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Secret Place #19 (Sunburst Canyon*)
*
Alias, not found on any map.
Summary: |
A
technical canyoneering trip through a scenic canyon with multiple rappels.
Gear required: helmet, webbing (70 ft), harness, descender, a 200' rope (or
a 100’ rope and 100’ pull cord). A wet suit may be needed in cold weather or
after heavy rains. This trip is suitable for experienced canyoneers with
good route finding skills who are familiar with evaluating and using natural
anchors. Please leave the bolt kit at home, this canyon can be safely
completed with natural anchors. |
Road
Conditions: |
High
Clearance Vehicle |
Navigation: |
Difficult |
Length: |
7-9 hours |
Date
Hiked: |
September 2005 |
Weather
Conditions: |
Warm and sunny |
Required Skills: |
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Hike
Description: |
From the parking spot,
walk off the ridge and descend steeply into a brushy drainage. Some hiking
and bushwhacking is required in order to proceed down canyon. Eventually you
will reach some drop offs.
Rap #1: 15’ from a tree on the right, or down climb.
Rap #2: 15’ from a tree on the right, or down climb.
Rap #3: 15’ from a rock on the right, or down climb.
Rap #4: 40’ double drop from a tree up on a ledge on the left.
Rap #5: 70’ from a tree stump on the left.
Rap #6: 50’ from a dead (but sturdy) tree at the top.
You’ll then be faced with a 45 foot down climb (not difficult), followed by
rappel #7, a 25’ rap into a pool and nice section of narrows from a
chockstone at the top.
Complete a short downclimb to rap #8, a 25 footer from a constructed deadman
anchor (made from a rock pile) at the top.
Continuing down the drainage the canyon widens and you will be faced with 5
short drop offs, which may either be rappelled (obvious anchors) or down
climbed to reach the confluence with a larger drainage. Walk along this
canyon then a series of smaller, brushier side drainages (the last being the
most shallow and most brushy) to climb to a shoulder. Drop down the other
side of the hill and follow yet another shallow drainage to a point you had
passed earlier in the day. Climb the steep hill up and out of the canyon,
back to your car. |
Rating
(1-5 stars): |
I'm being particularly vague about this one, if you happen to find it, it's
been named Sunburst Canyon.
The author
completed this hike with 3 others at a medium pace in 7 hours. There was no
evidence that the canyon had been descended before. |
Photos: |
Click picture for larger
view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page. |
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Six views in Sunburst Canyon. |
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The rock for which 'Sunburst Canyon'
is named. |
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