Epinephrine Error
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| | Difficulty:3A III (v3a1 III) Raps:20, max ↨125ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Sandstone | |||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 7 Sep 2025
"This was the 7th time Ive run this canyon and this time with a group of 7. We completed it, car to car, in 6.5 hours. With a little TLC (clean up of |
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36.0340, -115.4685
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Introduction
This canyon is a deep and narrow chimney system between the Epinephrine Summit and Black Velvet Peak. It has been used by rock climbers that make a major navigation error getting off the mega-classic 1600 foot tall 5.9 rock climb Epinephrine, and go down this gully, instead of using the walk-off. Since those climbers often hit this gully as it's getting dark, this can be a serious all night EPIC getting down the 20 rappels to Black Velvet creek. However, from a well trained and well prepared canyoneer's perspective, it can be a really fun day out. It's very well shaded, so it should be good for summer months. Take this canyon seriously. Do not attempt if you are not a trained canyoneer.
UPDATE AS OF APRIL 4, 2026
After running this canyon several times, we have narrowed the raps down to 10 to 12 (depends on rebelays used) in the main canyon, no raps in the Frogland exit, and added three optional approach raps off of the local's Black Velvet Peak (36.03469, -115.46888). I can't agree enough with Willie's last statement above, "DO NO ATTEMPT IF YOU ARE NOT A TRAINED CANYONEER".
Approach
- Non-Shuttle
Park at Black Velvet parking area 36.03438, -115.44930. Hike the climbing approach trail staring at 36.03484, -115.45296, veer off toward the Frogland approach trail at 36.03599, -115.45936, climb up the Frogland approach trail to 36.03428, -115.46124. Traverse South to 36.03291, -115.46096 and climb the Frogland exit gully to the saddle at 36.03360, -115.46315 Take a hard left up the slabs (follow the cairns), continue on more obvious trail to the ridge top at 36.03168, -115.46551. Go North West on the ridge top to the East side of Black Velvet Peak 36.03351, -115.46966, and down slightly to the saddle 36.03427, -115.46940 between Black Velvet Peak and Epinephrine Summit. This approach has some minor exposure and does take a few climbing moves here and there. NOTE: It is not recommended to run this canyon when the winds are high. It can feel very unsafe on the ridge with strong winds and this will increase your trip time significantly.
- Shuttle
Use the same approach as for Mud Springs, but travel further North on the ridge top trail to 36.03547, -115.48349. Then descend the ridge to 36.03327, -115.47611 and work your way along the rocky ridge line to Black Velvet Peak. Then descend to the saddle at 36.03427, -115.46940.
- Second Shuttle Option
Use the Windy Peak TH. Drive up to the radio tower and park. Do not block the turn around at the top. Hike through the gates and follow the trail up to the saddle on the north/south ridge. Go north, past the Windy Peak turnoff, and continue on the ridge to the exit down to Black Velvet. This trail is well used and easier to hike than alternate approaches, and it has 100 feet less in elevation than the original Mud Spring approach. Distance is basically the same as the Mud Springs TH referenced above. Either shuttle is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The climb up out of BV TH, although shorter in distance, usually is longer in time, loose in places, steeper and over 1000 feet more in elevation gain...just saying.
Descent
Follow the obvious sandy gully to the East descending quickly to the first rappel. Each anchor typically has multiple slings, cords, you name it, some only 2, some more like 20! At one specific rappel, you will notice 2 large chock-stones double stacked bridging the narrow canyon with an anchor around these stones. It is highly advised that the last person use this anchor, otherwise it's very likely your rope will get stuck on multiple other chock-stones below this double stacked set. This canyon carries the potential to get your rope stuck on most of the rappels. Using a fiddle stick or just double stranding, at least for the last person descending, is highly recommended. Make sure you bring enough rope and have the skills to prevent / mitigate this.
Near the bottom of the narrow canyon, where it widens up, you can bypass one rappel using a 4th class climb-around DCL. Below that is a rabbit hole with a hand sling that allow you to bypass a final rappel out of the narrow canyon. After the rabbit hole is one more rappel off a tree to get into the West Frogland Gully. This gully is mostly down-climbing with one spot that has various rappel stations.
Following the water course (DCL) you will get to the final rappels that take you first down a trough. NOTE: It is easy to get your gullies mixed up. You want the one on the left, not the one on the right. There are some cairns in the gully on the right that could confuse canyoneers descending. These are likely for rock climbers who are climbing up and out. If you find yourself here, head back up and find the gully to the left of it. Using the GPX with satellite view is very helpful.
The first of the "last rappels" is anchored on a tree DCL up high on the trough. Some canyoneers start here, then make a hard right over a face and then down to the Black Velvet Creek level. You will use a lot of rope doing this.
