Sun Bear
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v3a1 I) Raps:4, max ↨100ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Oct-May (avg for this region)
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34.9095, -111.8815
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Introduction
A mini canyon off of Bear Mountain. This can be done as a loop with a short approach and no shuttle vehicle. Loop approach and exit make this a 2-3hr route with possibly the biggest bang for your buck in Sedona. A great route for beginners or someone looking for a quick yet adventurous outing. The route is south facing and will get sun throughout the day making it a good year-round option.
If this short but exposed approach option seems less appealing the option 2 is close by
Option 3 will add roughly 1 to 2 hours to the total trip starting and ending at Bear Mountain Trailhead.
- For a longer full day, check out the extended route: Sun Bear (Full)
Approach
Option 1
4th class approach. For the quicker more adventurous approach take Boynton Pass road past the Bear mountain TH until the pavement ends. Take the first right onto a dirt road FR 152E. Follow dirt road right and to the end at an abandoned homestead. A high clearance vehicle will be needed to get you comfortably to the end, or you can hike in from this turn off.
From parking location cross over wash heading north towards the cliff face and approach gully. The approach gully is visible from the parking location and has 2 large pines at its base. LOOK FOR CAIRNS TO ENSURE YOU ARE IN THE PROPER GULLY
Take approach gully up until you reach a large tree and a steep 20' chimney.
Do not take chimney, but traverse the slab by the large tree with with skull nailed to it to a scramble up to the top of the ridge staying left and up on the slab. Take next 4th class chimney to the right. Navigate social trail to a last 4th class problem to the top of the ridge. Use caution navigating loose rock and consider wearing helmets and spacing out.
Once atop the ridge join the social trail to r1.
This Approach is the Blue track on the kml file.
Option 2
The Option 2 approach has more bush whacking, however, less exposure than option 1. Take the canyon across from the homestead and stay RUC at the junction. Ascend until you hit a large dry waterfall. Head LUC and then slowly traverse RUC through the dried brush up to the main trail. You can view the option 2 approach in this video: https://vimeo.com/640783175
Option 3
Longer but scenic and straightforward. Start from Bear Mtn TH and hike to the first bench. After the first bench you will pass a large spire on your right shortly after you hike up and around a bend join the traverse trail turning left and traversing past Myagi, and Bobcats to the R1 pin.
Descent
R1: 45' off pine on edge RDC. Followed by a 10' downclimb into a seasonal pool, and some wide stemming will keep you dry.
R2: 15' off tree LDC.
R3: 80' off pine RDC to first ledge.
R4: 80' off boulder to ledge. Downclimb last 20' LDC. Or use boulders RDC for anchor. 115' to bottom.
Exit
After last rappel pack up and head down the slick rock drainage. Continue working your way out of the canyon until drainage evolves into a social trail. Take the faint jeep trail on the left heading east and around the large fin on your left. Once you reach the power lines follow them up a hill and to the abandoned homestead.
If taking Approach option 2 return to Bear mountain TH (approx 40 additional minutes).
Red tape
Beta sites
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sedonacanyoneering.com : Sun Bear Lower
Trip reports and media
Background
First Descent Eric Moorcroft & Tyler Arnestad 3/17/2021
Full Canyon descended from the top on 3/22/2021
Eric Moorcroft, Tyler Arnestad, Forest Burke.
