Heart of Stone Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A IV (v3a1 IV) Raps:6, max ↨100ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:4WD - High Clearance Rock type:Limestone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 19 Jan 2025
"Beautiful canyon with several good rappels and a beautiful downclimbs. Extended sections of sculpted granite narrows. Approach was dry, but we did f |
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| Best season: | Mar-Apr
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36.8480, -117.4423
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Introduction[edit]
The canyon has three distinct narrows sections with beautiful smooth gray limestone walls with white veins. There are 4 clean rappels, two notable downclimbs and several small downclimbs. The canyon is short, 1-2 hours. The pay-to-play ratio is extremely high. A 12 mile hike overall, with a cumulative gain of 1900 feet on the approach and 2000 feet gain cumulative on the exit.
Approach[edit]
Descent[edit]
Optional R1 15 feet from small pinch on left, or 10’ chimney downclimb
R2: 125’ from cairn
Long sunny walk
R3: 15 feet over chockstone
R4: 15 feet from cairn anchor. Looks like two-stage but isn't.
R5: 100 feet from rock chock and high flake on left
R6: 80 feet from a big rock pile on a shelf on canyon right, goes to a nice chamber. Followed immediately by a downclimb, then short walk to the Heart, which is more noticeable looking up canyon than down canyon.
Canyon opens up, then gets interesting again.
Partner capture/downclimb
Exit[edit]
Follow the track diligently. Very easy to lose navigation.
Red tape[edit]
Dispersed roadside camping is allowed along White Top Mountain Road (the road to this canyon).
Beta sites[edit]
Super Amazing Map : Heart of Stone Canyon
Trip reports and media[edit]
FIRST DESCENT TRIP REPORT 03-16-14:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152314166112930&type=3
EVEN FURTHER HEART OF STONE CANYON
Background[edit]
Originally explored by Scott Swaney & team - completed on 03-16-14 - see trip report above for details & team