cmgz
Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 100
Back in March, I was invited on a trip down Tuckup Canyon to Stairway Canyon. Non technical but a rope and webbing was helpful for backpacks and a few downclimbs.
Heading down the trailhead into Tuckup
![P1090055.JPG P1090055.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54533-605ea17555748fec5c4d01cb7c356806.jpg)
Cubicle rock, an important route marker for the way back out.
![P1090059.JPG P1090059.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54534-7467323d07589718af977a4de602bca9.jpg)
A stop at the Shaman's Panel.
![P1090069.JPG P1090069.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54535-3679801c5bcb63bf8263f1482f1dedaa.jpg)
Heading down Tuckup
![P1090088.JPG P1090088.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54536-20217c098919b84323aa832d0818c529.jpg)
Willow Creek coming in, beautiful but mineralized water which will make you feel not so good in the end.
![P1090098.JPG P1090098.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54537-a696d0aa97f5e71147371562102eb38c.jpg)
Deepening canyon
![P1090114.JPG P1090114.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54538-6af3365e39c2e96e500418f09b53e7ba.jpg)
Our first night, next to Conglomerate Arch. An owl was flying and calling through the early evening. It echoed on the canyon walls and made the coolest sounds.
The next day, small obstacles started.
![P1090124.JPG P1090124.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54539-7f7f146ed9824dc537131a92789d0bb8.jpg)
![P1090128.JPG P1090128.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54540-09b2c3a1c89e473a27f7bc6c4a800861.jpg)
![P1090151.JPG P1090151.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54541-c4bf5d848d8ea6c1b5bb276b10636afa.jpg)
Then came the chute down to the 20 foot ledge downclimb.
![P1090152.JPG P1090152.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54542-d93a8bf19d4f73479b544ba461e1fd76.jpg)
20 foot downclimb to the end of the canyon. It doesn't look too bad but the rock is smooth and therefore a bit scary. There's a piton at the top or a large nail halfway down, both of which would make a fine handline if you bring rope.
![P1090156.JPG P1090156.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54543-fb3ea13517ef97ad3426754ac66c205f.jpg)
Then you're at the Colorado River
![P1090160.JPG P1090160.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54544-0b9c8790de42352de44aac9d9f8867c1.jpg)
Now just 8 miles of bushwhacking to Stairway. Well some was rockhopping, some was bypassing and then there was bushwhacking.
![P1090172.JPG P1090172.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54545-ce12dc9a087cf37be355aadec31a6d64.jpg)
My friend and my arms. We love bushwhacking!
![P1090182.JPG P1090182.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54546-c10e36eaa2de0ae827a1d06e3f30bd3d.jpg)
Our next night's camp at Fern Glen.
![P1090186.JPG P1090186.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54547-b402b1b3105072f12a9adcdbcdbd213b.jpg)
Fern Glen
![P1090193.JPG P1090193.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54548-e58bc8dfd119845d6d3dfcf2c78088cd.jpg)
Yuccas in bloom.
![P1090196.JPG P1090196.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54549-8bc08fd335284f67fa58974f1be92501.jpg)
We finished our bushwhacking the next day and had a long afternoon of rest at the mouth of Stairway.
![P1090210.JPG P1090210.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54550-a9f35d41367753fd4ecc2cc7938c7570.jpg)
![P1090217.JPG P1090217.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54551-c2df71645a00be43e735104faa0fd4d1.jpg)
Time to head up Stairway
![P1090229.JPG P1090229.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54552-1b245472a6de19e06cddd4f5005c3480.jpg)
There were two bypasses, the first past this 50 foot fall.![P1090239.JPG P1090239.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54553-65ccc3fa8072d2a95497df5edc2ee3fc.jpg)
![P1090241.JPG P1090241.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54554-f74f809d2fdebf00272c02e4291f6cd9.jpg)
The second
past a 200 foot dryfall.
![P1090252.JPG P1090252.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54556-2cd4619747dd0ae1fd7591706c949ab0.jpg)
Finally at the top of the second bypass. A handline was really helpful for the last past of the climb, in order to get the backpacks up.
![P1090258.JPG P1090258.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54557-a40546f9bee2071bceed9e97a3ba81d1.jpg)
The 200 foot dryfall
![P1090262.JPG P1090262.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54558-110fb3ddb2e2e8a416593626fd97c51f.jpg)
Best campsite in the world, unless it rains.![P1090267.JPG P1090267.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54559-f441622c68884d765e05a0e6a18fcdd9.jpg)
Next day, up the canyon. The obstacles eased and we were on the Esplanade.![P1090278.JPG P1090278.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54560-c387d66e3e5070dd299f75725288084f.jpg)
On the Esplanade.![P1090287.JPG P1090287.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54561-75b70d78f9057a0422c8eb185a1709c5.jpg)
By the Dome, then it's back to Cubicle Rock and up and out. Great trip!![P1090311.JPG P1090311.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54562-ba2e404fcc11e5ce6a06f24fb9c68cd8.jpg)
Heading down the trailhead into Tuckup
![P1090055.JPG P1090055.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54533-605ea17555748fec5c4d01cb7c356806.jpg)
Cubicle rock, an important route marker for the way back out.
