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Ermahgerd Canyon - 4 members in 12 triplogs have rated this an average 4.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
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Mar 15 2021
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 Routes 195
 Photos 1,151
 Triplogs 345

59 male
 Joined Jan 07 2012
 Gilbert
Lost Goldmine Ridgeline II, AZ 
Lost Goldmine Ridgeline II, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 15 2021
vanmanTriplogs 345
Hiking11.95 Miles 2,494 AEG
Hiking11.95 Miles   10 Hrs   1 Min   1.41 mph
2,494 ft AEG   1 Hour   31 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

This could also be called Balancing Rock to Wave Cave!

I decided I needed to give it another try right away after last week. Made it out to my turn around spot about 45 minutes faster than previously. Went farther to the bottom of the drainage but still didn't get down to where I wanted because it was too steep or too choked. Climbed up the other side and took a break because it was obvious things were gonna get rough.

East of Mushroom Rock the slick rock and game trails end and scrambling and catclaw take over! I don't think I was even going 1 mph!! I found some old climbers' trails but it still seemed like it took forever to turn the corner at the base of Three Sisters and head north to Wave Cave.

Of course it was busy! Took a picture and left! By the time I reached Lost Goldmine I was really wishing I had a shuttle but the long walk back gave me time to take some pictures of the ridgeline and have a shot of bourbon to celebrate!

I doubt I'll do this one again! I'll probably go back down to Ermahgerd and maybe the big funnel by Mushroom Rock but past that it was diminishing returns! I'm glad I was able to get it done once though!!
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Arch  Tafoni
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Pivot Rock - Hiero
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Mar 10 2021
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 Routes 195
 Photos 1,151
 Triplogs 345

59 male
 Joined Jan 07 2012
 Gilbert
Lost Goldmine Ridgeline, AZ 
Lost Goldmine Ridgeline, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 10 2021
vanmanTriplogs 345
Hiking9.67 Miles 2,899 AEG
Hiking9.67 Miles   10 Hrs   18 Mns   1.13 mph
2,899 ft AEG   1 Hour   43 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I've been fascinated with everything just to the east of Hieroglyphic since I first saw Peak 3915 eight years ago. Chuparosa, Ermahgerd, Peak 3915 and what I call the Mushroom Rock Cliffs are all on the list. Lately I've been wondering if it was possible to go from Balancing Rock to the Wave Cave. Today was my first hike past Peak 3915 to explore a possible route. I wanted to get to the big drainage near Mushroom Rock.

Started at 8:00 and made good time up past Balancing Rock and over to the part of the 5057 route that shoots up through the hoodoos (~4000ft). From there it was off-trail past the whole fallen saguaro and across the high ledge. Past 3915 and into the unknown down toward Ermahgerd (which was tougher than expected). Down by the cliffs I was quickly stuck in a maze of rocks. Made some adjustments and got close to the spots I wanted to see then headed for the drainage.

This is a cool spot! Would love to see water slicing down through here! I really wanted to go down near the bottom but time and energy said no! I could have crossed over and gone a little further towards Wave Cave (now wish I would have), but I had a snack, took some pictures and noticed the arch!

Heading back I got drawn into the eastern edge of Ermahgerd. Got some great shots of the cave! Made the tough climb back up to 3915 and walked around on that weirdness then went back down past Balancing Rock. Got to the car at 6:00 pretty worn out but very happy!! Last night I said I'd never do it again but today I'm not so sure!!! :D
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Arch
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Jan 20 2021
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 Photos 27
 Triplogs 9

30 male
 Joined Jun 08 2016
 Peoria, Arizona
Ermahgerd CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Jan 20 2021
sdudzinskiTriplogs 9
Canyoneering5.70 Miles 2,600 AEG
Canyoneering5.70 Miles
2,600 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Ran this canyon through the West Fork. Took us 8 hours with some backtracking and route finding. There was no water in the “potholes” but this was before the rain. The exit was brutal and were unable to find the cairns use path.
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Feb 13 2020
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 Routes 255
 Photos 1,071
 Triplogs 245

68 male
 Joined Feb 10 2008
 Kent,wa
Ermahgerd CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 13 2020
fdv75Triplogs 245
Hiking8.26 Miles 1,990 AEG
Hiking8.26 Miles   5 Hrs   14 Mns   1.96 mph
1,990 ft AEG   1 Hour   1 Min Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Turks Head and Ermahgerd Canyon
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Feb 10 2020
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 Routes 195
 Photos 1,151
 Triplogs 345

