Jawbone Creek (Lower)

Jawbone Creek (Lower) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: Jawbone Cr..

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C1 III (v3a4 III) Swift water Raps:‌7 Metric Overall: 4.5-7h Approach: 45min-1h Descent: 3-5h Exit: 45min-1h  ↑200ft Closed Red Tape:‌Closed to entry Shuttle:‌Required 25 min Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Granite
Location:	37.8851, -119.9907
Condition Reports:	22 Jul 2023 "Attempted to do this canyon, but Cherry Lake Road is closed for construction due to washouts/landslides. Estimated opening time was November 2023. We
Weather:
Best season:	Jul-Oct (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 California Sierras Stanislaus National Forest

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Reference photos

17 Jul 2017: Moderate-High. A bit high, quite challenging but not too dangerous (class C1+ = a4+).

24 Jul 2017: Moderate-High. A bit high, quite challenging but not too dangerous (class C1+ = a4+).

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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Introduction

Access roads closed; estimated reopening in Nov 2023. See Red Tape section for more.

The canyon is located three hours from Bay Area making it quite accessible to those residing in San Francisco Area. It can easily be combined with a trip to climb in Yosemite NP area (Tuolumne Meadows).

Approach

Approach

Final section of approach hike

Recommended approach starts where the road goes over the creek at concrete bridge / culvert. A mile long hike in river bed crosses over property line and barbed wire fence intended to keep cattle in. Although maps show an alternate option where a dirt road leads close to the canyon drop-in, much of the road has been destroyed in recent fires and travel by car is impossible due to down trees. Road ultimately leads to a gate with stern warning signs about trespassing and penalties enforced by Sheriff Department. Although the private property can be bypassed by walking around the fence, thus staying on National Forest land, the bushwhacking is not pleasant. The property line issue has been confirmed by talking to a local Forest Ranger.

Please, do not attempt to trespass as it may jeopardize future access to the canyon.

Descent

• R0: <80'

The first significant drop that you will approach was rappelled off a meat anchor, which will be referred to as rappel zero (R0). This drop can be trivially down climbed (by the LAMAR or otherwise) on the RDC down a vegetated gully, with the poison oak being the only significant danger.

Rap 0 Top

Rap 0 Bottom

The next drop is down climbed on canyon left, to a shallow gully coming in from the left. Continue traversing along the slab on LDC. This brings you to the top of R1.

• R1: ~100'

First rappel (R1) uses a chock stone on canyon left, ~100'. Upon finishing the rappel, one must do a chimney climb up 12' of slippery rock up on to a ledge. Send a good climber or be prepared to partner assist for the first person. Once on top, a hand-line can be set to make this climb trivial for the remainder of the party.

Rap 1

• R2: ~110'

Second rappel is rigged off the right most edge of the ledge, and drops down a few feet down dry rock before entering the flow, and drops down ~100' of slippery rock. This anchor was set up using stainless steel 3/8 x 1 3/4" SS wedge bolt. Granite quality is excellent, though subsequent parties may wish to instal second bolt for redundancy. Reaching the rappel station appears exposed, thou in reality the rock features make it rather friendly.

Rap 2

Rap 2

Rap 2

• R3: ~110'

Third rappel is rigged off a tree on the left side of the water course, roughly a third of the way down this tier of the water fall. Future parties may attempt to utilize third rappel to bypass rap #4 and proceed to large ledge on opposite side of the canyon. Rope length to by-pass rap 4 has not been verified.

Rap 3

Rap 3

• R4: ~100' (40' for the first drop + 60' for the stream traverse, or 2 stage drop using ~110' of rope)

Fourth rappel is rigged from a tree on LDC a little ways back from the edge, and drops down ~20' down the first tier. From here, traverse the stream bed to cross to RDC and exit out of the water course, or traverse half way across the stream to continue rappelling down on the RDC to reach a large platform. If exiting the water course, the next small drop can be easily down climbed to reach the platform.

Rap 4

Rap 4 Bottom

• R5: ~80'

Fifth rappel is a controlled slide of ~50' into a pool that in higher flows will spit you out to a pool on canyon left. Set rope length properly so that all participants leave rope prior to dropping into the pool as water current has high potential for creating knots in the rope.

Rap 5

Controlled Slide

• R6: ~180'

Rappel six is a long controlled slide anchored in a large flat rock in the middle of the water course, rigged off a stainless steel 3/8 x 1 3/4" SS wedge anchor. It is recommended to utilize the lowest friction on your rappel device. The anchor receives low load and it is believed the slide can be completed without rope aid, at least beyond the first ~5' vertical lip. It's advisable to send the backpacks down individually and not with the person sliding to maintain feet-down position.

Rap 6

• R7: ~80'

Rappel seven requires ~80' or rope, rigged off a large boulder on LDC.

Exit

Exit trail is located approximately 200' below the last rappel. The trail is easy to follow, but has areas of poison oak encroachment. It is advisable to bring long pants to avoid PO.

caption3

Trail follows the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River and although it meanders up and down, the overall elevation gain to reach the car is a couple hundred feet.

Red tape

!! Cherry Lake Road and Mather Road closed to cars, encompassing both the canyon exit and entrance, due to washouts and construction. As of July 2023, estimated opening time was November 2023. Map of Closure. !!

Private property.

Trip reports and media

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10155139283799580&type=1&l=aeb53d183c

Background

The canyon was first scouted by Dominik and Natasha on July 16, 2017. Upon finding trail leading to canyon exit, the potential canyon was explored to bottom of last rappel and water level confirmed to be within acceptable range. First descent was organized via Canyon Adventures Meetup group, based out of San Francisco Area.

Canyon Adventure Scouting of Jawbone Cr.

Credits

Jawbone Creek (Lower)

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

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