Death Valley: Scorpion Canyon
Categories: California
I have been to Death Valley many times but I’d never done a technical canyon. I had been just about to reserve some rooms in southern Arizona when I heard some friends were going to do several canyons in the park at the same time that I was leaving town, so I changed plans and met them for a couple of hikes.
The first day we did Scorpion Canyon. We started by hiking through the maze of badlands off of Twenty Mule Team Road. This was a two car trip with the second car 20 minutes away at Desolation Canyon.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-1-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-1-480x311.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-1-800x519.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-1-768x498.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-1-1536x996.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-1-570x370.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-1-370x240.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-1-722x468.jpg 722w)
Twenty Mule Team badlands.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-2-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-2-480x301.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-2-800x502.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-2-768x482.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-2-1536x963.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-2-570x358.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-2-370x232.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-2-722x453.jpg 722w)
Hoping we were walking up the right wash.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-4-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-4-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-4-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-4-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-4-722x481.jpg 722w)
The canyon was made up of subtle pastel colored hues.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-10-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-10-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-10-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-10-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-10-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-10-570x855.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-10-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-10-722x1083.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-9-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-9-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-9-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-9-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-9-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-9-570x855.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-9-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-9-722x1083.jpg 722w)
The steepest part of our climb was up this cool mini canyon of steeply tilted slabs.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-11-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-11-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-11-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-11-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-11-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-11-722x481.jpg 722w)
At the top of our climb we’d gained 800 feet of elevation.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-14-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-14-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-14-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-14-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-14-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-14-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-14-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-14-722x481.jpg 722w)
Finally done with climbing and found ourselves leisurely descending a broad wash.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-19-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-19-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-19-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-19-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-19-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-19-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-19-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-19-722x481.jpg 722w)
A basin of lavender hues.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-20-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-20-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-20-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-20-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-20-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-20-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-20-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-20-722x481.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-22-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-22-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-22-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-22-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-22-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-22-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-22-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-22-722x481.jpg 722w)
We walked about a mile before the first rappel. This section of the canyon was made up of the worst ice cream colors. The cheapest brand too, I tasted every color and they were all terrible.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-24-480x662.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-24-800x1103.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-24-768x1058.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-24-1115x1536.jpg 1115w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-24-scaled.jpg 1486w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-24-570x786.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-24-370x510.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-24-722x995.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-25-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-25-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-25-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-25-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-25-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-25-570x855.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-25-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-25-722x1083.jpg 722w)
The first rappel followed by some interesting downclimbing.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-26-scaled.jpg 1407w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-26-480x699.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-26-800x1165.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-26-768x1118.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-26-1055x1536.jpg 1055w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-26-570x830.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-26-370x539.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-26-722x1051.jpg 722w)
The first peek at how far above the valley we were.Â
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-27-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-27-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-27-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-27-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-27-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-27-570x855.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-27-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-27-722x1083.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-28-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-28-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-28-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-28-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-28-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-28-570x855.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-28-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-28-722x1083.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-29-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-29-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-29-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-29-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-29-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-29-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-29-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-29-722x481.jpg 722w)
Rapel two
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-32-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-32-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-32-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-32-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-32-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-32-570x855.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-32-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-32-722x1083.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-33-480x696.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-33-800x1161.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-33-768x1114.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-33-1059x1536.jpg 1059w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-33-scaled.jpg 1411w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-33-570x827.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-33-370x537.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-33-722x1048.jpg 722w)
Rappel 3 was listed in the beta as 105 feet.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-35-scaled.jpg 1403w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-35-480x701.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-35-800x1168.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-35-768x1121.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-35-1052x1536.jpg 1052w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-35-570x832.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-35-370x540.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-35-722x1054.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-36-scaled.jpg 1427w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-36-480x689.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-36-800x1148.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-36-768x1102.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-36-1070x1536.jpg 1070w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-36-570x818.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-36-370x531.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-36-722x1036.jpg 722w)
Entering a pink section!
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-37-480x720.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-37-800x1200.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-37-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-37-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-37-scaled.jpg 1366w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-37-570x855.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-37-370x555.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-37-722x1083.jpg 722w)
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-38-480x712.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-38-800x1186.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-38-768x1139.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-38-1036x1536.jpg 1036w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-38-scaled.jpg 1381w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-38-570x845.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-38-370x549.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-38-722x1071.jpg 722w)
Rappel 4 Alternative route was a two stage rappel.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-40-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-40-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-40-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-40-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-40-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-40-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-40-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-40-722x481.jpg 722w)
Rappel 5 was short.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-43-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-43-480x316.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-43-800x527.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-43-768x506.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-43-1536x1012.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-43-570x376.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-43-370x244.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-43-722x476.jpg 722w)
There were a ton of cool rocks and boulders in this canyon, like this one.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-49-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-49-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-49-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-49-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-49-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-49-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-49-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-49-722x481.jpg 722w)
An interesting section where the stream had not really been able to cut a channel into the bedrock.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-51-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-51-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-51-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-51-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-51-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-51-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-51-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-51-722x481.jpg 722w)
The channel widened again. We would be in this yellow rock for a while.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-52-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-52-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-52-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-52-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-52-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-52-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-52-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-52-722x481.jpg 722w)
Max descends rappel 6.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-54-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-54-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-54-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-54-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-54-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-54-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-54-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-54-722x481.jpg 722w)
Rappel 7 was a 70 foot cliff that showed us getting much closer to the valley floor.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-60-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-60-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-60-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-60-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-60-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-60-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-60-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-60-722x481.jpg 722w)
The rock turned bluish for the final rappel. Max and Ella study the descent.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-59-scaled.jpg 1425w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-59-480x690.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-59-800x1149.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-59-768x1103.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-59-1069x1536.jpg 1069w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-59-570x819.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-59-370x532.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-59-722x1037.jpg 722w)
The view out of the canyon and towards the salt flats.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-62-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-62-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-62-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-62-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-62-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-62-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-62-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-62-722x481.jpg 722w)
Max makes his final descent.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-63-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-63-480x320.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-63-800x533.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-63-768x512.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-63-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-63-570x380.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-63-370x247.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-63-722x481.jpg 722w)
Walking down the wash to the cars.
![](https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-64-scaled.jpg 2048w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-64-480x309.jpg 480w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-64-800x515.jpg 800w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-64-768x494.jpg 768w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-64-1536x988.jpg 1536w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-64-570x367.jpg 570w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-64-370x238.jpg 370w, https://adamelliottphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ScorpionCanyon-64-722x464.jpg 722w)
It had gotten cloudy during the day but this trip had a ton of variety in rocks and geology.