Fourmile Creek (Pagosa Springs)

Fourmile Creek (Pagosa Springs) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: Fourmile Creek Falls.

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C III R (v5a3 II) Swift water Raps:‌2, max ↨275ft Metric Overall: 5.5h  ⟷3.3mi Approach: 1.5h  ↑1357ft Descent: 2h  ⟷0.3mi  ↓530ft Exit: 2h  ↓582ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Volcanic Conglomerates, Sandstone and Mudflow Breccia
Location:	37.4437, -107.0400
Condition Reports:	10 Jul 2024 "R1 was choked with logs but still a good warmup up rappel. We could not locate anchors for the big rappel. We built a small single loop anchor on the
Weather:
Best season:	July-Sep winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Colorado San Juan Mountains  Pagosa Springs

37.4437, -107.0400https://ropewiki.com/images/2/20/Fourmile_Creek_%28Pagosa_Springs%29.kmltopo

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Reference photos

21 Aug 2021: Moderate. Challenging but not dangerous for intermediate canyoneers (class C1 = a4).

2 Jun 2018: Moderate-High. A bit high, quite challenging but not too dangerous (class C1+ = a4+). the main water flow may be too high to rappel directly, consider an anchor at rappeller's left of the main flow

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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Introduction

Hiking to Fourmile Creek Falls (275') and Falls Creek Falls (405') is a popular 3 mile out and back summer hike from the trailhead near Pagosa Springs. While a few more waterfalls are upstream, the prime rappelling attraction of Fourmile Creek is Fourmile Creek Falls. Many challenges come with big rappels such as this including not being able to see the rappeler from above and rigging appropriate friction for a smooth descent. Beware of sharp edges and cut ropes in the direct waterflow fall line of Fourmile Creek Falls.

The approach is easy, but the creek downstream of the falls is choked with boulders and willows making the return to the trail a challenge.

Approach

Hike the Fourmile Creek trail from the parking lot for 3.1 miles, passing the bottom of Falls Creek Falls, an overlook of Fourmile Creek Falls, and a view of the two-stage waterfall with pothole (R1 in Fourmile Creek). Enter Fourmile Creek beyond two trailside campsites to get above R1 or when R1 comes into view, take a social trail on the right to shortcut directly to the top of R2 (Fourmile Creek Falls).

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  From the meadow: Falls Creek Falls on left, Fourmile Creek Falls on right
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  A trail overlook of Fourmile Creek Falls

Descent

R1: 85' from a tree on Canyon Right into a two-stage rappel (R1) with a waist deep pothole.

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  R1: 85'
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  R1: 85'
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  R1: waist deep pothole

R2: 275' from a tree on Canyon Right of the main pouroff in the watercourse. A longer rope would be required in higher flow from a tree further back at the bottom of the social trail (further Canyon Right = Rappeller's Left of the main flow going over the larger ledge seen from the trail overlook).

The degree of vertical risk should not be underestimated. Know how to self rescue in the flow and manage core-shots to the rope while on rappel. Consider radios for communication.

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  High Water: rappelling from a tree anchor further to rappeler's left requiring a rope more than 300'
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  Low Water: Rappelling the fall line of the main flow

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  Fourmile Falls rappel
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  Fourmile Falls rappel
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  Fourmile Falls rappel

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  Fourmile Creek Falls (275') from below
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  The base of Fourmile Creek Falls
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  stream bashing below the falls

Exit

Continue downstream for a short distance through some large conglomerate boulders in the stream course. The stream is preferable initially, but when the willows become a battle, aim uphill to the right (west) following game trails through the forest up the slope to regain the hiking trail.

Return to the trailhead parking lot on the same Fourmile Creek approach trail.

Trip reports and media

June 2018: visited by Ira Lewis and Lisa Purdy Lewis

Aug 2021: descended by Ira Lewis and Mike Gulsvig, photos by Ira, Mike and Chris D'Amico