Funky Lizard Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A III (v3a1 III) Raps:10, max ↨100ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:None Vehicle:4WD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 13 Nov 2022
"Half the cairn anchors were still there but filled in. All webbing was replaced and anchors rebuilt. No special challenges, only one long 100 ft drop. |
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| Best season: | Nov-Mar (avg for this region)
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36.0755, -117.1968
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Introduction[edit]
The drive in on Indian Ranch Road is about 10 miles and takes about 30 minutes as the road is very washboarded for first half. There was only one deep horizontal rut after the 2022 rain event which was easily passed with typical 4WD clearance.
Near the canyon start there is a great place for basecamping with room for 40 people to camp. Couldn't find out what-for or when this area was used that requires 40 spots.
Approach[edit]
From the camping area, hike towards the mouth of a large wash. The ascent from there is up the flattened rise on hardback gravel that eases in steepness as you ascend. Cross right through a wash from a small canyon and then up through broken rock. This will require some zigzagging across the ridge to find the best route.
At some point you should be able to look right and see the big 100 ft first drop of Funky Lizard Canyon in the photo. Keep going up until there is a big black wash on your right. Enter the wash and start heading down.
Descent[edit]
There are some optional rappels and all are not recommended for firemans due to rock fall on rappel.
These are the rappels the last party through the canyon on Nov. 2022 did:
- R1 - 100 ft vertical off cairn anchor
- R2 - 75 ft near vertical off cairn
- R3 - 25 ft drop with rock chock 25 ft back from the lip (might be passable on right)
- R4 - 30 ft off boulder pinch
- R5 - 40 ft off cairn
- R6 - 50 ft off cairn
- R7 - 75 ft off boulder pinch (might not have webbing, was fiddlesticked)
Most of the small down climbs were on smooth quartz bedrock.
Exit[edit]
Turn the corner to the wash and then walk back to the car.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
- First Descent trip 11-24-18:
https://www.facebook.com/scott.swaney/media_set?set=a.10156895241667930&type=3
Background[edit]
First Descent on 11-24-18 by Scott Swaney and team - see report above for details
