick stuck in a crack after pulling and spent some time trying to recover it. The exit is very long, boring, but easy. Not much catclaw and minimal brush, we were prepared for a fight but found a pretty solid trail developing leading to the main hiking trail. Even in winter, this hike is very hot and in full sun. I wouldnt recommend the route for summer, would be a scorcher.
14 Jan 2023 Trip report	Good	Very Low	None	Normal	8 hours	2 people Advanced	Triggerfish (60 reports)
Comment: Cost of admission: After an easy first mile along Heiro Trail, the inhike winds about 2000’ over about a mile through fairly open scrub. Then it relatively levels off on the high ground, meandering through slightly more open terrain and developing trail. The canyon itself was better than either of us expected. We knew there would be great views south, and were pleasantly impressed with a few short but cool slots. Scattered pools got up to about 4’ deep, and water trickled through most of the canyon, including all the drops. R1: Fresh purple webbing. R2: Black loop getting a bit crispy, backed it up with a new green one. Be advised: we hiked past R3 and R4 without noticing them. R5: Has features (2 stages, grass in middle) that seemed to fit the R3 beta, aside from reported heights. Good news is that its easy to see if thrown rope is adequate for first stage, and as long as you’re not alone, you can keep someone at anchor until sorting out second stage requirements. Couldn’t find the list Fitbit. Our rap count mixup became obvious when we next walked up on… R6. Can we talk about this anchor? Primary rig was a long, tan webbing slipknotted around a bush. A foot from the downhill end was a quicklink on an overhand that perfectly reaches the lip. So far so good. Not so good was the extra overhand at the tip of the downhill end. Using that would crossload the nearby loop with the quicklink. Now I wish I’d cut that bottom knot off. The bush seemed to hold us both fine. The “backup”… A stiff, bleached, but chubby length of static rope extended from a nice solid uphill boulder to the anchor bush, but was not connected to the webbing it was meant to back up(!!) We rethreaded the original webbing so it could anchor rappellers, not just the bush. Aso added a webbing sling from the boulder to the main webbing. Anyone know what’s up with the fixed aluminum ladder to a small cave/mine, visible LDC from R6? Outhike has enough catclaw to leave a memorable impression. We were right on the gpx.
25 Nov 2022	Great	Very Low	None	Normal	8 hours	3 people Intermediate	Bconklin (3 reports)
Comment: Must have dropped my fitbit on R4 or R5. It would be nice if someone found it. I think R5, the rock that was jammed into the pinch seemed to be loose. Moved the webbing back to a real rock pinch. There was only one place to get wet, crotch deep. The last rap will need new webbing and a quick link.
27 Feb 2022	Good	Very Low	None	Normal	9 hours	4 people Intermediate	Damian (12 reports)
Comment: Approach is fairly clear, the bushwacking starts once you drop into the canyon. We replaced the webbing on R 2,3,5. On R4 first person took it for the team and meat guided the rest dry but it was futile, it was necessary to get wet on R5 ( waist deep ). Due to two stage, going around the corner configuration we fiddled R 3,5
17 Jan 2022	Good	Very Low	None	Normal	7 hours	2 people Advanced	Nclegg (407 reports)
Comment: Big approach and lots of brush. Body armor recommended. Those willing to suffer a bit will be rewarded with sweeping views and multiple large, beautiful rappels. Pools were full, and under these conditions several were unavoidable (waist depth at most). R1 webbing is new. Used a releasable on R1, R2, and R6. Smooth pulls but was very purposeful with rigging selection and rope management. 2.5h approach, 3.5h descent, 1.5h exit. Video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oqBaRczMCuI&t=20s
3 Nov 2019	Ok	Dry	None	Normal	6 hours	3 people Intermediate to Advanced	Erek (206 reports)
Comment: One pool at middle area rappel, but can stay dry with some bridging skills. No rope pull issues. Replaced cracking sun beaten webbing on last rappel with new webbing.
10 Nov 2018	Ok	Dry	None	Normal	7 hours		Natureboytimflair (67 reports)
23 Feb 2015 Trip report	Amazing						HikeArizona.com (271 reports)
Comment: Most recent conditions reported at HikeArizona.com, see Trip Report for full details.