Little LO Spring Canyon (4BIII R)

Location: Coconino National Forest south of Flagstaff
Rating: Advanced Technical Canyon 4B III R
Length: 7 to 10 hours
Mileage: ~6 miles depending on route choice
Longest Rappel: ~70ft - 80ft (25m)
Start: Kelsey Springs Trailhead area
End: Loop. Sycamore Creek via Trail #6 to Kelsey Springs Trailhead
Permits: None
Wetsuit: Required depending on conditions
Shuttle: Not required

The canyon is rated advanced  and "R" due to technical terrain, multiple rappels, and the presence of 1 and possibly 2 difficult keeper holes. This feature presents a serious hazard and should only be attempted by experienced canyoneers with proper skills, planning, and equipment.

Overview: Little LO Spring Canyon is a serious and committing technical canyon featuring early narrows, keeper holes, route finding, and limited escape options. This canyon should be considered advanced due to its hazards, variability, and reliance on natural or improvised anchor systems.

The canyon begins almost immediately with narrow sections and keeper holes, setting the tone for a technical and potentially hazardous descent. Conditions in this canyon can change significantly due to flash flooding, affecting water depth, keeper hole difficulty, and anchor availability.

This is not a well documented or commonly traveled canyon. Only experienced canyoneers should attempt this route.

Approach: From Flagstaff, head west on Route 66 for approximately 2 miles and turn south onto Woody Mountain Road (FR 231). Continue past I 40 and follow FR 231 for approximately 13 miles.

Turn right onto FR 538 and continue for approximately 5.5 miles. Turn right toward Dorsey Springs and Kelsey Springs Trailhead. After approximately 1.5 miles, turn left toward Kelsey Springs Trail and continue for 0.5 miles to the trailhead.

From the trailhead, walk back along the road to locate an unused track. Follow this track and travel cross-country northeast toward an unnamed drainage. Route find your way into the drainage and follow it downstream to its junction with Little Lo Spring Canyon.

Entry routes are not marked and require strong navigation skills.

Route Description: Little Lo Spring Canyon begins immediately with narrow sections and technical obstacles. At the start of the canyon a keeper hole is encountered near immediately. This may be bypassed by scrambling above the canyon and rappelling ~80ft below just ahead of the keeper hole.

Shortly after a second keeper hole is encountered. Historically this keeper hole is easier to escape, but conditions may vary significantly. Keeper holes are often highly condition dependent and may become significantly more dangerous depending on water levels and recent flood activity.

Further into the canyon, you will encounter several rappels varying between 15ft and 50ft. Anchor conditions in this canyon are variable and may require advanced techniques and problem solving. Some beta references the use of human anchors and downclimbing techniques. These methods carry inherent risk and should only be used by experienced groups with proper judgment and training.

Rappels: Rappel count and lengths are not fully standardized and vary depending on skill level and experience. Early canyon features may require creative problem solving rather than fixed anchors. Carry sufficient rope (at least 100ft - 150ft with pull cord) and be prepared for unexpected scenarios.

• Rappel 1: ~45ft into possible keeper pothole (or a steep downclimb). During high water level, swim across and easy climb out. The pothole is deep, so lower levels will require pothole escape techniques. Possible to bypass rappelling about ~80ft.
• Immediately after is another possible swimmer keeper pothole.
• Rappel 2: ~40ft into possible pool. Possible to handline with human anchor
• Rappel 3: ~15ft into possible pool, or a very challenging downclimb.

After completing the narrows, the canyon joins Babes Hole Spring Canyon on canyon left.

Continue down canyon toward Sycamore Canyon. Just before reaching the Sycamore Creek, locate Trail #6, which exits the canyon. Follow Trail #6 up and out of the canyon. At the junction with Kelsey Springs Trail #3, turn left and return to your vehicle.