Robbers Roost Canyon

Robbers Roost Canyon, 3AII

Superstition Wilderness, AZ

4 Miles, 3 Rappels

21 January 2012

Atop Robbers Roost looking down on Peralta Rd

There are more than a couple of Robbers Roosts in the southwest but this one is a fun technical canyon just east of Phoenix, Arizona in the Superstition Wilderness. Just off of Peralta Rd in Gold Canyon, the trip to Robbers Roost takes the traditional route up from the Carney Springs trail head but instead of returning on the Peralta trail, we did three rappels as we worked our way down the canyon below Robbers Roost. The final rappel was the longest at 240 ft.

We parked the vehicle at the Carney Spring trail head just off of Peralta Rd. There were three of us on this technical canyoneeering trip, so we felt like we should make good time getting through the rappels. An AHOTE meet up group of 20+ had started out just before us on a Superstition Ridge Line hike with a key exchange in the middle. We met up with them later for our traditional after hike lunch. The final rappel can easily be seen from the Carney Springs trail as you are climbing. It is off to your right in the canyon adjacent to the Peralta Canyon. It is marked by black rock from the dry waterfall. This is Robbers Roost Canyon with Robbers Roost overhead.

View of the 240 ft Rappel from Carney Springs Trail

We hiked up Carney Springs to the mesa and Boulder Saddle. We then headed east along the top towards Robbers Roost. There's not much of a trail but cairns lead the way to the Roost. Once we arrived, we did an optional rappel down into the Roost just because we wanted to.  I won't count that rappel, but it was interesting enough with a tight start.  It dropped you right into the Roost.  You can down climb into the Roost pretty easily with an entry point near the Rabbit's Hole.  This is the way most people get into the Roost.

Optional 15 ft Rappel down a Rabbit's Hole into the Roost

Once in the Roost, we encountered a 10-12 ft rappel which we dual-lined and then followed it up with a short down climb.  The down climb resembled a slide with a little bit of water at the bottom.  It required a little bit of maneuvering to get around if you didn't want to get your feet wet.

10-12 ft Rappel Down a Slick Rock

Making our way down from there we reached an 80 ft 2-drop rappel. After the first drop you will encounter a prickly pear cactus growing out of the side of the rock.  It is directly inline with your rappel.  Negotiating around the prickly pear cactus after the first drop required you to place your feet on it and push off. We managed to get around it without much trouble.  However, the retrieval line got tangled in the cactus and we pulled most of it down.  

80 ft 2-drop Rappel into Robbers Roost Canyon

Now the fun starts.  In front of this 80 ft rappel is the canyon just below Robbers Roost where we would find the final rappel. We bushwhacked for about a half mile until we reached the 240 ft rappel.  Long pants are mandatory as the brush is thick. Be careful not to hike over the 240 ft rappel. It is pretty well obscured by brush on canyon left. 

Looking up at Robbers Roost in Robbers Roost Canyon

We used a 30 ft piece of webbing to anchor to a boulder straight back from the edge. The rappel is a pretty nice one with a gradual slope through most of the rappel.  We had no issues on the retrieval.

Setting up for the 240 ft Rappel

240 ft Final Rappel

Once we finished the rappel and packed up we started the bushwhacking over to Carney Springs trail.  It's not very far, maybe 20 minutes.  However, if you are wearing shorts it can be painful.  There's a lot of cats claw and cactus on this route.  We tried to find a use trail but could not.

After the Final Rappel, Bushwhacking over to Carney Springs Trail

This is a fun canyoneering trip with some interesting rock formations at Robbers Roost.  The 240 ft rappel is a nice conclusion to this canyoneering trip.  I could do without the cats claw though.