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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| Best season: | Nov-Apr, After rains
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33.5491, -111.3102
33.5331, -111.3141
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
One of the more interesting and worthwhile canyons in the Superstition Mountains.
Approach[edit]
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[edit]
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 placed and rappelled off a marginal anchor in attempt to bypass a pool and avoid getting wet.
R1: 15’ off rock pinch into shallow pool.
R2: 25’ off rock pinch RDC.
R3: 20’ off rock pinch into deep pool. A traverse on canyon left is where a fatality previously occurred.
R4: 45’ off small tree high LDC into deep pool. This pool is sometimes avoidable by carefully climbing around an edge midway through rappel.
R5: 25’ off rock pinch.
The canyon opens up briefly and the north fork of Sierra can soon be seen entering LUC. A few downclimbs will bring you to a second narrow section.
R6: 50’ off boulder LDC.
R7: 40’ off rock pinch.
Exit[edit]
Hike upstream along Fish Creek back to your parking spot on the 88.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
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[edit]
- 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