rcwild
06-25-2008, 07:55 AM
A remote canyon draining the Moroni Slopes that offers a few technical challenges
Rating: 3A III
Time Required:??
Longest Rappel: Just over 100 feet
Permit Information
No permit required
Camping/Lodging
Primitive camping near trailhead
Preferred Season
Spring to autumn, when rain isn't threatening. Summer is ok but can be hot.
Water Concerns
Potentially water filled potholes
Special Challenges
Potential keeper potholes, some downclimbs may require a belay
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 200’ rope or longer long pieces of webbing, rap rings/links, ascending gear, pothole escape kit
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' Maps ‘Frying Pan’ and ‘Caine Springs’
Directions to Trailhead
Because of the long drive and remoteness, a car with decent clearance and emergency road gear is recommended. To get there, drive to the Cedar Mountain/East Cedar Mountain pass (south from exit 97 on I-70 seems to be the most car friendly). A ways after the pass the road splits, the right fork (Carlyle Wash) is more direct but is quite rough. Going left, then turning back right (passing Last Chance Well) is longer but is much easier driving. Plot your route on a map before you leave. Continue south past the Frying Pan Catchment - complete with an old corral and various water gathering implements - for a mile or so. The rim of Corral Canyon will appear at your left (east). Park (or camp, there are plenty of spots around here) and walk to the rim, and find a way down.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
Walk to the canyon rim from your car/camp. Follow the canyon downstream past many downclimbs.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Description: Standard Route
Eventually you will reach a section of potholes. The first is a keeper, but a pack toss works well. Next comes a rappel off of a bolt on canyon right (looking down canyon). A few easy potholes and a downclimb leads to a wider canyon. A belay is recommended for some of the downclimbs. Hike down canyon - with more occasional downclimbs - until you reach a big 2-stage drop that must be rappelled. If you bring a 200' rope, the ends will be a few feet above the ground - a 150' rope with a pull cord is a better alternative. There are lots of boulders to anchor off of. Past this point you reach the mouth of the canyon and Last Chance Wash.
Exit
Hike up Last Chance Wash (turning right) until you reach a spot where you can climb up the north rim. It is only 5-10 minutes away from the mouth of Corral. From the rim hike north in the hot open desert, until you find the road that parallels Corral Canyon. A map is very useful. This should be the road you parked on. Hike up it a mile or so back to your car
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Rating: 3A III
Time Required:??
Longest Rappel: Just over 100 feet
Permit Information
No permit required
Camping/Lodging
Primitive camping near trailhead
Preferred Season
Spring to autumn, when rain isn't threatening. Summer is ok but can be hot.
Water Concerns
Potentially water filled potholes
Special Challenges
Potential keeper potholes, some downclimbs may require a belay
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 200’ rope or longer long pieces of webbing, rap rings/links, ascending gear, pothole escape kit
Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' Maps ‘Frying Pan’ and ‘Caine Springs’
Directions to Trailhead
Because of the long drive and remoteness, a car with decent clearance and emergency road gear is recommended. To get there, drive to the Cedar Mountain/East Cedar Mountain pass (south from exit 97 on I-70 seems to be the most car friendly). A ways after the pass the road splits, the right fork (Carlyle Wash) is more direct but is quite rough. Going left, then turning back right (passing Last Chance Well) is longer but is much easier driving. Plot your route on a map before you leave. Continue south past the Frying Pan Catchment - complete with an old corral and various water gathering implements - for a mile or so. The rim of Corral Canyon will appear at your left (east). Park (or camp, there are plenty of spots around here) and walk to the rim, and find a way down.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Approach
Walk to the canyon rim from your car/camp. Follow the canyon downstream past many downclimbs.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
- -
Description: Standard Route
Eventually you will reach a section of potholes. The first is a keeper, but a pack toss works well. Next comes a rappel off of a bolt on canyon right (looking down canyon). A few easy potholes and a downclimb leads to a wider canyon. A belay is recommended for some of the downclimbs. Hike down canyon - with more occasional downclimbs - until you reach a big 2-stage drop that must be rappelled. If you bring a 200' rope, the ends will be a few feet above the ground - a 150' rope with a pull cord is a better alternative. There are lots of boulders to anchor off of. Past this point you reach the mouth of the canyon and Last Chance Wash.
Exit
Hike up Last Chance Wash (turning right) until you reach a spot where you can climb up the north rim. It is only 5-10 minutes away from the mouth of Corral. From the rim hike north in the hot open desert, until you find the road that parallels Corral Canyon. A map is very useful. This should be the road you parked on. Hike up it a mile or so back to your car
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
- -