Canyoneering Route Description

Insomnia Canyon - 4B III
Coconino National Forest, Arizona.

Quick Facts

09-07-15, 4 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 10 hours) Pictures Icon  (Used alternate approach and went up Illusions Sneak to exit)
09-27-15, 6 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 6.75 hours) Pictures Icon  (Followed Insomnia Sneak exit as described here)

Time Required - 6 to 8 hours
Distance - 3 miles Total, 0.7 miles Technical
Rappels - 13 Rappels, Longest Rappel 320 feet.  (The longest rap is right at 320 so a slightly longer rope may be a good idea)
Elevation Range - 7000 - 5760 Feet
Shuttle Required - Optional 0.3 miles Vehicle - High Clearance recommended, 4WD if bad road conditions Permit Required - No

Gear Used for Canyon

Rappelling and anchor gear, Ropes and or pull cords for rappels up to 320 feet and 80 feet of 1 inch webbing for sling placement.  Wet suits required with 3 or 4mm an absolute minimum in warm weather more when cooler.  The long rap is right at 320 so a slightly longer rope may be a good idea.  A potshot to get past one pothole, see general comments below.  Possibly something for rope protection, see general comments below. 

General Comments

Insomnia is a splashy fun canyon in a green moss forested canyon and a must visit.  The big rap in the canyon visually takes your breath away as well.

In the past the traditional route for Insomnia was to complete the technical section of the canyon then follow the remainder of the water course all the way to where it joins into the West Fork of Oak Creek then going down the West Fork of Oak Creek down to The Call of the Canyon parking area to exit.  Doing this long version is a very long day on foot, makes for a route that takes a long time and requires a very long car shuttle.

This route describes a Sneak Exit for Insomnia canyon which completes the technical section of the canyon, travels about 800 feet down the water course then exits up a side ravine on the LDC (west) side taking you back to roads where you can walk a short distance back to the car.  Optionally you could set a very sort car shuttle for the route.  This sneak route greatly reduces the time for the route, makes a shuttle optional and greatly reduces the miles traveled on foot.

You can approach Insomnia Canyon from the east or from the west.  The west approach is used for this route description to allow the sneak route to be used and make the route a loop where the shuttle is optional.

Notes / Warnings:
The big rappel has a sharp lip about 8 feet down a sloped start that can cut a rope.  At times you may find carpet tied here to protect your ropes.  If the there is no carpet here be prepared to place some rope protection over the sharp edge or be VERY cautious about rope placement, bouncing on the rope and also shift the rope a few inches after each person rappels.

Also of note, in Sep. 2015 the right bolt at the big rappel looked like it was a bit bent and should be inspected closely in the future.

There is a pothole after rap 4 that is an easy swim over when full and a possible keeper when low or empty.  Good to have the potshot along just in case conditions create the need for it.

Water flowing through the canyon can chew up most of the anchor webbing in short order which is why the recommended amount of webbing may sound high.  Having extra webbing on hand is a good idea.

Note / Rap Count:
There are two drops in the approach drainage where you can set rappels if desired.  With some effort these two drops can be optionally bypassed.  These two drops are not included in the total rap count in the Quick Facts section.

Driving Directions

To get to the Trailhead

From Flagstaff Arizona:
From I-40 on the west end of Flagstaff Arizona take exit 192 for Flagstaff Ranch Road then travel south on Flagstaff Ranch Road. About 0.3 miles south of I-40 turn left (east) onto W Kiltie Lane. Drive east for about 0.83 miles and turn right onto S Woody Mountain Road.

From the junction of S Woody Mountain Road and W Kiltie Lane (ext231-Woody) drive south on S Woody Mountain Road. Note that S Woody Mountain Road will turn into FsRd231 and the transition happens at varying places depending on what map you look at.  About 450 feet south of this intersection S Woody Mountain Road turns into a dirt road.

From the junction, drive south on S Woody Mountain Road / FsRd231 for about 25 miles to a signed turn off onto the road labeled 778 (extFR778). FsRd231 is well maintained, easy to follow and there are a LOT of side roads along the 25 mile drive.

Turn left (northeast) onto road 778 (extFR778) to go to Insomnia.  

