CO slots (not ouray). Also GJ canyon question

Hello all-

Just got a couple quick questions.

Anyone know of some good slots in Western CO besides the obvious Ouray/San Juan canyons? Ive been recommended Hunter Canyon west of GJ before, and Ive heard rumours of a "Box Canyon" up near Dinosaur that might have some small options. Anything else people want to recommend? I know theres some near Vail, Breck, and the San Juans, Im really more curious about dry canyons.

Also, to all you GJ folks: has anyone been up the last fork of Plateau Creek before it meets the CO River? There is a nice looking sandstone canyon that goes a ways up the flanks of Grand Mesa, looks kinda dark and shady on Google Earth, and the contour intervals indicate if nothing else a nice looking canyon. Anybody? Thanks so much for all the info!

Box Canyon is a bushwhack, but the west fork and middle fork have pretty nice slots.

There is nothing technical worth doing in Hunter Canyon. We did the (technical) east fork once, but it's a bushwhack and the rock/dirt was extremely loose. Plus we got covered in ticks. The hike of the non-technical parts is nice.

The nicest sandstone canyons in Colorado are around Outlaw Park, but the season is short.

See below:

http://www.summitpost.org/scoggin-dr...-canyon/231295

http://www.summitpost.org/outlaw-canyon/240565

Scoggins Draw is the best of the bunch and a real gem. It's the best canyon I've done in Colorado.

There are others in the area as well, but some are quite difficult.

Farther south (and easier), I really like the South Fork Buckwater, but others (such as Tom) don't like it as much:

http://www.summitpost.org/buckwater-...th-fork/151990

The approach for the South Fork is really short and the slot is really nice.

The main fork is OK, but the approach is longer so it doesn't have as high of effort vs reward factor:

http://www.summitpost.org/buckwater-draw/151989

The Delores River area has some nice sandstone canyons, including slots, but I haven't gotten around to getting back there with ropes yet since it's a longer drive since I moved to NW Colorado.

The canyon off Platuea Creek has always intrigued me a little, but have never explored it. There's a few others up that road as well, but best I can tell, they're just all canyon hikes. The canyons on Summit Post up around Dinosaur are the main "slotted" types that we know of within the bounds of Colorado. In the Colorado National Monument, there are numerous canyons worth hiking & descending, but nothing slotted, if you're looking for descending practice. No Thoroughfare in the Monument has two nice drops, at least one of which is bolted. There's always Escalante & Dominguez Canyons between GJ & Delta - but again, these are just non-technical canyon hikes which are popular in the spring. If you want some dry canyons without going too much farther, the canyons in the Lost Spring section of Arches National Park (east section) are entertaining & beautiful. These are written up on Shane's site. They are: Undercover, MMI, Wintercamp and Repeat Jr. Head out of GJ on I-70 and you'll turn off on a "ranch" road well before the Moab turnoff & head south into the Yellowcat Mining district. There may be some other opportunites in that area. If you're interested in meeting up with some GJ canyoneers, respond to the thread started a couple weeks ago "Calling All GJ Canyoneers" by penmartin or send a PM to us or Canyondevil & we'll fill you in.

[I know theres some near Vail, Breck]

Where are these? I live in the area, are they worth checking out?

Near Vail ive heard of people doing Booth Creek and Black Gore Creek, although Ive heard they only possess small "slots" and are more waterfall/creek descents than anything else.

In the Breckenridge area the two I hear about a lot are Spruce Creek, which Ive heard is similar to Booth, and the North Fork of the Snake, which is a short ways above Keystone. Its got a real life box canyon complete with waterfall, but i dont know anything about the quality.

Going to investigate some obscure canyons this weekend (well, Monday) that might have some potential.....Will report back with findings and pictures

UPDATE: After being informed of the potential mudfest that awaits my plans this weekend, sounds like it might be prudent to wait on this one. So......will post again when it works out.

Dream Canyon
A short canyon near Boulder that is great for a great quick afternoon descent.

Rating: 3C I
Time Required: Two to four hours round trip.
Longest Rappel: 60 ft.

No permits required.

Campgrounds and lodging in Boulder

Preferred Season
July/August/September in low water

Water Concerns
It is wise to check the water conditions at Boulder Falls before beginning the descent. High water, dangerous current and slick rocks can be a problem. Skills in setting rope lengths is a must. Beginners should not be here without supervision.

