Illusions Canyon
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| | Difficulty:4B III (v4a2 III) Raps:13, max ↨100ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 1h 15min Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 8 Jun 2025
"An excellent day through the canyon with an unfortunate injury to a party member towards the end which needed an evac. Accident report has more inform |
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| Best season: | Late Spring to Early Autumn;COLD in May;Sep;Oct
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34.9912, -111.7735
34.9846, -111.7683
34.9906, -111.7421
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
This is one of the best in Arizona. Canyoneers attempting this route should be well prepared to escape the keeper pothole at the end.
Approach[edit]
The shortest way to run the canyon is with the Sneak Exit. It can also be done with long shuttle or with the original approach hiking up from the bottom and exiting West Fork of Oak Creek, but this adds a large amount of shuttle time and a strenuous hike up A.B. Young trail.
From Flagstaff, take the road marked in black on the kml. You can camp at the parking spot for the approach/exit. Coordinates are on the kml
Descent[edit]
All rappels are under 100' from bolts and natural anchors.
Note that rope grooves have begun to develop at multiple locations. PLEASE be intentional with choice of rigging and, where possible, pull ropes with line of sight to the anchor to avoid exacerbating the damage.
4 Rating
Illusions has potential keeper potholes - notably the pothole at the base of the final rappel. Depending on water levels, these features may require special equipment and skills to get past (reference ACA Canyon Rating criteria). Parties should review the below sources of beta and be equipped with appropriate pothole escape skills and gear prior to entering the canyon.
In the last pothole, potshots are unlikely to be effective. Drilled holes may be blown. A tent pole and hook to reach the top lip may be effective.
Other risk factors to consider include number of rappels, water temperature, prolonged immersion, and difficulty of escape.
Exit[edit]
Follow the sneak exit drainage back up to the rim and your vehicle.
Or
Hike West Fork to the shuttle vehicle.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
- EVEN FURTHER ILLUSIONS CANYON
CanyonCollective.com : Illusions- OnRopeCanyoneering.com : Illusions Canyon
- CanyonChronicles.com : Illusions Canyon
- HikeArizona.com : Illusions Canyon
- Super Amazing Map : Illusions Canyon
- ZionCanyoneering.com : Illusions Canyon
- BluuGnome.com : Illusions Canyon
- Mark Kilian's Adventures : Illusions Canyon
- WildPathsAZ : Illusions Canyon (September 2024)
Trip reports and media[edit]
- https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/illusions-canyon-and-west-fork-of-oak-creek
- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151684868246103.1073741849.669366102&type=1&l=eba20e549c
Background[edit]
Illusions was kept secret for many years after it's discovery due to fear that exploitation would have a negative impact on the canyons eco-system . Please help keep this canyon clean and serene.
First known descent by Joe and Sara DeSalme, Todd & Steph Martin, and Tom Wetherill. Canyoneers exit drainage was descended and documented by Jay Wisocki and Dinna Marquez down to the last pothole in Illusions then ascended back up making sure it was a go for canyoneers and to make the run much more appealing. My adventure companion Bucky joined us on the adventure as well (RIP). Illusions, Insomnia, Immaculate, Flintstone, The Perch, Barney Springs, Two Tone and Lone Spire have sneak exits in place.