Conditions:Big Dude-20250413193420

Latest:	13 Apr 2025 (4 days ago)

Reported by:	Dyln cole (59 reports)
Quality:
Waterflow:
Wetsuit:
Water temperature:
Difficulty:
Time:	6 hours

Team: 2 people with experience level Beginner to Intermediate

Trip report URL:

Comments: Webbing all stands good, poor knots retied. Retrievable anchors reduced sandstone contact, I'd recommend this.

Time reflects combination with Reflection.

Great route, but if I had limited time, I would absolutely walk over to see this gorgeous alcove and then go back to descend Hawk.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
13 Apr 2025					6 hours	2 people Beginner to Intermediate	Dyln cole (59 reports)
Comment: Webbing all stands good, poor knots retied. Retrievable anchors reduced sandstone contact, I'd recommend this. Time reflects combination with Reflection. Great route, but if I had limited time, I would absolutely walk over to see this gorgeous alcove and then go back to descend Hawk.
14 Apr 2024	Great	Dry	None	Easy	4 hours	5 people Intermediate to Advanced	Jones1961 (4 reports)
Comment: Easy route to follow, amazing views at the saddle. Raps were as described. Long walk out in the wash and around private property. Great day! Would definitely do this one again. We didn’t see anyone else except jeeps etc. On road.
25 Feb 2024	Good				3 hours	2 people	EMoorcroft (447 reports)
Comment: Rapps lengths maybe be longer than listed depending on anchor location/ manipulation. R1. Was closer to 90'. Anchors looked new.
22 Jan 2024	Good	Very Low	None	Easy	4 hours	2 people Beginner to Intermediate	Rpatt-kstew (11 reports)
Comment: We just ran this in between two rainy days and the view and terrain was spectacular! The canyon run is a bit short, but we both feel it was worth the hike in and out. All anchors were well made and look good. The "optional" downclimb at the end for an additional rappel is not really needed. If you can catch this with some flow it is well worth it!
16 Jan 2024	Great	Dry	None	Normal	6 hours	6 people Beginner to Advanced	Kili (4 reports)
Comment: What a great little canyon this was. Beautiful approach and views, nobody around. We took our time taking tons of pictures. Had to replace all of the anchors. Last down climb we did a quick rappel. Ruins were awesome and so was the visit to the Pictograph wall.
24 Sep 2022	Good	Dry		Normal		3 people Intermediate to Advanced	Heliops (15 reports)
Comment: We went straight the approach gully. Staying against the wall LDC and cross RDC at the rockfall. Great views from the top. The canyon: All anchors were in good conditions and all rappels were straight forward. Take the detour to the ruins below the first rap.
3 Dec 2021	Ok			Easy	3 hours	3 people Advanced to Expert	EMoorcroft (447 reports)
Comment: Last rappel downclimbed by Wayne. cool ruins. Saw big lion tracks on the approach. Fun outing.
26 Oct 2021	Amazing		None			1 people	Rlebfrom (27 reports)
Comment: The approach was stunning. I had to stop at the bottom to patiently do a time lapse for 40 minutes. I was concerned that it might rain. I felt a few drops. The night before, there was a strong rainstorm that moved through. The weather moved out and cleared, leaving an amazing view. I was greeted at the top with one of the most awe inspiring views. The small potholes were filled with water from the storm the night before. I immediately had to do another time lapse. I took one complete hour of footage. A total of one hour forty minutes. I really needed to focus on efficiency. The mosses, plant life, lichen, and views were amazing. The canyon was spectacular. On a couple of the rappels it is a couple of steps into an overhang. I turned the last down climb into a rappel. Being solo, I did not want to take a chance. All the webbing is in good shape. One of the rappels needs to have redundancy built in for abrasion. Due to the loss of efficiancy with filming and the solo canyoneering aspect, I did not have time to improve the anchor. Webbing is showing wear from traveling across the rock. Thanks Garrett!, for sharing this beautiful route to the Canyoneering community. I really appreciate it. It is a gem. Video of trip: https://vimeo.com/640102181
25 Sep 2021	Great	Dry		Normal	4 hours	2 people Intermediate to Advanced	Nclegg (396 reports)
Comment: Shuttled from Taylor Tank to the End of the Rope parking area. Took approach gully that enters Hartwell from the west (will upload the KML). This results in approaching Big Dude from the south via a scenic traverse past Contigo, Hawk, etc. All webbing was in good condition. A couple great overhangs, small arch/hueco formations, and a pretty alcove LDC by the final rappel. Enjoyed the final semi-challenging downclimb! Stayed in the drainage for the entire exit. This is recommended as a portion of Hartwell canyon is now private property.