Bush Action

After a recent trip through I decided to add the R rating as I feel like the exposure and consequences of a mistake warrant the added risk rating. Full disclosure this is more of a cliff than a canyon, but with at least 4 raps, a lower 5th class exposed sandstone scramble and fantastic views made this a welcome surprise for me and left me with a smile. The name is derived from needing to rely on a bush near the end as an anchor which led to some uncertainty when exploring. Turns out it was very bomber. Note: we used a Toggle on all drops and did not leave any webbing.

Park a shuttle vehicle at the overlook after the first switchback on the rim rock road. Park your second vehicle at the window rock trail head and use the same approach as Lizard Canyon.

Rap 1 is the same as Lizard rap 1 and is 100 ft in the watercourse. From the bottom of rap 1 veer off to the DCL aiming for the saddle between the two major drainages. Go up this sharp ridge between the two drainages. Be very careful when going up this feature. It’s very scenic and the best part of this canyon but does pack some exposure. The first few moves to get up on the ridge feature are the hardest. Once up 10 feet or so move to the climbers right, this is the safe way around staying on a narrow sidewalk with generally good feet. Once around the feature make your way back to the ridge proper. If you want to belay the rest of your party though the traverse do so here. To it to the top of the ridge climb straight up the spine of the ridge with good hands and feet to the top. Once on top follow the knife ridge and saddle until a drainage plunges to the left downwards towards the highway. The decent from here is as follows 10ft rap or DC in water course. 15ft rap off of a tree to a large ledge. 150ft from a tree on the DCR. Very aggressive classic CNM overhang. Slab DC to a final 80ft rap off a sturdy bush in the watercourse to the road bellow.

Walk down the road to your shuttle car.