Right fork via hammerhead

this is a quick post…these are some notes I made while at the grand alcove camp.

Start: 5am from west rim th
Hammerhead at 9am- left west to trail at campsite 7 and made our way to the ridge and followed a small gully over to the north end of the hammerhead. The easily visible adjacent slot is not visible until you are on the north end of the hammerhead looking south. The scramble down to the first rappel was simple without any exposure.
Hammerhead description: first rap was the longest. Rebuilt the anchor.
A couple of downclimbs and one more rap before the canyon makes an abrupt west turn. Rap at the turn (30′) followed by several raps. Most of the raps were awkward slants or awkward starts making it imperative to be cognizant to not trap a hand or pinch a rap device in a small crack. Most anchor webbing was replaced. We reached the right fork at 11:15 ate lunch and suited up for the pothole direct section by 12:00. After 30 minutes of hiking we reached what we assumed was the beginning of the direct section. A couple of manageable slides and a couple raps. The longest rap was to a landing and then down a manageable slide with a spot at the bottom of the slide. A sandy ledge 2-3 wide sloping down canyon is all that separates the pothole from the 40-50′ drop to a dry landing. The anchor is from a wedged tree above your head while standing on this ledge mentioned previously. The direct section opened to the sun twice both in areas that one could get to higher ground if needed and to sun up. Water levels were tippy top full requiring a couple beached whale exits but no real need for partner assists. We were out of the direct section by 2:00 pm.

Below the direct section: several raps and swims before the canyon takes a hard right (west) and soon thereafter reaching the black pool. My longest canyon swim that I can recall. It was at least 200′ swim and more like 300′ if the waist to chest deep wading is included in the black pool.
Another couple of raps down canyon of the black pool one of which had a 30′ swim. I tried seeing where the grand staircase entered into the right fork but was unsuccessful to notice it from the bottom.

Grand alcove: reached the alcove at 4:30. The frogs were incessant but the flies that were on us at every rest stop were not present. The water is flowing through the water course by this time. Plenty of flat spots to spend the night at the alcove. No significant trees to support those hammock sleepers. Good water to treat.

2nd day…started at 7am and really enjoyed the scenery. Once we arrived to the right fork trailhead at 2pm we discovered a dead battery due to a light left on inside the vehicle. Thank goodness for the jump starter kit in the vehicle. Could’ve been a real bummer to end such a great route.