The Sedona Subway
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v3a1 II) Raps:2, max ↨50ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 22 Apr 2024
"Webbing and all look good, easy trip, gpx great, trailhead packed so expect an extra 2 miles if arriving past 8. |
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| Best season: | April to May, October to December
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34.9007, -111.7952
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Introduction
Not to be confused with the Boynton Subway Cave. This is a less traveled and equally as beautiful alcove requiring rope and route finding to access.
An extremely short slot canyon with two rappels through a neat little area of the red rocks. Can be done in conjunction with nearby New Day Canyon in a day.
Note: Current KML track reflects beta for combining Sedona Subway and New Day Canyon, starting at the Soldier Pass TH.
Approach
Option 1 Park at Soldiers Pass TH (passenger vehicle accessible, limited parking, popular trail / TH). Go up Soldiers Pass trail climbing the hill to the top of the mesa. Upon topping out head to your left following developing social trail avoiding sensitive soils along the rimtop and past a few other little finger canyons before coming up on the Subway.
Option 2 Drive down Dry Creek Rd to the intersection with Brins Mesa Trail (high clearance required, ample parking, more obscure trail / TH). Follow the trail approximately 1.7 miles, then turn right onto Soldier Pass Spur. After 0.2 miles, turn right onto the social trail that meanders across the rim to the head of the canyon.
Descent
R1: 50' off a bolted anchor into a pod chamber. The last half is free hanging.
R2: 25' off a tree RDC with an awkward start and short free-hang.
Hike down canyon to find a few downclimbs that may require a handline or spotting.
Exit
Hike the drainage until it crosses the Soldiers Pass Trail. Turn right to return to Soldier Pass TH, or left to Brins Mesa TH (depending on selected approach option).
Red tape
None.
Beta sites
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sedonacanyoneering.com : Soldiers Subway - WildPathsAZ.com : Sedona Subway
Trip reports and media
Background
First known descent in winter of 2008 by Eric Jansen and Garrett Bennett
