Grizzly Canyon (Sedona)
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| | Difficulty:3A III (v3a1 III) Raps:6, max ↨180ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 5min Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 25 Oct 2025
"Major bushwhack along the top of Bear Mountain. No trail through the manzanita, and it can be difficult to tell exact direction of travel some times. |
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| Best season: | Mar;Apr;Oct;HOT May;Sep
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34.9215, -111.8706
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Introduction[edit]
Sitting high above central Sedona, Grizzly Canyon offers sweeping panoramas of the area’s famous red sandstone mesas, striped desert towers and jagged rock fins. Look closely and you’ll find ancient cliff dwellings and marvel at how those who came before us made their homes in places seemingly impossible to get to today. The views on this descent are among the best in any Sedona canyon.
Grizzly Canyon can be done with or without a car shuttle. If using a shuttle, leave the exit vehicle at Fay Canyon Trailhead. Without a shuttle, plan to walk 0.8 miles up Boynton Pass Road back to the Bear Mountain Trailhead.
Approach[edit]
Start at the Bear Mountain Trailhead and hike 2.3 miles and 1,800 feet of elevation gain along a well-maintained trail to the summit of Bear Mountain. Stop to catch your breath and enjoy the views along the way, which only get better as you get higher. When you see the “end trail” sign, your adventure is just beginning. Travel northeast along the ridge for another 0.8 miles to the head of the canyon, picking the best path through thick patches of manzanita, juniper, agave and scrub oak. After about 0.5 miles, you will emerge from the worst of the brush and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views with steep drop-offs on both sides of your path. It is an incredible place. Take a break here and soak it all in.
Make your way to the drop-in point by continuing along the ridge. Stay hiker's right of the ridge once the elevation begins to drop. Downclimb sloped sandstone ledges, aiming for a lone pine tree on a small ledge which is the anchor for the first rappel.
Descent[edit]
R1: 150' off of large pine tree on small ledge. Be careful with foot placement as some of the rock slabs/edges are brittle and could cause rockfall for those below (easy to avoid with care).
Downclimb ~200' of steep sandstone slabs, switchbacking to find the easiest way down. May be heady for some as there are a couple spots with exposure. Option to set rappel from large tree at bottom of R1 if needed. Don't forget to look back up at the view from the bottom - very cool topography here.
R2: 75' off of tree. Steep overhang at top, then mostly free hanging in a pretty grotto.
R3: 180' off of boulder to large ledge. Three stages - will pass two ledges while on rappel.
R4: 70' off of tree LDC to ledge then downclimb last ledge. (There is no longer a tree to stem off).
R5: 40' off of boulder, slightly LDC of main water course. (Despite previous uses of a tree anchor, a newer webbing anchor has been placed around the boulder and works great.)
R6: 125' off of tree LDC ~30' back from the lip. The coolest rappel of the canyon with unbelievable views in all directions. Mostly free hanging in a huge grotto, passing ancient ruins while on rappel. Webbing is extended to assist with the pull. Recommend an additional ~50' on the pull side to get a good angle for rope retrieval. Be sure to drop the rope just off the edge; do not throw it out. High potential to get stuck in trees if the rope is thrown blindly.
Exit[edit]
Follow the drainage to the end of Fay Canyon Trail. Continue on the well-maintained Fay Canyon Trail for 1.3 miles to the parking lot and your exit vehicle. If you did not set an exit vehicle, continue walking 0.8 miles southwest up Boynton Pass Road to return to the Bear Mountain Trailhead.
Red tape[edit]
Red Rocks pass required for parking at Doe/Bear Mtn trailhead. $5 per day at pay station at trailhead. Annual National Park Pass will also work. If parking at Fay Canyon TH to avoid the shuttle, or hike at the end, no pass is required.
Beta sites[edit]
WildPathsAZ.com : Grizzly Canyon
- sedonacanyoneering.com : Grizzly Canyon
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
First Descent: William Lan, John Hewitt, Jim Clarkin, & Brian Deavila