Conditions:Big Valley Canyon (Lower)-20240728235542

Latest:	27 Jul 2024 (8 mos ago)

Reported by:	Sqshemet (75 reports), Feroz (34 reports), Epeairs (68 reports)
Quality:	Great
Waterflow:	Moderate Low
Wetsuit:	Thin wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Normal
Time:	12 hours

Team: 3 people with experience level Advanced to Expert

Trip report URL:

Comments: Meteoblue forecast was 71F at the drop in and 80F at the river, which felt like a pretty ideal range.

We took a new approach route down and had no trouble reaching the stream. Oh boy, you really do not want to find out it's too high flow and bushwhack back out.

We found all drops rigged with fresh looking webbing. One anchor is down to a single bolt but backed up with a knot chock.

Big Granite camp is fine, the sandbar isn't huge but it'll fit a small group no problem. Wheelbarrow camp is gigantic and well maintained, not as charming of a location but very comfortable. The exit trail is in good shape, we ran into one of the maintainers chopping deadfalls on the way out. Thanks maintainers!

The high clearance shuttle has a few downed trees that will need chainsawing if you're planning on shuttling. The rest of the drive was fine in a passenger vehicle.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
27 Jul 2024	Great	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	12 hours	3 people Advanced to Expert	Sqshemet (75 reports),Feroz (34 reports),Epeairs (68 reports)
Comment: Meteoblue forecast was 71F at the drop in and 80F at the river, which felt like a pretty ideal range. We took a new approach route down and had no trouble reaching the stream. Oh boy, you really do not want to find out it's too high flow and bushwhack back out. We found all drops rigged with fresh looking webbing. One anchor is down to a single bolt but backed up with a knot chock. Big Granite camp is fine, the sandbar isn't huge but it'll fit a small group no problem. Wheelbarrow camp is gigantic and well maintained, not as charming of a location but very comfortable. The exit trail is in good shape, we ran into one of the maintainers chopping deadfalls on the way out. Thanks maintainers! The high clearance shuttle has a few downed trees that will need chainsawing if you're planning on shuttling. The rest of the drive was fine in a passenger vehicle.
11 Sep 2020	Great	Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	13 hours	5 people Intermediate to Expert	Michelle (60 reports)
Comment: This was a fun canyon. The approach was quite treacherous, particularly the lower half where it got loose and extremely steep. The flow was low but still fun with the many jumps. We measured the big rappel at 215' (not the 230' as previously reported). Most of the webbing in the canyon was still good although we backed up the big drop with new webbing. We couldn't find the exit trail as indicated on the kml, and instead just stayed in the river which was easy to walk. There was nothing at the 'wheelbarrow camp' which was high above the river above a cliff, and instead we slept down at the river on some small gravel just upstream. The exit hike is a well maintained trail, which was very welcome after the heinous approach.