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High Spur

Robbers Roost beta posted by Dan Ransom
  • The Hype

    High Spur has the reputation of being one of the most photogenic slots in all of Robber's Roost. It's right up there with Happy Canyon, and sometimes jokingly referred to as "not-antelope." Catch the timing of the light right, and it can be truly spectacular.

    Getting There

    Sometimes, just piecing together all the roads in Roost is the hardest challenge of the day. High Spur is pretty close to as far from pavement as you can get in the Roost, but is fairly straightforward to access.

    To Hans Flat Ranger Station
    From roughly mile marker 135.4 on Hwy 24, head east on the unpaved, but fairly well maintained Maze Road for 24.4 miles to what is known as the "Big Tee." There is an information kiosk at this intersection, and it is a significant landmark in the Roost. From this intersection, travel south on the Maze road towards the Hans Flat ranger station, arriving at another signed intersection in 7.1 miles. This is the "Little Y." Veer left at the sign, and travel an additional 14.2 miles to the Hans Flat Ranger Station.

    To the Trailhead
    Head north from Hans Flat on the The Spur road. Travel 12.7 miles on this road to a signed intersection with the Deadman Trail.

    From the Trailhead
    Begin hiking cross country almost directly due south from the trailhead. You will cross multiple drainages that all eventually lead into the main canyon. Cross each of these minor drainages, and find the head of the main High Spur drainage, and make your way to the start of the technical narrows.

    The Canyon - Rating: 3A/B II   Longest Rap: 85'   # of Raps: 3

    From a technical standpoint, High Spur is not particularly difficult, and is a great canyon for beginners with confidence to build natural anchors, should the need arise. There are a few short drops that might need to be rappelled, and one big final rap that drops you into the open drainage below. There are multiple entry and exit points in the canyon, and a variety of options exist. It's worth planning your day to maximize a high angle sun, which can light up the narrows with amazing color.

    Skills required: Partner Sequencing, Squeezing, Downclimbing

    Rappels: 3, up to 85'
    2 of the drops are fairly short, but might still require rappelling. The final rappel is 85', and almost entirely freehanging.

    Water
    High Spur will occasionally hold some water, but it's also been known to be completely dry. However, conditions vary wildly, and it is not uncommon for there to be a lot organic debris, and water up to waist deep. You should never have to swim, but the sand levels are highly variable, so be prepared. Wetsuits are likely not necessary, except in very cold seasons.

    Natural Anchors
    Robber's Roost is considered a "natural anchor" area. Please be competent with natural anchor evaluation and building skills, and plan accordingly.

    Gear Recommendations
    Technical Canyoneering Kit - including helmet, harness, rappel device, ascending gear
    Webbing - 40'
    Rapides - 3
    Camera - seriously, when the conditions are right, it's an extremely photogenic slot.

    Flash Flood Danger: Low, watch the sky for activity directly overhead.

    The Exit

    After the big rappel, head downcanyon 1/2 mile to a weakness on canyon right. This 4th class exit will require some moderate route finding skill, and eventually winds its way up and through various layers of sandstone, before topping out near the Deadman Trail. Hike northeast towards Deadman Trail, find the road, and enjoy the hour or so walk back to your car.

    Exit Options
    It is possible to shuttle a car if you have 4wd high clearance vehicles. It is also possible to exit the technical narrows by a break on the north side before the long 80' rappel.

    Red Tape

    BLM Land: High Spur is located on BLM land, and currently there are no regulations or access issues. You can camp at large anywhere in the general vicinity, no permit required.

    Most slot canyons are found on public lands managed by the US Government, although a few can be found on private lands. The US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service manage these lands. Each area tends to have unique management issues. As a result, there is not a uniform set of rules governing our use of these lands. For current issues related to canyoneering access, please visit www.americancanyoneers.org.
  • Sometimes, just piecing together all the roads in Roost is the hardest challenge of the day. High Spur is pretty close to as far from pavement as you can get in the Roost, but is fairly straightforward to access.

