rcwild
10-15-2009, 11:14 AM
A fun, mostly dry canyon in the foothills between Loveland and Estes Park.
Rating: 3A II
Time Required:
Longest Rappel:
Permit Information
No permit required.
Camping/Lodging
Campgrounds and lodging at Estes Park, various cheap hotels in the Big Thompson Canyon.
Preferred Season
Any season but winter. Spring (April-ish) highly recommended, when water flows through.
Water Concerns
Special Challenges
Rocks can be slick, especially at the anchor for the second rappel. Exposed downclimbs. Belays recommended.
Equipment Suggestions
One 50m rope, 20 feet of webbing plus several quicklinks.
Topographic Maps
USGS Drake and Glen Haven quads
Directions to Trailhead
From the town of Drake on Highway 34 (Big Thompson Canyon, west of Loveland and east of Estes Park), drive roughly 2.6 miles up Highway 34 to True Gulch, past the pulloff to Waltonia. At Waltonia, a passing lane appears. When the passing lane ends, the road curves to the west. On this curve is where True Gulch crosses in a tunnel under the highway. There is a large pile of dirt here, in a pulloff. Park here.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
Approach
Sling a tree (using retrievable webbing), or tie a rope to a tree using a macrame knot, and rappel in. You'll rap into a short narrow section. If the water is flowing, you'll rap beside a small, beautiful waterfall. Hike down the narrow section a short distance, over a small logjam, and over a few large boulders. Use a pinch between several boulders as a rappel anchor, and rappel down the canyon, next to a small pool that almost always is full, to safe ground. Don't get too close to the edge without setting up the rappel anchor - there are some below, but the boulders near the edge of the drop are slick, and it can be dangerous to descend to them. There are plenty of anchors 10 feet or so before the edge.
Hike and scramble down the drainage. You may need a handline in a few places, especially if water is running. If things get sketchy, you can hike to the right (south) to steep, but less technical ground. The drainage will run over open bedrock and twist around slightly. The left (north) side of the canyon is a wonderful high wall, and the right (south) is a steep slope. You will encounter two or three spots where you will boulder down at a lower 5th class level. Soon the canyon will open out in a series of cliffs. Look around for a safe way down, there are several (the least exposed being on the right, or south side of the drainage) - or rappel. Make your way to the right (south) side of the canyon, and after climbing down several benches and cliffs, keep an eye out for a log leaning against the wall, in a small slot. Climb down the log (climbing under it is safer). From here, the descent involves downclimbing a number of boulders. Occasionally a handline or short rappel may be needed, but these can easily be bypassed on the right (south). Pick the route that is safest for you and within your abilities.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
Description: Standard Route
Description:
Exit
Eventually you'll reach the road. Walk along the road for 0.15 miles back to True Gulch and your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
Rating: 3A II
Time Required:
Longest Rappel:
Permit Information
No permit required.
Camping/Lodging
Campgrounds and lodging at Estes Park, various cheap hotels in the Big Thompson Canyon.
Preferred Season
Any season but winter. Spring (April-ish) highly recommended, when water flows through.
Water Concerns
Special Challenges
Rocks can be slick, especially at the anchor for the second rappel. Exposed downclimbs. Belays recommended.
Equipment Suggestions
One 50m rope, 20 feet of webbing plus several quicklinks.
Topographic Maps
USGS Drake and Glen Haven quads
Directions to Trailhead
From the town of Drake on Highway 34 (Big Thompson Canyon, west of Loveland and east of Estes Park), drive roughly 2.6 miles up Highway 34 to True Gulch, past the pulloff to Waltonia. At Waltonia, a passing lane appears. When the passing lane ends, the road curves to the west. On this curve is where True Gulch crosses in a tunnel under the highway. There is a large pile of dirt here, in a pulloff. Park here.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
Approach
Sling a tree (using retrievable webbing), or tie a rope to a tree using a macrame knot, and rappel in. You'll rap into a short narrow section. If the water is flowing, you'll rap beside a small, beautiful waterfall. Hike down the narrow section a short distance, over a small logjam, and over a few large boulders. Use a pinch between several boulders as a rappel anchor, and rappel down the canyon, next to a small pool that almost always is full, to safe ground. Don't get too close to the edge without setting up the rappel anchor - there are some below, but the boulders near the edge of the drop are slick, and it can be dangerous to descend to them. There are plenty of anchors 10 feet or so before the edge.
Hike and scramble down the drainage. You may need a handline in a few places, especially if water is running. If things get sketchy, you can hike to the right (south) to steep, but less technical ground. The drainage will run over open bedrock and twist around slightly. The left (north) side of the canyon is a wonderful high wall, and the right (south) is a steep slope. You will encounter two or three spots where you will boulder down at a lower 5th class level. Soon the canyon will open out in a series of cliffs. Look around for a safe way down, there are several (the least exposed being on the right, or south side of the drainage) - or rappel. Make your way to the right (south) side of the canyon, and after climbing down several benches and cliffs, keep an eye out for a log leaning against the wall, in a small slot. Climb down the log (climbing under it is safer). From here, the descent involves downclimbing a number of boulders. Occasionally a handline or short rappel may be needed, but these can easily be bypassed on the right (south). Pick the route that is safest for you and within your abilities.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
Description: Standard Route
Description:
Exit
Eventually you'll reach the road. Walk along the road for 0.15 miles back to True Gulch and your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate