Highland Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v4a1 IV) Raps:5, max ↨265ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Required 1.76mi Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Best in Spring and Fall, Hot in Summer, Cold in Winter
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39.0604, -108.7266
39.0622, -108.7301
39.0778, -108.7280
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Introduction
Highland Canyon has a few 4-star rappels with some 1- or 2-star access pushing through parts of the overgrown drainage. The big 265' rappel is challenging and memorable. The return hike, once through the thicker vegetation seemed to go quickly.
Approach
Leave a shuttle vehicle at the Upper Monument Canyon Trailhead.
Drive to the Highland Viewpoint and hike on a social trail at the edge of the parking area. Trend downhill to the southwest over the first drainage and enter the second. A break in the small cliff band is noted with a waypoint on the kml map.
Descent
R1: 60' from a large dead tree DCL
DC: 10'
R2: 75' from a tree DCR with large chockstones in the chute. Some bold canyoneers might consider downclimbing the crack.
R3: 85' from a tree DCR over an awkward lip
R4: 265' from a large boulder on the ledge over an immediate awkward lip followed by a free hanging section, a narrow chute without anchors to a ledge 165' down that one could stand on. If a knot pass needs to be done, this is a good location to do so for the final 100' to the bottom. There are subpar anchor opportunities to create another stage in the chute.
R5: 55' from a tree DCL. It is not obvious, but a downclimb route could be accomplished DCR.
Exit
After the last rappel, bash through the overgrowth in the drainage for a third of a mile, then it opens up.
Walk the wash 1.1 miles to intersect the Monument Canyon Trail. A 20' dry fall will be encountered in the volcanic layer further along the wash, but can be easily bypassed DCL.
The elevation gain on the Monument Canyon Trail back to the Upper Monument Canyon Trailhead occurs at a comfortable grade on a nicely maintained trail and seemed to go by quickly. This may be aided with a morning descent in the early season when the final series of switchbacks are in the shade.
Red tape
A National Park's pass or a Colorado National Monument entrance fee is required
Beta sites
Trip reports and media
2019 partially descended/explored:
2025-03-02 Beta added to ropewiki after full descent. Ira Lewis, Chris Welsh, Duane & Lyle