Kachina Tree  

Region: Boynton Canyon 

Distance: 3.5 miles          

Elevation Gain: 470’+

Difficulty: Easy 

ACA: 3Al    

Duration: 2 Hours

Longest Rappel: 90’

Rope: 1 x 200’ or 2 x 100’

Anchor Materials: 35’ of webbing + 3 rapides

Parking: Park at Boynton Canyon TH, Parking permit and pit toilets available at the kiosk. Additional parking may be found along the road.

Overview: A quick and scenic adventure loop that requires very little effort for the area. This route visits the iconic kachina tree alcove and finishes with a short rappel sequence through a multi- tiered alcove system. This route is classified as an easy adventure route as it can either be hiked around or rappeled

• Iconic Alcove

• Archaeological Sites

• Quick & Easy

Approach: Starting at the Boynton TH hike just over a mile until you near the end of the resort. Just after you pass the resort on your left keep your eyes peeled for a faint social trail and shallow drainage on the left side (avoid sensitive soils). The cave system is visible here from the trail, to the right of the water tanks up on the hill. The beginning of the trail parallels private property, it is important to stay off the property line and on the right side of the approach drainage. Follow a prominent trail within the drainage up to the Kachina Tree. Take a quick break at the alcove before gearing up and exit the alcove the way you entered. Continue up a beaten path above the alcove and walk north a short distance to the first rappel.

Descent: Up to three rappels under 100’ through a short but sweet alcove system.

R1: 90' off large tree set back from the edge, Rope placement can be tricky here to avoid agave and foliage near the edge.

At the base of this rappel, you can walk the ledge system on the right and back into the tree alcove if desired, then return the way you came to finish the route.

Next you will encounter a short drop that can be down-climbed on the left side.

R2: 10’ off a tree RDC.

R3: 40’ off a tree on the right side through a narrow crack. Potential downclimb for the skilled and fearless.

Exit: Gear down after the rappel and reconnect with the drainage and trail you came in on.

Coordinates:

Leave Main Trail: 34.92065, -111.85578

Rappel 1: 34.92040, -111.85947

Preservation: Please respect sensitive terrain and archaeological sites along your journey.

Safety Considerations: Hikers and photographers visit the Kachina Tree daily. Please use extra caution and respect other recreationalists.

Route Established By: Eric Moorcroft