Note:
Turning off on road 778 will lead to Insomnia.  If you do not turn and instead continue along FsRd231 the drive will lead toward Illusions.  The turn off to the Illusions route is about 1.7 miles farther up FsRd231 and is labeled 0918M and also to the left (northeast).  If you miss the road sign for 778 and pass it on your way into Insomnia but notice the road sign for 0918M, simply turn around and drive back 1.7 miles to road 778.  

1 mile northwest on road 778 will be a clearing on the side of the road where a not so well used side road goes off to the northwest (PkInsomnia).  This is where you will start the Insomnia route.

From Sedona Arizona:
From Sedona Arizona drive north on Highway 89-Alt for about 16 miles to a turn of on the left (west) to a forest road FsRd535 (extFsRd535-89).

Turn left (west) onto FsRd535 and drive about 7.1 miles to a 3-way junction (ext535-236A) where roads 535, 536A and 236A come together.  Continue west on FsRd236A.  Of note 536A travels to the south.

Follow FsRd236A for about 2.8 miles to a junction where you get to FsRd231.

Turn left (south) on FsRd231 and drive about 11.5 miles to the turn off for the road signed as 778 (extFR778) to go to Insomnia.  

Note: Turning off on road 778 will lead to Insomnia.  If you do not turn and instead continue along FsRd231 the drive will lead toward Illusions.  The turn off to the Illusions route is about 1.7 miles farther up FsRd231 and is labeled 0918M and also to the left (northeast).  If you miss the road sign for 778 and pass it on your way into Insomnia but notice the road sign for 0918M, simply turn around and drive back 1.7 miles to road 778.  

1 mile northwest on road 778 will be a clearing on the side of the road where a not so well used side road goes off to the northwest (PkInsomnia).  This is where you will start the Insomnia route.

To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod

Optionally you can set an exit car to avoid walking 0.8 miles of dirt road after your route.  To set a shuttle continue driving about 0.8 miles northeast on road 778 to where it ends in a huge clear area where people commonly camp.  On the drive to the end of the road you will come to a fork in the road (FS778Fork) where you should stay to the right on the way in.  Set an exit vehicle in the clearing at the end of the road (Camp-Insomnia).  The road is mostly level and an easy walk so the shuttle is nice if you have the extra vehicle but an easy walk if you don’t have the spare vehicle.

Maps

GPS coordinate information listed at the bottom.  For information about waypoint naming and map symbols, refer to the Glossary page.

Map Link Icon
Click the links for maps of the route. Map of the drive into the route.
Map of the entire route.
Map of the technical section.

Details

The Approach:
From the parking spot (PkInsomnia) note a wash / drainage running down to the southeast.  Follow down the wash  / drainage about 0.45 miles to a drop of about 8 to 10 feet to scramble over (Insomnia01).

200 to 300 feet down canyon area a couple drops (Insomnia02) of about 40 feet then one of about 20 feet.  The 40 foot drop is somewhat easy to bypass on the LDC side but a rappel may be easier.  The 20 foot drop is more difficult to bypass making a rappel a more desirable option.  These two drops are not included in the total rap count for Insomnia Canyon since they are on the approach and can be bypassed.

A few hundred feet after the two drops a side drainage (Insomnia03) joins in from the RDC (south) side.

About 500 feet farther the approach drainage dumps into the main Insomnia drainage (Insomnia04).

Turn left to walk northeast down Insomnia about 700 feet to where the canyon begins to slot up (yInsomniaTp).

The Canyoneering / Technical Section:
From where the Insomnia Canyon drainage begins to slot up (yInsomniaTp), walk about 125 feet to rap 1.

Rap 1 (dInsomniaR1) is anchored from a choke stone in the wash or a log if it happens to be there and drops about 10 to 15 feet over an awkward start down to a pool to swim with an easy out on the down canyon side. Down canyon after the pool below rap 1 is a bunch of wading in shallow pools and short downclimbs over rock and various log jambs.

Rap 2 (dInsomniaR2) is about 800 feet down canyon of rap 1.  Rap 2 is anchored from a tree over head high on the RDC side on a rock ledge and drops about 12 feet down logs. You could downclimb the logs (if they do not wash out) but with everything being slick it is best done on rope. There is a downclimb of about 5 feet right after rap 2 to another pool about waist deep.

