84x4bronco
12-16-2011, 07:27 PM
Headdress Canyon 3B/C II Headdress Canyon 3B/C II
A short but sweet technical canyon of Geronimo Head in the Superstitions. named Headdress, this canyon pours north off of Geronimo Head.
Rating: 3B/C II
Time Required: 3-6 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~65feet
Permit Information
None Needed
Camping/Lodging
Day trip from phoenix along SR88.
Preferred Season
Winter, Spring, Fall. Summer is hot hot, but it can be done if you wish.
Water Concerns
During late winter and spring, this canyon will be rated as a B canyon, unless rain permits.
Special Challenges
Natural anchors are in place, lets keep it that way.
Equipment Suggestions
Topographic Maps
Directions to Trailhead
Head East on SR88 to tortilla flat. Park in the overflow parking, so as not to interfere with regular business.
Approach
Hike back towards canyon lake along SR88. you will pass a drainage (Headdress Canyon.) continue on the road until you reach a small fenced in area on the north side of the road. from this point hike south up and into the mountains. you will notice a white ridge to your left, and a steeper red ridge on your right. stay left and hike along the white ridge (some weaknesses will take some scouting) all the way to a pronounced red rock at its peak. go right of this red peak. from there, you will reach a less steep valley banking off towards Headdress. look across this small valley and locate the low spot on the other side; cross to this low point. once there follow the western side (the La Barge side) of the large red ridge until you get a view down into the upper reaches of Headdress Canyon. La Barge will be viewable off to your right. at this point, routefind your way down this steep slope into Headdress Canyon.
Description: Standard Route
A large white formation covered in lime green lichens greets you as you make your way down into the canyon proper, followed by beautiful cascading pools (a reminder to do this canyon after a decent rain.) the canyon veers right, and you are greeted with R1, a potentially down-climbable (in dry conditions) 20 footer from a gift wrapped rock and pinhole on canyon right. a few DCs later you are greeted with R2, a 25 foot drop into a small pool, from a pinch point under a boulder immediately out of the main watercourse on canyon left. R3 is a stunning 60 footer with a cave entry to the anchor. all rope pulls in this canyon are perfect, so no need to move anything around.
Exit
a 15 minute hop downstream put you right back at SR88, and 5 mins from your car.
A short but sweet technical canyon of Geronimo Head in the Superstitions. named Headdress, this canyon pours north off of Geronimo Head.
Rating: 3B/C II
Time Required: 3-6 Hours
Longest Rappel: ~65feet
Permit Information
None Needed
Camping/Lodging
Day trip from phoenix along SR88.
Preferred Season
Winter, Spring, Fall. Summer is hot hot, but it can be done if you wish.
Water Concerns
During late winter and spring, this canyon will be rated as a B canyon, unless rain permits.
Special Challenges
Natural anchors are in place, lets keep it that way.
Equipment Suggestions
Topographic Maps
Directions to Trailhead
Head East on SR88 to tortilla flat. Park in the overflow parking, so as not to interfere with regular business.
Approach
Hike back towards canyon lake along SR88. you will pass a drainage (Headdress Canyon.) continue on the road until you reach a small fenced in area on the north side of the road. from this point hike south up and into the mountains. you will notice a white ridge to your left, and a steeper red ridge on your right. stay left and hike along the white ridge (some weaknesses will take some scouting) all the way to a pronounced red rock at its peak. go right of this red peak. from there, you will reach a less steep valley banking off towards Headdress. look across this small valley and locate the low spot on the other side; cross to this low point. once there follow the western side (the La Barge side) of the large red ridge until you get a view down into the upper reaches of Headdress Canyon. La Barge will be viewable off to your right. at this point, routefind your way down this steep slope into Headdress Canyon.
Description: Standard Route
A large white formation covered in lime green lichens greets you as you make your way down into the canyon proper, followed by beautiful cascading pools (a reminder to do this canyon after a decent rain.) the canyon veers right, and you are greeted with R1, a potentially down-climbable (in dry conditions) 20 footer from a gift wrapped rock and pinhole on canyon right. a few DCs later you are greeted with R2, a 25 foot drop into a small pool, from a pinch point under a boulder immediately out of the main watercourse on canyon left. R3 is a stunning 60 footer with a cave entry to the anchor. all rope pulls in this canyon are perfect, so no need to move anything around.
Exit
a 15 minute hop downstream put you right back at SR88, and 5 mins from your car.