Three Canyon | San Rafael Desert

Canyoneering Three Canyon - San Rafael Desert Canyoneering Three Canyon

San Rafael Desert

Overview

Sat Mostly sunny. High near 87, with temperatures falling to around 85 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 3 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
87° | 51°
Sun A slight chance of rain showers between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. West wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
78° | 47°
Mon A chance of rain showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
63° | 39°
Tue Sunny, with a high near 70.
70° | 35°
Wed Sunny, with a high near 78.
78° | 40°
RATING: 3A
SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall (hot in summer)
RAPPELS: 2 to 15 m ( 50 ft. )
WATER: Little. Should be avoidable. No wetsuit needed.
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate.
Sat Mostly sunny. High near 87, with temperatures falling to around 85 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 3 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
87° | 51°
Sun A slight chance of rain showers between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. West wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
78° | 47°
Mon A chance of rain showers before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
63° | 39°
Tue Sunny, with a high near 70.
70° | 35°
Wed Sunny, with a high near 78.
78° | 40°
Three Canyon
Three Canyon
Three Canyon Exit Bolt
Three Canyon Exit Bolt

Three Canyon is heavily visited by river rafters floating Labyrinth Canyon by hiking up from the river. Surprisingly, however, it is often overlooked by canyoneers. Well suited to beginners, or those looking for a less technical canyon, Three Canyon is stinkingly beautiful and a nice easy outing. The two rappels (or one long one if not breaking up the rappels) in the canyon are at the very beginning while the rest of the canyon consists of hiking in a deep, lush canyon. Exiting the canyon requires either a bit of 5.6 climbing, or better yet, simply fix a rope before you start and hand-line out. This one is not to be missed and is even more highly recommended in late fall when the leaves are changing color on the canyon floor.

In addition to Three Canyon proper, the North West Fork of Three Canyon is also described. This is a short, technical side fork of Three that energetic canyoneers can add after doing the normal Three Canyon route.

Looking up at the rappel
Looking up at the rappel
Just below the rappel
Just below the rappel

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