Wolf Creek 3C

[rcwild]

NOTE: If you have corrections, additions or current conditions for this canyon, please post as a reply to this thread. If you have a trip report for this canyon, please post it in the Blogs section.

Upper and Lower Wolf Creek Canyons lie in the deep defile just off U.S. Highway 160 west of Wolf Creek Pass. Combined they feature a technical descent of 1500 ft. featuring waterfalls, narrows, jumps, wild water swimming and downclimbing.

Rating: 3C III
Time Required:
Longest Rappel:

Permit Information
No special permits required for recreational access to Wolf Creek.

Camping/Lodging
San Juan National Forest Campgrounds: Wolf Creek Campground and West Fork Campground (USGS 7.5' topo Saddle Mountain Quadrangle).

There are numerous motels and restaurants in nearby towns of Pagosa Springs and South Fork Colorado.

Preferred Season
July through September

Water Concerns
Numerous waterfalls, narrows, swims and 4th class downclimbing. There are fixed anchors at most drops but be prepared to improvise as conditions change each season.

Special Challenges

Equipment Suggestions
One 60m Rope, webbing and quicklinks. Full wetsuit.

Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' topo Wolf Creek Pass Quadrangle, USGS 7.5' topo Saddle Mountain

Directions to Trailhead
For Upper Wolf Creek: Drive east on U.S. Highway 160 from Pagosa Springs toward Wolf Creek Pass. Park on the south side of U.S. 160 just east of Camp Creek Falls and the runaway truck ramp (both located on the north side of Hwy. 160, (USGS 7.5' topo Wolf Creek Pass Quadrangle). Parking on the south side of the highway is generous. Be sure not to block access to CDOT work area.

For Lower Wolf Creek: Plenty of parking is available at the switchback where U.S. Highway 160 crosses Wolf Creek. You will want to spot a car at the canyon exit to shuttle back. Park shuttle vehicle at the end of the dirt road behind Wolf Creek Camp Ground (USGS 7.5' topo Saddle Mountain Quadrangle).

Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate

Approach
For Upper Wolf Creek: Walk south through CDOT work area and drop down the hill behind to the top of Wolf Creek Falls and begin the descent.

For Lower Wolf Creek: Enter the culvert that allows Wolf Creek to pass underneath U.S. Highway 160. You will encounter the first waterfall immediately after exiting the culvert.

Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate

Description
Upper and Lower Wolf Creek are each rated 3C II. Be prepared to encounter rappels next to and directly through waterfalls, wild water swimming and fourth class down climbing. Either segment can be done in a half day. A combined descent of both canyons will take a full day.

Variations
Extra Credit: Both Upper and Lower Wolf Creek can be increased in difficulty one full grade by choosing alternative anchors at each drop. Entertain tourists by rappelling Treasure Falls. Have a soak under the stars at Pagosa Hot Springs.

Exit
For Upper Wolf Creek: Head right uphill after waterfall #8. Follow game trails up the steep and sometimes loose hillside to the highway. Once at the highway it is a short walk back to parked cars.

For Lower Wolf Creek: After waterfall #6 pick up a game trail to the right of Wolf Creek and follow it 1/4 mile to car parked at the end of the dirt road behind Wolf Creek Campground.

Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate

[rcwild]

Reserved for accident reports from this canyon

[rcwild]

Posted by charlybldr on 31 Jul 2006
Cross Post from Yahoo Colorado Canyons Group

Lower Wolf Creek:

The 4th waterfall seems to only have a single bolt anchor now. I can't remember if it had two before (the topo shows two). There is no sign that a second bolt ever existed here now. You can sling a boulder or a chokestone below and behind the bolt as a second anchor point.

You can go down the 5th waterfall through the current, as opposed to staying canyon right. Those who did it say it's really not that bad.

Upper Wolf Creek:

Found several webbing anchors tied off with nothing more than overhand knots. Be careful and check all anchors, as these are an unsafe way to tie them.

The giant log at the second waterfall lost its top, and is only half as tall now.

The infamous third waterfall is gone. It looks like the waterfall was formed by a log jam which has washed out. You can't even reach the bolts anymore. In its place is a narrow chute. The force of the water still invites a rappel here (a jump isn't advisable as you can't see in the water, and shelves and ledges lurk underneath). We climbed a slope upstream for 10 ft (lower 5th class, with some loose dirt) to a tree on canyon right (looking downstream), rappelled 15 feet into the narrow chute, and then the last 5 on canyon right to the bottom of the falls/chute. This avoids the boil and hydraulic (assuming it still exists).

The 4th waterfall, as some of you know, used to have a giant detached pillar nearby that fell over 4 or 5 years ago. Now, the bolts are on a giant block that looks safe from above, but really is just a hanging block about 10 feet high. It was exposed by the pillar collapsing, more than likely. It seemed safe, but beware in case the block detaches. I'd recommend nearby trees as an alternative anchor.

You can rappel directly from the top anchor at waterfall 7 down the falls, and avoid the 4th class traverse. It is very slippery, but at the water levels we encountered, exposure to the waterfall was minimal with this direct rappel.

Mike Dallin