Quartz Canyon

Quartz Canyon, 3AIII

Superstition Wilderness, AZ

5 Miles, 2 Rappels

22 January 2012

Overlooking Quartz Canyon from the North

I must have passed by this canyon a hundred times over the years as I drove through Tortilla Flat on my way to hiking and backpacking around Fish Creek and the canyons near Apache Lake.  Quartz Canyon, located just south of Tortilla Flat, is a short canyon (two-thirds mile), but well worth the rock hopping up Tortilla Creek and Peters Canyon and the strenuous climb to the ridge over-looking Quartz Canyon. Some fellow canyoneers had done this canyon over the Christmas break and posted pictures on Facebook.  I found some beta on another canyoneering web-site but not a lot of detail.  I knew there were two rappels of 120 ft and 100 ft but I didn't know exactly where they were located and was unsure on the best approach.

There are two routes, long and short, into Quartz Canyon and both start at the dirt overflow parking lot just east of Tortilla Flat near the museum building off of Apache Trail Road.  Parking in the overflow lot is free.

Tortilla Flat Overflow Parking Lot Looking Southwest

The longer route starts out climbing southwest over the ridge behind Tortilla Flat and continues on the west side of these mountains heading due south towards Geronimo Head.  This route continues south until you reach the west end of Quartz Canyon which provides for a very easy entry into the canyon at the saddle.  The saddle is exactly one-half mile due east from Geronimo Head.  Quartz Canyon drains northeast into Peters Canyon.


The shorter route involved an approach up Peters Canyon which I thought would be less bushwhacking, but possibly a steeper climb to the ridge overlooking Quartz Canyon.  The return portion involved hiking down Peters Canyon, which would make this shorter route a lollipop loop.  I decided to take the shorter route and it turned out to be the best choice.

Ten of us started off by taking the Tortilla use trail on the east end of the overflow parking lot past the gate. This use trail dumped us into the Tortilla Creek after about 10 minutes of hiking.

Starting out on the Tortilla Use Trail

We continued hiking up the creek bed until we reached Peters Canyon, one-half mile from the end of the use trail. We veered right off of Tortilla Creek and into Peters Canyon.  We encountered a lot of scrambling and boulder hopping in Peters Canyon, but eventually the canyon opened up to reveal a lot of water-filled potholes. The creek in Peters Canyon can have a pretty good flow after it rains, so be careful.  We had no problems staying dry, though.

Hiking up Peters Canyon Near the Steep Drainage Climb Out

We continued for another two-thirds of a mile from the Tortilla Creek and Peters Canyon intersection to a steep drainage on the right.  This drainage is marked with large white boulders and some slick rock.  This is the east-west drainage adjacent on the north side to Quartz Canyon.  This is the toughest part of the trip.  You will climb 1,200 ft up this drainage to the ridge overlooking Quartz Canyon to the south. The ridge is on your left as your are climbing.

Climbing out of Peters Canyon in the Steep Drainage

There is no trail on the climb up this drainage.  You will want to wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt because the brush is fairly thick.  You will follow this drainage in a southwestwardly direction until you can find a place to get over the ridge on your left.

Steep Drainage Climb up to the Ridge on our Left

Standing on the Ridge with Weavers Needle in the Background, Quartz Canyon Below

Climb to the top of the ridge to the southwest and you will be overlooking Quartz Canyon.  Find a convenient place to drop into the Quartz Canyon and start hiking northeast down Quartz. The canyon is approximately two-thirds of a mile long from this point.  There may be some water in the canyon but you should stay dry as you make your way to the two rappels in this canyon.  Both rappels are in the final quarter mile of the canyon.

The Start of Quartz Canyon

The first rappel is a 120 ft with a rest in a thigh deep pothole about halfway down.  A few people in the group managed to walk hands and feet on each side of the wall while on the rope to avoid getting wet.  The rest of us took the plunge.  This rappel had a choke knot anchor, which some in the group were not willing to use.  So instead, we placed the webbing around a large boulder about 15 ft back from the edge.  After stopping halfway down in the water, you'll continue the rappel over a lip with a free hang to the bottom.  I did confirm with Vaporman after the trip that this choke knot was safe and was expertly placed there by some very experienced canyoneers.

First Rappel - 120 ft

Avoiding the Water on the 2-Drop 120 ft Rappel

You won't hike very far until you reach the second rappel which is a fast 100 ft descent down a slightly angle wall.  We anchored off of a boulder several feet back from the edge.  All natural anchors in this canyon.  Let's keep it that way. 

Second and Final Rappel - 100 ft

Looking up at the Second Rappel - 100 ft

From there you will hike for a few minutes until you exit out to Peters Canyon from Quartz Canyon.  Make a sharp left turn down Peters Canyon for 2.25 miles, backtracking the approach in from Tortilla Flat until you reach the use trail and then the vehicles. 

Exiting Quartz Canyon Down Peters Canyon

This is a pretty easy technical canyon with a strenuous climb on the approach.  Be sure to wear plenty of body armor to avoid leaving any body parts on the mountain.  The cats claw and cactus are pretty thick.