Cavern Slot
| Rating: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | Difficulty:3A I (v3a1 II) Raps:2, max ↨80ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone Conglomerate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Start: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parking: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition Reports: | 21 Dec 2025
"For such a short canyon, it was quite delightful. Loved the feeling of being "deep" in Zion type of canyon feel-wise. If this was in my backyard, I wo |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best season: | Oct-Apr
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
35.9747, -117.2016
35.9747, -117.2016
Search nearby locations
Weather forecast
Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
Original Scott Swaney intro: (3-3-18) - A very short walk through slot canyon. Just as a quick entry into a very pretty slot made in Conglomerate rock. Class 2 non-technical. NOTE: UPDATED 3-17-18 - came back for a second trip, and did it as a technical canyon. With a hike-up and around, and dropped into the canyon from above and completed two rappels - up to 80'. A very cool and narrow slot as it drops down over two cool slot dry-falls
Addition: Short 2 Rappel adventure. Should be combined with it’s neighbor DECAF BAG for a fuller experience. Same parking, trailhead and approach for both canyons. Go up and do one, then go up again and do the other. All together should take you 1-3 hours depends on group size & speed.
Approach[edit]
Driving: From Ridgecrest, CA take the 178 East driving to Searles Valley and through the little town of Trona about 45 miles (45-60 min) from the center of Ridgecrest (178/ S Lake China Blvd). Leave the paved road at 36.03366, -117.28157 From here you will drive 9.75 miles on dirt roads. In May 2023 was done by a minivan and several sedans. No 4x4 or AWD needed. Drive 3.7 miles to the Ballarat Ghost Town. At 36.04636, -117.22284 turn Right (south) onto Wingate Road. Drive for 5.9 miles until the turn-off and turn Left (no signs or other land marks). Drive another 0.15 miles to the parking & trailhead.
Hiking: From the parking area walk South. You will pass the canyon’s exit and imminently turn Left following a trail up a little ridge line. The trail drops into and crosses DECAF BAG canyon, climb a small ridge line on the other side and head to the next drainage which is Cavern Slot. Turn Left and walk downstream to R1.
Descent[edit]
Descent: 2 Waterfalls and a couple of down-climbs.
Waterfalls:
| Number | Tiers | Total height | Anchor (looking down stream) | Anchor Gear | Rope* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 1 | 70' | BFR Center | 10-15’ Webbing | 150’ |
| R2 | 1 | 80' | Cairn Center | 10-15’ Webbing | 170’ |
- Rope - Recommended length based on distance from anchors to edge + rappel height + horizontal distance between tiers (when applicable) x 2
Exit[edit]
From the bottom of the R2 it’s a short walk back to the car.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
- 1st trip (3-3-18) - only included walking up through mouth to impassible dry-fall:
https://www.facebook.com/scott.swaney/media_set?set=a.10156196487877930.10737 42454.668617929&type=3
- 2nd trip (3-17-18) - included new technical section in Upper Portion of Canyon:
https://www.facebook.com/scott.swaney/media_set?set=a.10156251954082930.1073742461.668617929&type=3
Background[edit]
Explored by Scott Swaney, on 3-3-18 and team (see trip report above). Additionally, we went back and added the technical upper section of the canyon 3-17-18
First Known Descent: 3/17/2018
First Known Descent Members: Scott Swaney