Box Canyon (British Columbia)

Box Canyon (British Columbia) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: Box Creek.

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C II (v3a4 III) Swift water Raps:‌9, max ↨82ft Metric Overall: 4-7h  ⟷1.9mi Approach: 1-2h Descent: 3-4h  ⟷827ft  ↓325ft Exit: 30min-1h No Red Tape:‌ Shuttle:‌ Vehicle:Passenger Watercraft:Yes Rock type:Granite and Basalt
Location:	49.7107, -123.1847
Condition Reports:	5 Sep 2024 "Amazing canyon !. Few anchors needs to be replaced, we avoid to use some of them by using natural anchors. But most of the equipment is in perfect
Weather:
Best season:	Jun-Oct winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America Canada Pacific Northwest  British Columbia  Sea-to-Sky  Squamish

http://web.archive.org/web/20180924234635/bccanyoneers.com/2013/07/28/box-canyon-creek-beta/,http://canyoncollective.com/betabase/box-creek.110?kmlidxna,http://icopro.org/canyon/view/id/417

http://pebbleshoo.com/descending-box-canyon-squamish/,https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152718952066103&type=1&l=111c41d974

49.7107, -123.1847https://ropewiki.com/images/8/82/Box_Canyon_%28British_Columbia%29.kmltopo

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Reference photos

12 Sep 2014: Low. Not as fun, but should be safe even for beginners (class B/C = a3). Photo by Kevin Swanson

17 Jul 2013: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). Photo by Kevin Swanson

5 Jul 2015: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

11 Aug 2021: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

2 Jul 2014: Moderate. Challenging but not dangerous for intermediate canyoneers (class C1 = a4). Photo by Erik Bernhoft

31 Aug 2013: Moderate-High. A bit high, quite challenging but not too dangerous (class C1+ = a4+). Photo by Malia McIlvenna

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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Introduction

Crystal clear water, polished granite and mossy green landscapes make of Box Canyon one of the best canyons of British Columbia. This canyon is adjacent to Monmouth Canyon but much shorter.

Approach

River Crossing

See Crossing The Squamish River

Box Canyon Hike

The hike in is marked with pink flagging tag and follows a trail for the first half of the approach.

Mon-Box Approach

Some teams will run Upper Monmouth Creek, then cut over through open forest to Box from the bottom of Keyhole Falls. This makes for a pleasant longer day of canyoning.

Descent

Recent topo diagram of Box Canyon

The hanging log pictured in the above diagram is now gone. The log jam at the first rappel is growing, and there is a considerable increase in gravel and debris descending the watercourse as of Sept. 2018..

Update August 2020: Rappel 1 route under the hanging rock has filled completely. R1 is now technically a three-stage rappel, maybe better as a two-stage rappel with a break at first pool.

Update Sept 2023: Can confirm that R1 is a THREE STAGE. Also can confirm that, ideally, it should be bolted after the first stage. But it seemed to pull ok. Didn't measure it out in the commotion to find an anchor, but roughly 80-90' total. Immediately after this is another drop that seemed to have no anchor in place. We double stranded off of a suspended log DCL in the flow. About 18', plus a short second stage that can be rapped on the same rope or downclimbed. There are also currently logs to anchor off of DCR. Immediately after is a chute that can be downclimbed to the edge with bolts DCR. Belay your first or less experienced as necessary to the edge.

The canyon is now bolted. Just keep in mind that there are a couple of two and three stage rappels, reusing a same anchor to rappel two or three consecutive waterfalls (Rappels 1, 2, 7, and 9). You will lose sight of the people on rappel, so in high water you may want to station canyoneers along the way to keep an eye on the least experienced or even better, find some locals that might be willing to show you the way.

Note: The second rappel anchor location has changed! Do not anchor off of the two obvious bolts on top of the boulder to canyon right of the water course. They have been seriously compromised by flow and debris from the last couple of winters. A new bolt has been installed (2016) off to the left. Move canyon left, around the big rock and find one big, burly rap bolt facing down canyon. Rappel down, across the log and to the lip of the vertical pour off, where you'll find another anchor facing out, just around the corner (rappel 4).

Note S3 is too shallow to slide (2020) "Rap 8" is now two-stage.

Note D3 may not be doable, currently requires rap off tree canyon left. (2020)

Note Rap 7 can now be done as two separate raps (2020)

British Columbia folks are very friendly, if you post on the facebook group 'Vancouver Canyoning' you will find many locals that will be happy to come along and show you their finest canyons.

Exit

Upon exiting the canyon, hike out the way you came. Once you reach the river, it is likely that you will find that the tide has changed and the current may be more difficult. It is possible to paddle upstream on the side bank and then paddle downstream to the canoe drop-in point or paddle directly across the Squamish river to the canoe drop-in point or slightly past the drop-in point and then hike back to the car. The attached map displays all the possibilities, but current and tide may allow you fewer options.

Red tape

The canyon is located on Crown land, however it is part of an agreement with the Squamish Nation - the land is part of a designated culturally significant area. Travel through the canyon by private parties is permitted, but not by commercially guided groups. Canyoneers are requested to be respectful of the land, and minimize impacts.

Beta sites

• BC Canyoneers
• CanyonCollective.com : Box Creek
• Icopro.org : Box Canyon

Trip reports and media

• http://pebbleshoo.com/descending-box-canyon-squamish/
• Facebook Album

Credits

Box Canyon (British Columbia)

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).