James Canyon 3B III

[rcwild]

This canyon involves hiking, swimming and 2 rappels. This canyon can either be done as a loop, using the Kelly Canyon for the return. Or as a through trip descending Pumphouse Wash. If going as a through trip, a car shuttle will be required.

For more detailed information: Arizona Technical Canyoneering (http://www.canyonsandcrags.com/servlet/the-55/Arizona-Technical-Canyoneering/Detail) by Todd Martin

Rating: 3B III
Time Required: 6-10 hours
Longest Rappel: 40 feet

Permit Information
If you are parking at Pumphouse Wash, a Red Rock pass is required at $5 a day or $20 a year.

Preferred Season
Summer

[mgetchis]

We descended James canyon mid-May. Water levels can vary significantly in James through Pumphouse wash. Water temps have always been cold when we did this canyon. This canyon involves 7 or so miles of rock hopping so you may want to leave early.

[nonot]

James is in beautiful shape. Still lots of clean-ish water though it is getting low in places, the pothole at the first rappel looks keeperish, but isn't.

[mgetchis]

Nonot is spot on, it is goregous down there. A note on the single bolt on thy first rap; it really shouldn't be there and the bolt itself has worked it self out quite a bit. If you follow the lowest part of that drainage 25 feet up canyon ymthere is a large boulder and a useable tree behind it. One day I will do my civic duty and remove that bolt.

[randomhero87]

I live here in Flagstaff and have done James several times. Water levels can vary greatly in this canyon. There is one rappel of maybe 10 feet into water and then another rappel of about 40 feet that is just straight over a ledge onto solid ground. Both rappels are EASILY done with natural anchors. The first is via a sling around a solid chockstone and the second (40 footer) from a sling around a ponderosa pine on canyon left. There are some nice twisty narrows, some good swims, and a lot of fun in this canyon. If you dont like boulder hopping, skip this canyon. There is quite a lot of that here. There is one wade through a major log jam and then a COLD swim of 60 yards. Fun canyon - I've always done it as a shuttle, hiking down Pumphouse Wash and exiting at the bridge at 89A and then going up Fry Canyon. Watch for rattlesnakes; almost stepped on one in Pumphouse. Great entry technical canyon. I've done it in the heat of the summer and never needed a wetsuit. Early spring/late fall would probably be a necessity. Any questions - let me know!

Stew