Gothic Slot
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| | Raps:2, max ↨145ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 0.45mi Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Quartz monzonite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Jun-July
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Introduction
Gothic Slot is an early season waterfall descent off Gothic Road near Schofield Pass, which cuts through a short band of igneous quartz monzonite porphyry on the NE side of Mt Gothic, a laccolith of the same rock type.
While only having a few rappels, it gives a great, narrow committing feel early in the season with reasonable pay to play.
Approach
Park at (38.97755, -107.00253) at a signed roadside pulloff/trailhead in the valley and walk the dirt road to the North or near the Washington Gulch Campground at the trailhead for the Washington Gulch Trail (38.98211, -107.00668).
Hike uphill on the Washington Gulch Trail to gain the top of the cliff band, then depart the trail and cross Rock Creek. Continue Southeast above the cliff band to the top of the drainage.
Descent
R1: 80' from a tree DCR. Last rappeller needs to pay attention to rope placement to aid a successful pull. There are many logs and boulders in the drainage which might snag a rope.
R2: 145' from bolts DCR.
Exit
Depart the stream course at the base of the falls and hike down a scree slope and meadow just to the South. Rapidly lose elevation off trail back to the road.
Red tape
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
2025-06-21 First known descent by Ira Lewis, Andrew Tanasescu, Carl Bern, Jack Hickisch. A webbing anchor without hardware was found tied around the tree used for R1. Cover Photo by Carl Bern.