Horsetank Wash
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| | Difficulty:3B IV (v3a2 IV) Raps:5-6, max ↨60ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:4WD - High Clearance Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 27 Jul 2024
"Super fun route with lots of beautiful deep swimming holes! The pools are all full with clean rainwater and trickling over. Lots of water exposure and |
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| Best season: | Jun-Sep;COLD Oct
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34.4958, -111.4993
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WaterflowIntroduction
With sections of sculpted narrows, lush foliage, and quite a few swims (even in dry months), Horsetank Wash is a canyon that features a little bit of everything.
What makes this canyon special are the climbs, both up and down. Through the main section of the canyon there are a number of short downclimb problems that are fun to think through, but shouldn’t pose significant challenges for intermediate canyoneers.
The crux of the canyon comes on the exit, with a few sections of lower fifth-class climbing and a couple other short third to fourth class scrambles. All of these offer safe spots to belay from the top for all but the lead climber.
Approach
Follow forest road on KML map. This road is suitable for 2wd high clearance vehicles for most of the way, however, it will eventually turn rocky near the end and 4x4 low range may be helpful, depending on conditions.
Campsite added to kml.
Descent
R1: 50' tree high, RDC (bypasses pothole)
R2: 20' boulder pinch
R3: 10' boulder pinch or possible downclimb.
R4: 60' boulder pinch, followed by a long swim and challenging 15' downclimb CL which can be meat anchored for all but the last person.
R5: previously, a 20' rock pinch CR. ***NOTE*** This anchor failed on June 15, 2024 resulting in an injury which required extraction via helicopter for treatment. Be aware that a new anchor will need to be found/made. In previous archived videos there seems to be a slung tree on CL 20 ft up canyon of the drop. This drop is also well-featured and can be downclimbed by a strong climber.
Exit
Head up Sandrock Canyon.
20' class 4 climb up dry fall.
40' class 5.1 climb up dry fall starting up crack RUC.
You will eventually come to a large 60' unclimbable dry fall. Turn right up steep mostly dirt gully, do not go all the way up. Find 2nd ledge on left. Traverse along ledge and immediately back into water course.
40' class 5.1 climb up dry fall
30' class 5.5 climb up dry fall. This final climb is the most difficult. There are few positive holds and the rock is typically quite sandy. The strongest climber can ascend to set a handline for the rest of the group if needed.
Eventually the wash will grow shallow and forest will appear on either side. Follow KML and exit to the right through the woods, eventually picking up an old forest road.
Red tape
Beta sites
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Super Amazing Map : Horsetank Wash - CanyonChronicles.com : Horsetank Wash
- HikeArizona.com : Horsetank - Sandrock Canyon Loop
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Arizona Technical Canyoneering Book by Todd Martin : Horsetank Wash - ZionCanyoneering.com : Horsetank Wash/Sandrock Canyon
- CanyonCollective.com : Horsetank Wash
- ZionCanyoneering.com : Horsetank Wash
Trip reports and media
- Mark Kilian's Adventures : Horsetank Wash
