Long Canyon (Wet Beaver Wilderness)

Long Canyon may slightly remind you of Bear Canyon on the Mogollon Rim of Arizona. It only has one rappel of 20 feet near the bottom after most of the slot has past. Although the canyon is not very technical, the slotted sections above the one rappel are some of the more beautiful in the area and reminiscent of the narrows of Bear Canyon, but longer. If looking to get your tech on, this is not the best choice, but if looking for a rarely visited hike through an absolutely gorgeous slot canyon, this may be a your ticket.

Take the Bell Trail East of I-17 to Bell Crossing and head up the steep trail most of the way to the top of the Mesa after having crossed Wet Beaver Creek. Once almost to the top you will see a steep scree slope that you will need to climb up and over the saddle into the main Long Canyon drainage. Scramble carefully down the steep hill on the other side and to the bottom of Long Canyon, and head into the canyon.

Simple downclimbs and cold swims will take you through this beautiful slot. Near the end a 20 foot rappel off of boulders takes place, before swimming and hiking the final bit to reach Wet Beaver Creek and the Bell Trail.