![P1090059.JPG P1090059.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54534-7467323d07589718af977a4de602bca9.jpg)
A stop at the Shaman's Panel.
![P1090069.JPG P1090069.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54535-3679801c5bcb63bf8263f1482f1dedaa.jpg)
Heading down Tuckup
![P1090088.JPG P1090088.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54536-20217c098919b84323aa832d0818c529.jpg)
Willow Creek coming in, beautiful but mineralized water which will make you feel not so good in the end.
![P1090098.JPG P1090098.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54537-a696d0aa97f5e71147371562102eb38c.jpg)
Deepening canyon
![P1090114.JPG P1090114.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54538-6af3365e39c2e96e500418f09b53e7ba.jpg)
Our first night, next to Conglomerate Arch. An owl was flying and calling through the early evening. It echoed on the canyon walls and made the coolest sounds.
The next day, small obstacles started.
![P1090124.JPG P1090124.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54539-7f7f146ed9824dc537131a92789d0bb8.jpg)
![P1090128.JPG P1090128.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54540-09b2c3a1c89e473a27f7bc6c4a800861.jpg)
![P1090151.JPG P1090151.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54541-c4bf5d848d8ea6c1b5bb276b10636afa.jpg)
Then came the chute down to the 20 foot ledge downclimb.
![P1090152.JPG P1090152.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54542-d93a8bf19d4f73479b544ba461e1fd76.jpg)
20 foot downclimb to the end of the canyon. It doesn't look too bad but the rock is smooth and therefore a bit scary. There's a piton at the top or a large nail halfway down, both of which would make a fine handline if you bring rope.
![P1090156.JPG P1090156.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54543-fb3ea13517ef97ad3426754ac66c205f.jpg)
Then you're at the Colorado River
![P1090160.JPG P1090160.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54544-0b9c8790de42352de44aac9d9f8867c1.jpg)
Now just 8 miles of bushwhacking to Stairway. Well some was rockhopping, some was bypassing and then there was bushwhacking.
![P1090172.JPG P1090172.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54545-ce12dc9a087cf37be355aadec31a6d64.jpg)
My friend and my arms. We love bushwhacking!
![P1090182.JPG P1090182.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54546-c10e36eaa2de0ae827a1d06e3f30bd3d.jpg)
Our next night's camp at Fern Glen.
![P1090186.JPG P1090186.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54547-b402b1b3105072f12a9adcdbcdbd213b.jpg)
Fern Glen
![P1090193.JPG P1090193.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54548-e58bc8dfd119845d6d3dfcf2c78088cd.jpg)
Yuccas in bloom.
![P1090196.JPG P1090196.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54549-8bc08fd335284f67fa58974f1be92501.jpg)
We finished our bushwhacking the next day and had a long afternoon of rest at the mouth of Stairway.
![P1090210.JPG P1090210.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54550-a9f35d41367753fd4ecc2cc7938c7570.jpg)
![P1090217.JPG P1090217.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54551-c2df71645a00be43e735104faa0fd4d1.jpg)
Time to head up Stairway
![P1090229.JPG P1090229.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54552-1b245472a6de19e06cddd4f5005c3480.jpg)
There were two bypasses, the first past this 50 foot fall.
![P1090239.JPG P1090239.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54553-65ccc3fa8072d2a95497df5edc2ee3fc.jpg)
![P1090241.JPG P1090241.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54554-f74f809d2fdebf00272c02e4291f6cd9.jpg)
The second
![P1090248.JPG P1090248.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54555-0bff2d86acbc88407f5a21d54cde03da.jpg)
![P1090252.JPG P1090252.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54556-2cd4619747dd0ae1fd7591706c949ab0.jpg)
Finally at the top of the second bypass. A handline was really helpful for the last past of the climb, in order to get the backpacks up.
![P1090258.JPG P1090258.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54557-a40546f9bee2071bceed9e97a3ba81d1.jpg)
The 200 foot dryfall
![P1090262.JPG P1090262.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54558-110fb3ddb2e2e8a416593626fd97c51f.jpg)
Best campsite in the world, unless it rains.
![P1090267.JPG P1090267.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54559-f441622c68884d765e05a0e6a18fcdd9.jpg)
Next day, up the canyon. The obstacles eased and we were on the Esplanade.
![P1090278.JPG P1090278.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54560-c387d66e3e5070dd299f75725288084f.jpg)
On the Esplanade.
![P1090287.JPG P1090287.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54561-75b70d78f9057a0422c8eb185a1709c5.jpg)
By the Dome, then it's back to Cubicle Rock and up and out. Great trip!
![P1090311.JPG P1090311.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/54/54562-ba2e404fcc11e5ce6a06f24fb9c68cd8.jpg)