Conditions:Parallel Play Canyon-20240409041030

Latest:	8 Apr 2024 (1 yr, 5 mos ago)

Reported by:	EMoorcroft (451 reports)
Quality:	Great
Waterflow:	Moderate
Wetsuit:	Thin wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Normal
Time:

Team: 4 people

Trip report URL:

Comments: We replaced most anchors. Flow was moderate making this route one of the best in the area. Although the creek walking on the exit is long, it's very pretty and enjoyable with flow. Catclaw between the creek and the road was easy to avoid. I could see this route being an arduous day and not worth the effort if it wasn't flowing. Time it right to experience the true magic. With moderate flow we didn't have to do any swims or jumps on the exit, just some downclimbing. In the right conditions this one is as good as rock creek and shaketree and better than big kahuna and Barnhart IMO.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
8 Apr 2024	Great	Moderate	Thin wetsuit	Normal		4 people	EMoorcroft (451 reports)
Comment: We replaced most anchors. Flow was moderate making this route one of the best in the area. Although the creek walking on the exit is long, it's very pretty and enjoyable with flow. Catclaw between the creek and the road was easy to avoid. I could see this route being an arduous day and not worth the effort if it wasn't flowing. Time it right to experience the true magic. With moderate flow we didn't have to do any swims or jumps on the exit, just some downclimbing. In the right conditions this one is as good as rock creek and shaketree and better than big kahuna and Barnhart IMO.
9 Apr 2022	Ok	Very Low	Rain jacket	Normal	8 hours	2 people Advanced	Nclegg (444 reports)
Comment: A LOT of effort for a short section of technical canyon. The R2-R4 sequence is pretty, but it’s over quick. Unlikely to repeat this one and IMO nearby Oak Spring, Shake Tree, Barhardt, and Big Kahuna are all better bang for your buck. Lots of wildlife (hawks, owls, frogs, coatimundi). Replaced old crispy R3 webbing at the the unnecessary rebelay station, and added a rock pinch anchor RDC at R6 that follows the watercourse (accessed via rabbit hole downclimb between large chockstones). Downclimbed R7. Multiple deep wades and one mandatory swim. A few optional swims and small jump opportunities along the exit.
9 Apr 2022	Ok	Low	None		8 hours	2 people Advanced	KpIosue (14 reports)
Comment: The approach is long and exposed with zero shade and lots of elevation gain, bring a water filter, you will likley drink all/most of it on the way up if done in the warmer months. the canyon itself is pretty, however its alot of work for a short section of technical goods and the exit is...alot longer than one would think. Overall a fun, strenuous day with lots of wildlife and sunburn...would consider doing again with more flow.
27 Mar 2022	Great	Low	None	Normal	9 hours	2 people Intermediate to Advanced	EMoorcroft (451 reports)
Comment: A GOOD CANYON, Great for the Mazatals region! We waited until the first 80 degree day of sunshine in March and received low but fun flow. The approach was a bit exposed to the elements with little shade up a steep switchback trail through blooming wildflowers. We took a lot of breaks until we reached the saddle to head down. Once at the start of the canyon we filtered some water and had lunch. Pants and bushwhacking layers are beneficial once in the approach drainage. Waterflow was low and borderline B/C class, but very pleasant for us. Anchor LDC on multistage rappel ledge looked great. Would recommend setting the pull cord LDC to make the pull from this anchor more smoothe. One of us wore a Rain jacket and felt great, The other wore nothing for cold water protection and felt fine as well. We were glad we did not pack wet suits. Once we were finished with the technical section we geared down and realized we had about 1/3 of the total route left to boulder hop, downclimb, jump, and slide pools before leaving the drainage. Good canyon with some unique sections and easy but fun challenges. Would repeat with more flow for sure. Saw our first rattlesnake of the year while downclimbing on the exit.
15 Apr 2021	Great	Very Low	None	Normal	8 hours	4 people Beginner to Advanced	Damian (13 reports)
Comment: For some reason we were expecting a C canyon but there was not a slightest trickle, only few pools, chest deep at the most that could've been waded. Bringing and putting on the wetsuits turned out to be completely unnecessary. We changed webbings on all anchors. Last rap we downclimbed ( both down the watercourse and LDC ) and found washed webbing down canyon ( most likely from that rap )
29 Mar 2020	Great	Moderate	Full wetsuit	Normal	9 hours	4 people Beginner to Advanced	Erek (206 reports)
Comment: Great water flow level. At least 4 pools to jump, all deep, max about 20'. One fun slide towards end. Did 7 rappels and did rappel #2 as two stage. All anchors looked good, replaced webbing on last rappel off of boulder pinch, RDC. Water temperature was great with 5mm wetsuit and rain jacket.
1 Feb 2020	Great	Moderate Low	Full wetsuit	Normal	7 hours	2 people Advanced	Erek (206 reports)
Comment: Replaced webbing on 3rd rappel (2nd rap of two stage big drop) and on last rappel. Webbing on all other rappels looked good. No rope pull issues. Good water flow, but not overwhelming. Water was cold, in shade most of canyon, full wetsuit was nice to have. Couple anchors could have been better placed to stay in main water course. Did big rappel in two stages, staying in water flow for 2nd stage. Used piton in rock for 4th rappel directly after big rappel, instead of rappelling 2nd stage out of water flow and bypassing piton rappel (which looks like is more common approach to doing it). Did a couple jumps in lower part of canyon. Overall fun canyon.
17 Jan 2016 Trip report	Great						HikeArizona.com (271 reports)
Comment: Most recent conditions reported at HikeArizona.com, see Trip Report for full details.