Has anyone been on the Royal Arch route lately?
I have questions:
- How's the drive in? Can I do it in a Subaru Outback (if dry)?
- Where did you find water?
- Is there a fixed rope on the "rappel"?
Thanks!

I have not been there lately.

A skilled driver could do the drive in an Outback. Of greatest concern is lingering snow and especially mud. Some of the big ruts and oblique washouts can be very slick when wet.

There was a nappy rope when I did it. If in a group bring 20-25 feet of webbing, have the last guy untie it, and spot him on the downclimb (which didn't look to bad). I brought 40 foot of webbing, lowered my pack, and went down hand over hand.

An interesting project would be doing it in reverse, and climbing the rap.

I found water in Royal Arch creek and in the river.

It's totally doable in a day, btw.

Thanks! It's my intention to do it in a day.
I've considered going in reverse. As a runner,
it would be more efficient to descend the relatively
good S. Bass trail and hike up Royal Arch. Also,
get the long, dry Tonto section done earlier in the
day & the return from Royal Arch drainage would be
higher & so cooler. Sooo, it depends on the up
climb of the "rappel". Sounds like you are saying
it's not bad. I'm a passable scrambler. Comment?

My recollection (as a former 5.12 climber, and from early 2008) is that the upclimb looked 5.7-9ish, short, but with boulders that made the landing unpleasant. I'd go for it in climbing shoes with a good spotter or two. Or you might luck out and find a fixed line of questionable worth.

Extremely helpful!
I'm not going to commit to 5.7, much less 5.9,
solo deep in the backcountry! But, if the rope
were there that's a different story.