Morro Canyon
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Difficulty:3B III (v3a2 III) Raps:14, max ↨56ft
Red Tape:Permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Limestone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | 15 Jun 2026
"Fun canyon, way easier than I expected. Flows were normal, as far as I know. Gentle flow, no swims or hydraulics. All anchors excellent bolts, no ques |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | May-October
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Introduction
Morro Canyon is a beginner-friendly canyon not too far from the highway in Jasper National Park. Flows are generally low in spring, and then the canyon may be dry by mid-summer. It's also been descended in winter, when the waterfalls become frozen.
Without any major obstacles or significant difficulties, this is a straightforward canyon in a gorgeous landscape that makes for a fun day out.
Approach
From the parking area, follow a well-used trail up the slope. You'll eventually track uphill-left and traverse above, and then below, small cliffs. It's class II at most - nothing scary or exposed.
From the saddle, the trail is a bit more faint but still easy to follow as it descends into the ravine.
Once in the ravine, you'll see gently flowing water. Follow it downstream for maybe 15 minutes until arriving at the first rappel.
Descent
There are around 14 rappels, up to about 17 meters. All have excellent bolts (but always carry some webbing just in case).
- P1 16m
- P2 5m
- P3 10m
- P4 opt ~10m climable
- P5 16m
- P6 7m
- P7 15m
- P8 18m
- P9 4m climable
- P10 10m
- P11 5m
- P12 9m
- P13 5m
The first half of the canyon is continuous large slot. The second half is a few sections of opening-and-closing mini slots.
Exit
After the canyon finishes, follow the creek down. Soon you will cross the Overlander Track. It should be well marked by cairns. Follow this north (right), you will end up back at the TH where you started.
Red tape
You are in Jasper National Park and will need a national park pass to access this area.
Jasper National Park limits access to certain canyons in the summer, such as Maligne Canyon. Morro Canyon is currently permitted, but check the park's website for up-to-date information.
Beta sites
Canyoning in the Canadian Rockies
Trip reports and media
YouTube 2023-05-14 Beta in video description
https://fatcanyoners.org/2017/12/10/morrow-canyon-jasper-canada/
Background
First descent unknown. Used by guiding companies.