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Secret Place #19 (Sunburst Canyon*)
* Alias, not found on any map.

Summary: A technical canyoneering trip through a scenic canyon with multiple rappels. Gear required: helmet, webbing (70 ft), harness, descender, a 200' rope (or a 100’ rope and 100’ pull cord). A wet suit may be needed in cold weather or after heavy rains. This trip is suitable for experienced canyoneers with good route finding skills who are familiar with evaluating and using natural anchors. Please leave the bolt kit at home, this canyon can be safely completed with natural anchors.
Road Conditions: High Clearance Vehicle
Navigation: Difficult
Length: 7-9 hours
Date Hiked: September 2005
Weather Conditions: Warm and sunny
Required Skills:
Hike Description:

From the parking spot, walk off the ridge and descend steeply into a brushy drainage. Some hiking and bushwhacking is required in order to proceed down canyon. Eventually you will reach some drop offs.
Rap #1: 15’ from a tree on the right, or down climb.
Rap #2: 15’ from a tree on the right, or down climb.
Rap #3: 15’ from a rock on the right, or down climb.
Rap #4: 40’ double drop from a tree up on a ledge on the left.
Rap #5: 70’ from a tree stump on the left.
Rap #6: 50’ from a dead (but sturdy) tree at the top.
You’ll then be faced with a 45 foot down climb (not difficult), followed by rappel #7, a 25’ rap into a pool and nice section of narrows from a chockstone at the top.
Complete a short downclimb to rap #8, a 25 footer from a constructed deadman anchor (made from a rock pile) at the top.

Continuing down the drainage the canyon widens and you will be faced with 5 short drop offs, which may either be rappelled (obvious anchors) or down climbed to reach the confluence with a larger drainage. Walk along this canyon then a series of smaller, brushier side drainages (the last being the most shallow and most brushy) to climb to a shoulder. Drop down the other side of the hill and follow yet another shallow drainage to a point you had passed earlier in the day. Climb the steep hill up and out of the canyon, back to your car.

Rating (1-5 stars):
I'm being particularly vague about this one, if you happen to find it, it's been named Sunburst Canyon.
The author completed this hike with 3 others at a medium pace in 7 hours. There was no evidence that the canyon had been descended before.
Photos: Click picture for larger view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page.

Six views in Sunburst Canyon.

The rock for which 'Sunburst Canyon' is named.