Carcass Canyon (Dinosaur)

Carcass Canyon (Dinosaur) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

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‌	Difficulty:‌3A I (v3a1 II) Raps:‌2, max ↨50ft Metric Overall: 2-2.5h  ⟷0.9mi Approach: 45min  ⟷264ft  ↓30ft Descent: 30min-1h  ⟷0.3mi  ↓175ft Exit: 30min  ⟷0.6mi  ↑225ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:4WD - High Clearance Rock type:Sandstone
Start:	40.4664, -108.9038
Parking:	40.4667, -108.9030
Condition Reports:
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Best season:	May, Sep-Oct winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Utah Colorado Western Slope  Dinosaur National Monument

40.4664, -108.903840.4667, -108.9030https://ropewiki.com/images/1/1b/Carcass_Canyon_%28Dinosaur%29.kmltopo

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Introduction

A short, fun canyon between Yampa Bench Road and the Yampa River. Good for combining with the few other short canyon options in the area.

Approach

Drive: Just East of Dinosaur, CO, drive north on Harper's Corner Rd for 25.5 miles. Turn right off pavement down Echo Park Rd into Sand Canyon for 7.5 miles. Turn right at the T intersection, heading East on Yampa Bench Road for 6.5 miles. 4WD High Clearance is required for Yampa Bench Road. In drier conditions, the muddiest/roughest section is likely to be when crossing Red Rock Canyon.

Park at the Castle Park Overlook.

Skip driving to Yampa Bench Road in rainy conditions or after recent precipitation.

Drop a Fixed Line: The exit to the West shortly following the last rappel has been climbed by some without a fixed line, but most will likely want a bit of security to protect the high consequence of scaling the steep soft sandstone.

40min has been added to the 5min approach to set the fixed line

Trace the return path from the parking area by walking the Yampa Bench Road to the West of the canyon. Following the GPS track will minimize cryptobiotic soil impact on hard surfaces and pre-existing animal trails. Hike the canyon rim to the north and down the upper hillside catching an easy break in the cliff band (40.46933, -108.90611). Aim for a tree at (40.46900, -108.90600) and fix at least an 80ft rope that will be more than sufficient to reach the bottom and allow for a hand line or ascenders for the return. Throwing the rope south (up canyon) past a bush will align with a less steep section of the sandstone wall. Ensure the rope hits the ground below.

Hike: the road to the tributary entrance 250ft west of the Castle Park Overlook parking. Begin the descent here.

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  Fixed Rope on Tree
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  Exit Slab
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  First Part of Canyon, from the West Exit Rim

Descent

Alternate Entrance Not Recommended as highly Start at the Yampa Bench Road, 960 ft West of the Castle Park Overlook Parking.

Alt R1: 100' from a small bush down a low angle sandstone slab

Alt R1: 100' Entrance Rappel

Recommended Descent Start from the tributary just 250 ft West of the Castle Park Overlook Parking.

DC1: 10'
DC2: two 10' down climbs
DC3: 15'

R1: 25ft off a deadman anchor into the alcove below

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  first drop
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  DC2
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  DC2

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  DC3
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  DC3
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  R1: 25'

DC4: 15' in a wide chute
DC5: 20' into a small pool below. An optional rappel from a tree on Canyon Left might keep feet dry
DC6: a third easy downclimb before the final rappel

R2: 50ft from a tree on Canyon Right, which is great fiddle stick opportunity

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  DC4
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  DC4
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  DC5
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  DC5

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  DC6
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  DC6
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  R2: 50'

Exit

Walk downstream 2 minutes until it's possible to climb the short dirt bank on the Left (West). Climb up the fixed rope and exit on the West canyon rim above back to the car.

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  A bit of Poison Ivy in the canyon below R2
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  Exit wall on Canyon Left, just downstream from R2 (expand to see fixed rope)
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  Exit wall on Canyon Left

Red tape

A National Park's pass or a Dinosaur National Monument entrance fee is required.

Trip reports and media

photos and map from Fall 2022 and Spring 2023

The canyon name came from several dead animal bodies found in the canyon when first descended in the early 2000's