Special Challenges
The upper canyon is a nudist area.

Equipment Suggestions
50m rope. Some webbing. A couple quicklinks. Wet suits. Helmet. Good shoes that you don't mind drenching. Harness and rappel gear. Goggles, esp if you wear glasses or contacts.

Topographic Maps
USGS Gold Hill Quad

Directions to Trailhead
Drive to the Boulder Falls trailhead (west on Canyon Blvd/State Highway 119 from Boulder roughly 8 miles up Boulder Canyon from the canyon's mouth). Park, cross the highway, and take the short trail to the falls.

Approach
There is a hiking route from the Boulder Falls trailhead to the top of the canyon. Unfortunately, this route crosses private land and you are asked not to follow it.

Hike to the falls (takes only a minute or two). In low water conditions, there will be two cascades, separated by a large boulder. In high water conditions, the water will flow over the boulder as well, thus there will only be one large cascade.

If the water suits your level and experience, then find a way to the top of the canyon. Hiking on trails to the west of the Boulder Falls trail or north of the falls is not recommended as you will trespass on private land. Until the access issues are sorted out, you will need a car shuttle. Leave one car at the Boulder Falls trailhead, and drive a second car to the top of the canyon. From the Boulder Falls trailhead, drive down canyon (towards Boulder) for roughly 4 miles to the Sugarloaf road. Turn left onto the Sugarloaf Road. Take it for 3 miles and turn left on the Lost Angel road. At the intersection after 1 mile go straight, then right shortly after. After another half mile or so park. Take one of several short trails to the river's level. Hike downstream either through the water (difficult) or via a social trail on the eastern bank.

Description: Standard Route
Soon enough the canyon narrows and the social trail disappears amongst large boulders. If the water is low, hop into the river. Just below this point is a series of shallow pools, and you can downclimb short cascades into each pool. The pools are rarely deeper than waste deep, so don't jump. If the water is high, climb the boulders on the north side of the river, and enter the water after passing the pools. There are some strong rapids below the pools, and it is easiest to bypass them by following the north shore. Below this point, either hike through the river or along the shore past enremarkable rapids. The canyon turns south here and narrows, and eventually you'll see several large boulders leaning on each other in the middle of the river - these boulders mark the top of the upper falls. Wade through the river to the boulders.

The river is split by the boulders. Looking down canyon, the right side contains the heaviest flow, and is entirely whitewater. The left side is a segmented waterfall, plunging 10 feet or so. Climb to the top of the boulders. If you climb the spot where the boulders are leaning on each other, you will have a lower 5th class bouldering move to get to the top. Non-climbers may need a hand. Once on top of the boulders, look for bolts at the edge of the drop. Rappel down the falls, but be warned - the lip of the falls is overhanging, and when you rappel through, for a brief moment the brunt of the falls will hit your head. There is a small cave underneath the overhang to catch your breath. The pool beneath the falls is only ankle to knee deep.

Alternatively, you can climb down from the anchor into the heavy whitewater on the right, and hug the boulder, climbing through the whitewater, below and to the front of the boulder. This is the route that most rockclimbers take to get above or below the upper falls, but it avoids the fun rappel down the falls.

Pull your rope, and continue down stream, bypassing the heaviest rapids by hiking along the shore. There may be some class 3 or easy class 4 scrambling along the way. Eventually, you'll want to cross to the right side of the river, looking downstream. The best spot to do this is near old mining equipment in the stream, several hundred feet above Boulder Falls. Use your best judgement, and set up a tyrolean, if necessary.

The top of Boulder Falls is obvious. Looking down canyon, the main flow is on the left, and several car-sized boulders are stacked up on the right. Right of this is a faint dirt trail that climbs up and over a buttress, and back down to the tourist trail. Head for the boulders. Scramble on top of them. The boulders form a small enclosure, 5 feet by 15 feet or so. Scramble down into the enclosure. Be careful, the rocks are slick, and a spotter or belay may be needed. At the front of the enclosure is the falls. There are bolts above the falls. At the back of the enclosure is a pinch that makes an excellent anchor. Decide how you want to rappel the falls:

1. If the water is low (eg, two cascades as seen from below), you can go directly into the falls. This is the most dangerous, and the most drenching. Do not attempt this if the water is high.

