Conditions:Parker Canyon-20210426200636

Latest:	25 Apr 2021 (4 yrs, 1 month ago)

Reported by:	Nclegg (409 reports)
Quality:	Ok
Waterflow:	Very Low
Wetsuit:	None
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Normal
Time:	4 hours

Team: 2 people with experience level Beginner to Intermediate

Trip report URL:

Comments: Canyon was exceptionally dry. No flow throughout except for a trickle of water over the last two raps. Saw a dead coatimundi around R2, several starved-looking mountain goats between R3 and R4, and the lion carcass up at the rim by the exit. Death and despair was the general ambiance.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
31 May 2024	Ok	Very Low	None	Normal	4 hours	3 people Beginner to Intermediate	Cody Layne33 (1 reports)
Comment: 5/31/24 - Our rope got stuck on rappel 5, tried for an hour and a half to free it (I did not include this time in the time for us to complete the canyon). We planned to return and run the canyon again with a different rope, but something came up and we were unable to. If you plan on running this canyon and can free my rope I would like to arrange some way for me to come and get it as it is practically brand new. Contact me at (951) 293-4263 if you are interested in retrieving my rope or have retrieved it. I will reward for your efforts. Canyon has very low water right now with some moderately deep pools, most are avoidable with some light scrambling and clever rappelling. The water was cold but not unbearable. The deepest water was after rappel 1 at about chest deep, but it is avoidable. The average water depth in most pools was knee deep. Watch out for aggressive bees on the approach as we parked our car in a pullout on the right about 400ft from the bridge and out of nowhere a small swarm of bees attacked us with a shoot first ask questions later mentality.
11 May 2024	Amazing	Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	5 hours	2 people Beginner to Advanced	LEGNOR (12 reports)
Comment: Air temp was 73, water was nice for a 3/4 wetsuit, gauge said 1.34 at Parker creek above 288, no slime yet in main course of canyon, could see it forming in the sunny areas after last rappel.
7 Apr 2024	Amazing	Very High	Full wetsuit	Advanced	6 hours	2 people Advanced	Reallimbic (12 reports)
Comment: Very High Flow dangerous for beginner and intermediate. Flow was strong and wide that not all raps could be avoided out of the direct flow. Team of 2, advanced. Used advanced techniques and class c canyon specific gear to mitigate dangerous raps and hydraulics. Some raps will push you under the heavy flow. Bolt placement at current levels puts you in direct flow. Last rap Very High Flow with current conditions. After out of water on last rap, massive rocks uphill make for a great view of the waterfall. Sunlight hits the skyscraping wall above the waterfall in the back during this time of year close to sunset. One of the massive rocks mentioned uptop was not there a bit ago and is new so use caution standing under that area as this falling boulder would be deadly. We enjoy taking our time and soaking up the canyon. 6 hours. 4/3mm wetsuit and 5mm wetsuit, 2.5mm vest, 3mm socks (5mm socks would be best), 3mm gloves. Would have stayed longer in the canyon but late start and cold water. The stretch before rap 4, plenty of spots to take a break and see the labyrinth of this canyon and hoodoos with massive vertical walls. 12:30pm start in the sun, then after R1 most of the canyon in the shade until half way where we caught the sun for just a bit with the way the canyon curves. Hiked out with light but no direct sun. Earlier start to be in the sun. Might park at exit next time but the exit once on road actually is mostly downhill and extremly beautiful walk back to 4x4 parking almost 1 mile or roughly 2 miles if you parked at the top. Stock high clearance 4x4 would have a hard time getting down this road to the 4x4 parking and there's no room to turn around. Water gauge for the day showed near zero CFS and height gauge which was not at all accurate for the Very High Flow.
29 Mar 2024		High	Full wetsuit		7 hours	3 people Intermediate to Brand new	Kpeter35 (2 reports)
Comment: Water gage height was <1 (0.4) but water level was high. We added two anchors around boulders between rap 1 and 2 to bypass water chutes that are more like slides in lower conditions. We had a climber in our group who was also able to set up retrievable handlines over sketchy current parts. The waterfalls you could rappel and stay out of the current for the most part. All anchors were in excellent condition. Would not recommend beginners for this water level. this is our second time doing this canyon. And this time round we were a bit nervous with the flow.