Less than 100 feet down canyon is rap 3.

Rap 3 (dInsomniaR3) is anchored from a tree in the wash and drops about 35 feet down what would be a fast slide in a twisted slot without a rope. The slide is too steep and too slick to safely downclimb.

Note:
Tied to the tree at the top of rap 3 was a register in a tube telling you that the big drop in the canyon is well over 300 feet and you should turn around if you do not have sufficient ropes. The unfortunate side to this is you have already rappelled and are committed to the canyon by the time you see this note.

Between raps 3 and 4 is a sloped chute of about 15 feet that you can slide down to a pool or carefully downclimb where you will sometimes find an anchor.

Rap 4 (dInsomniaR4) is anchored RDC from single bolted hanger about head high part way down a slot and uses a total of about 35 feet of rope around the corner over 2 stages. The first part can be a rap or downclimb (depending on water levels) into a keeper pothole then down an a short drop on the other side of the pothole. If full swim over the pothole and if low use a potshot to get over the pothole. On the other side of the pothole the drop continues about 25 feet down a vertical wall into a chamber with waist deep water.

Rap 5 (dInsomniaR5), about 100 feet down canyon is anchored from a pinch point between rocks at the top of the drop and drops about 6 feet over a rock then a log. Rap 5 can be downclimbed but it is slick making it a sketchy downclimb.

Near the bottom of rap 5 you will drop into a long chamber corridor-like section of slot that is very scenic. Just after the chamber like corridor is a short vegetated area before reaching rap 6.

Rap 6 (dInsomniaR6) is anchored from a pinch point in the rocks and drops about 15 feet down chute. Rap 6 can be downclimbed but would be a wide stem on slick rock and could be dangerous.

After rap 6 a mix of walking and a few short downclimbs over logs and rock as you go travel down narrow slot for a little over 200 feet to rap 7.

Rap 7 (dInsomniaR7) is anchored from a pinch point between rocks and drops about 10 feet over a large boulder to waist deep pool.

Rap 8 (dInsomniaR8-9) is anchored RDC from a single bolted hanger and drops down a corkscrew fluted slot then over a shorter drop around the corner using about 40 feet of rope.

Rap 9 anchor is right at the bottom of rap 8 using a crack in the RDC wall allowing you to wrap webbing around a massive chunk of the canyon wall. You will use about 40 feet of rope travel over to then down the tight sloped v-slot down to rap 10. Rap 9 could be considered a downclimb but since it drops down to an awkward spot at the top of rap 10 it is MUCH safer to set this as a rappel so no one slips over the big drop.

Rap 10 (dInsomniaR10), is anchored RDC from about head high from 2 bolted hangers and drops almost right at 320 feet.

Notes / warnings:
Sep. 2015 the right bolt looked like it was a bit bent and should be inspected closely in the future.

About 8 feet down a sloped start is a sharp edge that can cut a rope. At times you may find carpet tied here to protect your ropes. If the there is no carpet here be prepared to place some rope protection over the sharp edge or be VERY cautious about rope placement, bouncing on the rope and also shift the rope a few inches after each person rappels.

There are a couple ledges in the later half of rap 10. The higher ledge is about 65 feet up from the bottom of the rap and has a small tree that could be used as an anchor to break this rap up, BUT when there is even light flow in the canyon it is almost impossible to stand up on this ledge even when still attached to the rope since the ledge is VERY VERY slick with algae. If there is any flow at all you will likely never be able to get over to the tree.

The lower ledge is only about 15 feet up from the bottom is walkable even in flow and has one single bolted hanger that may allow you to break the rappel up but you will still need a little more than 300 feet of rope.

Down canyon of rap 10 is wide green and forested wash for about 350 feet to rap 11.

Rap 11 (dInsomniaR11) is anchored from a tree up on a ledge on the LDC side and drops about 30 feet down through a short slot to a pool below that you may be able to avoid by walking logs if they are present.

After rap 11 is more wide, wet, green, forested wash with a couple spots of boulder debris to scramble through.

Rap 12 (dInsomniaR12) is about xx feet down canyon of rap 11, is anchored from a pinch point between a boulder and the RDC wall and uses about 75 feet of rope travel over 2 stages. Start by downclimbing about 8 feet through a rabbit hole under a boulder then over two stages with a pool to walk through at each stage.

