Conditions:Kings Cave-20230802215655

Latest:	30 Jul 2023 (1 month ago)

Reported by:	RFontaine (145 reports)
Quality:	Amazing
Waterflow:
Wetsuit:
Water temperature:
Difficulty:
Time:	7 hours

Team: 2 people with experience level Intermediate to Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: Another great trip to King's. The approach is one of my favorite in Sedona, pretty, engaging, and plenty to see!

Once we got to the top of the final ridge overlooking the layer where the first rappel is, instead hiking around and downclimbing out of the way as the KML would have you do, we ghosted off trees straight down to the first rap. There are many different trees to use and many different lines to take. This is a much more enjoyable way to get back to the slick rock layer in my opinion. The aforementioned down climbs are shitty and take you out of the way.

The rappels on this route are all top notch, just too bad the resort is in constant view in the backdrop...

R1 webbing is sunburnt but not crispy yet.

We took our sweet time on this one enjoying the day!

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
30 Jul 2023	Amazing				7 hours	2 people Intermediate to Advanced	RFontaine (145 reports)
Comment: Another great trip to King's. The approach is one of my favorite in Sedona, pretty, engaging, and plenty to see! Once we got to the top of the final ridge overlooking the layer where the first rappel is, instead hiking around and downclimbing out of the way as the KML would have you do, we ghosted off trees straight down to the first rap. There are many different trees to use and many different lines to take. This is a much more enjoyable way to get back to the slick rock layer in my opinion. The aforementioned down climbs are shitty and take you out of the way. The rappels on this route are all top notch, just too bad the resort is in constant view in the backdrop... R1 webbing is sunburnt but not crispy yet. We took our sweet time on this one enjoying the day!
27 Mar 2023	Great			Normal	6 hours	6 people Advanced	EMoorcroft (310 reports)
Comment: A trickle of water on the route made for a great day. R1 had been extended but we removed excess webbing. R2 was moved out of the watercourse so we put it back in the original location. R3 and 4 anchors looked great. Everyone really enjoyed the approach and route. Fiddle stick on the big rappel. It should be noted that there is a large boulder rdc at r2 that is loose and creeping near the edge. Under 6 hours car to car at a good pace.
11 Mar 2023	Great	Dry			6 hours	4 people Intermediate to Advanced	RFontaine (145 reports)
Comment: Such a fun canyon famous for it’s big rappels one after another! The ridge line approach is always worth doing. We ghosted 2 rappels to get down to R1 immediately upon cresting the last ridge, instead of going around way out of the way and downclimbing. We felt it was more enjoyable that way. Anchors are in good condition.
1 Dec 2022	Good	Dry		Normal	6 hours	6 people Advanced	Nclegg (297 reports)
Comment: Approach is cleaning up. Replaced R1 webbing. Moved at a moderate pace: 2.5h approach, 3h descent, 0.5h exit.
23 Oct 2022	Great				9 hours	4 people Intermediate to Advanced	RFontaine (145 reports)
Comment: Beautiful alcove system, some of the best rappels in Sedona! We took our time at a very leisurely pace with lots of stops. We ghosted 2 additional rappels before R1 to get from the Coconino sandstone layer down to the red rock bench where R1 was, as soon as it was in sight. This made more sense and was more direct rather than bushwhacking and downclimbing in a round about way. There are plenty of solid trees to choose from to ghost off of. We replaced the sunburnt webbing on R1 and R4. Hung out below R1 for awhile to enjoy the ruins and practice ascending. Finished the route at sunset which was a total treat!
8 Oct 2022	Good			Normal	5 hours	3 people	EMoorcroft (310 reports)
Comment: Anchors are getting faded from sun exposure. New webbing by spring 2023, but looks good for Fall. 5.5 hours car to car. Route Finding from deadmans hollow to r1 can be challenging. Keep trending west until you see a nice break on the overhung coconino section.
7 Apr 2022	Great			Normal	7 hours	5 people Intermediate to Advanced	Rglenn (19 reports)
Comment: Ascended a class III crack just north of class IV crack, which also avoided exposed ridgeline traverse. All webbing was in good condition. We fiddled R1 & R4, CEM R2 & R3.
26 Feb 2022	Good				7 hours	2 people Intermediate	RFontaine (145 reports)