3 Mar 2024	Good	Low	Full wetsuit	Easy	5 hours	3 people Expert to Brand new	Conrad Wentzel (1 reports)
Comment: Conditions were great especially with the beginner (Courtney) we had in our group. This was her first time doing a canyon. The flow was decent. Not too extreme or too low. Temps outside were in the mid 50s and the water was cold even with a 5/4 wetsuit. As long as you’re moving quickly my wetsuit thickness was good however I was jealous of Tom Cross’s drysuit.
28 May 2023	Amazing	Moderate	None	Normal	6 hours	4 people Advanced to Brand new	MRickerd (37 reports)
Comment: The wife and I took two beginners through this canyon. Their rappels were slow but purposeful. This was our third time through. Roughly 1" of water flowing over the initial dam, with water flowing throughout the entirety of the canyon. This was the most beautiful we have experienced Parker. Waterfalls were flowing well at raps 4 and 5, but stayed out of water by rappeling to the side. Hike out was pleasant as it was mostly shaded. Started at 10:30 and ended at 4:30. This is one of my favorite canyons in AZ with awesome flow to boot.
11 May 2023	Great	Moderate Low	None	Normal	4 hours	3 people Brand new to Intermediate	Stber321 (38 reports)
Comment: Flow is a little low, but still enough to feel it and to provide a nice ride down the slides. This canyon has cool slides plus everything I love about Phog, but more of it. It is a nice time to go, We got away with no wetsuits but the exit isn't deadly hot yet.
30 Apr 2023	Amazing	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	9 hours	5 people Intermediate	PsychoWard (37 reports)
Comment: Extremely beautiful canyon. Flow was light, but still very fun. The big slide was running. Anchors were solid. Love this canyon.
29 Apr 2023	Good	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	3 hours	5 people	Nclegg (409 reports)
13 Apr 2023	Great	Moderate	Thin wetsuit	Normal	4 hours	3 people	Nclegg (409 reports)
Comment: Flow has subsided significantly in the past couple weeks, but is still fun. We were all comfortable in light wetsuits. Rain jackets helped with the wind. Left a CRKT knife by the anchor for R3. I'll buy you a beer (or six) if you find and return it.
12 Mar 2023	Great	Very High	Full wetsuit	Advanced	5 hours	2 people Advanced	Jec (10 reports)
Comment: Report amended 3/28/2023 after discussion of gauge levels. Parker Creek CFS measure is subject to high variance and not reliable. Recommend using gauge height for estimation of flow. ** Very high flow made for an exciting day. South Fork Parker Creek gauge height was 2.25 on 3/12. Churn in the chutes at start of tech section required partner assists. Opted to downclimb DCR of corkscrew to avoid exit boil. Footing difficult to maintain below larger raps. Water was cold but warm sun and low wind mitigated. Challenging but super fun run!
4 Mar 2023	Good	High	Full wetsuit	Special challenges	5 hours	4 people Intermediate to Advanced	Erek (206 reports),Coalemus (160 reports)
Comment: High water flow. Gauge was at 2.02 feet. Avoided slide after second rap, climbed over ledge RDC. Light snow on banks outside canyon flow.
14 Jan 2023	Amazing	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit		4 hours	3 people Intermediate to Advanced	RFontaine (276 reports)
Comment: Really fun and beautiful canyon! very interesting rock, lots of color, and super fun in flow! We drove a mostly stock 4runner all the way to the exit and hiked down. The road has a very rutted section that is no problem for a skilled driver with a stock high clearance 4x4. We wore 4/3 wetsuits and were very comfortable in the beginning, started to get a bit chilly at the end but still not uncomfortable. One of us had a 7mm suit and was hot in the beginning and hot while hiking between rappels. There is a decent slide after the 1st rappel that has no anchor installed. This looks daunting for new people and it is recommended to set up a meat anchor for 1st person to check depth, so that is what we did. Wouldn't hurt to have a bolt installed here... Exit is pretty and engaging, not too strenuous! 4.5hr at a leisurely pace. Flow was really great, lots of fun, definitely the best in the area for a class C canyon.
31 Dec 2022	Great	Low	Full wetsuit	Normal	3 hours	3 people Advanced	Erek (206 reports)
Comment: Great flow, not too cold. Air temps in low 50s.
30 Dec 2022	Great	Moderate Low	Full wetsuit	Normal	3 hours	4 people	Chossjedi (4 reports)

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