59 male
 Joined Jan 07 2012
 Gilbert
Ermahgerd CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 10 2020
vanmanTriplogs 345
Hiking5.15 Miles 1,566 AEG
Hiking5.15 Miles   5 Hrs   54 Mns   1.14 mph
1,566 ft AEG   1 Hour   22 Mns Break
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This hike is rough!! And gets rougher as you go! There's a faint route and it can disappear fast! It's totally worth it!! There used to be a canyoneering video of this online, but check out some of the other HAz photosets for that!
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Chuparosa Canyon (Unofficial)
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  5 archives
Dec 09 2017
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 Photos 377
 Triplogs 579

female
 Joined Jun 19 2009
 AZ
Ermahgerd CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Dec 09 2017
oceanwithinTriplogs 579
Canyoneering5.70 Miles 2,600 AEG
Canyoneering5.70 Miles   7 Hrs      0.81 mph
2,600 ft AEG20 LBS Pack
A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Apparently I am behind on the times as I had to look up the internet meme for which this canyon was named:Ermahgerd!

This was a fun day adventuring out in the Superstitions, seeing a seldom-traveled canyon with several fun rappels. The approach was pretty standard for this area--rocky, crumbly, steep, sharp and scratchy. We took the East Fork entrance which starts off with a 215' mostly free-hanging rappel. I was a little nervous starting out with such a biggie on a fast rope but I guess it's like riding a bike, it comes back quickly. This dropped us into a really cool alcove-ish spot, looking up at mossy walls that you don't normally see in this area.

After several more fun drops and down-climbs we arrived at the finale, a very windy 270' drop down a sloping wall. This is my favorite way down as you can easily stop and chill out if you want to take in the view or rest your hands. The exit was a ways through the brush until meeting up with the Lost Goldmine trail for an easy hike the rest of the way back.

The entire canyon was completely dry except for 1 small pool full of wasps that we all bypassed on the left. It was a little sketchy, but better than the wasps option. :)

It was a great adventure with an awesome group as always. You know it's been a fun day when you go to lay down in bed that night and you discover you have a huge cactus needle sticking out of your back! Only after the Supes... :lol:
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Feb 23 2015
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 Routes 195
 Photos 1,151
 Triplogs 345

59 male
 Joined Jan 07 2012
 Gilbert
Ermahgerd CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Feb 23 2015
vanmanTriplogs 345
Canyoneering5.70 Miles 2,000 AEG
Canyoneering5.70 Miles   6 Hrs      1.09 mph
2,000 ft AEG      45 Mns Break
 
Partners none no partners
Now that I figured out the quickest hiking route in I was able to use the extra time to push all the way to the giant cave in the back of the canyon. There is really only one short scramble with some exposure, but the climb in/out of Chuparosa is steep and loose.

This is an incredible canyon with some very strange formations! The cave area is amazing and drops steeply into the drainage on the east side. Besides what is visible from below there are other small isolated pockets on both sides of the central cave. If you enjoy some off-trail exploration, this is the hike for you!!
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Chuparosa
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mining Equipment
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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  1 archive
Dec 08 2014
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 Routes 195
 Photos 1,151
 Triplogs 345

59 male
 Joined Jan 07 2012
 Gilbert
Turks Backyard - the CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 08 2014
vanmanTriplogs 345
Hiking6.00 Miles 2,400 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles   6 Hrs      1.14 mph
2,400 ft AEG      45 Mns Break18 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
This area (aka Ermahgerd Canyon) has fascinated me since the first time I saw it on the way up to 5057 via Balancing Rock. After being in the neighborhood twice last week I decided it was time to get up close! But I would go up on foot, not down with ropes. Things worked out well! Climbed up the left side outside of the mouth of the canyon. Got to a saddle and contoured west around the inner steepness. Once around to the cliff walls I found a nice route over to below the huge cave. That was the end of the line though because it looked like free climbing was needed to reach the cave. But since I could see the last rappel, I decided to go down and check it out. Vertigo city!! Not sure how anyone can go over that edge! Saw the ladder down near the bottom on the side wall.

