Bedrock Canyon
Vital Statistics
Mileages
Rim to South Canyon Junction: 2 miles
Elevation Change
5280’ to 3840’
Trailhead Access
Take House Rock Buffalo Ranch Road off Hwy 89A between mile posts 559 and 560. Follow the signs to Buffalo Ranch, which is the residence of the area AZ Fish and Game Warden. Pass through the yard, going through two gates. After the second swing gate continue east 1.1 miles to a drop gate. Straight ahead is the road to the South Canyon Trailhead parking area. (.1 mile) Follow the road to the left along the fence line, after .2 mile the fence turns away and the road forks. Take the right fork. Stay on this road until it ends (3.2 miles from the drop gate).
Trail Description
Leaving your vehicle, head northwest until you can locate a passable route down into the main drainage through the Toroweap. Bedrock Canyon does not have the typical number of cairns marking your every step, so it requires some routefinding ability.
Once you are in the main drainage, follow it until you begin to travel over some steeply sloping slabs of bedrock that go around a corner. This terminates at a 100’ pouroff that is too exposed to climb down. A keyhole just about the left side of the pouroff leads to an exposed face so don’t follow this either. At the beginning of this exposed bedrock section you can locate a route up and around the tricky pouroff to the left side. Join up with main drainage and continue downstream. A smaller pouroff downstream causes you to skirt around it, again to the left side. The fun begins as you enter a water-carved slot canyon in the Supai. Continue in the drainage and you’ll be deposited at the head of a 12’ overhung pouroff. I found a piece of yellow polypropylene rope tied off to a chockstone at this location, but was unwilling to trust it. It is imperative that you bring rope for this section as there appeared to be no immediate alternative route around the pouroff (In November 1988 a fisherman from Phoenix was negotiating this lip and injured himself, resulting in a medevac by helicopter) Immediately beyond this pouroff is another that is again negotiated along the left side. This bypass requires some rock climbing ability and would not be amicable to large packs. Beyond this point it is a straightforward descent onward to the South Canyon junction a few minutes beyond.
Water Sources A couple of potholes observed in the Supai. Consider this dry.
Notes This canyon requires knowledge of technical climbing and ropework. To descend the South Fork you will need 3 ropes. The main fork of the canyon may be less complicated but still requires ropework.
|
