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El Cap Canyon status

Original Post
Daniel Cohn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2006 · Points: 445

Does anyone know definitively if there are any access issues? I have heard part of the canyon might be on private land. How about recent route development? Any of that?

Ryan F. · · Tucson, Arizona · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 120

If you read The Homestead guide it gives you a brief history of the area. Here's what it say's.

Back in the early 1990's? Jim Waugh went to a band of limestone know as El Cap Canyon. He and a couple of others bolted a select few extremely nice lines, and then he moved on to develop other areas of Arizona.

In the late 90's Chad Cooper and Greg Varela headed to El Cap canyon and started bolting a plethora of hard lines that many have only seen one ascent. Lack of interest in making the drive to the area once again stopped development in the area.

The third wave of development came from JBone, Ben Boyd, John Rosholt, Garrett Auxier and others. They came into the lower section of El Cap Canyon and bolted a ton of excellent lines. These are some of the best climbs in Arizona. Problems started occurring as the area started getting popular. The landowner posted No Trespassing signs and asked us not to venture onto his land anymore.


It then goes on to say that the Homestead was then developed, which is very near this same area. I'm curious too if many people still visit the area on occasion to do some of the climbs. I've heard that it's a very nice canyon, from somebody that has been there.

Dan Heacock · · Arvada, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 95

From what I have seen online in searching about this subject, the land is still open to hikers/canyoneers. If it is simply a traspassing issue, then perhaps this is not the case anymore.

roman d · · Pasadena, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 915

I was just out at El Cap Canyon last weekend (canyoneering), and I saw no signs anywhere telling me to keep out. I did find an empty spray backpack and a can of indoor fogger in a cave near the narrows - looks like someone was hanging out there for a while. The bees cool my stoke for much of the climbing out there.

The area around El Cap Canyon is on private property though, according to easily accessible Gila County assessor maps and records, I think the parcel number is 102-36-01.

ftp://ftp.gilacountyaz.gov/Public/Assessor/Parcel/102/102-36-01.tif

parcelsearch.gilacountyaz.g…

Kevin D · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 160

Anyone have any info on current access status?

Manny Rangel · · PAYSON · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 4,788

Nothing has changed. If you do enter from the top of the canyon, you will be trespassing. Entry from the bottom of the canyon is not through private property. There is a way to get into the canyon from below.

It would require fixing a short rope to haul your way out to the small parking area at the bottom end of the canyon. I've done it a few times.

It is very shady and thus a nice warm weather alternative.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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