Conditions:Stewart Falls-20230820041228

Latest:	17 Aug 2023 (1 yr, 10 mos ago)

Reported by:	Blueshade (55 reports)
Quality:	Good
Waterflow:	Moderate
Wetsuit:	Thin wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:
Time:	4 hours

Team: 2 people with experience level Advanced

Trip report URL:

Comments: Note that many of these rappels put you in the thick of the flow at at least one point on almost every rappel. Probably not a good canyon for those that are inexperienced.

The 30' drop near the end, down a crack, with a deadman in the creek, was especially pounding and had an overhang at the top yhat can catch you unawares, with 1-2 other spots that can be problematic. There was an anchor placed out right that avoids this rappel.

Many people are doing the final rappel out right from a dirty ledge? Apparently to avoid the flow? Not my cup of tea, but to each their own.

We went in the flow and a 200' rope reached for us to the base. Hike out on a trail left to the creek below.

Surprisingly good waterfall raps. But as mentioned, probably not for newbs.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
13 Jun 2025	Great	Moderate	Full wetsuit		6 hours	3 people Advanced	RFontaine (283 reports)
Comment: Very beautiful set of waterfalls, great flow, high quality rappels and a beautiful approach/exit hike! Approach trail is really enjoyable in it’s own right, first portion on main trail is fairly shaded in the woods. Once you cut off the main trail heading up gets fairly steep and loose, lots of vegetation flanking either side of a narrow canyoneer path, canopy giving way to gorgeous long reaching views as you traverse narrow loose cliff edges. Lots of stinging nettle on approach, my partner who wore shorts, is still recovering from that experience. By the end of the approach we were very hot in full sun wondering if we had overestimated our neoprene as we tried to find a spot to gear up in the brush. 1hr 15min to top of canyon. I wore my 5/4 and it was terrible to put on in the heat but jumping in the freezing snow melt water below made me realize it was the right choice. Flow is strong and pushy but not too overbearing for my partner that had never experienced water of this caliber. With this flow and the canyon geometry, your head is under water for alot of the rappelling, especially on the large ones. A hooded rain shell was nice to have. The technical section is short but packs a punch, the larger raps were really fun and very vertical. By the time we had gotten to the last rap were all very happy about our thick neoprene as the canyon was not in the sun at all and would have been chilly with less. On the big rappel I had heard about multiple parties getting their ropes stuck when rigging from the DCL bolts (the obvious choice). There are also bolts high DCR if you scramble up to them. They have webbing equalized, then a traverse line run along the cliff to another rock pinch. Not sure why… for a dry rap on the other side maybe?? We decided to rig directly to the equalized bolted anchor high DCR, ignoring the traverse line. This rappel puts you through the bushes up top briefly but gives way to a good rappel line on the DCR side, in the flow but not punishing. We rappelled all the way down to the floor combining the final 30ft falls making a 2 stage rap. This used around 270+ ft of rope. Pull from the bottom was no problem using the DCR anchor. Whistles, even our loud Fox40s were hardly any use on this route. The water is too loud. Radios recommended. There is line of sight to the bottom from the cliff edge DCR if following the traverse line over. We did change out of out wetsuits entirely at the bottom and we were glad we did, made the hike back much more enjoyable. Don’t forget your National Parks Pass for the parking lot! Total 6hrs at a leisurely pace.
17 Aug 2023	Good	Moderate	Thin wetsuit		4 hours	2 people Advanced	Blueshade (55 reports)
Comment: Note that many of these rappels put you in the thick of the flow at at least one point on almost every rappel. Probably not a good canyon for those that are inexperienced. The 30' drop near the end, down a crack, with a deadman in the creek, was especially pounding and had an overhang at the top yhat can catch you unawares, with 1-2 other spots that can be problematic. There was an anchor placed out right that avoids this rappel. Many people are doing the final rappel out right from a dirty ledge? Apparently to avoid the flow? Not my cup of tea, but to each their own. We went in the flow and a 200' rope reached for us to the base. Hike out on a trail left to the creek below. Surprisingly good waterfall raps. But as mentioned, probably not for newbs.
25 Jul 2023	Amazing	Moderate High	Thin wetsuit	Special challenges	8 hours	5 people Intermediate to Advanced	Mountainmansam (16 reports)
Comment: We descended Stewart Falls on Sunday. There was significant snow as we crossed over the creek, and a fantastic ice bridge and tunnel over the creek after the first rappel. The flow was moderate high and most rappels avoided the flow. We were pounded by water on two rappels. The anchors were all in good condition. A terrific day in the mountains and fun was had by everyone!
21 Aug 2022	Amazing	Low	Thin wetsuit	Advanced	4 hours	6 people Expert to Beginner	Jon.onrope (1 reports)
Comment: The rappels were approximately 40, 30, 20, 60, 110, 50, and 230 feet. Anchors were in good condition and primarily consisted of natural anchors off trees and rock cairn anchors. The final 230 foot rappel is bolted on canyon left.
13 Aug 2020	Great	Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	4 hours	1 people	Morgan (103 reports)
24 Apr 2012 Trip report							Candition.com (287 reports)
Comment: Most recent conditions reported at Candition.com, see Trip Report for full details.