Minnow Canyon
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Difficulty:3A III (v3a1 III) Raps:1-4, max ↨75ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 5min Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parking: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shuttle: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | 7 Dec 2024
"While not a lot of bang for your buck as far as raps are concerned its a pretty area and has some nice rabbit holes. A good winter option to take a b |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | Late Autumn to Early Spring;BEST in Oct;Nov;Feb;Mar
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
33.5214, -111.3048
33.5331, -111.3142
33.5331, -111.3141
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
A scenic canyon with one 140 foot rappel or two rappels up to 75 feet. Lots of downclimbing, boulders, and boulder tunnels.
As of summer 2019, the road to Fish Creek Bridge is closed. It is possible to drive as far as Fish Creek Vista.
Approach[edit]
Park at Tortilla TH. An optional shuttle vehicle can be dropped at Fish Creek Vista to shorten the exit hike.
Hike down FR 213 to the point marked on the GPS file, second major drainage on the left. Bushwhack through thorny bushes for about a half mile till the wash opens up.
Descent[edit]
Several obstacles are encountered before the rappel. Many are bypassable and others will be downclimbable for most. A couple anchors have popped up by some of the more challenging obstacles. As you approach the main rappel(s) the canyon starts to drop rapidly as it joins Fish Creek. Many options exist to take your own route down canyon.
R1: Option #1 - The anchor for the one 140' rappel is a large rock with webbing tied around it on DCL. This will avoid a pool/natural arch on DCR. Throw leftish.
Option #2 - Go DCR to find two bolts set back on large boulder. Rappel is about 50’ down to the next set of bolts above the pool/arch.
Option #3 - From same set of bolts DCR, rappel 40’ into rabbit hole through boulder pile into narrow chamber, then downclimb to next bolted anchor.
R2: If did R1 Option #2 or #3, there is a set of bolts DCR. Rappel is about 75' through arch into knee to chest deep pool. Pool can be avoided by rappelling to arch, then climbing over arch to rappel on other side of arch instead of through.
After the rappel(s), continue downclimbing until Fish Creek. Possible water crossings may be encountered.
Exit[edit]
There's a scramble DCR as you reach Fish Creek Bridge. Head up, and hike the old road out.
Red tape[edit]
The road was closed after Fish Creek Hill Vista due to significant rockfall and road damage.
Update: As of December 2024 the rockfall has been cleared and the road appears to now be open once more.
Beta sites[edit]
Super Amazing Map : Minnow Canyon- OnRopeCanyoneering.com : Minnow Canyon
- CanyonChronicles.com : Minnow Canyon
- HikeArizona.com : Minnow Canyon
Arizona Technical Canyoneering Book by Todd Martin : Minnow Canyon- CanyonCollective.com : Minnow Canyon
- CanyonCollective.com : Minnow
- ZionCanyoneering.com : Minnow Canyon
Trip reports and media[edit]
- Candition.com : Minnow Canyon