Mouse Trap Canyon
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| | Difficulty:4A III (v4a1 III) Raps:9, max ↨150ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 9 Mar 2021
"One team member had a "special challenge" when the dirt and rocks under his feet gave out on a steep part of the ridge approach, and he slid down 30 f |
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| Best season: | Anytime
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33.8109, -116.9293
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
This canyon is located right across from Soboba Springs Golf Course. While the canyon is generally short, note that there are no easy anchors so strong anchor building skills are a must. 7 of the 9 rappels we did were cairn anchors. This canyon has hints of Muir Ravine (West) and maybe Death Valley canyons.
Approach[edit]
You can park on the side of the road right where the drainage meets the road. Park closer to a gate where you will hike east of it. When you reach the canyon you can head upstream for a bit and you'll get a glimpse of the last 15' rappel. From here, head up the steep ridge and look for game trails. There will be several game trails, overgrown at the time we did it, so be sure to stay relatively on the track you see on the map. Follow these trails north, parallel to the canyon until you reach the drop in.
Descent[edit]
Immediately after you drop in, you will come to your first rappel. At least 60' of webbing is recommended.
- R1: 45' from cairn in watercourse
- R2: 20' from cairn in watercourse
- R3: 30' from cairn in watercourse
- R4: 50' from cairn in watercourse
- R5: 20' from cairn in watercourse (we ended up climbing back up this one for our anchor but wise to consider it a rappel)
- R6: 35' from tree 25' from edge
Two-step downclinb
- R7: 150' from cairn in watercourse (we rolled rocks from further up for this one. nothing near the edge. If it's anything like our time there, prepare for some sand blasting. It is strangely very windy at the top of this rappel and building an anchor in the sandy top is not too fun. The top of this rappel is narrow so it funnels a large amount of wind.
- R8: 15' from tree 30' from edge (we hand-lined this one, better to rappel as there is a small overhang)
- R9: 15 from cairn in watercourse (experimental knot chock really, so please rebuild this anchor)
Exit[edit]
You will reach the point where you headed up the ridge, simply return to your vehicle the same way.
Red tape[edit]
The majority of the canyon lies on BLM land. There are no signs on the approach in the lower section that would suggest trespassing. There is a property to the east of the canyon, so I suggest to stay close to our track to avoid disturbing the tenants.
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Gallery February 28, 2015 by Christian Lupercio & Ryan
Background[edit]
First documented descent was on February 28, 2015 by Christian Lupercio and Ryan Jennings. We found no evidence of the canyon being previously descended, but given the lack of easy anchors, old anchors could have easily been washed away. The entire area is crumbly so this canyon could change character from one trip to another. Name from the several dead mice throughout the canyon.