Alternative: After rappelling over the edge of the trough, there is an anchor high on the right (HCR), just over the edge, off a small tree. There is a big rock you will need to wedge yourself behind that you can only get to by rappelling, then traversing over to mid-rappel. If you choose this approach, note that only a couple people at a time can fit (crouch) at this station and it is difficult to get to. Send someone first who can use a combination of climbing, stemming and rappelling to traverse to the station, then assist others over. Make sure you know how to ascend if this is your plan as you could easily rappel past this anchor. Make sure you establish clear communication and coordination if you choose this anchor.
The "last rappels" can be very hard to find in the dark. Start this canyon early. Make sure to get out while there is still daylight.
Advice:
- Make sure your group is fit and well equipped. This means: more than enough rope, ascending gear, headlamps with spare batteries, warm clothes, and maybe some space blankets and tea lights should you find yourself in a pickle. Whistles might also come in handy should the wind get too loud to communicate verbally. Also, bring a rescue beacon.
- Start very early. It will likely take you longer than anticipated. Better yet, do it first with someone who has done it before.
- Don't bring a large group. Stick with a small team. Efficiency is important with this one.
- Be prepared to get your feet wet towards the end. The water is cold. Do the canyon on a warm day.
UPDATE AS OF APRIL 4, 2026
In the local hiking community the originally referenced Black Velvet Peak is known as Black Velvet Ridge Peak and the sub peak (top of Epinephrine Wall) northeast of it, down and through the saddle where the above referenced sandy gully descent starts, is known as Black Velvet Peak. Any reference I make to Black Velvet will be the local's Black Velvet Peak. 36.03469,-115.46888
There are three alternate rappels that will drop you into the canyon right at the top of the first rap in Epi Error Canyon. You scramble past the sandy gully descent, which you can use and miss the 3 alternate raps, and continue up a short distance to Black Velvet Peak. The first alternate rap is found down the spine that runs SE off of the peak.
Alternate approach raps:
R1 65' boulder 36.03446, -115.46844 Two stage
R2 165' bolts 36.03435, -115.46830 Two stage. Rappel the spine to a small pocket with bushes, keep going through it and out the crack that will take you down a wall and slope to a narrow ledge. You will see a black lacquer landing slightly DCR of where you are. Scramble down to it after the rappel.
R3 170' tree 36.03417, -115.46803 Watch the loose rocks at the top. This anchor is around the corner from the black lacquer landing. You will land at the top of rap 1 in the main Epi Error Canyon
In the main canyon you are going to find MULTIPLE anchors, new and old, that are not all necessary to use. The following sequence of raps have been used several times and have proven to be the best. Downclimb where you can. It might be tempting to go with longer rappels, but you are most likely going to stick a rope. The rap after the overhead chock stone will have 10 or more loops on it. There is a new quick link attached to several of them.
CANYON RAPS: (remember, it is advisable to have at least LAPAR double strand most of the rappels)
R1 50' pinch rock
R2 60' tree
R3 65' pinch...multi stage
R4 100' tree NOTE: there are webbing anchors on the overhead chock stones. Very difficult to check the anchor because the webbing is pinched between them. Use the anchor off of the tree. Hang it over the edge of the rock and then go DCL where you'll be able to get down to the landing below. There is a small slab rock that you can hold on to the top of and slide down the wall to a small ledge and then one more move to get to the anchor.
R5 90' pinch This is about 20 ft down canyon on your left. This is the anchor with 10 or more loops on it. If you try to keep down climbing it gets very slippery. Use this anchor.
R6 70' chock On the way to the next rap you will have to downclimb a tree. Continue downclimbing to the V notch were the next anchor is.
R7 130' sketchy bolts..lol. This anchor has two small bolts and backed up to a tree. It can be run as one long rap, but if you feel that there is the possibility of a rope getting stuck, rap down about 90' and rebelay off of one of the several anchors in the slot
R8 90' pinch HIGHLY ADVISABLE for LAPAR to rebelay at the anchor just over half way down
R9 20' pinch
R10 60' pinch Climb down to this anchor from where it looks like you should use the tree DCR. There is another anchor mid rappel. Go over it and down the full 60'.
Exit this rap on a short downclimb DCR to a platform where you will see a rabbit hole to your left. Grab the loop and slide feet first on your back through the hole. You are now at the top of the Frogland exit.
Exit
From the bottom of the last rappel, follow the water course through the brush to the open main Black Velvet Creek, down the creek past some house sized boulders, then follow the climber's trail DCR on very dark red stone up and out of the creek bed. You will soon be back on the main trail back to the parking lot.
UPDATE AS OF APRIL 4, 2026
After going through the rabbit hole you will start the scrambling decent to the Black Velvet Canyon below via the Frogland exit route. Start by going through the obvious opening in the trees down the water course. This exit will have one spot where you down climb a wall. It has several ledges on it and great handholds. The use trail is well worn and easy to follow. Where it was reference in the original beta to stay DCL, you will want to go DCR.
Red tape
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
Our 8th March 2020 trip:
