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Secret Place #8 (Ain't Snake Pit Canyon*)
*
Alias, not found on any map.
| Summary: |
This canyon is actually a short tributary of
Secret #6. It probably doesn't warrant it's own
description, since there is not much to it, but here it is. To complete this
hike you'll need: 1x150' rope,
harness, descender, webbing, helmet, and carabiners. |
| Road
Conditions: |
4-Wheel Drive |
| Navigation: |
Easy |
| Length: |
3 hours |
| Date
Hiked: |
July 2003 |
| Weather
Conditions: |
Hot |
|
Required Skills: |
 |
| Hike
Description: |
From the car park, simply hike down the well established
trail to a point where the trail crosses this minor drainage. Leave the path
and start rock hopping your way down this steep, boulder strewn slope. It's
an uninteresting hike for a half hour to 45 minutes. Along the way water
will surface, then go underground, then surface again. During the wetter
winter months the stream bed might actually have a steady flow. Eventually
you will reach a point where the drainage abruptly slots up at a steep drop
off. You could rappel directly into the slot at this point, but an easier
entry is to work your way around on the right to enter at a shallow drainage
about 75 yards down stream. There is a 15' drop at the end to enter the main
canyon, I suggest a rope around a small tree at this point for use as a hand
line. Walk down stream through a pool and you'll be faced with a 25' steeply
sloped chute. You might have to set up another hand line if water is
flowing, but if dry it's a down climb/slide. Another short down climb and
short walk around a corner will bring you to your first rappel - a 20 footer
from a tree on canyon left. Another corner will bring you to rap #2, a 35
footer from another tree (this tree is about 20' up canyon from the rappel
point, which is why I suggest a 150' rope for this hike, a 100' rope might
be enough (?)). Coil your rope, walk down canyon, crawl through a hole at
the base of a choke stone and you'll soon reach the drainage of Secret #6
near its end. You can explore up Secret #6 (where your progress will
eventually be stopped by a dry fall) or head down canyon and pick up the
steep trail back to your car. |
| Rating
(1-5 stars): |
 
The author and a friend went down this canyon, explored up Secret #6 as far
as they could go, then returned to their car in about 4.5 hours. |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger
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