Sierra Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3B III (v3a2 III) Raps:7, max ↨50ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 14 Feb 2026
"One swimmer and a few wades. All webbing in good shape. It had rained the prior day so the rock was still wet and choss was more excessive than normal |
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| Best season: | Nov-Apr, After rains
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33.5491, -111.3102
33.5331, -111.3141
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Waterflow
Introduction
One of the more interesting and worthwhile canyons in the Superstition Mountains.
Approach
Apache Trail (88) is now open beyond Fish Creek Vista! This section of road was previously damaged due to rockfall and closed to vehicle traffic.
Approach from a pullout of the Apache Trail near the confluence of Fish Creek and Lewis and Pranty Creek. Hike downstream a ways until you reach the access gully, heading up and then contouring around to the top of the Sierra drainage.
Descent
Much of the rock in the Superstition Mountains is poor quality. It is highly recommended to stay in the watercourse on this route and others adjacent, using established anchors on what is often more scoured, higher quality rock than that found outside the watercourse. A fatality occurred on December 30, 2021 when a group selected and rappelled off a marginal natural arch anchor in attempt to bypass a deep pool.
R1: 15’ off rock pinch into shallow pool.
R2: 25’ off rock pinch CR.
R3: 20’ off rock pinch into deep pool. An exposed traverse high on canyon left is where a fatality previously occurred.
R4: 30' off small tree high CL into deep pool. This pool is sometimes avoidable by carefully climbing around an edge midway through rappel.
R5: 25’ off rock chock (directional). Soft start and meat anchor backup recommended.
The canyon opens up briefly and the north fork of Sierra can soon be seen entering on CR. A few downclimbs will bring you to a second narrow section.
R6: 50’ off large boulder CL.
R7: 40’ off rock pinch.
Exit
Hike upstream along Fish Creek back to your parking spot on the 88.
Red tape
Beta sites
Super Amazing Map : Sierra Canyon- StavIsLost.com : Sierra Canyon - Stav is Lost (April 4, 2025)
- HikeArizona.com : Sierra Canyon - Tonto NF
- HikeArizona.com : Sierra Canyon - North Fork
- OnRopeCanyoneering.com : Sierra Canyon
- ZionCanyoneering.com : Sierra Canyon
- CanyonCollective.com : Sierra
Trip reports and media
- https://www.facebook.com/pat.winstanley.7/media_set?set=a.314247251967312.72483.100001461198708&type=3
- Candition.com : Sierra Canyon
- https://www.facebook.com/pat.winstanley.7/media_set?set=a.1714329208625769.1073742190.100001461198708&type=3&uploaded=6