Deadman’s Hollow
Region: Boynton Canyon
Total Distance: 5 miles + 1,200’
Difficulty: Hard
ACA: 3Alll
Duration: 4-6 hours
Longest Rappel: 250’
Gear: 2 x 250’ Rope
Anchor Materials: 50’ of webbing + 4 rapides
Parking: Park at Boynton Canyon trailhead. Additional parking is available at Long Canyon trailhead.
Overview: Deadman’s Hollow is the largest cave rappel in the Red Rock Region making it a worthwhile adventure. The highlights of this route are the approach and large rappel, there are a few options for finishing. This route is rated hard for the challenging approach and large rappel that will be encountered. Personally, I would not consider this route beginner friendly, and experienced canyoneers may question whether the effort was worth it. Sedona adventurers checking off all the routes in the Red Rock Region will likely call this a “one and done”.
Challenging and scenic approach.
Large cave rappel
Alternate Kings Cave Exit
Approach (2 hours+): Starting at Boynton Canyon TH hike a short distance to the first prominent trail junction. At this junction leave the Boynton Canyon trail and cross over on the Deadman’s Pass trail. As you continue just over a mile to the turnoff on the left you will pass the large sandstone amphitheatre on your left (Deadman’s Descent) and work your way toward an obvious red rock spine/ ridge on the left or West side. If the trail bends hard right then you have just missed your turn off. After turning off the main trail you will encounter a series of braided social trails that trend up and left towards the spine. Stay on faint social trails, being mindful of cryptobiotic crust and sensitive soils.
Follow the faint trails to the 35’ Class 4 crack. Stem, wiggle, and squirm your way up the crack and exit on the right side. Hauling bags and partner assist will be useful here.
Once you have ascended the crack, scramble up the sandstone ridge (Deadman’s Spine) and walk across the flat sandstone dance floor to the next obstacle. A short 2-move boulder problem is the last obstacle in your way. Follow the track traversing the red rock layer over Deadman’s Descent and toward the next watercourse and the start of Deadman’s Hollow. If you traverse over to high you will encounter a drop in white watercourse of <80’ form a pine tree located LDC. I will refer to this drop as R0 because it can be bypassed if you stay low on the red rock layer and traverse to the Big Rappel
Descent ( 2 hours ): 1-4 rappels, the objective being to descend the large cave “Deadman’s Hollow”. We recommend finishing with Kings Cave Lower (+ 3 rappels <150’) or hiking down that same gully to the main Boynton Canyon trail.
R1: 250’ Off a tree near the edge LDC. This rappel has a steep start on wall and drops into a large free hanging rappel. We chose to block this one as the anchor is set on the edge and has no contact with the rock. The tree is large so we bumped the anchor up higher for an easier start and retrieval.
From the base of the cave follow the cliff band on the right side through the large notch. From here you can either continue down the main gully to the Boynton Canyon trail, or traverse over to lower Kings Cave Lower.
Kings Cave Lower:
R2: 105’ off a tree in the watercourse/ drainage.
R3: 30’ off tree in the center of the watercourse.
R4: 150’ from bolt station on the first ledge. It is recommended to trail the rope on the last rappel and to watch for hikers below.
Exit (<1 hour): The last rappel will land you in a drainage with a social trail that runs across. This trail leads to a beautiful set of ruins on the Right, and the to the main Boynton canyon trail on the Left. Pack up here and walk a short distance to the main trail following it back to your vehicle.
Coordinates:
Turn Off: 34.91770, -111.83424
Class 4 Crack: 34.92074, -111.83974
Preservation: Please respect sensitive terrain and archaeological sites along your journey.
Safety: Hikers and other recreationalists will likely be present near your descent.
Route Established By: Dana Wentzel, Chris Darling, & Taylor Enzweiler
