Hammond Canyon  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  7,000' Lat, Long:  37.7057, -109.803 Map Page Views:  646. Good page?    Administrators:  Andrew Gram, Perin Blanchard, grk10vq, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Josh Ewing on Sep 4, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Likely unclimbed towers in the lower section of Ha...

Description 

This is a remote, high-elevation desert canyon. The area is incredibly beautiful, with plentiful ancient ruins, a year-round stream, and lots of tall pines and quaking aspen. The rock is Cedar Mesa Sandstone, which can range from decent to bad. As with all infrequently climbed sandstone, expect some sand and bring some fresh webbing for the anchors.

Getting There 

Hammond Canyon is located in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, in the Elk Ridge Area, west of the Abajo Mountains. Getting there is complicated, and you'll need a map. You can come from the Natural Bridges area via the Bear's Ears Pass. You can come from Indian Creek, via a big drive up Beef Basin Road. Or you can come from Blanding via Cottonwood Wash. It's possible to access the canyon from above or below. The top of the canyon is at "Little Notch," which is signed off of the Elk Ridge Road, also known as Woodenshoe Road. The camping at this trailhead is nice and the hike into the canyon is down an established trail. For towers in the lower canyon, it might be easier to come in from the Cream Pots trail, but it's probably sixes.

The Classics

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BETA PHOTO: Well preserved ruins in the middle section of Hamm...