Parker
02-19-2010, 11:10 PM
Cow Camp Canyon
This is a great intermediate canyon in the south part of the Sheep mountains in the Desert Wildlife Range. It has a fairly mild approach with the Exit only 100 yds from the parking lot. The trail up passes by Cow Camp spring and is traveled frequently but the canyon itself has been untouched until Nov ’09. Great scenery and Limestone formations. Easy escape routes in case of flash flooding.
Rating: 3AI
Time Required: 2 – 4 hrs
Longest Rappel: 60 feet
Permit Information
No permits required, but be sure to sign in at the Corn Creek Visitor Center
Camping/Lodging
13 miles North of Las Vegas. Camping is allowed anywhere in the Desert Wildlife Range accept near the visitor center.
Preferred Season
Spring, Fall, and Winter
Water Concerns
There will be small pools in late winter and early spring. No wetsuit needed.
Special Challenges
These are all natural anchors, if you are not comfortable with them don’t attempt this canyon.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 2 100’ foot ropes, at least 50’ of webbing, 4-5 rap rings/links, ascenders. Bring your own drinking water but there is a natural spring on the trail up that is easily spotted by a large willow tree and some reeds.
Topographic Maps
Corn Creek North
Directions to Trailhead
From Las Vegas, take the I-95 North out to the Desert National Wildlife Range (on the Right-hand side of the Hwy past the Indian reservation). Follow the Dirt road 3.8 miles past the Corn Creek Visitor Center to a T-intersection. Turn left onto Alamo Road and drive north for 8.8 miles to Cow Camp Road. Turn right onto Cow Camp Road and go east into the mountains. The road runs through a gap in the hills and comes to a fork 5.2 miles out, keep right, and continue east for 0.5 miles more to the end of the road. You’ll see the old corral at the base of the Mountain.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
36 35.089’N, 115 18.562’W
Approach
From the parking you can see the canyon start 100yds to the east. There is a small trail to the south of the canyon that climbs steeply up the mountain. Follow the trail up and over 2 limestone ridges and you will soon see Cow Camp spring trickling into an old cast iron tub next to a big willow tree and reeds. Cool off and take a break here but the start of the canyon is one more ridge up directly east of the spring. You should see the first rap to your left on the way. Atop the ridge drop into the polished limestone bottom of the canyon.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
36 35.027’N, 115 18.372’W
Description
The canyon starts with a nice free-hang rappel ~60. The canyon opens for a little while and then narrows up for more fun. A few down climbs and boulder scrambles followed by 4 rappels 40’-25’. All natural anchors please keep it that way.
Exit
After the last rap follow the drainage 100 more yards and you should be back at your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
36 35.089’N, 115 18.565’W
This is a great intermediate canyon in the south part of the Sheep mountains in the Desert Wildlife Range. It has a fairly mild approach with the Exit only 100 yds from the parking lot. The trail up passes by Cow Camp spring and is traveled frequently but the canyon itself has been untouched until Nov ’09. Great scenery and Limestone formations. Easy escape routes in case of flash flooding.
Rating: 3AI
Time Required: 2 – 4 hrs
Longest Rappel: 60 feet
Permit Information
No permits required, but be sure to sign in at the Corn Creek Visitor Center
Camping/Lodging
13 miles North of Las Vegas. Camping is allowed anywhere in the Desert Wildlife Range accept near the visitor center.
Preferred Season
Spring, Fall, and Winter
Water Concerns
There will be small pools in late winter and early spring. No wetsuit needed.
Special Challenges
These are all natural anchors, if you are not comfortable with them don’t attempt this canyon.
Equipment Suggestions
Standard Technical Gear (harness, descending device, helmet, multiple locking carabineers, slings, etc), 2 100’ foot ropes, at least 50’ of webbing, 4-5 rap rings/links, ascenders. Bring your own drinking water but there is a natural spring on the trail up that is easily spotted by a large willow tree and some reeds.
Topographic Maps
Corn Creek North
Directions to Trailhead
From Las Vegas, take the I-95 North out to the Desert National Wildlife Range (on the Right-hand side of the Hwy past the Indian reservation). Follow the Dirt road 3.8 miles past the Corn Creek Visitor Center to a T-intersection. Turn left onto Alamo Road and drive north for 8.8 miles to Cow Camp Road. Turn right onto Cow Camp Road and go east into the mountains. The road runs through a gap in the hills and comes to a fork 5.2 miles out, keep right, and continue east for 0.5 miles more to the end of the road. You’ll see the old corral at the base of the Mountain.
Trailhead UTM Grid Coordinate
36 35.089’N, 115 18.562’W
Approach
From the parking you can see the canyon start 100yds to the east. There is a small trail to the south of the canyon that climbs steeply up the mountain. Follow the trail up and over 2 limestone ridges and you will soon see Cow Camp spring trickling into an old cast iron tub next to a big willow tree and reeds. Cool off and take a break here but the start of the canyon is one more ridge up directly east of the spring. You should see the first rap to your left on the way. Atop the ridge drop into the polished limestone bottom of the canyon.
Canyon Entry UTM Grid Coordinate
36 35.027’N, 115 18.372’W
Description
The canyon starts with a nice free-hang rappel ~60. The canyon opens for a little while and then narrows up for more fun. A few down climbs and boulder scrambles followed by 4 rappels 40’-25’. All natural anchors please keep it that way.
Exit
After the last rap follow the drainage 100 more yards and you should be back at your car.
Canyon Exit UTM Grid Coordinate
36 35.089’N, 115 18.565’W