Mormon Spires
Region: Brins Mesa
Distance: 5+ miles +1,100’
Difficulty: Hard
ACA: 3Alll
Duration: 5-7 hours
Longest Rappel: 200’
Rope: 1 x 200’ + 1 x 200’ Pull Chord
Anchor Materials: 35’ of webbing + 4 rapides
Parking: Brins Mesa TH, parking pass and pit toilets available at the kiosk.
Overview: A scenic hike to a great rappel sequence with some unique challenges. This route is rated hard due to the rockslide gully approach, route finding, and larger rappels. I have learned through my own experience that this is option is not ideal for those new to the sport. Due to its geography this route has greater potential of flash-flooding. Small groups of experienced canyoneers will likely complete the route in less than 6 hours.
Big scenic rappels.
Water obstacle.
Less traveled wilderness feel.
Seldom seen arch.
Approach: Starting at Brins Mesa TH hike 1.18 miles to the top of the mesa. Once atop Brins Mesa identify a faint social trail on the Right or North side. Follow this trail just over half a mile towards the overlook a low key local hiking destination with views of the seasonal waterfalls and towering cliffs of Wilson mountains south face. The overlook is a great spot to view Jehova 300 and enjoy a snack before continuing up to the first bench. From the overlook trail navigate through dense foliage and fallen trees, over another ditch, and toward the alcoves and cliff band to the west. A promininent sandstone feature hides the gully used to gain the first bench of Rainbow Ridge. The rockslide gully follows the often shaded West side of the nose up loose terrain. The gully is rather steep and will require tip toeing around large dead trees and crumbled boulders (helmets recommended). The ascent is just a few hundred feet and will land you on the first bench in close proximity to the Jehova arch and start of the route. From the top of the gully walk a short distance up and over a short hill covered in cat claw towards the arch located in the Northern drainage to the arch. After arriving at the arch, cross over the drainage and continue north a short distance arriving at the next obvious drainage.
Descent: Access into the drainage is granted by some easy down climbing. Once in the correct drainage the remainder of the route is very straight forward. Gear up in the drainage and walk a short distance to R1.
R1: 200’ off tree LDC to a large ledge system.
R2: 100’ from a large juniper tree located RDC.
R3: 185’ off a large boulder RDC.
R4: 90’ off a juniper tree RDC into a potentially waist deep pool. This obstacle can be avoided with some forethought and skill.
Exit: The exit through Mormon wash is fairly straightforward. Gear down after the last rappel and continue down the drainage to the confluence with the main Mormon Wash. Take a Right into the main wash, if darkness is approaching you may want to break out your head lamp for the mile long section of boulder hopping in the wash. Depending on the conditions in the wash you may want to exit early. There will be a small ditch on your right and faint game trails connecting back to the Brins Mesa trail. Coordinates for the wash exit are listed in the coordinates up top. If you exit the wash please be mindful of sensitive soils and terrain and follow traveled terrain.
Coordinates:
Approach Turnoff: 34.90027, -111.77930
Approach Gully: 34.90986, -111.77536
Natural Bridge: 34.91033, -111.77170
Mormon Wash Exit: 34.89455, -111.77293
Route Established By: Jay Wisocki, Josh Marks, & Dinna Marquez
