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Headdress Canyon - 4 members in 11 triplogs have rated this an average 3.8 ( 1 to 5 best )
11 triplogs
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Oct 17 2017
avatar

 Guides 100
 Routes 63
 Photos 2,548
 Triplogs 184

76 male
 Joined Nov 21 2015
 Grand Junction,
Headdress CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Headdress Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Oct 17 2017
Steph_and_Blake • Triplogs 184
Canyoneering1.80 Miles 523 AEG
Canyoneering1.80 Miles   4 Hrs      0.45 mph
523 ft AEG
Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical;
A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit
Risky - Extraordinary risk factors exist; solid skills/judgement reqd; no beginners
II - Normally requires a half day
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Blake and I downloaded azmike's gps route to get to the drop-in point of Headdress Canyon. We were glad to have his route as we felt it would have been time-consuming and frustrating to find it without the gps coordinates. The first ~ 35-feet rappel was already rigged off a large boulder RDC. So we checked the webbing and then roped in and got some practice on a pretty straight-forward descent. The water was up to my underarms and was refreshingly cool and not very mucky. Next was some boulder-hopping to get to the second rappel, about 15-feet. It could have been down-climbed, but not by us. So we opted to take the time to set up our own anchor, just for the practice, and had another straight-forward rappel. A very short distance from there was the 70-feet rappel. Down into the "rabbit hole" we went to get our gear sorted out and to check out the existing anchor. We single-rope rappelled with a pull cord and all went smoothly. The alcove at the bottom was cool and would be a great spot for lunch. In fact, we should have stopped there to eat because it took us well over an hour to get back to the truck due to all the vegetation in the creek bed. It was constant boulder-hopping and avoidance of catclaw and other pointy plants. We were famished by the time we got out. For the effort it took to get through the long exit, we wished there had been at least two more raps to make it more worthwhile. Perhaps done at another time of year or after a less rainy summer there would be less vegetation in the creek bed.
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Stephanie and Blake Barnard
 
Feb 21 2016
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 73
 Photos 14,456
 Triplogs 628

62 female
 Joined Aug 19 2011
 Scottsdale, AZ
Headdress CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Headdress Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Feb 21 2016
outdoor_lover • Triplogs 628
Canyoneering2.50 Miles 723 AEG
Canyoneering2.50 Miles
723 ft AEG
Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical;
B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit
II - Normally requires a half day
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice Day in the Supes with Friends...Kinda took a more Scenic Route due to some Route Finding Issues, but we finally dropped in...I Struggled a bit. Still trying to come back from the Ribs and then I was down with a Nasty Bug of some Kind at the Beginning of the Week...Good to get out somewhere besides the Gym, need to hit the Trails more....Even though I knew there would be a Swim and it's February, with the Weather Forecast, I elected to not take a Wetsuit...Good Choice after our slightly more Scenic Approach...Water felt great! :D
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Wildflowers are starting to come on, on the Apache Trail, especially near Canyon Lake...Brittlebush is really just starting, but the Lupine is going pretty good on the Roadsides. Fairy Duster is showing up and there's a few Poppies about too. Globe Mallow is starting to really make a Showing in Spots....
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Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!"
 
Jan 05 2014
avatar

 Routes 1
 Photos 29,248
 Triplogs 1,448

45 female
 Joined Jan 18 2011
 In the Wild
Headdress CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Headdress Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Jan 05 2014
Lucyan • Triplogs 1,448
Canyoneering1.80 Miles 523 AEG
Canyoneering1.80 Miles   4 Hrs      0.45 mph
523 ft AEG
Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical;
B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit
II - Normally requires a half day
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Headdress Canyon, located in the Superstition Wilderness, is a short and sweet beginner's technical canyon with 3 rappels, the longest being 70 ft down a waterfall that depending on weather conditions could be dry or flowing.

The canyon is located directly behind Tortilla Flat east of Canyon Lake. The approach to the canyon is about 2/3rds of a mile with a 500 ft. climb before dropping into the top of the canyon. The first rappel is 30 ft. into water that will require a short swim. The second rappel is an optional 15 ft. rap. The third rappel is 70 ft. rappel under a boulder down a chute into a sweet alcove.