Comment: A neat canyon with a few cool raps. The approach was annoying, bushy, and at times hard to follow. Pretty views though. After the first climb up the crack, continue climbing straight ahead until you get up to the ridgeline. Approach took 3 hours. R1 is very cool, we hung out and practiced ascending. The other raps were nice too. I only wish there wasnt houses and buildings as close as they were, in constant view.
29 Nov 2021	Amazing	Dry	None	Special challenges	9 hours	2 people Expert	Conrad (12 reports)
Comment: Of the Sedona canyons this is by far one of the best with a number of surprises. I recommend doing the canyon to discover what those surprises are. The beta claims the canyon is not much of a canyon and is closer to cliffaneering. That's kind of true but I feel like almost all Sedona canyons are borderline cliffaneering. Kings Cave has three amazing free hanging rappels with beautiful scenery. All anchors are in great condition. The person who set the route spared on expense on the tan powder-coated hangers. However I did notice on a number of rappel stations larger 1/4" rapides were used. I replaced a couple with the 9/16" rapides but did not change out them all. The problem with the larger ones is if you use smaller carabiners with a biner block they can possibly slip through those larger rapides. I personally use Petzl Williams which made it a non issue. If you're not doing much photography or exploring I think this canyon can easily be done in 6 hours. We took a lot more time due to photography and exploring the area. We did encounter one special challenge. Whistles aren't very effective at the cave. I recommend heading out further to the slickrock down canyon left in order to get a visual with the canyoneers above or use radio.
29 Nov 2021 Trip report	Amazing	Dry	None	Special challenges		2 people	Rlebfrom (24 reports)
Comment: Amazing canyon with a lot of history, beauty, and fun rappels. Cell service is good at the long 220' rappel that has communication problems. You can use your cell phones to communicate between the top and bottom of the rappel. The cave will absorb whistles and voice communication. A video of the trip can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/653098677
31 Oct 2021	Great			Normal	7 hours	4 people Advanced	EMoorcroft (310 reports)
Comment: Happy Halloween! Fun run. All anchors looked good. Can confirm R2 is 225'. Hikers walked up as we finished last rappel.
31 Oct 2021 Trip report	Amazing	Dry		Normal	7 hours	4 people Advanced	Jawx0420 (42 reports)
Comment: Had a great time celebrating Halloween on this route today! We wore costumes for the rap's and exit! I thought the approach was excellent with some great exposure / views. It didn't feel like it was as long as it actually is.
10 Oct 2021	Ok	Dry	None	Normal	6 hours	3 people Expert to Intermediate	Erek (201 reports)
Comment: Great job first descent team for finding this route and putting it on ropewiki. Definitely an interesting way to combo up some rappels, but not really a canyon. A couple good rappels. Pretty full day adventure, which is rare in Sedona redrock area. Approach is pretty good high pay for the play. Better options in Sedona area, but a cool one to check off the list, if you've done most of the other Sedona ones already. Replaced webbing on R1 (30') and R4 (30'). R5 (145') quicklink was not linked into webbing! Popped out with not much effort of some knot nest. Redid properly and safe. Beta is right on and very well done. R2 (235') might be closer to 220'-225', had plenty of extra rope using a 240' rope. Big thank you to the first descent team, great job.
14 Aug 2021	Good	Dry		Normal	7 hours	5 people Beginner to Expert	Nclegg (297 reports)
Comment: An engaging approach with multiple 4th class obstacles, beautiful views, and a bit of route finding. Plan 3+ hours to reach R1 from Boynton TH. Cleared a bit of brush throughout the route. Walked down canyon at least 50’ for the big pull and had no issues. Exit was quick and painless (<30min). This one is likely to become a classic - well done FD team!
29 Jul 2021	Amazing	Dry		Normal	8 hours	3 people Advanced	EMoorcroft (310 reports)
Comment: Took the 4th class crack approach up to the red ridge, this was followed by a boulder problem off a small stack of rocks. After surmounting the flat red rock spine we traversed to r1 by following the line of where the red and white sandstone meet. R1. Can be done with a 235' but the pull should be extended for a good angle. Exit was conveniently located at the base of the last rapp.

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