Chavez Canyon Canyoneering

See exciting pictures at https://picasaweb.google.com/104478866904570782869/20120519ChavezCanyon
 
It seems that June is a bit crowded and there are some folks who would like to do this trip, but can't do it on June 16. My summer weekends are a bit packed, so I've decided to move this to late summer when it will be a bit cooler than July or August and we should be past the Monsoon Season.
 
We will meet at "The Y" parking area between Los Alamos and White Rock (not "The Y" climbing area, which is nearby) at 8:20am and depart by 8:30am on Saturday, September 15, 2012. It's about 1 1/2 hours to the Chavez Canyon trailhead. "The Y" parking area is on the north side of NM Hwy 4, just west of the NM Hwy 502 & NM Hwy 4 interchange.
 
We will drive to the trailhead, which is located near The Christ in the Desert Monastery, 13 miles west of NM Hwy 84 on Forest Road 151, which turnoff is just north of the Ghost Ranch Museum. Here is the driving route, http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=NM+Hwy+502+%26+NM+Hwy+4&daddr=Christ+i.... It should take about 2 hours to drive to the trailhead and get setup to begin our hike into the canyon.
 
It's about a 1 mile hike from the parking area to the base of our day's activities, at the junction of two slot canyons in Chavez Canyon. The hike is relatively easy up to this point, rising only about 300' in elevation.
 
We will place the ropes for two rappels, whose anchors are already built, up the left slot canyon. Getting to these rappels requires some class 2 and 3 scrambling. We can spend some time building other rappels, as people desire.
 
Adventurers can also climb up the right slot canyon and explore it. Getting up this canyon will require class 3 and 4 scrambling.
 
Participants should bring plenty of water and food for a day's activity. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and clothing. Be prepared for sun and heat, though our base area should provide nice shade and some coolness for relaxing.
 
Harnesses, belay/rappel devices, personal anchors, and a helmet are required for rappelling. Gloves are also highly recommended. The two rappels are about 80' and 30'. Others we may choose to build will be in that range. You may also want climbing shoes should you decide to try to go up some of the more difficult scrambles up slot canyon water courses.