Sheepdog Creek
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| | Raps:6, max ↨160ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Grandiorite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Jul-Sep
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39.1708, -107.1361
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Introduction[edit]
An interesting canyon with several narrows and lots of unexpected downclimbs, but starts miles down an established trail and requires a steep hillside approach. While not rated highly for how deeply this is buried in the wilderness (be safe, help is a long way away), this was a fun canyon. The descent, taken by itself, is recommended. It's the getting there part...
On the initial early July descent, days were warm and water flow was already low; wetsuits were not required.
Approach[edit]
Hiking time from Trailhead: approx 3 hrs, 6.5 miles +1960 ft
Sheepdog off trail approach from Avalanche Creek Trail: 1hr 30min, 0.8mi +1180ft
Park at the Avalanche Creek Trailhead at the end of Avalanche Creek Road near Redstone, CO. The Avalanche Creek Campground is first-come, first-serve with 9 campsites.
Hike 6.5 miles +1960' along Avalanche Creek with a gentle incline on the well-established, but overgrown trail. The bridge over Hell Roaring Creek is washed out, but easy to pass once summer lower flow conditions are in effect.
Camping in one of the meadows beyond the Gift Creek trail junction west of the Avalanche Creek Trail is an option to be in the area long enough to also descend nearby http://ropewiki.com/Elkhound_Creek.
Depart the Avalanche Creek Trail at 39.16640, -107.14363 and begin the 0.8 mile +1175 ft approach directly up the steep hillside. The gps track takes advantage of a few talus slopes that give reprieve from the thicker foliage and looser dirt slopes in the forest full of downed trees. The first short section of off trail travel between the trail and the talus slope is the densest collection of downed trees.
Hike up the ridge to the south of the creek staying high enough to avoid gullies and blowouts. Contour at about 10,050' and follow game trails toward the creek intersection above R1.
R0: 75' entrance rappel down an eroded blown out slope upstream of R1.
Descent[edit]
Sheepdog Creek has little foliage or avalanche debris to negotiate making for easy stream walking.
R1: 35' from a rock in Canyon Center
The Grandiorite rock layer that follows forms low angle rappels that in many places were conducive to downclimbing in the lower flow. Grandiorite is akin to granite, but contains a higher percentage of feldspar, which gives it an off-white color.
R2: 120' from a large boulder for a two stage drop
The canyon turns to the right. An escape gully comes in on Canyon Left.
While dropping steeply, these narrows were entirely down climbable. At the bottom, another narrow walkable hallway turns to Canyon Left.
Another escape gully comes in on Canyon Left.
R3: 115' from a deadman anchor
Several downclimbs lead to the tree anchor for R4. Delicately climb into a gully and across a dirt slope to the tree anchor.
R4: 160' from a tree on Canyon Left out of steam course
An escape gully comes in on Canyon Left
R5: 35' from a deadman anchor
R6: 55' from a large log in Canyon Center
Exit[edit]
Continue downstream following the easy flat path next to the stream formed from past flood debris. Exit on the Avalanche Creek Trail when the trail crosses the creek.
Red tape[edit]
This is in the Aspen/Snowmass Wilderness Area.
- Bear canisters are required
- A backcountry use permit must be filled out at the trailhead
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
10Jul2022 explored by Ira Lewis, Wayne Herrick, Andrew Tanasescu & Kati Wright
