Grotto Canyon (South Fork, Death Valley)

Grotto Canyon (South Fork, Death Valley) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: Layer Fork, Grotto Middle Fork, Middle Fork of Grotto.

Rating:	Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate 4.0 (16 ratings)
‌	Difficulty:‌3A IV (v3a1 IV) Raps:‌7-15+, max ↨100ft Metric Overall: 6-9h  ⟷7mi Approach: 3h  ↑3300ft Descent: 2-4h Exit: 1h No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None
Location:	36.5598, -117.0953
Condition Reports:	29 Dec 2024 "As with other canyons in the area, the automatically imported beta is pretty inaccurate. Im surprised it hasnt been updated already. Ill try to do
Weather:
Best season:	Nov-Mar (avg for this region) winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States California Death Valley National Park  Tucki Mountains

http://ropewiki.com/User:Super_Amazing_Map?id=Grotto_-_S_Fork_-_California_(Death_Valley),http://bluugnome.com/cyn_route/dv/dv_grotto-layer-fork/dv_grotto-layer-fork.aspx

https://www.facebook.com/scott.swaney/media_set?set=a.10150186366892930.352221.668617929&type=3

http://bluugnome.com/cyn_route/dv/dv_grotto-layer-fork/dv_grotto-layer-fork.aspx

36.5598, -117.0953https://ropewiki.com/images/1/17/Grotto_Canyon_%28South_Fork%2C_Death_Valley%29.kmltopo

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Introduction

Approach

This canyon is accessed via the "East Ridge" approach track. Potential for a sneak route exists (see "Descent"). While the elevation difference between approach hike start and drop-in is approximately 3300 feet, total elevation gain if doing the full route is likely closer to 3800 feet.

From 190, take the signed road for Grotto Canyon. A high clearance vehicle is mandatory to reach the preferred parking location; those without will have to park before the road drops abruptly into the wash and walk the remainder, adding an extra half-mile or so to both the approach and the exit. Follow the dirt road into Grotto Canyon and park at the first obvious parking area. Alternately, continue up the canyon to the wilderness boundary and park there, then walk back down the wash for about a quarter mile to the start of the East Ridge approach track.

The approach follows the prominent ridge and is predominantly a steep hike with a few sections of exposed third-class scrambling. Ascend up the steep ridge at 36.5701, -117.0848 to avoid ending up in the East Fork drainage.

Descent

There are no rappels in the upper third of the canyon. R1 is located at approximately 36.561727°, -117.096017°.

R1 80' 2 stage, pocket L (OR 50' and DC 2nd stage) R2 100' 2 stage, small wedged rock L (can DC chute on 1st stage) R3 40' 2 stage, rock L, OR DC L and spicey DC R4 40' deadman, OR 30' DC R5 35' chocks R, OR spicey very smooth chute DC (sketch start) Short walk R6 15' pinch L, OR DC wide chute or ridge behind anchor 2 moderate DCs when hit other layer, then around R and 12' DC (some rapping L off boulder 35') R7 80' go through rabbit hole R, surprisingly almost entirely a DC (could do short sandtrap at end) R8 45' R, OR DC crack R DC 40' down ramp R R9 90' R10 70' deadman R11 35' pinch back R12 50' flake back or good DC 20' down easy ramp or moderate chute DC

Jct with Main - several short DCs and 1 tight rabbit hole DC behind big boulder (or dif 10' DC or partner assist) with decent narrows

R13 50' down very polished vertical chute R14 20' deadman after jct with East, OR tricky DC under boulder

Exit

Continue down wash to parking

Red tape

None known

Beta sites

• Super Amazing Map  : Grotto - S Fork
• BluuGnome.com  : Grotto Canyon - Layer Fork

Trip reports and media

FIRST DESCENT TRIP on 3-27-11

• https://www.facebook.com/scott.swaney/media_set?set=a.10150186366892930.352221.668617929&type=3

Background

Originally explored by Scott Swaney and Rick Kent, & team, on 3-27-11. See trip report above more details and teammates.

Credits

Grotto Canyon (South Fork, Death Valley)

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

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