This canyon requires some experience rappelling. You must have taken a rappelling or canyoneering class, or have canyoneering experience.
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Nov 24 2013
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 20
 Photos 544
 Triplogs 22

male
 Joined May 23 2004
 San Diego, CA
Headdress CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Headdress Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Nov 24 2013
azmike • Triplogs 22
Canyoneering1.80 Miles 523 AEG
Canyoneering1.80 Miles   2 Hrs      0.90 mph
523 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Lots of water in the canyon following the rains. There were a couple swimmers where wet suits were needed. The water was cold and flowing.
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Mar 28 2013
avatar

 Photos 377
 Triplogs 579

female
 Joined Jun 19 2009
 AZ
Headdress CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Headdress Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Mar 28 2013
oceanwithin • Triplogs 579
Canyoneering1.80 Miles 523 AEG
Canyoneering1.80 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   1.20 mph
523 ft AEG
A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit
I - Short 1-2 hours
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Quick run though Geronimo's Headdress... at night! Climbed around the 1st rap & downclimbed the 2nd. Took a much more direct route on the approach which saved quite a bit of time. Such a different experience in the dark, seeing the stars through canyon walls along with the cacophony of frogs at night. Perfect week-night canyon!! :y:
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  2 archives
Mar 09 2013
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 20
 Photos 544
 Triplogs 22

male
 Joined May 23 2004
 San Diego, CA
Headdress CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Headdress Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Mar 09 2013
azmike • Triplogs 22
Canyoneering1.80 Miles 523 AEG
Canyoneering1.80 Miles   2 Hrs   45 Mns   0.65 mph
523 ft AEG
Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical;
C - Strong current; wading/swimming; waterfalls; possible wet/dry suit
II - Normally requires a half day
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Thunderstorms had moved into Phoenix Thursday night and it rained all day Friday and into early Saturday morning. As we drove to Tortilla Flat early Saturday morning, we could see the snow capped peaks of Four Peaks. We knew that Headdress would be full of water and it was likely that all three rappels would be waterfalls. We were right.

Seven of us parked at the overflow parking lot just east of Tortilla Flat at about 8:30 AM. We hiked west up the paved road about a quarter mile until we came up on the chain link fence on the side of the road. At this point, we started climbing south up the hill to the first small ridge. There's a use trail that starts at a small white National forest sign and it ends at the top of this small ridge. We started southwest along the ridge and then dropped into the drainage. We cross the drainage and continued climbing due south. A few groups I know of started climbing up towards the peak to the southwest. You do not need to climb up and to the west. The canyon begins due south of where you started on the use trail. The climb is only 500 ft.

Once we crossed this first major drainage, we continue south careful not to drop in too early. We made sure we circled around to the west of a large rock formation on our left (formation is a couple hundred feet high). We dropped in at this point.

The first rappel was 30 ft and it was a waterfall due to the recent rains. We put on our wet suits and rappelled into the water below. It was a swimmer. The second rappel is 15 ft down a waterfall and it was a swimmer, as well. We could have bypassed this rappel on LDC, but why. It's a waterfall rappel. The third and final rappel is right on top of the second rappel. It was also a raging waterfall however we were still able to climb down under the boulder to reach the start of the rappel. The alcove below was full of water, but you didn't need to rappel into the water. We rappelled to the ledge above it and down climbed. When we were there three weeks earlier, the alcove was dry.

Once we finished the last rappel we spent the next 25 minutes rock hopping down the creek to the road. There were a number of pools of water as we worked our way down the creek.