2. After clipping into the rope, hop onto the crest of the arete on the right side of the enclosure (looking down canyon), just above the edge of the falls. This is a very exposed move. Rappel on the opposite side of the arete from the falls (so the rope will run over the arete). Rappel straight down from the crest of the arete. You'll rappel through the side of the falls. If the water is heavy, you'll get bounced around a bit, but not much more than the upper falls.

3. Clip into the rope and climb atop the arete. Using the top of the arete as a directional, rappel down steep slabs towards the large obvious log standing upright in a small gully at the base of the falls. This will avoid the pounding by the falls and still get you below.

The third method requires the most rope, and the second method requires the next longest length. The first person down should be the one who will use the most rope, so they will set the rope length. Otherwise, the rope may be set too short for those wishing to descend the second or third way.

All three methods will put you at the base of the falls near the bottom of the large log. The water is knee to waste deep, and is very choppy, though the current is surprisingly light. Rogue splashes from the falls will hit you. There is an interesting cave that goes back five feet or so. It may be helpful to have the first person down wait here to spot those rappelling through the falls, as it can be disorienting for beginners.

Exit
From the falls, hike under the log and against the canyon wall to small slabs below the tourist trail. Climb out of the water and enjoy the view. Hike back along the trail to your car.

West Fort San Juan River
The West Fork of the San Juan River features numerous waterfalls, downcilmbing, slides and swims in the remote, high mountain setting of the Weminuche Wilderness.

Rating: 3C IV
Time Required: Four to six hours in canyon. 10-12 hours car to car.
Longest Rappel: <100'

No special permits needed for recreational day use in the Weminuche Wilderness. Camping permit may be required for overnight stays. Check with San Juan National Forest office in Pagosa Springs.

San Juan National Forest Campgrounds: Wolf Creek Campground and West Fork Campground (USGS 7.5' topo Saddle Mountain Quadrangle). Awesome bivvy at Rainbow Hot Springs.

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

Preferred Season
July through September

Water Concerns
Normal safety concerns for rappelling through waterfalls and negotiating moving water.

Special Challenges
Numerous downclimbs can be easily belayed or assisted with hand lines.

Equipment Suggestions
One 60 meter rope, nylon web slings and quick links.

Topographic Maps
USGS 7.5' topo South River Peak

Directions to Trailhead
From Pagosa Springs Colorado head east on U.S. Highway 160. Turn left/north on the dirt road that leads to Wolf Creek Campground and West Fork Campground (at pt. 7913. USGS 7.5' topo Saddle Mountain) approx. 1/2 mile west of Treasure Falls. Proceed down this road approx. two miles passing Wolf Creek Campground then West Fork Campground. Cross the bridge over the West Fork of the San Juan and continue another mile to parking and the trailhead at the end of this dirt road.

Approach
From the West Fork Trailhead follow the marked trail about four miles to Rainbow Hot Springs. Be careful not to tresspass on private land along the first mile. The hiking trail is well marked so staying on it should be no problem.

From Rainbow Hot Springs continue 3/4 mile to where the trail crosses the West Fork. After crossing the West Fork the trail begins to climb steeply 900 ft. through switchbacks too numerous to count arriving at a saddle with good views down into the gorge of the West Fork. Another mile and a half of fairly flat walking gets you to the entrance above the first waterfall at 10,240'.

Description: Standard Route
The West Fork of the San Juan presents moderate wet canyon challenges including rappelling next to and through waterfalls, swims, slides and fourth class down climbing. Excellent natural anchors abound throughout the entire length of the canyon.

Description:
Variations: Many drops can either be taken directly or climbed around. The technical difficulty does not change much either way.

It is nice to do this trip as an overnight with a bivouac at Rainbow Hot Springs. It is an easy walk into Rainbow Hot Springs in the afternoon of the first day with time left to check out the exit from the gorge and have a soak in the hot springs. With an early start the second day you will have plenty of time to complete the canyon and walk back out to the car.

Exit
After negotiating waterfalls through the final narrows hike a short distance downstream and pick up the trail where it crosses the West Fork.