Kanarra Canyon doesn’t reveal itself right away. The hike begins on an old dirt road just outside of Kanarraville, and it takes a while before the canyon really begins to take shape. Over time, the walls close in, the trail fades, and the route drops into the stream.

From there, everything shifts. You’re moving through flowing water, stepping carefully over uneven rock, and it’s more physical than it looks. When I reached the first waterfall, I was already feeling it. The ladder is fixed alongside the falls, and while many people continue on, I wasn’t comfortable climbing it alone. I really wanted to keep going—it was hard to turn around—but I’ve learned not to push things when I’m by myself.

Beyond that first climb, the canyon continues with additional waterfalls and narrower sections, with more ladders and a bit more commitment as you go. It’s a deeper, more involved route—but even turning around where I did, it still felt like a complete and worthwhile experience.