Rap 13 (dInsomniaR13)  is about 40 feet down canyon of rap 12.  Rap 13 is anchored from log debris if it happens to be there or a tree on the LDC back about 40 feet from the drop if no logs are present. Rap 13 uses about 55 feet of rope travel over 2 stages.

After rap 13 walk about 725 feet down canyon to the bottom of a side ravine on the LDC (northwest) side (jInsomniaSnek), which is where you will exit Insomnia Canyon.

The Exit:
This side ravine (jInsomniaSnek) is used as the Sneak Exit for Insomnia Canyon.

Note / Navigation Aid:
There are other ravines in the area on the RDC side but all the others travel up steeply from the Insomnia drainage and are rather narrow. This side ravine is heavily vegetated like the others but is pretty wide and leaves the Insomnia drainage at a pretty gentle grade. As you look up this drainage / ravine you will be able to make out tall cliff bands way up the drainage which you will be traveling up eventually.  This side ravine is about 0.5 miles up canyon of the confluence with Oak Creek.

To exit up the Sneak Route for Insomnia Canyon go north up the ravine with easy travel for about 480 feet to some large boulders to scramble up over.

When you get to the very large boulders (Insomnia05) scramble up over them then continue scrambling scramble up multiple boulder debris areas and route find your way about 0.23 miles up the drainage. Travel is a little steep and has boulders to scramble over but is over all pretty easy travel.

About 0.23 miles up the ravine after the first boulders to scramble up is a dry fall (Insomnia06) of about 6 feet to scramble up. This is about 100 feet after the drainage levels off a little and becomes more dirt than rock and you are done with the boulder hopping up the drainage.

About 100 feet farther up is dry fall of about 15 feet that you can not upclimb (Insomnia07).  From the bottom of the dry fall turn left (south) and scramble up steep dirt to get to a ridge about 120 feet away then walk up the ridge about 100 feet to a large flat area.

From the large flat area on the ridge (Insomnia08) you can see rock outcroppings beginning to form on the ridge about 150 feet ahead. Walk up to the base of the outcroppings then route find your way up the right (north) side of the outcroppings.

About 150 feet along the side of the outcroppings will be a section of steep dirt to traverse (Insomnia09) to continue up to the southwest.

About 175 feet farther up is a fork in the drainage (Insomnia10). Follow up the left (southeast) side of the left fork for about 100 feet then cross over to the right side of the drainage and walk the steep dirt slope about 700 feet up through the trees until it levels off.

When the slopes level off (Insomnia11) find your way a few hundred feet southwest toward the end of FR778 where you will find your exit car parked (Camp-Insomnia) if you ran a shuttle or you can walk 0.8 miles of dirt road back to your entry vehicle if you did not set a shuttle.

GPS Waypoint Information

Downloadable GPX files available at BG-Gear Store (easier than manual entry and a great way to support Bluugnome).
Waypoint naming convention and map symbol information can be found on the Glossary page.  Elevations are approximate.
BEFORE manually entering coordinates set your system to WGS84 datum and Lat/Lon hddd.ddddd° coordinate format. 
Inconsistent datum's and coordinate formats will result in location errors.

