Deadwood Gulch
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| | Raps:7, max ↨125ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Required 7 min Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Gneiss, Schist | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 15 Aug 2022
"All rock in the watercourse was incredibly slippery which slowed our movement considerably and made for a few challenging downclimbs. 4/3 wetsuit w/ j |
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| Best season: | Jul-Sep
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37.7851, -107.6724
37.7848, -107.6731
37.7918, -107.6690
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Introduction[edit]
A fun, short canyon just outside the town of Silverton. The technical route described here drops 600 feet in elevation in a short distance, about 1/2 mile. Longest rappel 125 feet. No approach hike. 5 minute exit hike. 10 minute shuttle. Expected time 2 to 4 hours. Great to combine with the Durango Waterpark (Cascade Creek), South Fork of Mineral Creek or another short canyon in the Silverton area for a two-in-one day.
Note that the rock in this canyon is extremely slippery and downclimbing through the watercourse can therefore be quite challenging (warrants R rating). Some anchors are also situated high above the watercourse and require some exposed scrambling to reach.
Approach[edit]
Twenty feet from your car to the watercourse!
First drop your exit vehicle. From the gas station on Highway 550 in Silverton, go south on 550 for 0.1 miles. Just after passing over the bridge crossing Mineral Creek, turn left on a dirt road, County Road 31. Go down CR31 for 1.0 miles to some large abandoned mining buildings and a large dirt parking area. Drop your shuttle here.
To reach the canyon entrance, drive back up County Road 31 and get back on 550 south towards Durango. In 2.0 miles you will see a flowing creek come in on your right, this is Deadwood Gulch. Park at the pullout on the right (west), don your wetsuits, gloves, and helmets and enter the creek via the metal culvert that goes under the road.
Descent[edit]
Be sure to put on gloves and helmet before you begin your descent. This is a good practice in any canyon, but especially in Deadwood Gulch as there are many sharp rocks strewn along the ground and under the undergrowth that are not easily seen, and as mentioned above the rock is very slippery. After exiting the culvert, pick your way down the side of the watercourse.
Just below the high powerlines you will come to the first rappels in quick sequence:
R1: 35' off a tree on Canyon Right.
R2: 50’ off a tree high Canyon Right. Unfortunately, this rappel line misses the watercourse. Be on the lookout for R3 high canyon left - it is easy to miss and continuing to the lower stage may limit anchor opportunities.
R3: 70' off a tree high Canyon Left.
R4: 50’ off a tree high Canyon Left.
R5: 80’ off a tree high Canyon Right. This fall line is out of the flow and lands just above the old remnants of Detroit Mine. You will notice an open mine shaft on canyon right and significant mine debris blocking the watercourse. CAUTION! This debris has numerous rusty nails sticking up and contains rusty sheet metal with sharp edges. Stay well clear of this waste pile by going carefully around high canyon right and onto a ledge (ledge is approximately level with the mine shaft).
R6: 65' off a tree anchor about 50 feet down along this ledge. Before rappelling you may want to continue all the way across the ledge for a commanding view of the Animas River, the Durango-Silverton railroad tracks, with the town of Silverton as the backdrop. If you are lucky you may hear the train whistle and see the old, narrow gauge train rolling down the tracks from your high perch.
R7: 125' off tree on Canyon Right. Alternatively, an anchor could be set off a tree canyon left which may better position you in the flow but requires crossing the debris-riddled watercourse.
Exit[edit]
Find a social trail canyon left at the base of the last rap. Walk this trail to a 4WD road which will take you back to your car. The exit hike should take about 10 minutes.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
First (Published) Descent 8/8/15 Kelton Manzanares, Logan DeGrand, and Mike Zampino. Old anchors and evidence of anchors were found at the last few rappels.
Background[edit]
Be considerate and leave solid anchors throughout this canyon as this has been climbed in winter. This is not a location for releasable anchors to keep harmony between those who participate other seasonal activities in the same space.
