This is one fun canyoneering route with a little bit of everything except deep slot narrows. Muddy Creek gorge is beautiful in the morning and late afternoon / evening. The hike up Moroni Flats and along the rim of Seger's Window Canyon offers a spectacular view of the region. Seger's Window Canyon presents you with large deep technical keeper potholes (TKPH), some technical climbing if you want to avoid the holes, lots of water (most of the time), and a grand multi-pitch rappel into two holes off of "Seger's Window".

When canyoneering this region (which offers at least 6 different routes with variations) we setup a base camp at the Hidden Splendor airstrip. This is a good flat area to camp, but offers no protection from the brutal thunderstorms and sheer winds that cut through the region. This is not a place for backyard tents. You will need good expedition type tents to withstand the 50+ mph winds that visit this area.

If you are 2-wheeling, you will have to start your trek from Hidden Splendor airstrip. If you are 4-wheeling, you can save yourself some time and shorten your trek 2+ miles (round trip) by driving to Motel 6 and beginning from there. There used to be a road that you could take to Motel 6 at the South end of the Hidden Splendor airstrip area, however, this has been washed out (as of Aug 2006) and you now need to take a steep, narrow, rocky road at the West side. This road is usually barricaded off, just move the barricades and put them back. The road will take you down to Muddy Creek where you will have to cross the creek twice to get to Motel 6. Don't be nervous and don't hesitate crossing the creek. It is very muddy, hence " Muddy Creek", and you will get stuck if you don't "go for it". A 4-wheel drive will not just get you across this creek, you must know what you are doing.

From Motel 6 (an old mining establishment) you will travel South through Muddy Creek Gorge. This is a beautiful hike and will take about 1.15 to 1.5 hours depending on your pace. I suggest wearing wet shoes through this area and save the dry ones for the hike up Moroni Flats.

As you go through Muddy Gorge, you will have steep vertical walls on each side. To your right is Moroni Flats and to the left are the Quandry and Knotted Rope Canyons plateau. Some of the slog can be done on the sandy banks of the gorge. However, you will have to crisscross the creek many times through deep sticky red mud.

The gorge eventually opens up where you will find a clump of cottonwoods on the right. This is where the slog through the creek ends and you will begin your decent up Moroni Flats. We always take time here to wash off and put on clean dry socks and dry hiking boots (see picture left).

At the base of the cottonwoods you will see a faint trail zigzagging up the side of the North slope. There are numerous cairns to mark your way. The trail is faint and non existent at times, so pay attention and stay on course. This is a very hot and brutal hike in the direct sun with no refuge from the heat for about 2 hours. We started this hike at 0930 and it was already in the 90's in August. The good thing is the sun is to your back, the bad thing is it's long and uphill. Enjoy the view as you hike to the insertion point. There is a beautiful outlook of Muddy Creek Gorge and the rest of the South and Southwest region.

Once you intersect with the rim of Seger's Window Canyon you will follow the rim all the way up. You will eventually come to where the rim ends. This is where Seger's Window Canyon is on the left and The Squeeze comes in on the right. No where to go now but down. This is your insertion point.

This can be a dangerous down climb for beginners. Don't hesitate to use a belay for anyone who is unsure of their abilities or is nervous. Better to be safe than sorry. If you get hurt here, your in for a long stay and long wait for rescue.

Once at the canyon floor there are a few small potholes. These were full of water and very welcome after the long hot hike up the slope and down to the canyon floor. The water temp was in the 60's, so it felt great.

Working down the canyon is easy. It is a fairly wide, gently sloping rocky and sandy canyon . Most obstacles are negotiated with a little bypass climbing. You will have to be creative and look hard in some areas, however, most TKPH's can be avoided. If the holes are full of water, which they were the last time we did this route, you may want to swim them, especially if it's hot. There are plenty of natural anchor, so no need to add any artificial ones (let's keep this canyon clean).

We always have fun in some of the larger and deeper potholes as we enjoyed the easy trek down the canyon. The canyon itself is not so interesting. What makes this canyon fun is all the potholes you encounter along with the fun ramp and traverse climbs around them. Most holes can be avoided by going to the right. Keep your eyes open and look for opportunities to get around these holes, most of them are there. However, the holes you do need to rap into will have natural anchors to rap off of.

After a few hours of fun along the canyon floor you will encounter "Seger's Window". Have fun with this photo op and prepare for a long rap into a huge deep hole. This is fun and worth all the effort to get here. You will find another smaller hole just below this one. So, make this a double rap into the bottom hole then pull your rope.

From here it is smooth sailing with no more obstacles. The end of Seger's Window Canyon empties into Salt Wash. Here you will turn left and trudge back to the cottonwoods and Muddy Creek. A quick change of shoes and your off on you slog through Muddy Creek Gorge and back to the starting point. If you started at Motel 6, you'll be glade you did. If not, the last mile plus is tough.