    To Hans Flat Ranger Station
    From roughly mile marker 135.4 on Hwy 24, head east on the unpaved, but fairly well maintained Maze Road for 24.4 miles to what is known as the "Big Tee." There is an information kiosk at this intersection, and it is a significant landmark in the Roost. From this intersection, travel south on the Maze road towards the Hans Flat ranger station, arriving at another signed intersection in 7.1 miles. This is the "Little Y." Veer left at the sign, and travel an additional 14.2 miles to the Hans Flat Ranger Station.

    To the Trailhead
    Head north from Hans Flat on the The Spur road. Travel 12.7 miles on this road to a signed intersection with the Deadman Trail.

    From the Trailhead
    Begin hiking cross country almost directly due south from the trailhead. You will cross multiple drainages that all eventually lead into the main canyon. Cross each of these minor drainages, and find the head of the main High Spur drainage, and make your way to the start of the technical narrows.
  • From a technical standpoint, High Spur is not particularly difficult, and is a great canyon for beginners with confidence to build natural anchors, should the need arise. There are a few short drops that might need to be rappelled, and one big final rap that drops you into the open drainage below. There are multiple entry and exit points in the canyon, and a variety of options exist. It's worth planning your day to maximize a high angle sun, which can light up the narrows with amazing color.

    Skills required: Partner Sequencing, Squeezing, Downclimbing

    Rappels: 3, up to 85'
    2 of the drops are fairly short, but might still require rappelling. The final rappel is 85', and almost entirely freehanging.

    Water
    High Spur will occasionally hold some water, but it's also been known to be completely dry. However, conditions vary wildly, and it is not uncommon for there to be a lot organic debris, and water up to waist deep. You should never have to swim, but the sand levels are highly variable, so be prepared. Wetsuits are likely not necessary, except in very cold seasons.

    Natural Anchors
    Robber's Roost is considered a "natural anchor" area. Please be competent with natural anchor evaluation and building skills, and plan accordingly.

    Gear Recommendations
    Technical Canyoneering Kit - including helmet, harness, rappel device, ascending gear
    Webbing - 40'
    Rapides - 3
    Camera - seriously, when the conditions are right, it's an extremely photogenic slot.

    Flash Flood Danger: Low, watch the sky for activity directly overhead.
  • After the big rappel, head downcanyon 1/2 mile to a weakness on canyon right. This 4th class exit will require some moderate route finding skill, and eventually winds its way up and through various layers of sandstone, before topping out near the Deadman Trail. Hike northeast towards Deadman Trail, find the road, and enjoy the hour or so walk back to your car.

    Exit Options
    It is possible to shuttle a car if you have 4wd high clearance vehicles. It is also possible to exit the technical narrows by a break on the north side before the long 80' rappel.
  • BLM Land: High Spur is located on BLM land, and currently there are no regulations or access issues. You can camp at large anywhere in the general vicinity, no permit required.

    Most slot canyons are found on public lands managed by the US Government, although a few can be found on private lands. The US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service manage these lands. Each area tends to have unique management issues. As a result, there is not a uniform set of rules governing our use of these lands. For current issues related to canyoneering access, please visit www.americancanyoneers.org.
Tyler and Louis Johnson like this.

Condition Reports for High Spur

  1. Louis Johnson
    Mar 3, 2013
    Louis Johnson

    Difficulty:

    NA

    Skill Level:

    NA

    Water:

    NA

    Thermal:

    NA

    Group Size:

    NA

    Total Time:

    NA


    What time of year were these pictures taken... they are really incredible.

    Posted Mar 3, 2013
The information provided here is intended for entertainment purposes only. The creator of this information and/or Canyon Collective are not liable for any harm or damage caused by this information. Conditions in the backcountry are constantly changing, only you are responsible for your safety and well being.