Sun Bear Full  

Region: Bear Mountain     

Distance: 4.5 miles  + 1,700’      

Difficulty: Hard    

ACA: 3Alll     

Duration: 6-8 Hours

Longest Rappel: 150’+

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

Anchor Materials: 60’ of webbing + 7 rapides

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

Overview: A rugged Bear Mtn option ideal for the experienced canyoneer checking off all the big routes in the area. Due to poor rock quality, dense vegetation, and the simple fact that the lower section is the best part of the route, this is not a top recommendation for those new to the area or the sport. Thick skinned adventurers looking for a full value day may find doing the full route more worthwhile.                                                                                          

  • Not beginner friendly

  •    Anchor building to be expected

  •    A more demanding route for the Red Rock Region

  •    Small groups of experienced canyoneers recommended

Approach (<2 hrs): From Bear Mountain TH hike 2 miles +1,600’ to the obvious open chasm on the left side of the trail before the final summit push. Entering the route is possible by downclimbing on the left side or a retrievable anchor and be placed on a large pine on the left side (R-Zero).

Descent: Up to 8 rappels less than 160’ will land you in the bottom of Sun Bear.

 

R1: 140' off bolted anchor into chasm. Watch for hole behind boulder near anchor. This hole can be downclimbed into if desired and you can get on rope from the next ledge.


Exit the chasm down-hiking to the west through dense vegetation and steep terrain to the next rappel. Small drops and downclimbs may be encountered.

R2: 150'off a tree with bushes below. A beautiful white wall rappel . 170' reccomended for good pull and safe landing.

R3: 35' off tree.


Continue to Lower Sun Bear:


R4: 45' off pine on edge RDC. Followed by a 10' downclimb into a seasonal pool, and some wide stemming will keep you dry.

R5: 15' off tree LDC.

R6: 80' off pine RDC to first ledge.

R7: 110' off boulder to bottom or 80' and downclimb LDC.

 

Coordinates:

Turnoff/ Drop In: 34.91330, -111.88043

Exit Turn off/ Jeep Road: 34.90232, -111.88695

 

Exit: Head down canyon boulder hopping your way through the prominent drainage. 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 power lines crossing over the rd. At the crossing take a Left and hike up a short hill following the power line 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 trending Left as you cross the large meadow heading toward the home stead. If exiting to Bear Mtn Th you can stay on the jeep road or continue following the power lines to FR152E.

Route Established By: Eric Moorcroft, Tyler Arnestad, and Forest Burke

Safety: The top section of Sun Bear is recommended for experienced adventurers with solid anchor building skills. The lower section is a safer options for those new to the sport.

 

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