Frye Creek Canyon (S'mores)

Frye Creek Canyon (S'mores) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: S'mores Canyon; Smores Canyon.

Rating:	Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate 4.6 (72 ratings)
‌	Difficulty:‌3C III (v3a4 III) Swift water Raps:‌13, max ↨120ft Metric Overall: 4-6h  ⟷2.2mi No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌Optional 15min Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Granite
Start:	32.7450, -109.8370
Parking:	32.7539, -109.8327
Shuttle:	32.7473, -109.8389
Condition Reports:	12 Apr 2025 "Low flow, but still fun with many big slides still going. Chilly water, but refreshing. Snow patches visible on peak.. Cleaned out 200ft of canyon
Weather:
Best season:	BEST in Mar - Apr;May - Nov winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Arizona Pinaleno Mountains

https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/frye-creek-canyon-smores-canyon,http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=19528,http://onropecanyoneering.com/smores-canyon-az?kmlidx=/s/Smores-Canyon-Canyoneering-Arizona.GPX,https://wildpathsaz.com/smores-canyon-frye-creek/

https://www.facebook.com/pat.winstanley.7/media_set?set=a.781771775214855.1073741936.100001461198708&type=3,https://canyoneering.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/too-good-to-pass-up-in-frye-mesa-canyon/,http://6ixgun.com/journal/frye-mesa-canyon-mt-graham-wilderness

http://onropecanyoneering.com/smores-canyon-az?kmlidx=/s/Smores-Canyon-Canyoneering-Arizona.GPX,http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=19528

32.7450, -109.837032.7539, -109.832732.7473, -109.8389https://ropewiki.com/images/b/bd/Frye_Creek_Canyon_%28S%27mores%29.kmltopo

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Reference photos

24 May 2014: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). Picture by azflyguy at HikeArizona.com

26 Apr 2014: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). Picture by MarkY at HikeArizona.com

6 Sep 2014: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). Picture by desert-boonie at HikeArizona.com

15 Sep 2015: Moderate. Challenging but not dangerous for intermediate canyoneers (class C1 = a4). Picture by OutdoorLover at HikeArizona.com

13 Apr 2017: Moderate-High. A bit high, quite challenging but not too dangerous (class C1+ = a4+).

13 Nov 2015: High. High water, only for experienced swift water canyoneers (class C2 = a5). CFS 3.3 Doable to run with caution

14 Oct 2014: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). Picture by Pat Winstanley

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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Introduction

A super fun polished granite water canyon in the lower Pinaleno Mountains. Water flow levels can get dangerous fast in this canyon - read the HikeAZ beta. This canyon should probably not be attempted at anything beyond 5 CFS, and even that will be beyond the comfort level of many. Most will prefer between 1 and 3 CFS at the most. At 3 CFS a skilled canyoneer can avoid direct impact from most of the falls. Beginners to Class C canyoneering should be coached on foot placement, posture, and hip sliding. The watercourse in the canyon can be incredibly slick.

Approach

From the parking spot at Frye Mesa Reservoir beach, hike up the dirt road you arrived on. Be aware that most of this trail is in full sun exposure with hardly any shade. Head left up the 4x4 trail and hike uphill until arriving at a parking area and gate. Continue past the gate down hiking trail until you see another switch back trail cut off to the left. Take this trail up and around and down to the watercourse.

Once in watercourse, bushwhack a short ways to an open slick rock area where you can suit up. Again, rock is very slick, so use caution.

If you have a high clearance 4x4, you can set up a shuttle that avoids walking the road, as there is ample parking at the top, just before the gate.

Descent

Upper Section

R1: 60' Rock pinch RDC to shallow pool. (Alternative to use Tree set back high UCR in super high flow)

R2: 40' Bolts RDC to shallow pool.

R3: 80' Bolts RDC. Two stage with deep pool after first drop.

R4: 70' Bolts LDC. Heavy waterfall, deep pool.

A few small slides and tiered pools lead to the final drop of the upper section.

R5: 70’ rappel from rebar high LDC, 2 tier 50’ slide, or fixed handline bypass canyon left. Recirculating hydraulic before the 2nd lip in high flow.

Middle Section

The middle section is about a 30 minute creek walk. There is an alternate exit scramble at the fixed ropes before the creek walk in case anyone in the group is cold or having issues with the flow. You can also exit just below R5, following a trail back up to the 4x4 parking area.

Lower Section

The lower section narrows is a rare waterpark with hanging pools leading to pour offs. For this reason, in high flow, a skilled Swift Water canyoneer should be sent first to reach the anchors and rig a safety line for in-experienced group members.

Several small slides will be encountered which in high flow may need to be bridged / stemmed.

R6: 115' Bolt LDC. Set back a ways before the slide. Can be done as a controlled low angle sliding rap or rappelled walking down LDC (dangerous fixed handline removed).

R7: 25' Bolts LDC. Small two-stage, narrow section.

R8: 20' Bolts RDC. Shallow pool.

R9: 30' Tree set back from the lip. Narrow, heavy flow.

R10: 30' Bolts LDC. heavy flow. Potential for rope pull issues with boulder now in start of rappel.

R11: 20’ Bolt LDC added to eliminate rope pull issues from R10 boulder, or to be used as a redirect.

R12: 50' Bolts LDC. Slide into overhang, heavy flow, shallow pool at bottom.

R13: 50' Bolts LDC. Use caution on pour over. The rappel appears to be a wonderful slide opportunity, but the pool at the bottom is too shallow.

Exit

Shortly after the final rappel the watercourse enters the reservoir. From here, there are options:

• There is a nice trail going clockwise around the reservoir to the parking spots
• It is a short swim across the reservoir to the beach
• Intrepid canyoneers may wish to walk the damn wall, which is wide enough, but access is a hassle and the drop on the far side is over a hundred feet. A fall would be fatal, so this is not recommended

Beta sites

• Stav is Lost  : Frye Creek Canyon (April 18, 2022)
• HikeArizona.com  : Frye Creek Canyon - S
• OnRopeCanyoneering.com  : S'mores Canyon
• WildPathsAZ.com  : Frye Creek Canyon

Trip reports and media

• https://www.facebook.com/pat.winstanley.7/media_set?set=a.781771775214855.1073741936.100001461198708&type=3 This trip was done with a flow level of 4.5 cfs and scared one of our party away from water canyons pretty much for life. Use caution.
• https://canyoneering.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/too-good-to-pass-up-in-frye-mesa-canyon/
• Mark Kilian's Adventures  : Frye Mesa Canyon - Mt. Graham Wilderness

Background

Credits

Frye Creek Canyon (S'mores)

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).

Incidents

Incident	Canyoning?	Severity	Date
Incident:Broken leg in Frye Creek Canyon (S'mores) 2022/04/24	Yes	Injury	2022-04-24