Conditions:Ferntastic-20230712172838

Latest:	12 Jul 2023 (1 yr, 9 mos ago)

Reported by:	AZ Advocate (51 reports)
Quality:	Good
Waterflow:	Dry
Wetsuit:	None
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Normal
Time:	2 hours

Team: 2 people with experience level Brand new to Intermediate

Trip report URL:

Comments: Canyon was completely dry and the moss is just hanging on. Although short and non-committing, this is not the easiest newbie canyon. The edge transition of R1 is a little tricky to figure out if you've never been before. The cows are keeping the social trail nice and clear for the climb out.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
21 Apr 2025	Good	Dry	None	Normal	2 hours	2 people Advanced to Beginner	Canyon.406 (37 reports)
Comment: Great little canyon next to flagstaff. The first rappel is a big rappel for beginners so make sure to belay them when needed. Otherwise, great rappels and good exit. I will be back!
31 Dec 2024	Great	Dry	None	Normal	1 hour	4 people Beginner to Advanced	Mfeingol (51 reports)
Comment: Excellent short canyon with some pretty features. Was a good complement to Crack Addict for a fun full winter day.
3 Nov 2024	Good	Dry	None	Easy	2 hours	1 people	AZ Advocate (51 reports)
Comment: Another quick and easy trip through this very pretty drainage. Explored around Pumphouse Wash before taking the exit trail back up to 89A. Very dry, but that's pretty much everything in NAZ this year. Anchors are bolts and they're still in great shape.
21 Sep 2024					1 hour	1 people Advanced	Dyln cole (60 reports)
Comment: Absolutely unnecessary bolting make this once hidden gem feel a little strange. So many natural anchors available for courtesy rigging and webbing placements, many rock pinches, that bolting the sandstone was not a great addition to this gem. Albeit, bolts are of good quality. Aside from the tainting of the natural wonder of this small wall, canyon was a nice outing as usual.
4 Aug 2024	Good	Dry	None	Easy	2 hours	2 people	AZ Advocate (51 reports)
Comment: A slow Sunday stroll through this very pretty drainage. No commitment, and interesting rappels make this a very enjoyable short trip, even during the height of monsoon season. Webbing contributes to trash in canyons, microplastics in waterways, and so I'm stoked there are bolts there now. Note: Beware the Murder Chicken, who is, in fact, a very territorial vulture who resides in the alcove near the base of R1.
8 Jun 2024	Good	Dry	None		1 hour	3 people Advanced	Jacquelyn (1 reports)
Comment: Added quick links to rap 1 and 2 and changed webbing for rap 2. Sketch starts for both raps. Easy and quick day!!
29 May 2024							Skyotie (13 reports)
Comment: R2 anchor was missing. Added new webbing on rock rib at edge of drop. Needs a quicklink from the next group who goes through (or just rig releasable). Agree with other comments, not an ideal beginner canyon
2 Oct 2023	Great	Dry	None	Normal	4 hours	4 people Brand new to Expert	Llamafilm (11 reports)
Comment: A beautiful, short canyon. Lots of moss, not so many ferns. R2 anchor is too short but it’s in good condition so we rigged a releasable anchor to avoid making rope grooves.
12 Jul 2023	Good	Dry	None	Normal	2 hours	2 people Brand new to Intermediate	AZ Advocate (51 reports)
Comment: Canyon was completely dry and the moss is just hanging on. Although short and non-committing, this is not the easiest newbie canyon. The edge transition of R1 is a little tricky to figure out if you've never been before. The cows are keeping the social trail nice and clear for the climb out.
30 Apr 2023	Good	Very Low	None	Normal	2 hours	1 people Intermediate	AZ Advocate (51 reports)
Comment: 1st rappel had a delightful trickle of water. Second rappel ended in a pool but is easily avoided if you don't feel like getting wet. Super fun and pretty micro-TAR - great way to spend a few hours. Replaced blue webbing at first rappel with black webbing, used the same ring.
10 Dec 2022	Great			Special challenges	3 hours	3 people Advanced	Doctors out (26 reports),Nclegg (398 reports)
Comment: Avoidable pools of ice on approach. Many icicles hanging in the watercourse of R1. Thick ice coating the watercourse at R2. Replaced frozen webbing at both anchors. We hiked Pumphouse Wash (Upper) to exit which required climbing up and around a dry fall. Parked a shuttle on FR 237 over near the Pumphouse / Kelly Canyon confluence.
13 Nov 2022					2 hours	2 people	EMoorcroft (448 reports)
Comment: Ice throughout the canyon. Be mindful and extend pull on r1 or use retrievable. Neat route with ice and a trickle of runoff.
4 Oct 2022	Good	Very Low	None	Normal	2 hours	1 people Beginner	Brinke (1 reports)
Comment: Short and sweet, water was minimal, easy enough to scramble around pools. Inspect webbing carefully as the rock is somewhat sharp. Carabiner block for both raps worked fine, but alternative recommended for R1.
25 Jul 2022	Good			Easy	2 hours	2 people Advanced	EMoorcroft (448 reports)
Comment: New anchors placed in watercourse off Pinches on both rappels. Pretty and short. Would repeat.
25 Jul 2022	Good			Easy	2 hours	2 people Advanced	Cooper smith (30 reports)
Comment: Great quick canyon. Moss covered rock and interesting rock formations make this a repeat worthy mini mission.