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James Canyon Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in James Canyon

L › R R › L A › Z

	All Eyez on Me S 5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
	Big Green S 5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
	Hidden Owl S 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
	Lil' Red S 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
	Uncle Kentucky S 5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c

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Elevation:	7,000 ft	2,134 m
GPS:	35.04909, -111.7036 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	10,051 total · 74/month
Shared By:	Joel Unema on Oct 9, 2013
Admins:	Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

James Canyon is a beautiful slot canyon cut into the Coconino Sandstone. Often traveled as a canyoneering route or off-path hike, this hidden canyon offers high-quality sandstone in an incredible and serene setting. Edges, pockets, and jugs, in multi-colored steep and sculpted sandstone bring to mind the Red River Gorge and led to the nickname "Little Kentucky" for this crag.
Old anchors on at least one crack show some development prior to this year, but the climbing included here was developed by John Gould, John Crawley, David Bloom, and Mat Greco during the summer of 2013. This crag is incredibly cool and may provide the perfect escape from the heat of May and June. Conditions are prime from May through October, except during monsoons, when the sandstone may become saturated. Light rains will leave the climbs untouched, as the rock is quite steep.

GPS coordinates are estimated.

Getting There

Take the exit for Kelly Canyon off I-17 and take the forest road west of the interstate. Remain on the main road (as if driving to Kelly Canyon boulders) until just before you reach the large pit used as a shooting range. Turn left just before the shooting pit and continue on that road until you reach a road closed carsonite post. Park here and hike the road (10-15 min) until reaching a rock cairn on the left. (If you reach a downed large tree blocking the road, you have gone too far). Turn left at the cairn and walk towards the canyon ahead (James Canyon), following one or two more cairns. Follow a faint trail down into the canyon and continue down canyon (right) once you reach the bottom. The climbing area is just upstream of some permanent pools, so stop before you get your feet wet and look up to the left or the right and look for bolts!