Conditions:Mormon Canyon (Upper)-20240920230516

Latest:	20 Sep 2024 (9 mos ago)

Reported by:	Nclegg (418 reports)
Quality:	Good
Waterflow:	Dry
Wetsuit:	None
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Normal
Time:	8 hours

Team: 5 people with experience level Beginner to Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: Approach via rainbow ridge took 3.5h and was loose and brushy in sections, but very scenic. Just below the ridge one member of our team loosened a large boulder and fell a short distance but was uninjured. Good route-finding is necessary as this ridge has clearly seen little traffic. Webbing was all in fine condition. Most the potholes were holding some water which could be filtered in a pinch. Just over 8h car-to-car moving at a moderate pace.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
12 Jan 2025	Great				7 hours	5 people Intermediate to Advanced	RFontaine (283 reports)
Comment: Hiked up Wilson Mtn. Arrived at R1 in 2hr 20min. I hate how the tree anchor here puts you in multiple bushes and trees on rappel so I slung webbing on a stout bush that held just fine and provided a clean high quality drop. This rappel should have bolts in my opinion… the trek from R1 to R2 always takes longer than I remember, probably about 30mins of bush wacking, rockhopping, and downclimbing. The big drop is always incredible! Some misguided canyoneer extended the webbing out nearly 15 feet from the bolts… The bolts are placed high for a good pull angle (especially with a toggle)without extension. I shook my head but left it in place… I rigged two ropes here and 2 of us bounced the drop (rappelled and ascended, then rappelled again) so we could get maximum rope time enjoying this massive glorious room! Because after all the work getting there, it really is the best part of the route and is over all too quick. Ascending a 300 ft free hang is pretty rad too!! After finally pulling our rope, we downclimbed around R3 staying DCR then crossing over to DCL. R4 tree anchor is also in a bad spot providing a less than ideal rappel through buses and into a tree. Bolts in the watercourse would make a much more enjoyable experience, this rappel would be clean with sections of free hang. I am mostly making these suggestions to remind my self that when I come back, I should bring a bolt kit LOL. Exit took about 2hours. 7.5hrs total.
18 Nov 2024	Good				7 hours	5 people Advanced to Expert	EMoorcroft (451 reports)
Comment: Took the monster approach via rainbow ridge ~4 hours. We did 2 rappels. The big drop anchor was mega extended, but we left it that way. Fiddle stick on the big drop. 7.5 hours total with some breaks.
20 Sep 2024	Good	Dry	None	Normal	8 hours	5 people Beginner to Advanced	Nclegg (418 reports)
Comment: Approach via rainbow ridge took 3.5h and was loose and brushy in sections, but very scenic. Just below the ridge one member of our team loosened a large boulder and fell a short distance but was uninjured. Good route-finding is necessary as this ridge has clearly seen little traffic. Webbing was all in fine condition. Most the potholes were holding some water which could be filtered in a pinch. Just over 8h car-to-car moving at a moderate pace.
11 May 2024		Very Low	None		13 hours	4 people	Myownhigh (7 reports)
Comment: Our group started at North Wilson trail head. It was beautiful and would highly recommend this approach for the views alone. We were moving a little slower than most groups, taking our time and enjoying the day out. The anchor on the 300ft rap will probably need 3 new quick links before the season is over, other than that most of the anchors looked brand new. There was very little water left, a couple easily avoidable pools on the 2nd rap. Got my feet wet in one spot that was about it
1 Oct 2023	Amazing	Dry	None	Normal	8 hours	3 people Intermediate	AZ Advocate (56 reports)
Comment: An amazing canyon. We started on North Wilson trail from Encinoso which might be my new favorite way to access this canyon. New bolt location for the monster rap is perfect; the edge transition was very easy and it mitigated a lot of the wear on your rope and friction during the pull. For the final rap we didn't use a guided rappel but that would have been ideal to avoid the large locust tree waiting for you at the bottom. All webbing was in good shape. Can't wait to do this one again... and again... and again.
12 Mar 2023	Amazing	Moderate	None	Special challenges	9 hours	3 people Intermediate to Advanced	RFontaine (283 reports)
