| Hike Description: |
From
the parking area, walk across the dry wash to a
gate that will let you through the fence (please
close it behind you). Turn right and follow the
road as it parallels the wash downstream. After
a short distance, the road ends at the creek.
Rock hop and bushwhack down stream. Some
climbing is required to negotiate a few boulders
and avoid pools if you are trying to keep your
feet dry. After a bit of walking, the brush
abates and the canyon enters a very pleasant
section of narrows which also features some
climbing (note: the rock in this canyon is
polished smooth and is very slick, use care).
Eventually, your progress will be blocked by a
big pool. It is possible to climb around the
pool on the right hand side (facing down canyon)
using a fixed piece of webbing as a hand line to
get up one particularly tricky section. Just
beyond the pool, you will reach a drop of about
40 feet that can not be descended without a
rope. Backtrack a short distance and climb up
and around on the right. Just below is a steep
scree slope on the right that can be used to
make a loop hike. Climb the rocky slope about
half way to the top, then bend left and work
your way up to the steep cliff face on the left
and a prominent ledge which runs mid-way along
the cliff. When you reach the cliff you will
locate a prominent climber trail (the cliff face
in front of you is known as Isolation Canyon in
climbing circles). Before hiking out, it's worth
a detour to follow the use trail left along the
small ledge. Those with good eyes will spot
bolted climbing routes up the cliff face. When
the ledge peters out, return the way you came
and follow the trail as it climbs steeply up and
out of the canyon to the top of a mesa. The path
is a bit faint in places, but cairned at
frequent intervals as it travels across the
mesa, then drops off the other side to rejoin
Pine Creek at a spot you crossed earlier in the
day. Turn left and retrace your steps back to
your vehicle.
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