Click to show / expand the list of waypoints below........
Insomnia (1) - Drive in from Flagstaff
  1. ext231-Woody          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.17891   W -111.69761        Elev: NaN Feet
    This is the junction of W Kiltie Lane and S Woody Mountain Raod. Travel south on S Woody Mountian Road. S Woody Road will turn into FsRd231 and the transition happens at varying places depending on what map you look at. About 450 feet south of this intersection S Woody Mountain Road turns into a dirt road.
  2. Ext236A-231          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.07506   W -111.84248        Elev: 7,710 Feet
    Intersection. To the east and west here is FsRd231. To the south is FsRD236A. To the northwest is 538.
  3. extFR778          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.98493   W -111.80572        Elev: NaN Feet
    Exit off of Forest service raod 231 onto Forest Service road 778. FR231 continues east and FR778 travels northeast. To go to Illusions continue east on FR231. To go to Insomnia turn left (northeast) ontp FR778.
  4. PkInsomnia          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99610   W -111.79628        Elev: 6,930 Feet
    Park in a clearing on the side of the road where a not so well used side road goes off to the northwest. To start the Insomnia route leave the road here and walk down the shallow draiange going down to the southeast.
Insomnia (2) - Drive in from Sedona
  1. extFsRd535-89          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.04681   W -111.73326        Elev: 6,530 Feet
    Drive west on CoRd535 leaving highway 89 Alt.
  2. ext535-236A          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.05846   W -111.80498        Elev: NaN Feet
    3 way junction. To the east is 535, to the west is 236A and to the south is 536A.
  3. Ext236A-231          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.07506   W -111.84248        Elev: 7,710 Feet
    Intersection. To the east and west here is FsRd231. To the south is FsRD236A. To the northwest is 538.
  4. extFR778          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.98493   W -111.80572        Elev: NaN Feet
    Exit off of Forest service raod 231 onto Forest Service road 778. FR231 continues east and FR778 travels northeast. To go to Illusions continue east on FR231. To go to Insomnia turn left (northeast) ontp FR778.
  5. PkInsomnia          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99610   W -111.79628        Elev: 6,930 Feet
    Park in a clearing on the side of the road where a not so well used side road goes off to the northwest. To start the Insomnia route leave the road here and walk down the shallow draiange going down to the southeast.
Insomnia (3) - Approach
  1. PkInsomnia          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99610   W -111.79628        Elev: 6,930 Feet
    Park in a clearing on the side of the road where a not so well used side road goes off to the northwest. To start the Insomnia route leave the road here and walk down the shallow draiange going down to the southeast.
  2. Insomnia01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99328   W -111.78931        Elev: NaN Feet
    Drop of about 8 to 10 feet to scramble over.
  3. Insomnia02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99291   W -111.78890        Elev: NaN Feet
    This section of the wash has a couple drops. The first drop is about 40 feet and you can bypass it by traversing on the LDC side but setting up a rappel may be more time efficient. The second drop is about 20 feet and is more difficult to bypass and a rappel will likely be the best option.
  4. Insomnia03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99245   W -111.78775        Elev: NaN Feet
    Side drainage on the right (south) joins this side draiange. Walk about 500 feet to where you will be in the main drainage for Illusions.
  5. Insomnia04          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99194   W -111.78629        Elev: 6,510 Feet
    Approach route drops into the Insomnia drainage. Walk northeast down Insomnia about 700 feet to where the canyon begins to slot up.
  6. yInsomniaTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99290   W -111.78448        Elev: 6,430 Feet
    The Insomnia draiange goes from wide forrest filld wash to begining to slot up and have solid rock walls.
Insomnia (4) - Canyon
  1. yInsomniaTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99290   W -111.78448        Elev: 6,430 Feet
    The Insomnia draiange goes from wide forrest filld wash to begining to slot up and have solid rock walls.
  2. dInsomniaR1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99318   W -111.78445        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 1 - Insomnia Canyon. Anchored from a choke stone in the wash or a log if it happens to be there and drops about 10 to 15 feet over an awkward start down to a pool to swim with an easy out on the down canyon side. Down canyon after the pool below rap 1 is a bunch of wading in shallow pools and short downclimbs over rock and various log jambs.
  3. dInsomniaR2          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99434   W -111.78227        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 2 - Insomnia Canyon. Anchored from a tree over head high on the RDC side on a rock ledge and drops about 12 feet down logs. You could downclimb the logs (if they do not wash out) but with everything being slick it is best done on rope. There is a downclimb of about 5 feet right after rap 2 to another pool about waist deep.
