Gorgeous weekend! West Rim Trail from the Grotto was a scenic pleasant marathon. And the views along the final carved switchbacks leading up to the top of the West Rim were glorious! The big rappel into the canyon was neat though ominous because it literally was the point of no return. The first set of mostly bolted rappels came quickly one after the other within a few steps. But then we ran into the long skinny slanted slot section with awkward starts off choke-stones which slowed us a bit. Soon enough we were back out in a more civilized open section of canyon with log anchors to the final big rappel. No wetsuits needed.. but neoprene socks were nice to have. No swimmers, just brief shallow (thigh-deep) transitions out of pot-holes.
Lower West Rim Trail on approach. Telephone Canyon just visible guarded by the center cone shaped tower.
Top of Telephone Canyon. We used the Cairn Anchor at the head.
Telephone Rappel 1.
Looking back up at the first rappel. (The other option was a single-bolt on the RDC Rim to a ledge 30 feet down.. that gave access to an exposed slung pine tree on the edge.. which [from reviewing photos] looked like it could be a nice 100 ft free-hang)
Telephone Rappel 3.
Telephone big midway Rappel.
We opted to take the high right slick-rock exit direct back to the West Rim Trail. Seemed shorter.. quicker.. (vice the 100 Pot-Holes exit which remained in the watercourse and intercepted the West Rim Trail closer to the bridge)
Thanks for viewing.
