El Capitan Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v3a1 II) Raps:5, max ↨50ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 10min Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 2 Nov 2025
"A little bland, maybe, but it actually exceeded my low expectations. Several beautifully sculpted sections. Water levels were very low. I was able |
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| Best season: | Early Autumn to Late Spring;BEST in Feb;Mar;Nov;Dec
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33.1749, -110.8083
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WaterflowIntroduction
Typically dry canyon with a handful of rappels. This canyon has been a beginner test ground for friends interested in canyoneering. There are a variety of different natural anchors, different ways to start them, none of the rappels are complex and some have a short free hang or side start. A good yet under rated canyon.
Beware -- some of the open range cattle in the area can be a bit hostile.
Approach
Descend into the canyon at the "Road Narrows" sign and head down canyon.
Descent
R1: 15' off of rock pinch into a shallow pool. Avoidable via shelf LDC.
R2: 20' off of rock pinch directly at drop for a hard start or about 15' back on tree or knot block for easy start.
A short section of walking. Watch for bees.
R3: 50' off of rock pinch. Also possible to complete as two rappels (another anchor exists at second stage) or rap 20’ to second stage and downclimb the rest.
Tunnel DCR.
R4: 15' off of rock pinch.
R5: 30' off of small arch high LDC or number of boulder options.
Exit
The exit is an easy fun 5.3 upclimb on the right just as the canyon opens up that leads to a path to the road or you can continue to walk the drainage until you see the beginning of a path that meets the area you could upclimb. In a couple of switchbacks you will arrive at the road. If you did not shuttle or park by the exit you may have an awkward mile trek on the tight shoulder back up to your vehicle.
Red tape
Beta sites
- TheBetaProject.org: El Capitan Canyon
Super Amazing Map : El Capitan Canyon- HikeArizona.com : El Capitan Canyon
Arizona Technical Canyoneering Book by Todd Martin : El Capitan Canyon- WildPathsAZ.com: El Capitan Canyon