  4. dInsomniaR3          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99432   W -111.78197        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 3 - Insomnia Canyon. Anchored from a tree in the wash and drops about 35 feet down what would be a fast slide in a twisted slot without a rope. The slide is too steep and too slick to safely downclimb. Between raps 3 and 4 is a sloped chute of about 15 feet that you can slide down to a pool or carefully downclimb where you will sometimes find an anchor. Note: Tied to the tree at the top of rap 3 was a register in a tube telling you that the big drop in the canyon is well over 300 feet and you should turn around if you do not have sufficient ropes. The unfortunate side to this is you have already rappelled and are committed to the canyon by the time you see this note.
  5. dInsomniaR4          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99456   W -111.78169        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 4 - Insomnia Canyon which. Anchored RDC from single bolted hanger about head high part way down a slot and uses a total of about 35 feet of rope around the corner over 2 stages. The first part can be a rap or downclimb (depending on water levels) into a keeper pothole then down a short drop on the other side of the pothole. If full swim over the pothole and if low use a potshot to get over the pothole. On the other side of the pothole the drop continues about 25 feet down a vertical wall into a chamber with waist deep water.
  6. dInsomniaR5          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99482   W -111.78142        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 5 - Insomnia Canyon is about 100 feet down canyon of rap 4. Anchored from a pinch point between rocks at the top of the drop and drops about 6 feet over a rock then a log. Rap 5 can be downclimbed but it is slick making it a sketchy downclimb. Near the bottom of rap 5 you will drop into a long chamber corridor like section of slot that is very scenic. Just after the chamber like corridor is a short vegetated area before reaching rap 6.
  7. dInsomniaR6          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99517   W -111.78080        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 6 - Insomnia Canyon, Anchored from a pinch point in the rocks and drops about 15 feet down chute. Rap 6 can be downclimbed but would be a wide stem on slick rock and could be dangerous. After rap 6 a mix of walking and a few short downclimbs over logs and rock as you go travel down narrow slot.
  8. dInsomniaR7          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99572   W -111.78049        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 7 - Insomnia Canyon. Anchored from a pinch point between rocks and drops about 10 feet over a large boulder to waist deep pool.
  9. dInsomniaR8-9          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99604   W -111.78027        Elev: NaN Feet
    Raps 8 and 9 - Insomnia Canyon. Rap 8 anchored RDC from a single bolted hanger and drops down a corkscrew fluted slot then over a shorter short drop around the corner using about 40 feet of rope. Rap 9 anchor is right at the bottom of rap 8 using a crack in the RDC wall allowing you to wrap webbing around a massive chunk of the canyon wall. You will use about 40 feet of rope travel over to then down the tight sloped v-slot down to rap 10. Rap 9 could be considered a downclimb but since it drops down to an awkward spot at the top of rap 10 it is MUCH safer to set this as a rappel so no one slips over the big drop.
  10. dInsomniaR10          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99632   W -111.78026        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 10 - Insomnia Canyon. Anchored RDC from about head high from 2 bolted hangers and drops almost right at 320 feet. Of note Sep. 2015 the right bolt looked like it was a bit bent and should be inspected closely in the future. About 8 feet down a sloped start is a sharp edge that can cut a rope. At times you may find carpet tied here to protect your ropes. If the there is no carpet here be prepared to place some rope protection over the sharp edge or be VERY cautious about rope placement, bouncing on the rope and also shift the rope a few inches after each person rappels. There are a couple ledges in the later half of rap 10. The higher ledge is about 65 feet up from the bottom of the rap and has a small tree that could be used as an anchor to break this rap up, BUT when there is even light flow in the canyon it is almost impossible to stand up on this ledge even when still attached to the rope since the ledge is VERY VERY slick with algae. If there is any flow at all you will likely never be able to get over to the tree. The lower ledge is only about 15 feet up from the bottom is walkable even in flow and has one single bolted hanger that may allow you to break the rappel up but you will still need a little more than 300 feet of rope. Down canyon of rap 10 is wide green and forested wash for about 350 feet to rap 11.
  11. dInsomniaR11          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99710   W -111.77961        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 11 - Insomnia Canyon. Anchored from a tree up on a ledge on the LDC side and drops about 30 feet down through a short slot to a pool below that you may be able to avoid by walking logs if they are present. After rap 11 is more wide, wet, green, forested wash with a couple spots of boulder debris to scramble through.
  12. dInsomniaR12          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99825   W -111.77885        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 12 - Insomnia. Anchored from a pinch point between a boulder and the RDC wall and uses about 75 feet of rope travel over 2 stages. Start by downclimbing about 8 feet through a rabbit hole under a boulder then over two stages with a pool to walk through at each stage.
