Timber Camp Canyon

The upper section of the most prominent drainage for Timber Camp Mountain, Timber Camp Canyon (technically upper Ash Creek) is scenic with pretty pools and interesting conglomerate and metamorphic geology, but is barely technical with one or two short rappels and the upper part of the canyon is frequented and befouled by cattle. From Globe, AZ, drive 26.4 miles from where AZ60/77 turns north to split off from AZ70/77 to park at a large pullout on the north side of the road.

Step over the wire fence from the parking area and head north to drop into the upper canyon.

After hiking and boulder hopping for 1.6 miles you will come to the first drop which is about 20 feet anchored from a pinch point in the main watercourse on the left - you can get off rappel on a ledge to avoid the pool if attempting to stay dry. This first drop is the only real mandatory vertical obstacle of consequence in the canyon, but if your party is attempting to avoid the water you may choose to traverse above a large pool farther down canyon on the right to rappel about 20 feet from a tree after the pool. All the other pools in the canyon can be avoided by hiking and scrambling around on one side or the other. If exiting by going back up canyon, the turn around point is a dam just before the canyon opens.

The easiest way to exit the canyon appears to be to simply go right back up it, ascending the two (at most) small drops along the way. While I have not explored exit options on the east side of the canyon after the pools, the drainage to the west appeared too brushy and miserable to attempt to use for an exit. All the terrain outside the canyon floor is thoroughly choked with manzanita, agave, yucca and cats claw acacia; so the best option is to just go back up the canyon. The two drops are easy to ascend, short, and have good stable anchor points; just be sure to protect the rope anywhere it might pass over a rocky edge that could fray the rope while your party ascends.