Kitten Canyon (Northwest Fork)
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| | Difficulty:3A I (v2a1 IV) Raps:3, max ↨33ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:4WD Rock type:Soft Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Anytime, AVOID when wet, HOT in Summer
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36.9623, -108.0066
36.9618, -108.0074
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Introduction[edit]
This canyon, just north of Aztec, NM, is short with many beautiful rock features, including small spires, windows, and hoodoos. The canyon gets its nickname "The Litter Box" from scooping the corse granular sand to fill the sand traps. The sandstone is delicate and minimal impact techniques are required to maintain this canyon.
The first descent with two expert canyoneers took 1.5 hours. The second descent, with a family of 5, took 4hrs.
Approach[edit]
The mouth of the canyon is accessed via access roads for natural gas wells. Entering coordinates into Google Maps will not bring you to the mouth of the canyon.
From Aztec, NM:
Turn onto Ruin Road, which turns into Country Road 2900.
Just over 6 miles from Aztec, turn left onto Country Road 2635.
Enter coordinates into gps device and look on maps to navigate to the canyon start. After turning onto CR 2635, it should take 25 - 30 minutes to reach the canyon in a vehicle with moderate clearance. The road crosses sandy washes and can be rutted.
These roads are not drivable when wet. Thick clay mud makes travel difficult, even for well equipped vehicles.
Descent[edit]
The canyon begins with an 8ft down climb, then opens up into a sandy wash. All rappels are in close succession.
R1: 33ft from sandtrap RDC
R2: 30 ft from sand trap
R3: 15 ft from sand trap
After the last rappel, put technical gear away and make your way down canyon. The canyon briefly narrows before the end.
Exit[edit]
Walk 500ft after the canyon opens up until you reach a small wash entering the drainage LDC. Turn north and ascend the ridge next to the canyon, picking your way through the rock layers. You will hit the road after a short climb out. Turn left and walk until you reach your vehicle.
Red tape[edit]
None
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
First Descent 12.10.23 by Alex Molo and Hannah Wilson