  13. dInsomniaR13          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99848   W -111.77866        Elev: NaN Feet
    Rap 13 - Insomnia about 40 feet down canyon of rap 12. Anchored from log debris if it happens to be there or a tree on the LDC back about 40 feet from the drop if no logs are present. Rap 13 uses about 55 feet of rope travel over 2 stages.
  14. jInsomniaSnek          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99996   W -111.77714        Elev: 5,760 Feet
    Bottom of a ravine going up the LDC (north) side that is used as the Sneak Exit for Insomnia Canyon. There are other ravines in the area on the RDC side but all the others travel up steeply from the Insomnia drainage and are rather narrow. This side ravine is heavily vegetated like the others but is pretty wide and leaves the Insomnia drainage at a pretty gentle grade. As you look up this drainage / ravine you will be able to make out tall cliff bands way up the drainage which you will be traveling up eventually. To exit up the shortcut route go north up the ravine with easy travel for about 480 feet to some large boulders to scramble up over. To go down to Oak Creek you can walk down canyon about 0.5 miles to the confluence.
Insomnia (5) - Sneak Exit
  1. jInsomniaSnek          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99996   W -111.77714        Elev: 5,760 Feet
    Bottom of a ravine going up the LDC (north) side that is used as the Sneak Exit for Insomnia Canyon. There are other ravines in the area on the RDC side but all the others travel up steeply from the Insomnia drainage and are rather narrow. This side ravine is heavily vegetated like the others but is pretty wide and leaves the Insomnia drainage at a pretty gentle grade. As you look up this drainage / ravine you will be able to make out tall cliff bands way up the drainage which you will be traveling up eventually. To exit up the shortcut route go north up the ravine with easy travel for about 480 feet to some large boulders to scramble up over. To go down to Oak Creek you can walk down canyon about 0.5 miles to the confluence.
  2. Insomnia05          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.00074   W -111.77834        Elev: NaN Feet
    Very large boulders to scramble up over. From here up scramble up multiple boulder debris areas and route find your way about 0.23 miles up the drainage. Travel is a little steep and has boulders to scramble over but is over all pretty easy travel.
  3. Insomnia06          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.00077   W -111.78185        Elev: NaN Feet
    Dry fall of about 6 feet to scramble up. This is about 100 feet after the drainage levels off a little and becomes more dirt than rock and you are done with the boulder hopping up the drainage.
  4. Insomnia07          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.00063   W -111.78213        Elev: 6,501 Feet
    Dry fall of about 15 feet that you can not upclimb. From the bottom of the dry fall turn left (south) and scramble up steep dirt to get to a ridge about 120 feet away then walk up the ridge about 100 feet to a large flat area.
  5. Insomnia08          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.00033   W -111.78199        Elev: NaN Feet
    Large flat area on the ridge. From here you can see rock outcroppings beginning to form on the ridge about 150 feet ahead. Walk up to the base of the outcroppings then route find your way up the right (north) side of the outcroppings. About 150 feet along the side of the outcroppings will be a section of steep dirt to traverse.
  6. Insomnia09          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99991   W -111.78266        Elev: NaN Feet
    Route here is running up the right (north) side of rock outcroppings along the ridge. At this point is a short section of steeply sloped dirt to traverse to continue up to the southwest.
  7. Insomnia10          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99971   W -111.78317        Elev: NaN Feet
    Fork in the drainage. Follow up the left (southeast) side of the left fork for about 100 feet then cross over to the right side of the drainage and walk the steep dirt slope about 700 feet up through the trees until it levels off.
  8. Insomnia11          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99796   W -111.78457        Elev: NaN Feet
    The dirt slopes level out here where you can find your way a few hundred feet southwest toward the end of FR778 where you will find your exit car parked or you can walk the road back to your entry vehicle.
  9. Camp-Insomnia          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99714   W -111.78344        Elev: 6,960 Feet
    Large clearing for many cars to camp out near the end of FR778. Can eaven walk to start Insomnia from here to make it a loop route.
  10. FS778Fork          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99542   W -111.78616        Elev: 7,000 Feet
    Fork in the road near the end of the road. Stay right on the drive in to go toward the end of the road with a huge clearing.
  11. PkInsomnia          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 34.99610   W -111.79628        Elev: 6,930 Feet
    Park in a clearing on the side of the road where a not so well used side road goes off to the northwest. To start the Insomnia route leave the road here and walk down the shallow draiange going down to the southeast.

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