Observation Point Canyon

Dramatic location, three long rappels, south-facing. Fun, not too strenny, can usually keep dry (ish). Downclimbing the south-facing slabs can be hot even on mild days - not recommended for summer.

Walk the East Mesa Trail to Observation Point. Then backtrack along the trail to the sharp notch where the uppermost part of the canyon comes closest to the path. Continue on the trail for another 100 feet and then head toward the rim. The watercourse itself could be descended, but it appears very brushy. Choose a tree on the rim that provides a clean rappel down steep rock and into a grove of trees. Ensure that your rope reaches the ground. Using the corresponding GPS point is recommended to locate the best starting position.

R1: 250 feet (83m) to a grove of trees. Hike down a broad, rough gully to slickrock. Follow the low-angle slickrock to where it steepens. Cut right, then downclimb steeper rock to a series of ledges. Follow the ledges back left, then all the way left, until you can downclimb easily to the next level. Follow the watercourse down 100 feet. As it starts to drop off steeply, traverse right to lower angle slabs past a ridge, then down to the edge. Select a sturdy bush with a clean line of pull, as low as possible. R2: 260 feet (86m) to the canyon floor. You might rappel past an old RT (Royce Trappier) bolt, 20 feet short of the canyon floor (bad day out for RT). Rig carefully! The many plates and loose rock make rope retrieval a bit tricky. Continue downcanyon through trees and brush. The canyon then slots up 100 feet from the end. R3: Short rap from a chockstone. R4: Rap into a slot. Walk along the slot and continue the rappel into a keeper pothole. The keeper can be avoided with some fancy rappelling skills. Downclimb into another pothole (waist deep?). R5: 120 foot (40m) rappel from bolts. R6: 80 foot (26m) rappel down to an exposed ledge, big enough for four people. R7: 300 feet (92m) to the ground. Be careful throwing the rope - there is a tree 30 feet from the bottom that likes to make things difficult.

Carefully climb up to the Weeping Rock observation platform. Follow the trail to the Weeping Rock Trailhead. Do NOT descend through the riparian zone.