We finished in about 2 hrs 45 min. It was a great day to be in the Supes.
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Feb 27 2013
avatar

 Photos 377
 Triplogs 579

female
 Joined Jun 19 2009
 AZ
Headdress CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Headdress Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Feb 27 2013
oceanwithin • Triplogs 579
Canyoneering1.80 Miles 523 AEG
Canyoneering1.80 Miles   3 Hrs      0.60 mph
523 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
A short and scenic mid-week Supes canyon. Bypassed first rap on the left to avoid the pool, 2nd rap could be a slightly sketchy downclimb (we rappelled it) and 3rd is mandatory through an awesome little cave. Definitely a neat canyon, especially how the water keeps going underground and reappearing. Saw a sweet rock arch, a mule deer skeleton(?) and 2 hawks coasting together across the sky. The waitress at the marina restaurant gave me some pretty weird looks after noticing the visible aftermath of cat's claw scratch marks on my arms. :D Fun day!
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Feb 27 2013
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 3
 Photos 337
 Triplogs 311

41 male
 Joined May 31 2009
 
Headdress CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Headdress Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Feb 27 2013
azflyguy • Triplogs 311
Canyoneering1.80 Miles 523 AEG
Canyoneering1.80 Miles   3 Hrs      0.60 mph
523 ft AEG
Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical;
A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit
II - Normally requires a half day
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
Canyoneering gear beta tester and supplier. Visit http://www.shadowcatadventures.com for canyoneering, climbing, hiking and backpacking gear.
 
Feb 09 2013
avatar

 Guides 107
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,067
 Triplogs 514

male
 Joined Nov 18 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Geronimo CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Geronimo Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Feb 09 2013
nonot • Triplogs 514
Canyoneering1.20 Miles 800 AEG
Canyoneering1.20 Miles
800 ft AEG
Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical;
A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit
I - Short 1-2 hours
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Headdress Canyon
Partners none no partners
Quick loop with a nonstandard approach - nearly hit the Labarge saddle. Bypassed the first rappel, then climbed around the optional 2nd rap. The 3rd rap (only one we did) is nice, Joe described it as a "hidden gem" and he is right!

For those geologists, there are some really cool hoodoos like you typically find up around the AZ-Utah border hiding in this corner of the Supes. Awesome! Managed to stay dry, but many will want wetsuits when this is flowing.
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http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, ankle-twisting, HAZmaster crushing ROCKS!!
Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, shin-stabbing, skin-shredding plants!
Hike Arizona it is full of striking, biting, stabbing, venomous wildlife!
  3 archives
Mar 19 2012
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 4
 Photos 3,873
 Triplogs 362

51 female
 Joined Feb 12 2008
 Tucson, AZ
Geronimo CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Geronimo Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Mar 19 2012
sirena • Triplogs 362
Canyoneering0.80 Miles 800 AEG
Canyoneering0.80 Miles
800 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Headdress Canyon
Partners none no partners
After the storm on Sunday, I was eager to go play in a canyon with Clint, Adam and Kristin. This area is really interesting with its rock formations and different textures. The last rappel was my favorite into a large room. We got rained on as we were finishing the last rappel and then it turned into snow! Afterward went down Damocles and up and down Dionysius to round out a fantastic day.
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Dec 23 2011
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 4
 Photos 8,687
 Triplogs 931

46 male
 Joined Mar 28 2005
 Gilbert, AZ
Geronimo CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Geronimo Canyon
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Dec 23 2011
Vaporman • Triplogs 931
Canyoneering1.25 Miles 600 AEG
Canyoneering1.25 Miles   3 Hrs   45 Mns   0.33 mph
600 ft AEG
Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical;
B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit
II - Normally requires a half day
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Headdress Canyon
Partners partners
suzaz
My buddy Clint recently descended this sweet canyon and shared the beta naming it Headdress Canyon. The approach was still a work in progress so we opted to try a lower approach and thankfully it worked. :D Such funky & colorful volcanic rock and scenic views along the way! The canyon was still flowing lightly and the first 20ft rappel was into a super chilly swimmer. :o Some down climbs later and we found a nice sunny spot to warm back up. 8) There was an optional 20ft waterfall rappel into another pool but we opted for the easy bypass. Just below that was a box canyon with a 60ft rappel from below a suspended rock pile. The box canyon was pretty sweet & tall though some tricky down climbs was all it took to exit it. The rest of the canyon was mucho bushwhacking, down climbing, and rock hopping but it was scenic & sunny so it was enjoyable & pleasant. :sweat:
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Yea, canyoneering is an extreme sport... EXTREMELY dramatic!!! =p
  2 archives
average hiking speed 0.79 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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