After camping next to the towering cliffs at the broad exit to Parker Canyon for the last two nights, I think we were all curious to see what the canyon was about. Unlike all the other granite canyons I have seen in this area, this canyon cuts through quartzite. The trip starts modestly enough as you scramble down a small tributary to the confluence with two other tributaries. Then rather abruptly the canyons form a 6-foot wide slot and the first drop and chilly pool present themselves. We suited up and continued down this short but spectacular narrows which even featured a nice slide.
Once down, the canyon ballooned out into spacious bedrock patios lined with fall colors that contrasted beautifully with the golden reds and oranges of the towering canyon walls. The blocky fractures in the quartzite created intricate spires quite unlike any other technical canyon I have been through. The morning shade was cold, but beautiful nonetheless.
The best abseils were the last two- 50 and 80 feet high. Once down this last drop we could see the canyon expanding downstream as it poured out into the Sonoran Desert. We escaped up a gully on the right which provided surprisingly good travel and then a short road walk back to the car. I was pleasantly surprised at the canyon's beauty, but could only imagine what a fun and scenic trip it would be with a healthy flow of water throughout the whole canyon. Dan and Andy went on to seek further glory by taking Jeff on a lap through the Jug while I opted to drive home in the daylight. Thanks to them for the meet up and adventures.
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