Spyhole Canyon
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Difficulty:3A II PG (v4a1 II) Raps:3-5, max ↨170ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | 1 Apr 2025
"Webbing is clean, fixed line was good and decent as of yesterday, always pull to check. Windy day but turned out alright. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | Spring, Fall, Winter, Hot in Summer
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
34.8878, -111.7988
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
Looking for a adventurous way to explore Sedona's Keyhole Cave? Drop in from above. This is a fun outing to scramble up above the cave and drop down the drainage that created the cave. 3 rappels to make it down ending in a epic one right over the Keyhole Cave. The above Summit is also worth a visit if you have extra time.
Approach[edit]
Park at the Sugarloaf TH or on Kinsey CT if parking is full. hike up Teacup Trail to Thunder Mountain Trail approximately 1/3 mile and make a left on Thundermountain Trail. Follow this immediately to the first wash crossing. Go up the wash following the social trail. the trail leaves the wash and parallels it saving some meandering. The cave is visible up ahead during the approach. the social trail ends up back in the wash which you will continue a 1/3 of s mile past the cave where the drainage becomes mostly slick rock and a saddle visible to your right is the weakness you will use to gain the ridge. take your time heading up towards the ridge it is steep and loose in places. Gain the ridge and enjoy the views. Follow the ridge to the east generally following the peak of the ridge until you can continue traversing east on more moderate open slopes to the gulley/canyon for R1. if you want to summit the peak drop extra gear and head up prior to the last traverse.
Descent[edit]
R1 170' off tree to Redrock slab. Stay clear of loose debris and rock fall
- r2 bolted anchor is a safe spot to clip in and avoid rockfall while others are on rope r1.
R2 100' from Bolts out on edge RDC. CAUTION: Watch your step as you will land next to the spyhole.
R3 15' from fixed line on the tree to the bolted anchor in the spyhole. 100' From bolted anchor
- Please use the bolts in the cave, not the tree the fixed line is on. its not a matter of security, but rockfall mitigation. the bolts in the cave provide a perfectly clean and easy rope pull. Rapping/pulling from the tree anchor will likely rain down some rocks into the cave as the rope inevitably hits the ledge before coming down.***
Or..
160' from Bolts on edge RDC.
Secret Spyhole Rapp
Find the "secret spyhole" RDC before the bolt station RUC.
Anchor off tree or fixed line and descend the spyhole 15' to a solid ledge with bolt station. Rig final rappel from here into cave.
Safety Considerations
Loose rock in spyhole tunnel is always a risk.
Communicate with hikers whom may be inside the cave before descending.
Trail the rope with you until it is apparent that the drop is safe and clear.
Stay clear when pulling rope!
Exit[edit]
Follow the gulley/social trail down from the cave and find the drainage you previously hiked up. Return is the same as the approach.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
sedonacanyoneering.com : Spyhole
Trip reports and media[edit]
Spyhole Video [1]
Background[edit]
First Descent by Lars Romig & Laura Stewart.
R4 Alternate "Keyhole Cave Secret Entrance" first descent by Bogan Lawrence and Kevin Iosue on 4.15.2021.
