Asbestos Creek
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Raps:13-20, max ↨230ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | 22 May 2026
"First time in Asbestos and it was a beautiful day! The flagged approach and new bolts were extremely helpful. We entered above R4 and the new really e |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | Mar-May, Oct-Nov
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
48.1913, -121.5757
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
Waterflow
Introduction
Upper Asbestos has a signature 500' multi-pitch waterfall rappel, crack traverse, big waterfalls, and rooster tails. The canyon loses 3,100 ft in over 1 mile and the Upper Upper section has still not yet been fully descended (from the confluence around 2800' has been). In high flow asbestos should only be attempted by experienced canyoneers .
The best time to experience this canyon in high flow is during the Spring months (though the temperatures will be colder and weather more unpredictable). By late June/July, the canyon will likely be flowing at moderate flow and still provide a fun and non-stop action canyon for beginner canyoneers.
Approach
The bushwhacking for both the Upper and Lower is not very thick. If it wasn't for the moderate steepness and elevation gain, it wouldn't be unpleasant at all. Although long pants and gloves are still not a bad idea. There are however a number of rock faces that have to be bypassed or scrambled, typically to the right and occasionally head on. Stay near or slightly right of the crest of the ridge visible on the map just north of the canyon. Going too far left (closer to the canyon) can lead to thicker vegetation and potentially cliff faces.
Approach to Lower Asbestos (R12)
(Rarely Used)
Follow the pink flagging from the road. After the first major cliff band (1730ft) turn south, leaving the flagging behind. Thread a route under the next cliff band above, and climb to roughly (1850ft) where you dry rappel 100ft to R12 anchor.
Approach to Upper Asbestos (R4)
(Standard Approach)
R4 provides a nice drop-in point at a flat canyon-side ledge. This approach offers the best pay-to-play ratio. The route to this point is flagged from the road, and the dense bush has been cut back just before reaching the drop-in.
Approach to Full Asbestos (R1)
(Rarely Used)
This was documented by the first few descent teams, however since the development of the R4 drop-in is likely outdated. Use the following directions with caution:
Bushwhack up the mountain side (on the north side) to about 2800 ft near the confluence visible on the map. Downclimb to near the low point of a piece of cliff jutting out at about 48.1929, -121.5872 just above the confluence of the Upper Upper fork and a possibly dry fork (the obvious confluence on the map).
There are at least two options for entry (no webbing currently installed for either):
- 1. Find a tree on the right side and rappel 200' down the side of the dry fork to the bottom and the confluence.
- 2. Veer more left to a large tree. Rap once about 70' to a smaller tree on the edge and then rap again at about 100-150' (guesstimate) to the confluence.
Descent
Full Asbestos (Rarely Run) (from 2800' to 1800' at the bottom of 500' multi-pitch sequence):
3 short drops at top:
- R1: 40' log (or fairly easy DC)
- R2: 50' 2 stage rock pinch. Or wide Utah style DC then DC a slightly slick V.
- R3 60' or difficult for most DC L and spider walk down
DC 12' R or tiny ledges L
DC 20' cascade R or rap
Bypass a 60' cascade L (limited anchor material, should be bolted)
Upper Asbestos (Standard Route)
- R4 40' from single bolt DCR.
- R5 100' from bolts DCR
Chutes after this rappel can be downclimbed even in the flow with moderate skill due to the sticky rock in this canyon. There is a single bolt DCL to protect the last drop if desired.
- R6 (aka "The Ass Cramper") 100' from bolts DCL down long steep chute. In high flow this rappel is the crux of the canyon, requiring stemming to stay out of the watercourse. There are several narrow cracks with the potential for foot entrapment here. The force at the bottom of the waterfall can be very strong - disconnect from the rope before entering the pool.
DC 35' on slabs L of falls or rap off single bolt DCR.
- R7 105' from bolts on back side of boulder DCC. Look for the R8 bolts DCR behind a rocky outcrop. R8 can be skipped for a 200' rappel but there have been rope pull issues in the past. In lower flow the last 3 stages can be upclimbed/downclimbed by skilled canyoneers.
- R8 90' multi-stage from bolts DCR on backside of rocky outcrop.
Asbestos Falls Multi-Pitch Sequence
The next four rappels (R9-R12) make up the multi-pitch sequence on the massive 500' Asbestos Falls. Good rope management and team sequencing is critical here.
- R9 30' from traverse line style bolts DCL to bolts behind shrub across the watercourse with space for one person.
- R10 200' from bolts DCR behind shrub. Rap down to a DCR ledge which can accommodate 3 people.
- R11 85' from pair of bolts DCR on ledge. Be careful to manage loose or sharp rocks on this rap. As the falls steepen you pass over a lip, and approach two options (see diagram). Option 1: A single (zinc) bolt from the first descent located DCR in a drier area. This is a more pleasant location than option 2 but is not redundant and has a poorer rope pull. Option 2 (the official R12 anchor): A pair of bolts located below a ledge about 20' further down from the single bolt. This anchor is in the spray closer to the water course and provides a better rope pull. Both options are hanging stances.
- R12 150' from bolts DCR. From either bolt station option, straight down to the pool below.
After R12, it is possible to escape the canyon DCR and bushwhack downhill back to the cars after the multi-pitch sequence.
Lower Asbestos:
- R13 DC 25' down a smooth wall R (be mindful of the moss) or find a tree up R
- R14 100' bolts DCR down a low angle falls
- R15 100' bolts out DCL on the face across the flow. These are very precariously placed bolts, especially at higher flows as crossing the flow is necessary to reach the anchor. Staying on rappel or getting a handline is recommended.
- R16 20' from single bolt on DCR boulder.
- R17 20' bolts DCL, in the flow. These lead to bolts DCR for a hanging rebelay.
- R18 100' from bolts DCR with decent hanging stance that should keep anchor manager and rappeler just clear of the flow.
- R19 Bolts DCR, either:
- 170' as a 2 stage rappel with a big hanging pothole in the middle.
- or 90' to single bolt DCR on lip of pothole, then 70' to bottom.
Follow the creek, walking down DCL stepy slabs. Set back from the next drop is...
- R20 100' from single bolt DCL (or from tree further above).
Bypass next 30' drop easily on DCL, or enjoy the nice little cascade.
- R21 20' from a smallish tree at the top L or find something more sturdy. Repeated rappels here may weaken the stability of this tree.
Exit
From R18, 30 seconds down canyon to the road, parking, and beers.
Red tape
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
- Lower Asbestos video (drop in ~1800') taken on April, 22, 2016 by Yana Radenska
- July 14, 2017 - retrieval mission / drop in at 3,200 ft
Background
Lower Asbestos Creek (drop-in at 1800') was first descended by Yana Radenska, Josh Warren, Sarah Kulfan on April 22, 2016.
The section between 2800' and 1800' feet was descended on June 18, 2016 by Luca Chiarabini, Tommy Kelly, Steve Abercrombie, Jake Huddleston, Sid Crutz, Chrissy Richards, Laura Jean Mitchell, and Tiffanie Lin.