Knee Canyon (North)

The Knee Canyons are two short routes featuring big rappels, awkward starts, and free‑hanging drops on the western side of Pinon Mesa, within the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area managed by the BLM, overlapping the Black Canyons Wilderness Area. The return hike via the Mee Canyon Trail adds extra interest, including a narrow ledge, a rabbit‑hole passage, and a ladder. The names North and South Knee Canyon likely originate from what may have been a typo on the 1984 USGS topographic map, which labeled the drainage below both routes as “Knee Canyon.” Other maps refer to this area as Mee Canyon, which aligns with the information associated with the Mee Canyon Trail. Although described separately, both Knee Canyons can be comfortably completed in a single day along with a visit to the large alcove upstream, even when trailhead parking is located farther away during the August 15 – February 15 access window. The following statistics reflect each canyon individually.

Drive 4.5 miles North on S 16 1/2 Rd from Glade Park. Turn left on Black Ridge Rd for 1.3 miles to a T-intersection with the Upper Access Road (open Apr15-Aug15) and Lower Access Road (open Aug15-Feb15). Either drive the Upper Access Road directly to the Mee Canyon Trailhead (39.09662, -108.84291) or drive the Lower Access Road to the Lower Rattlesnake Arches TH (39.10731, -108.83927), which has less space for vehicles. Another parking location is available on the left just north of this gate. Hike to the Mee Canyon Trailhead from the Lower Access Road, if required. From the Mee Canyon Trailhead, hike the Mee Canyon Trail 1.7 miles to the canyon rim above the ladder, strike right (north) off the trail following a use trail to the head of North Knee Canyon (39.10188, -108.86557).

DC 15' R1: 160' from a tree DCC for a free hanging rappel. A walk off looks possible on Rappeller's Right after feet hit the deck. DC DCR DC Bypass this nuisance drop on either side R2: 110' rope for a 60' drop from a tree set back from the edge DC in a low angle slot

At the bottom of North Knee Canyon, turn left upstream in the main drainage negotiating the reeds to reach the Mee Canyon Trail. Hike up the Mee Canyon Trail to North Knee Canyon or the Mee Canyon Trailhead. The Mee Canyon Trail has abundant cairns to guide the way. Walk the ledge (wide enough), gain a flat section and crawl through a rabbit hole to wrap the corner, then hike around and up to gain the top ridge by climbing a short ladder and crawling through an arch. The trail is easy to follow back to the trailhead.