Conditions:Gargoyles Canyon-20211004221456

Latest:	2 Oct 2021 (4 yrs ago)

Reported by:	Beccap (48 reports), Mads (61 reports)
Quality:	Great
Waterflow:	Moderate
Wetsuit:	Drysuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Normal
Time:	12 hours

Team: 4 people with experience level Intermediate to Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: What a great day in a fun canyon. This is a great shoulder season canyon that really deserves more attention. Some of the drops are still single-bolted, and one requires a cairn anchor, but it is otherwise ready for general travel. Although the approach and exit are long (2-2.5h each), the approach is entirely on trail, and the exit is fairly easy with the exception of a short unpleasant section through tall brush. It has an alpine feel, with some really fun, quality rappels. Flow was on the low side of moderate after 2.25" of rain over the preceding 4 days. Some of the features would be very challenging in anything bigger than mod-high. Timing reflects anchor work at all 10 rappels, so future groups should be able to descend much faster.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
13 Oct 2025	Great				8 hours	4 people	Ames (11 reports)
Comment: A wonderful way to welcome in the fall season. This is a very scenic shoulder season canyon, with stunning views of wintery mountain tops above and vibrant fall foliage below. Three members of the team wore dry suits, one wore a full wetsuit. No regrets with attire choices, although it was a bit toasty at times. The water was cold, but at mod-low conditions you were not generally not subjected to the direct watercourse unless you so chose (I would recommend!). Most anchors seems in good condition - we did have to clean debris/tighten a hanger on R3. We placed a single bolt DCL where normally a cairn anchor is required (R6). The rock in this section was of horrible quality (you could hear the hollowness from a distance!) which is why we were unable to place a bolt before stage 2 of R5 as originally intended. While the rappels/water features themselves are trivial beyond longer rappels, the team discussed overall ability level required for this canyon and agreed it was intermediate. To descend this canyon, the ability to identify and mitigate rope abrasion is required, and the rock quality is poor so one must be able to 1) inspect anchors and 2) find a suitable place to replace a bolt (good luck!) or be able to build cairns. We followed Weeden creek out until we eventually crossed the Sauk river and rejoined the Monte Cristo trail - would recommend this route as opposed to the overland approach, although there was significant water in the creek which slowed the team’s pace. Be warned that there are a fair amount of log crossings on this route, but one teammate who has now done both exit routes says he preferred this one.
14 Sep 2024	Good	Low	Full wetsuit		8 hours	3 people	Logan (60 reports)
Comment: Pleasant hiking-rappelling route, good for advanced beginners due to longer rappels. Vey shallow pools, no jumps, slides. An open creek with no encasement, no narrows or gorge. Would be great to add an additional bolt to the 5 single bolt anchors. Many are not in sheer and the rappeller has to pull in line to get on rappel. In high flow single bolts are added stress. Putting in bolts at the cairn anchor would also help to move long faster. Better yet, make R5 a 100' single stage rappel and add a bolted anchor on the top of the 2nd stage to go 100' down in 2 stages bypassing the cairn anchor. This would be much more efficient, especially with big groups. Would like to come back in more flow - in July. Would like to try the dry exit next time - the log crossings in the creek were annoying.
2 Oct 2021	Great	Moderate	Drysuit	Normal	12 hours	4 people Intermediate to Advanced	Beccap (48 reports),Mads (61 reports)
Comment: What a great day in a fun canyon. This is a great shoulder season canyon that really deserves more attention. Some of the drops are still single-bolted, and one requires a cairn anchor, but it is otherwise ready for general travel. Although the approach and exit are long (2-2.5h each), the approach is entirely on trail, and the exit is fairly easy with the exception of a short unpleasant section through tall brush. It has an alpine feel, with some really fun, quality rappels. Flow was on the low side of moderate after 2.25" of rain over the preceding 4 days. Some of the features would be very challenging in anything bigger than mod-high. Timing reflects anchor work at all 10 rappels, so future groups should be able to descend much faster.
30 Jun 2019	Great	Moderate Low	Full wetsuit	Normal	11 hours	3 people Intermediate to Advanced	Tiffanie (139 reports)
Comment: The first descent took us 11.5 hours total. The descent should be faster now that anchors have been established. Be sure to recheck anchors / be prepared to re-build/build deadman anchors. Flow was moderate and there were some parts where the water was a little pushier on rappel. The exit takes longer than expected due to route finding, hidden rocks/logs in chest-high grass.