Disintegration Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3B III (v3a2 III) Raps:5, max ↨55ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:4WD - High Clearance Rock type:varied | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Fall
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34.4426, -111.6301
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
A surprisingly beautiful canyon in a remote section of the Coconino National Forest. It is probably best done in Autumn when the fall colors are on full display. There are five rappels up to 55 feet in the upper section. Once past the technical section, you will rock hop down to a natural spring and several amazing sections of varying rock. The exit is not easy and depending on your route out, it has a 5.7 fairly exposed climb that needs to be ascended just before you reach the top.
Approach[edit]
From The General Crook Exit off I-17 head East on 260 for 22.4 miles to NF-9d. Turn South. Head on southeast for 1.8 miles and turn right on continuing on Nf-9d following the power lines. This is a fairly rough road. Continue on Nf-9d for 2.1 miles to an unnamed road at 34.4466991,-111.6036517. Turn right past the tank and continue for 0.7 miles until you reach a fence. Go through the gate and take the faint road to your left for an additional 2 miles. Park here.
Descent[edit]
The descent from the vehicle to the canyon was fairly easy. You head west for .9 miles and drop down about 200 ft to the canyon then head left. The canyon itself consisted of lots of rock hopping and several scenic sections of multicolored rock layers. The most unique being the yellow "Disintegrating" sandstone rock.
R1: 15ft off chockstone in the watercourse. Optional (probably only when wet) R2: 15ft off passthrough anchor on canyon left. Optional. R3: 15ft off horn, canyon left or downclimb canyon right. R4: 50ft - off the tree, 20ft up canyon left R5: 55' - from pinch point, canyon left about 30' back from the edge.
Exit[edit]
After 2.1 miles you exit up a small dirt drainage on canyon left until you are forced out and left through holly brush. Continue through the brush until you reach a large rock fall area. Climb up this to the base of the cliff above. Work your way left until you find a break you feel comfortable climbing. The exit we chose was about a 5.7-5.8 climb with a bit of an overhang and serious exposure.
