Lime Creek (Durango)

Lime Creek (Durango) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: 2nd Gorge of Lime Creek; Second Gorge of Lime Creek.

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‌	Difficulty:‌3C3 II (v2a5 II) Swift water Raps:‌3, max ↨35ft Metric Overall: 4h  ⟷4.7mi Approach: 1h  ↓780ft Descent: 2h  ⟷0.5mi  ↓620ft Exit: 1h  ↑780ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Twilight Gneiss
Location:	37.6312, -107.7804
Condition Reports:	6 Aug 2022 "High water conditions making for more difficult conditions (hydraulics) especially with beginner canyoneer. We were able to bypass R1 on canyon left
Weather:
Best season:	July-Sep winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Colorado San Juan Mountains  Durango

http://ropewiki.com/Canyoning_in_the_Colorado_San_Juan_Mountains_Book

37.6312, -107.7804https://ropewiki.com/images/4/4b/Lime_Creek_%28Durango%29.kmltopo

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Reference photos

6 Aug 2022: High. High water, only for experienced swift water canyoneers (class C2 = a5). confluence of cascade creek and lime creek

27 Aug 2024: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). Confluence of cascade creek and lime creek

27 Aug 2024: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). Just downstream of entry point in canyon.

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

A half day aquatic limestone canyon with a few rappels that could be tobogganed or jumped if desired. The kayakers call this section "2nd Gorge of Lime Creek". At high water conditions, hydraulics form that could pose a risk for canyoneers without swiftwater experience.

Approach

Park east of Purgatory Ski Area at the trail head for the Purgatory Trail. Hike 1.4 miles descending to Purgatory Flats, taking a left (north) when the trail T's with the Purgatory Flats trail. The trail crosses Cascade Creek at the confluence with Lime Creek (see reference photo). This will be the end of the Lime Creek descent and where you'll regain the trail to hike back to your car.
Continue to Lime Creek on the Purgatory Flats trail until the waypoint on the GPS track, then head uphill on game trails to an elevation of 8600' contouring East until you can intersect Lime Creek below at an elevation of 8300'.

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  Purgatory Flats
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  Purgatory Ski Resort seen from the approach

Descent

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  stream walking in Lime Creek
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  down climbs before the first toboggan

R1/T1: 20' rappel or toboggan. Use the single bolt to protect scouting the toboggan for others. High Conditions: The single bolt can be used to set a traverse line to bypass hydraulic on canyon left.

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  R1: 20' on rope to verify T1
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  R1/T1: 20'

T2/DC Short toboggan or down climb on CR.

toboggan or down climb CR

R2/T3: 30' bolts CL to verify or short rope into another slide. The bottom chute is not undercut and only waist deep. High Conditions: The waterflow can be bypassed on canyon right by upclimbing to a large tree to be used as alternative anchor for a 50 foot rappel.

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  R2/T3: 30'
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  R2/T3: 30'
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  R2/T3: 30'

R3/J1: 35' quickly after R2, use equalized webbing with knot chocks to protect getting to 2 bolts on CR on a nice wide flat ledge. For those who want to jump 35' into the deep pool below, this is a good launch platform. Have at least one person rappel to scout the water with goggles for obstacles. The pool is deep and the last of the technical section of this canyon. High conditions: A guided rappel can be set up using a small rock feature girth hitched with a narrow sling that will direct rappellers to canyon right to stay out of the waterflow. This rock feature is not obvious and may take some searching to find. Approximately 120 feet of rope will be needed.

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  R3/J1: 35'
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  R3/J1: 35'
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  Stream walking back to the confluence with Cascade Creek

guided rappel anchor

Exit

After R3/J1, continue down Lime Creek to the confluence with Cascade Creek and the Purgatory Flats Trail. Hike back up to the Purgatory Trail to the car.

Beta sites

• Canyoning in the Colorado San Juan Mountains Book by Ira Lewis

Trip reports and media

This canyon was previously descended by a few groups.
2018-07-28: Descent and Photos by Ira Lewis and Lisa Purdy