Dillinger  

Region: Bear Mountain 

Total Distance: 3 miles + 1,000’

Difficulty: Moderate      

ACA: 3All

Duration: 4-6 Hours

Longest Rappel:  170’

Rope: 1 x 200’ rope + 1 x 200’ Pull Cord

Anchor Materials: 75’ of webbing + 8 rapides

Parking: Park at Bear Mountain Trailhead for the start. Parties with an extra vehicle may want to leave a shuttle at Fay Canyon TH.  

Overview: A fun full value canyon with a less committing approach than Grizzly. Ideal conditions are during runoff and cooler months. Rated moderate as it features overhung rappels and finishes with a large free hanging rappel. The extra hiking will be worth it depending on conditions, and this is an excellent alternative to Grizzly if needed.

• Straightforward approach and exit.

• Slickrock water course.

• Finishing with a large free hanging rappel.

• Excellent option with runoff or precipitation.

Approach (< 2 hours): From the Bear Mountain TH hike about 30 minutes to the top of the first bench. Once atop the first bench you will soon arrive at the base of a large sandstone tower. Continue past the first bench to the top of the second bench hiking a total of 1.38 miles from the trailhead to the turnoff. If you leave the trail too late you will enter the next drainage north of Dillinger. This drainage is quite brushy and will connect with the lower section of Dillinger but is far less enjoyable than the southern drainage.

Descent (2-3 hours): Up to 8 rappels under 100’ with funky starts down a slick rock watercourse ending with a 170’ rappel (140’ free hanging to first ledge)

R1:  20’ from tree or down climb.

R2:  90’ from tree RDC.

R3:  25’ from bush or down climb.

R4: 40’ from tree RDC  or down climb.

Pack your rope and walk 10 –15 minutes down the drainage. The drainage will clean up and form a slick rock half-pipe and soon you will arrive at the next short drop. This is the section referred to as half dilly and if needed can be exited here via the half dilly approach.

R5: 30” from tree LDC.

Followed by a down climb in the watercourse or LDC to bypass 6’ drop.

R6: 30’ from tree RDC.

R7: 85’ from tree RDC.

R8: 170’ from tree RDC. 140” free hanging to first ledge.  A fiddle stick or retrievable anchor works well on this rappel.

Exit (<1 hour):

Gear down after the last rappel and start down-canyon towards the drainage. Bypass dead and fallen trees at the head of the drainage on the left side then drop back into the drainage. After about 15 minutes of boulder hopping through the drainage it will soon connect with Fay Canyon Trail. Follow the drainage across the trail to check out the Fay canyon arch or turn right onto Fay canyon trail and follow it back to the Trail head parking Lot.

Coordinates:

Turnoff: 34.90750, -111.87619

Retreat Option: (Half Dilly Approach): 34.9087, -111.8677

Route Established By: William Lan, Tyson Langhofer, Carter Langhofer, & Brian Deavila