Sun Bear (Lower)
Region: Bear Mountain
Total Distance: 4 miles+
Total Elevation Gain: 600’
Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate
ACA: 3AlI
Duration: 3-4 Hours
Longest Rappel: 90’
Rope: 1 x 100’ + 1 x 100’ Pull Cord
Anchor Materials: 40’ of webbing + 4 rapides
Parking: Park at Sun Bear Parking. Drive Past Bear Mountain TH on Boynton Pass Rd until the pavement ends. Once on the dirt road, take the 1st Right onto FR152E. Drive carefully to the end of the bumpy road and the abandoned homestead. This road is short but rough and may be closed or inaccessible during periods of heavy precipitation.
Parking for the Original Approach at Bear Mountain TH.
Overview: Sun bear is a short and unique canyon off the Bear MountainWest traverse trail. The original approach from Bear Mountain trailhead (Easy) will add on 1 mile each way to your trip and is ideal for beginners or during wet or icy conditions. Starting at the sun bear homestead off FR 152E (Moderate) is the recommended approach as it allows for a shorter loop and more adventurous approach. The route itself is beginner friendly and finishes with two free hanging rappels under 100’.
Intermediate and beginner approach options
Free-hanging rappels
Link Up with Little Bear, Bobcats, Miyagi, or Half Dilly
Great for sunrise and sunsets
A fun option during precipitation/ runoff
Approach: From the Abandoned homestead looking north at the cliffs, start towards the cliff band dropping suddenly into the main drainage. There are 3 Approach options: (A)=Moderate/Mild Exposure (B)=Easy (C)=Beginner Friendly
Both Options A & B are fairly short and should link you up with the traverse trail within 30+ minutes and make a loop not requiring a shuttle.
The original approach is ideal for beginners but requires a shuttle and more hiking.
Option (A) Steep Gully (Recommended):
From parking cross over drainage through sparse catclaw and up a short hill to the cliff band with a series of short gullies. Once you reach the cliff band traverse the ledge up and to the right to avoid vegetative hardship. Work your way around to an obvious gully on your left-hand side. Rock quality inside the gully is poor, staying left on the sandstone and wearing helmets is advised. Near the top of the gully is a large tree just before a 30-foot chimney that will stop your progress. Turn around at the chimney and walk down to the large tree. Just past the tree and down gully on the right, is a red rock slab that can be accomplished with a couple exposed steps traversing to the low- angle nose. Continue up the nose moving right and into the next gully section that can be carefully stemmed. Use caution when topping out on the large Coconino slabs. Follow a faint social trail west (the direction you come out of the gully) and up to one last gully. To top out on the first bench will require one last mantle move at the top with positive hand and foot holds. Once atop, this is a good rest spot as you are rewarded with Red Rock views on the 1st bench slab. Head north a short distance toward the cliff face of Bear and you will soon connect with the Bear Traverse trail. Turn left onto the social trail and follow it to the head of lower sunbear located left of an obvious 30 foot overhung boulder on the right side of the trail.
**This option is the recommended approach for an experienced group and a competent leader comfortable with mild exposure. During heavy precipitation or for those less experienced craving a more bushy and less exposed approach see option B. Not recommended during snowy or wet conditions due to rock quality.
Option (B) Bushwhack:
Once in the main drainage head right up the drainage and through the rocky wash. Continue up the drainage navigating through dense vegetation. Continue up the approach gully staying right until you hit a steep slick rock section. Bypass this section on the left then traverse back over to the right side and up to social trail at the top of the drainage. Turn left on the social trail heading west to the head of lower Sun bear located left of a obvious 30 foot overhung boulder on the right sd of the trail.
This option is more bushy but less exposed and challenging and will still allow for a short loop from sun bear parking.
***Those not comfortable with option A’s exposure may want to consider this option, although the original approach would be more enjoyable
Option (C) Original Approach-
This adds about 1 mile onto the approach and 1 mile onto the exit. Start and end at Bear Mtn Th via the western traverse off the 1st bench. Walk the road from Sun Bear parking to Bear Mtn Th for the exit. Reccomended for those with more time as this approach will make sun bear a 5 to 6 hour route. This is the most scenic approach, and most beginner friendly. To reduce exit time a shuttle should be dropped at the Sun Bear parking before departing from Bear Mountain Trailhead.
Descent: 4 rappels under 100’ down a slick rock watercourse. All rappels are straightforward with easy dismounts making this a a great option for those new to Sedona Canyoneering.
R1: 45’ from a small pine near the edge RDC. Down a lichen splattered wall (Tread Lightly). Once off rope, avoid the first pool (sometimes dry) RDC.
This is immediately followed by a 10’ downclimb into a seasonal pool that can be avoided by very wide stemming. This pool is usually quite shallow but will get more fun and challenging to avoid after recent precipitation. Depth ranges from Dry to waist deep when full.
This small, low penalty obstacle can make for some laughs and stemming/ bridging practice.
Continue through the shallow drainage to Rappel #2.
R2: 15’ from a large tree near the edge on the left.
R3: 80’ from a pine on the right. An on-wall start quickly drops into a free hanging rappel and lands you in a scenic alcove.
R4: 100’ from a large Boulder in the watercourse. Slightly overhung on the start, soft start recommended. The final rappel is also mostly free hanging. Avoid agave at the base of this rappel.
Exit: Head Down the drainage boulder hopping your way through the wash. The canyon is boxed in at first but opens up eventually and the cliffs on the left side and spires on your right will diminish as you are nearing an old jeep road on your left. Take a left out of the drainage and onto the jeep road, and after a short distance you will see powerlines crossing over the road. At the crossing take a left and hike up a short hill following the powerline trail. Soon the abandoned homestead will come into view on your left side. It is easier to break away from the power line trail and avoid deep trenches by staying left as you cross the large meadow heading toward the home stead. If exiting to Bear Mountain trailhead you can stay on the jeep road or continue following the powerlines to FR152E.
Coordinates:
Parking- 34.8990, -111.8791
4th Class Gully- 34.90056, -111.87833
Rappel 1- 34.909648, -111.881541
Exit Turn off/ Jeep Road- 34.902316, -111.886946
