Pumphouse Wash (2BIII)

Location: Coconino National Forest
Rating: Basic Canyoneering 2B III
Length: 6-10 hours
Mileage: 7.5 miles from end to end
Longest Rappel: None
Start: Hwy 89A (10 miles south of Flagstaff)
End: There and Back or Shuttle
Permits: None
Wet Suit: Optional
Shuttle: Optional

Overview: Pumphouse Wash is a lovely canyon forested along its edges with several small pools. Depending on the time of year, you will find more or less water to wade through or not. Toward the head of the canyon and near James canyon, the canyon walls extended much higher. The canyon's length is about 7.5 miles, so a ‘There and Back’ is quite the hike. Plan for a long day or set up a shuttle.

Approach: Spot a vehicle in Kachina Village, where service Rd #237 crosses Pumhouse Wash, or at the top of  Kelly Canyon. Then use service Rd #237 to reach Hwy 89A. Head south on Hwy 89A and drive past Oak Creek Campground to the switchbacks where the road crosses Pumphouse Wash. Pumphouse Wash and Oak Creek intersect here as well. Park somewhere off the side of the road and scramble to the canyon floor.

Completing the Canyon: Head east, upstream in the Pumphouse wash. A small canyon will enter from the right just a little ways in. Then James Canyon will enter form the right about 2 miles in. Kelly Canyon also come in a the right about 3.7 miles in where you can exit if a shuttle has been set up at the top of Kelly Canyon. Just a little further and  the canyon crosses services Rd #237, where another opportunity awaits for a shuttle set-up. If you set-up a shuttle in Kachina Village complete the 7.5 mile hike of Pumphouse Wash. 

Depending on the year, there are opportunities for wadding or swimming in pools, but most water travel may be avoided.