Went back up and retraced my route until I was above Rockadoodle Canyon. Made the steep hike down to check out the formations there. Came down the west side of the drainage and out on the route Mike showed me last week. Really cool in here too! A most adventurous day!!
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  1 archive
Mar 09 2014
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 Routes 2
 Photos 44
 Triplogs 4

37 male
 Joined Jul 21 2005
 Marana, Arizona
Ermahgerd CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Mar 09 2014
jrbowmanTriplogs 4
Canyoneering5.70 Miles 2,600 AEG
Canyoneering5.70 Miles   6 Hrs      0.95 mph
2,600 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
III - Normally requires most of a day
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Needed to get my canyon fix, and couldn't get further north so I decided to do some exploring in the Superstitions in the nice weather. Every other time I've been in these mountains its been in the dead of summer.

The approach wasn't bad, a little brushy in spots during the climb up the slope. Was very happy to find very little loose rock (relatively speaking).

Dropped in the West Fork, and had to do one additional 20' rappel before the 250' listed as the first. Webbing was already in place, so we weren't the only ones to decide it wasn't a good idea to downclimb. The brush in the west fork is nasty in a few places. Looking back, that huge overhang between the two forks looks like it could be a fun alternative drop in.

Once down to the junction with the west fork the canyon gets fun. I was really surprised how nicely the canyon narrows up.

This canyon is definitely worth the half day required to do it.
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Feb 17 2014
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 Guides 1
 Routes 3
 Photos 337
 Triplogs 311

41 male
 Joined May 31 2009
 
Ermahgerd CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Feb 17 2014
azflyguyTriplogs 311
Canyoneering5.70 Miles 2,600 AEG
Canyoneering5.70 Miles   6 Hrs      0.95 mph
2,600 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   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.
 
Jan 07 2014
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 Triplogs 3

31 male
 Joined Dec 30 2013
 Tempe
Ermahgerd CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Jan 07 2014
KieferAOCTriplogs 3
Canyoneering5.70 Miles 2,600 AEG
Canyoneering5.70 Miles   10 Hrs      0.57 mph
2,600 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
III - Normally requires most of a day
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Wow! This canyon was amazing! Don't lead this with more than 5 people though, or you'll hate yourself (Why can't I say no?). The approach is somewhat taxing, but can be accomplished easily if you pace yourself. I suggest starting as early as possible, with a group of 7 we didn't reach our vehicles until 8:30. All the webbing as of this post were nice and new, although the rapide on east fork entrance is going to need to be replaced soon. Man that first drop is insane. I would highly recommend the east entrance, as it is 215 of almost entirely free-hanging. You drop through a chimney-like feature and then travel down quite a ways away from the wall. Wetsuits are really not needed at all. We did this in the beginning of January, and even the most clumsy person should only get wet up to mid-thigh or waist (and only twice at that). The final rap is a lot more vertical than the picture led me to believe, but by the time I descended it was already dark :( I will be coming back again, as this really is the best canyon in the Supes that can be easily reached. It can be done quite efficiently with a 300, a 200, and a 150 foot section of rope. If you haven't been here, you need to do it at least once!
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Dec 08 2013
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 Guides 4
 Routes 20
 Photos 544
 Triplogs 22

male
 Joined May 23 2004
 San Diego, CA
Ermahgerd CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Dec 08 2013
azmikeTriplogs 22
Canyoneering5.70 Miles 2,600 AEG
Canyoneering5.70 Miles   8 Hrs      0.71 mph
2,600 ft AEG30 LBS Pack
Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical;
B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit
III - Normally requires most of a day
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We left the Hieroglyphics trailhead around 8:30 AM and reach the canyon entrance 2 hours and 20 minutes later with only one break. We entered the canyon from the west fork with the 250 ft. rappel. There was no evidence that anyone had rappelled in from this location. We did see webbing in the east fork where we knew the canyoneers that did the first descent entered the canyon.

There was a trickle of water down the first rappel, which made it slick in some areas. The rappels in the canyon were all pretty easy with no difficult starts. There were a few pools of water we waded through but no swimmers and nothing above our chest. Even though the water was a little bit chilly, we weren't in the water long enough to need wetsuits. Some of the pools were in full sun.

After the last rappel, we hike about 3/4-mile to the Lost Goldmine trail, which was easy to find. We finished at the TH around 4:30 PM. It was a good day to be in the canyon.
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average hiking speed 1.08 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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