Comment: Features probably the best free hang rappel in the Sedona region. We hiked up Wilson Mtn trail. There was lots of snow 3/4 of the way up and we were “postholing” knee deep quite a bit. The river was flowing as we approached the 1st rap. At the big rappel we rigged a traverse line to get down to the anchor due to it being in flow. The 300’ rappel was incredible in the flow. I wore rain jacket/layers with long johns under my pants. Wasnt too cold, core was kept dry. My partners were pretty cold. Long johns seemed to help alot although i suppose a wetsuit would be best. All webbing good, replaced webbing on final anchor. We rock hopped down the stream to the exit. Super fun day!
21 Aug 2022	Amazing	Moderate High	None	Special challenges	7 hours	3 people Advanced	RFontaine (283 reports)
Comment: An incredible experience under incredible conditions! We left a car at Brin's Mesa TH and shuttled over to Wilson Mtn TH. Wilson Mtn trail is very long and not very exciting. This hike got old quick. Finally getting up into the forest above was refreshing change of scenery though. First rappel puts you into a tree which is a shame because otherwise it would be very enjoyable. Continuing down the canyon, things started to get more and more intriguing. There was a very nice swimming hole we stopped at to dip into for a bit to refresh, not aware of the impending storm on our tail. When we got to the 300' rappel, storm clouds quickly swooped in and it started to rain. A small amount of flow began to trickle down which grew slowly as my team members hurried down the rope. By the time I got on rope, it started to hail and the flow grew considerably. Halfway down, I could see multiple side falls gushing around the canyon alcove. This was a spectacular sight! The flow had grown quite large at this point, however I was behind the veil of water most of the rappel down. We pulled rope and continued down the canyon, keeping an eye on the flow and our exit opportunities. Eventually the clouds passed, leaving a lovely flowing canyon it's wake. The rest of the rappels and the exit out were also flowing and was a real treat! I feel we were very privileged to experience this canyon in these conditions. It made for a fantastic day!
13 Mar 2022	Good	Dry		Normal	9 hours	6 people Beginner to Advanced	EMoorcroft (451 reports)
Comment: NEW Bolted anchor for the big rappel is set higher up on the back side of the pothole. Clean pull and no issues with the sharp edge. We used edge protection on the big rapp. We took the monster approach up rainbow ridge from brins Mesa. Some loved it and some hated it. 4 hours to the top of wilson. Bypassed r1 coming in from the west. 3 rapps total. R1. 300 R2. 60 down to 2nd ledge then downclimbed LDC. R3. 125 bushes at bottom.. guided rapp works nice here to avoid bushes. Rainbow ridge approach was a beast!
7 Dec 2020	Ok	Dry	None	Special challenges		4 people Intermediate to Advanced	EMoorcroft (451 reports)
Comment: Beware: Bolt placement dangerous. As noted in the beta the bolts on the big rappel are flat on the ground a back from the edge. This causes edge friction and core shots on ropes on many occasions. Someone should re-bolt this rapp.. it's been a decade of core shots and close calls. I Started at brins mesa trailhead and took the rainbow ridge approach to avoid shuttle. Rainbow ridge is a 4th class approach much more exciting than the wilson mountain approach.
11 Apr 2020	Good	Dry	None	Normal	7 hours	5 people Intermediate to Advanced	Erek (206 reports)
Comment: Time is from start TH to end TH. Replaced webbing on rappel #2, #3, #4. Started to rain hard at last rappel. Used rope protector on rappel #2. Rappel #2 is difficult to pull, had plenty of rope to extend far away and to get good angle helped.
16 Nov 2019	Good	Dry	None	Special challenges	8 hours	6 people Beginner to Advanced	Erek (206 reports)
Comment: Pretty bushy canyon. Three solid bolts at big drop now about 12 feet from edge, but edge is sharp enough that creeping or rope adjustment after each rappeller would be advisable. Rope pull can be difficult too, as bolts are flat on the ground. Advise bringing 150'-200' of rope to attach at bottom of pull rope to be able to get good angle on dropping slabs. All other raps, not much issues with pulling rope.
15 Dec 2012 Trip report							HikeArizona.com (271 reports)
Comment: Most recent conditions reported at HikeArizona.com, see Trip Report for full details.