Parker Canyon

Parker Canyon Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: Parker Creek.

Rating:	Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate 4.3 (96 ratings)
‌	Difficulty:‌3C II (v3a4 II) Swift water Raps:‌5, max ↨80ft Metric Overall: 3-5.5h  ⟷5mi Approach: 10-30min  ↑0ft Descent: 2-3h Exit: 1-2h  ↑0ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌ Vehicle:4WD - High Clearance
Start:	33.7785, -110.9751
Parking:	33.7860, -110.9719
Condition Reports:	31 May 2024 "5/31/24 - Our rope got stuck on rappel 5, tried for an hour and a half to free it (I did not include this time in the time for us to complete the cany
Weather:
Best season:	Spring winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Arizona Sierra Ancha Mountains

https://adamhaydock.blogspot.com/2020/06/parker-canyon-3cii-arizona.html,http://onropecanyoneering.com/parker-creek-canyon-az?kmlidx=/s/Parker_Creek_Canyon_-_Canyoneering_Arizona.gpx,http://canyonchronicles.com/parker-creek-canyon?kmlidx=205701186783545362755.0004e4a2351fb62826488,http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2071,http://ropewiki.com/User:Arizona_Technical_Canyoneering_Book?id=Parker_Creek_Canyon,http://toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Arizona/Tonto/Salome1.htm,http://canyoncollective.com/betabase/parker.742?kmlidxna,http://ropewiki.com/User:Super_Amazing_Map?id=Parker_Canyon_-_Arizona,http://zioncanyoneering.com/Canyon/Parker-Canyon,http://toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Arizona/Tonto/Salome7.htm,https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/parker-canyon,https://wildpathsaz.com/parker-canyon/

http://candition.com/canyons/parker-creek

http://onropecanyoneering.com/parker-creek-canyon-az?kmlidx=/s/Parker_Creek_Canyon_-_Canyoneering_Arizona.gpx,http://canyonchronicles.com/parker-creek-canyon?kmlidx=205701186783545362755.0004e4a2351fb62826488,http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2071

33.7785, -110.975133.7860, -110.9719https://ropewiki.com/images/2/28/Parker_Canyon.kmltopo

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Reference photos

6 Apr 2012: Very Low. Water flow should not represent any danger (class B = a2).

31 Mar 2013: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). Picture by OnRopeCanyoneering.com

19 Mar 2022: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). 0.12cfps/1.3ft at the gauge. Little to no water over the spillway.

26 Mar 2017: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). Checkpoint

15 Feb 2016: Moderate. Challenging but not dangerous for intermediate canyoneers (class C1 = a4). Picture by Luca Chiarabini

13 Mar 2017: Moderate. Challenging but not dangerous for intermediate canyoneers (class C1 = a4). Photo courtesy of Todd Martin

13 Mar 2010: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). Parker Canyon, Very High Flow. March 13, 2010

13 Mar 2010: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). Guided Rap over large flow, Parker Canyon, March 13 2010.

15 Mar 2013: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). Picture by Jay Wisocki

15 Mar 2020: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). About 3CFS, was 170% at 6am

12 Mar 2023: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6).

3 Oct 2018: Extreme. Extremely dangerous high water, may be unsafe even for experts (class C4 = a7). Stay out of waterfall... brown water conditions means throwing rocks

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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Introduction

A very scenic canyon - fantastic if done at the right flow. Some of the rappels can be slid or jumped (check depth first).

Best done in the afternoon when the sun hits at an angle and lights up the canyon walls with a magical glow. Parker can be easily combined with Salome Jug by doing Salome Jug in the morning and Parker Canyon in the afternoon (taking A Cross Road).

The waterflow checkpoint is 15 minutes into the approach when Pocket Creek enters on canyon left. Abort the descent if you see more water than the one depicted in the picture below.

Picture by Jay Wisocki

There is a USGS flow meter. The gauge is situated ~1.5 miles upstream on the other side of the 288 road prior to the confluence with Pocket Creek, which adds an appreciable amount of flow. Around 1.2 ft (or well under 1 CFS) on the gauge is typical and equates to low flow. Approaching 2 ft is high flow and 2+ ft is very high / extreme.

Note: The CFS gauge is notoriously unreliable at higher flows and thus, for planning purposes, the recommendation is to reference the height gauge. Also, remember that this gauge is upstream of the Pocket Creek confluence which at high flow can easily add a few more CFS.

The pictures below compare the conditions of the big rappel experienced at different dates and flow levels.

Other notes:

• The Parker Creek Trailhead just up the road is not the trailhead for this canyon.
• If you do not have 4x4 / high clearance you can park by the start of the forest road but this will add some distance to the approach and exit hikes.

Approach

4X4 road is rocky, rutted, and narrowly lined with brush. Expect some pin striping if you drive further than the bridge. Depending on road conditions, most factory off-road vehicles with high clearance should be capable of accessing the drop in/parking at 33.77992, -110.97539.

Descent

R1: 15' off single bolt canyon left.

Slide on canyon left, or downclimb on canyon right.

R2: 25' off single bolt canyon left. There's also an alternate anchor high canyon right (walk along the shelf and then look around the corner) if you wanted to rap outside the watercourse

R3: 30’ off rock pinch set back canyon left.

R4: 50’ off tree. Can be done as an overhang canyon left or directly in the water course.

R5: 80’ off boulder. This rappel is very slick - use caution.

Exit

A short walk (about one hundred feet after R5) there will be an opening in the canyon on the right. The gully is a scramble with bouldering and lots of prickly brush so don't expect a defined use trail. It can get warm on the exposed sections. Once on the ridge top keep the canyon in sight and follow it along the up/downs of the cross country walk to the jeep trail/road.

Beta sites

EVEN FURTHER PARKER CANYON

• OnRopeCanyoneering.com : Parker Creek Canyon
• CanyonChronicles.com : Parker Canyon
• HikeArizona.com : Parker Canyon - Tonto NF
• Arizona Technical Canyoneering Book by Todd Martin : Parker Creek Canyon
• ToddsHikingGuide.com : Parker; Hog and First Water Canyons
• CanyonCollective.com : Parker
• Super Amazing Map : Parker Canyon
• ZionCanyoneering.com : Parker Canyon
• ToddsHikingGuide.com : Parker Creek Trail
• https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/parker-canyon
• WildPathsAZ.com : Parker Canyon

Trip reports and media

• Candition.com : Parker Creek

Credits

Parker Canyon

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).