Hayes Creek
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| | Raps:4-5, max ↨120ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Dakota Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 13 Aug 2023
"Ran full Hayes from R1. Absolutely would not recommend the full canyon. The first rappel, while it is a very pretty waterfall, definitely was not wo |
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| Best season: | June-Oct
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39.1604, -107.2535
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Introduction[edit]
Classic short roadside sandstone canyon. Universal feedback concludes: skip R1 and just enjoy the better R2-R5 pay-to-play.
Approach[edit]
Preferred: Lower R2-R5: (25min) The most direct approach to start at rappel 2 requires traversing a somewhat exposed ridge at the top of the red sandstone layer. The kml track reduces this exposure by going lower, but still requires a few quick moves across a sandstone slope with a 30' consequence. As you progress uphill, you'll see many trails cutting right into the canyon too early. The 2nd or 3rd is the right one. The first leads to a tree with an anchor that drops you in above R2 but is totally unnecessary. Just backtrack, go further uphill, and catch the trail that leads all the way into the canyon. The slab traverses are 4th class, so if you're doing some sketchy friction slab climbing with tons of exposure, you may be in the wrong place.
Upper R1-R5: (50min) Most people will likely want to skip R1. It's a lot more work for just one rappel and requires more unremarkable stream walking to get back to R2. Game trails lead to the upper falls along the south side of the canyon doubling the approach time. Referencing the kml track and waypoints may be helpful, but generally tracking uphill through the forest will eventually lead to views of the upper waterfall from the parking location.
Descent[edit]
Upper R1-R5 = 1h15min
Lower R2-R5 = 30-45min
R1: 75' off tree Canyon Left. After this top waterfall in the canyon, walk the streambed
R2: 60' off tree Canyon Right. Waterfall is only 40', but the anchor is set back. Lands in waist deep pool
R3: 25' single bolt Canyon Right
Toboggan/Jump into deep pothole (check depth first before jumping)
R4: 25' single bolt Canyon Right
R5: 120' off two ring bolts Canyon Left (from the pothole of R4 traverse the falls Canyon Left behind large boulders to find the bolts above a tree
The final rappel and perhaps those above are ice climbed in the winter.
Exit[edit]
Return 20 steps to your car after the last rappel