Great Falls Basin
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| | Difficulty:3B II (v3a2 III) Raps:6-8, max ↨75ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Granite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 29 Nov 2025
"What an amazing day! There was a nice low flow in the canyon that splashed you nicely on R2.. New rabbit hole opened on R6 that we trappelled thro |
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| Best season: | Any
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| Regions: | Inyo county, California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
35.8553, -117.3817
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
A beautiful granite canyon in a surprising place. The original publisher of this page mentioned only 5 rappels while in fact there were 6. A lot has changed since then. The Vehicle approach, the Trail approach and the number of rappels. This canyon now is a GREATER bang for your buck effort-wise.
Though probably not a destination in itself for many, it could be tacked on to a trip to Death Valley or combined with other local canyons (Slot & DECAF BAG) or attractions like the Trona Pinnacles and Ballart Ghost Town to make a worthwhile trip (several canyons in this area as well). If you are also a Rock Climber, there is plenty of that to do around this canyon. See the links section. Wild burros are commonly seen in the area.
Water: Read the latest reports! In recent years I have done this canyon when all the pools were full of water and some required swimmig. I have also done it in 2023 when all the pools and potholes were filled with dirt and there was not even a puddle, let alone a swim. Dry walk-through all the way. That said, when the pools are full - The water is FREEZING! The canyon walls are all Granite and the bottom hardly sees the sun, so the water always stays very cold, including in Summer. If there is water, you will likley want your wet suit. The canyon is in the shadows the first half of the day making it an appropriate descent year-round if properly prepared. Get an early start in Summer and maybe a later start in Winter.
Hazards: There are many old pipes and other metal shrapnel along the canyon and on the rappels that mostly does not present any issues but can get a pulled rope stuck on. I have also seen someone’s backpack getting stuck on a pipe bolt mid-air and flipping them over. Had to leave it hanging and brought down by the next canyoneer.
Approach[edit]
Driving:
This is a NEW (2022), 3 miles way to get from the main road to the parking area. An easier drive that in Nov 2025 was still done by a minivan. No 4x4 or AWD needed. From Ridgecrest, CA take the 178 East, driving to Searles Valley and through the little town of Trona about 30 miles / 35 minutes from the center of Ridgecrest (178/ S Lake China Blvd). Leave the paved road at 35.853136,-117.335738 going West on a dirt road #P24 for 1.4 miles. Drive straight to the Third intersection and turn Left on dirt road #P26 continue Carefully for 1.2 miles crossing a few streams until you see the sign for dirt road #P27. You will turn Left again here going down a Steep short section towards the stream bed. It's another 0.4 miles to the parking area. CAUTION: You may want to inspect this section by foot first. It is Steep and your car may not want to climb back up later. Turn Right at the bottom and you will shortly get to the parking/camping area right under the last waterfall.
Hiking:
This is a new and much shorter approach (about ½ mile) than the original. It also shortens the sun exposure of the old approach. It can take 30-60 minutes depends on group. Start at an opening in the fence to your Right when facing the rocks. Go on a sandy hill, around a few boulders and get into a gully on your left. Keep your head up and follow the many Cairns along the trail. Watch out for slippery loose gravel over rocks. Hike up to a Saddle, then follow more Cairns down to the stream bed. Turn Left, down stream towards DC1 and R1
Descent[edit]
| Number | Tiers | Total height | Anchor (looking down stream) | Anchor Gear | Rope* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC1 | 2 | 12’ | N/A 2 x 6’ Downclimbs | N/A | N/A |
| R1 | 2 | 30' | 2 Bolts LDC (2 new Bolts 6/3/23) | 8-10’ Webbing or rope | 60’ |
| Walk through/under a boulder pile to an 8' Drop LDC, bypass RDC | |||||
| R2 | 1 | 40' | 2 Bolts Center (1 historic anchor + 1 new Bolt 6/3/23) | 8-10’ Webbing or rope | 80’ |
| DC2 | 1 | 6' | Downclimb over a chockstone | N/A | N/A |
| 6’ Slide RDC (straight in the middle) down to R3 anchors | |||||
| R3 | 1 | 25' | 2 Bolts RDC | Rap off Chains OR 8-10’ Webbing | 50’ |
| DC3 | 1 | 8’ | Downclimb or rap off old Rusty bolt. | N/A | N/A or 20’ |
| R4 | 2 | 50' | 2 Bolts RDC | Rap off Chains OR 8-10’ Webbing | 100’ |
| R5 | 1 | 45’ | 2 Bolts LDC | Rap off Chains OR 8-10’ Webbing | 100’ |
| R6 | 1 | 50’ | 2 Bolts LDC | Rap off Chains OR 8-10’ Webbing | 100’ |
| R7 | 1 | 40’ | 2 Bolts RDC | Rap off Chains OR 8-10’ Webbing | 80’ |
| R8 | 1 | 75’ | 2 Bolts Center on a large Boulder (installed 4/23/22) | 8-10’ Webbing | 150’ |
- Rope - Recommended length based on distance from anchors to edge + rappel height + horizontal distance between tiers (when applicable) x 2
Waterfall notes:
R1 - DC1 and R1 can be bypassed by going under the big boulder RDC (the old way)
R4 - Watch the rope pull!
R6 a - Between R6 and R7 there is a large boulder blocking the way - Climb over, around, or under the Boulder
R6 b - This is a GREAT (!!!) opportunity for a guided rappel. Especially if the pool under is full and freezing. You will use the R7 bolts as the bottom anchor and go over the large boulder. You’ll need a 170-200’ rope here due to the distance between the two waterfalls.
R8 - Mostly free hanging rappel. The best rappel of the canyon! You can bypass R8 LDC by going along the base of the wall and follow use trails downhill (But WHY?). You can also climb up the bypass and do it on it’s own.
Exit[edit]
From the bottom of the last rappel is a very short walk back to the parking area. 1-2 minutes.
Red tape[edit]
No red tape. Land is administered by BLM. Visitation to the bottom of the canyon is common. Camping is allowed. There is established rock climbing routes in the area. Bring a trash bag to clean up a little trash at the parking area (though not too bad).
Beta sites[edit]
Photos and beta from 1999-2003 rope descents (they describe 6 rappels): http://www.lenzenhuber-studios.com/mountaineer/local_desert/great_falls/great_falls.htm
Trona Gem-O-Rama: http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/GEM-O-RAMA.htm
Trona Pinnacles: https://www.calwild.org/trona-pinnacles/
Climbing:
https://www.summitpost.org/great-falls-basin/475987
https://www.thecrag.com/climbing/united-states/great-falls-basin
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1113701/Great-Falls-Basin-Trona
Trip reports and media[edit]
October 13th 2018: https://travels.ncbarth.com/2018/10/great-falls-basin-oct-13.html
A May 2003 trip: http://www.lenzenhuber-studios.com/mountaineer/local_desert/great_falls/great_falls_basin2003.htm
A 1999 trip: http://www.lenzenhuber-studios.com/mountaineer/local_desert/great_falls/randy-mike.htm
Background[edit]
Lou Lenzenhuber did a series of descent starting in the early nineties.
Hardware and historic photos indicate much earlier descents. Vintage canyon photos: http://www.trona-ca.com/great-falls/
Description here is from a solo trip by Nic Barth on October 13 2018 during the Trona Gem-O-Rama event. Conditions were dry. 10am start. 3 hrs round trip including lots of roped tripod selfies...