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| Canyoneering | 5.00 Miles |
1,200 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 5.00 Miles | 8 Hrs | | 0.63 mph |
| 1,200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | This was a nice change from Bear and Sundance. Of my limited sample size of 3, I'd say it was the best canyon yet! The drive in is definitely a challenge and slow-going, but Mike did a great job driving in. We parked before the road started dropping in earnest towards the rim, striking across easy and open forest terrain toward X-Pine. Finding the side drainage was easy enough, and we picked our way around brush and fallen logs, dropping us into the canyon. Fall colors were starting to appear, even though the morning was warm.
After a few easy downclimbs, we hit the first rappel, which is the two-step drop with a pool/ledge about halfway down. Ken went first and dropped put of sight to the bottom of the pitch. When he did, our ropes shifted over the top and into an ill-placed obnoxious bush, requiring some engineering by me and Mike to correct and reset before everyone else could descend. Rich, on his first rappel, was very patient as we schemed. We figured it out though, and what's canyoneering without a little problem-solving?
From there, the rappels come rapid-fire, and a couple of them are overhanging at the start, which always keeps you alert. Only one somewhat deep pool was there, and Ken actually was able to cross it, walking with the water level at chest height. I was glad to have a borrowed wetsuit this time, a nice change from the shivering of Bear and Sundance.
The real highlight/challenge though, comes when you enter West Clear Creek. About this time, my camera battery died, but the other photos put up by previous posters more than do the place justice. It's stunningly beautiful as you travel, but progress is slow and balance is nearly impossible on the slippery, silty river rocks beneath the water's surface. Some of the swims are long, particularly near your exit point, and we were all ready to leave the water for dry land when Tule Canyon came along. The trail wasted no time getting us up the hill, offering dramatic views of the canyon. A great epic day and good team, as always. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Reaching the confluence with WCC was def one of the highlights of the weekend. SO beautiful and super relaxing to go take a dip in the large swimming hole. Sleeping on the angled rocks wasn't too bad but it's def not for everyone. 
Slept in the next morning to give everything time to warm up a little before crawling out of my bag and jumping into the cool creek. So many great swimmers to cool in the section from X-Pine to the power lines. Just downstream of the power lines, I ventured up that side canyon on the northside and was soon stopped by a dramatic 80-100ft drop. The canyon prob doesn't narrow up much and not have any other drops but it did have at least that one cool drop. 
Once the storm calmed down, I had miles upon miles of muddy forrest road to get back to my car. 
