rcwild
10-15-2009, 11:11 AM
A small canyon near Fremont Pass whose only attraction is one big waterfall to rappel.
Rating: 3C I
Time Required:
Longest Rappel:
Permit Information
No permits required.
Camping/Lodging
Car camping is allowed. Lodging and camping in Leadville and Copper Mountain is an option.
Preferred Season
July/August/September
Water Concerns
High water and slick rocks can be a concern.
Special Challenges
Equipment Suggestions
50m Rope. Full Wetsuit. 10 feet of webbing and a quicklink.
Topographic Maps
USGS Climax Quad
Directions to Trailhead
To get there, take Highway 91 south from I-70 (at the exit for Copper Mountain ski resort). Drive past large mine tailing dumps to the Climax Mine, at Fremont Pass. Continue down the other side. Exactly 3.0 miles down the road from Fremont Pass, a dirt road turns off to the right. Turn onto this road, and you'll immediately find a sign warning the need for high clearance 4wd to continue. Drive up the road for 0.2 miles. It is bumpy and a little steep, but should be passable for most 2wd cars with normal clearance. After an uphill section, the road turns to the right, and flattens out. Park here.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
Approach
To the left (west) you'll see an obvious rock cut, what was once an old road or possibly a ditch. Now it is overgrown, though there is a foot path through it. If you follow this path for 5 minutes, you'll reach a great overlook of Chalk Creek Falls. Return to your car.
Grab your gear and hike up the road. If you want to drive up you can, but you will need 4wd past this point. The road enters a light forest after a quarter mile or so, but opens up again shortly. After it opens up, look to the left towards the creek. Find an easy place to descend to the water level.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
Description: Standard Route
Hike and boulder hop down the stream. There are a few interesting cascades, 6 to 8 feet high, but for the most part the stream is open and boulder-strewn. There are some surprisingly deep pools below the cascades, some more than waste deep, but none deep enough to jump. Eventually you'll reach the top of Chalk Creek Falls, and here the real fun begins.
Sling a bomber tree a few feet from the edge. Once over the edge, you'll be in the falls - and this waterfall will really pound you, so wear a helmet! Don't try this in heavy water flow. Part of the rappel is free-hanging. There is an alcove behind the falls, and 2/3 of the way down you can stop there and step behind the falls. Continue down to the pool at the base of the falls, which is only knee deep.
Description:
Exit
The watercourse below the falls is not intersting. Instead, climb up a steep dirt slope opposite the falls to reach the overlook. Hike the faint trail through the rock cut back to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
Rating: 3C I
Time Required:
Longest Rappel:
Permit Information
No permits required.
Camping/Lodging
Car camping is allowed. Lodging and camping in Leadville and Copper Mountain is an option.
Preferred Season
July/August/September
Water Concerns
High water and slick rocks can be a concern.
Special Challenges
Equipment Suggestions
50m Rope. Full Wetsuit. 10 feet of webbing and a quicklink.
Topographic Maps
USGS Climax Quad
Directions to Trailhead
To get there, take Highway 91 south from I-70 (at the exit for Copper Mountain ski resort). Drive past large mine tailing dumps to the Climax Mine, at Fremont Pass. Continue down the other side. Exactly 3.0 miles down the road from Fremont Pass, a dirt road turns off to the right. Turn onto this road, and you'll immediately find a sign warning the need for high clearance 4wd to continue. Drive up the road for 0.2 miles. It is bumpy and a little steep, but should be passable for most 2wd cars with normal clearance. After an uphill section, the road turns to the right, and flattens out. Park here.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
Approach
To the left (west) you'll see an obvious rock cut, what was once an old road or possibly a ditch. Now it is overgrown, though there is a foot path through it. If you follow this path for 5 minutes, you'll reach a great overlook of Chalk Creek Falls. Return to your car.
Grab your gear and hike up the road. If you want to drive up you can, but you will need 4wd past this point. The road enters a light forest after a quarter mile or so, but opens up again shortly. After it opens up, look to the left towards the creek. Find an easy place to descend to the water level.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
Description: Standard Route
Hike and boulder hop down the stream. There are a few interesting cascades, 6 to 8 feet high, but for the most part the stream is open and boulder-strewn. There are some surprisingly deep pools below the cascades, some more than waste deep, but none deep enough to jump. Eventually you'll reach the top of Chalk Creek Falls, and here the real fun begins.
Sling a bomber tree a few feet from the edge. Once over the edge, you'll be in the falls - and this waterfall will really pound you, so wear a helmet! Don't try this in heavy water flow. Part of the rappel is free-hanging. There is an alcove behind the falls, and 2/3 of the way down you can stop there and step behind the falls. Continue down to the pool at the base of the falls, which is only knee deep.
Description:
Exit
The watercourse below the falls is not intersting. Instead, climb up a steep dirt slope opposite the falls to reach the overlook. Hike the faint trail through the rock cut back to your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate