Deadman Canyon (Pinaleno Mountains)

Though the two waterfall rappels that define Deadman Canyon are fun and scenic, there is not much else to the canyon besides them. Although forgiving by Arizona standards, the canyon is fairly chocked with brush. Large patches of poison ivy are also present. Pants and long sleeves advised.

From Phoenix, drive east on the US60 through the city of Globe, then take US70 towards Safford. Just after reaching the small city of Thatcher, turn right (south) on Reay Lane (turns into Hoopes Ave near the golf course) between mile posts 335 and 336. After 3.4 miles turn right onto Brinkerhoff St which quickly becomes Frye Creek Rd and bends to the south. Turn right where the road turns to dirt to stay on Frye Creek Rd (also apparently FR 650, we didn't see any signs) and follow this bumpy, rocky, slow road south, then southwest for about 3.5 miles. There is only one intersection of note along the way - shortly after a large water tank on your right will be a T or Y in the road, take the right branching road to stay on course. At the 3.5 mile mark is a junction with FR 6629 which continues up a rocky ridge towards Deadman Mesa. Either park at the intersection and hike the remaining 1.4 miles up FR 6629 or drive the road to the trailhead - depending on your vehicle. The road isn't much worse for this stretch (at least when we were there - conditions might change frequently here), but it was certainly steeper. Two small, rickety old posts mark the beginning of the trail on the right once you reach the top of Deadman Mesa. Walk through the posts to locate the beginning of Deadman Trail. The area suffered significant burn damage in the Frye Creek fire of June 2017 making the trail quite difficult to see, though very frequent cairns make the way easy to follow. Follow the rock cairns for about 2.5 miles until the path begins to descend towards the bottom of Deadman Canyon and head down to the canyon floor as soon as you see an easy way to do so.

Hike down canyon through the brush and along the slickrock to arrive in short order at the first rappel. R1: 220' off single bolt and hanger on canyon right fairly close to the edge. This first rappel is a memorable one - a beautiful winding fall with a long polished chute for a fast and fun hip-slide. Beyond this vertical sequence is a half a mile of mostly uneventful creek hiking and brush thrashing (along with some downclimbs and small slides) before you reach the second rappel. R2: 70' off rock chock canyon right, or 60' off a boulder nearer to the lip. After the second drop is another stretch of bushwhacking and rock hopping, this time about .7 miles before you reach the exit trail.