Reavis Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3B IV (v3a2 IV) Raps:4-6, max ↨210ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 15 Apr 2017
"Nice flowing water, full, clear pools. Rebuilt all anchors but one. The easy approach/exit trails help speed the trip up, the 4 miles in the canyon |
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| Best season: | winter, spring, fall BEST in Mar;Apr;Oct;Nov
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33.5267, -111.1656
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
Reavis Creek Canyon probably has the most reliable flowing water in the Superstition Mountains (though it still is seasonal), and although it is a long way to go, sections of Reavis Creek Canyon are exceptionally scenic for the Superstitions - especially when the creek is flowing. This trip can be done in one long day or be broken up into two days by camping after the last rappel at the big falls.
From SR88 take FR212 shortly before the turnoff for Apache Lake (signed for Reavis Ranch Trailhead) 2.8 miles to its end to park in the lot for the Reavis Ranch Trail #109.
Approach[edit]
From the trailhead, hike east, southeast on the Reavis Ranch Trail #109. After 3.4 miles you will pass the unofficial (so sometimes signed, sometimes not) spur trail to the falls that you will take on the return hike. Continue on the main trail for another 5 miles (8.5 miles total) until the creek is close below you on your left. Leave the trail and hike through the woods to reach the creek - this is a good time to evaluate the amount of flow in the creek before committing to the canyon.
Descent[edit]
Head down canyon through the brush; we didn't find a good path here, so you may find yourself weaving back and forth to look for more open ground - and not really finding it. After a while the brush abates as the boulders get bigger and you will have to negotiate a minor downclimb or two to continue. Eventually the watercourse cuts a nice, tiered chute through the rock, the first rappel is from a pinch point on the right at the end of the chute. It may be possible to climb around this drop through the brush on the left, but we chose to rappel the 15 foot, scenic falls rather than fight through the brush to find a route - the pool at the bottom was about chest deep. The next vertical obstacle is another 15 foot drop through an interesting chute into a hallway of conglomerate rock that can be carefully downclimbed, being mindful of the slippery rocks - a short swim brings you to the other side. The second rappel is soon after, anchored from a boulder on the right side of the watercourse and is about 30 feet into another deep pool. Shortly after the second, the third rappel is another 30 feet from an anchor in the tree on the left into another large and deep pool. The fourth drop is right after the third and is about 20 feet from an anchor on another tree on the left. The forth was the last rappel we did until the big drop at the falls, but there are many more minor vertical obstacles along the way of varying difficulty. Another tiered section of falls can be downclimbed by most, but some may wish for an anchor or at least a good spot from below. We encountered three more significant falls along the way, the first we chose to climb around through the brush on the left, but then wish we had simply done the rappel since the way wasn't all that enjoyable and you'll probably want to go see the falls anyway. The second falls drops 20 feet into a pool and nice hallway - this one can be bypassed by climbing down through a rabbit hole on the right under the boulders that puts you under the falls - you can only see the rabbit hole when you get to the edge of the drop - from the edge it is behind you on your right. The third waterfall is about 40 feet and can be downclimbed on the left through a series of ledges - look carefully through the brush to locate this route.
After this last fall is another mile or so of tiresome boulder hopping until you reach the last rappel at the big falls. The anchor for this last drop is from two chock stones under a giant boulder directly in the watercourse. If the flow is very high, this anchor may prove unsafe to get to - other options are available for anchor construction, but they may require a longer rope. This last drop is right around 210 feet from the anchor under the boulder and puts you slightly to the canyon right side of the falls - watch rope placement for sharp edges in the rock and minimize lateral movement as much as possible. Avoid throwing the rope or pull chord from the top to avoid endangering any hikers that may be present below. Continue down canyon for a bit under one more mile looking for cairned trails as you go to get to either your campsite or the trail for the exit hike.
Exit[edit]
Stick closely to the cairned route near the few nice campsites in the area to locate the unnamed spur trail that leads from Reavis Creek back to Reavis Ranch Trail - the trail can be a little tricky to follow where it crosses the creek one last time before heading up. Hike the remaining distance up the obvious and steep route as it works its way up the hill, then back down over a saddle after a little over two miles from the creek to meet up again with the Reavis Ranch Trail. Turn right on the main trail and hike the remaining 3.5 miles back to the trailhead.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Super Amazing Map : Reavis Canyon- HikeArizona.com : Reavis Falls Canyon
- ToddsHikingGuide.com : Reavis Falls