Palisade Creek
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| | Raps:4-7, max ↨150ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Granite/mixed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 12 Aug 2017
"We combined this with (the much better) Upper Royal Gorge in a weekend. The reported time is approximately what this canyon would have taken by itself |
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| Best season: | Jun-Jul
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39.2579, -120.4142
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Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
A very scenic and nice canyon that could be quite fun in high flow. On the first descent, it was down to a trickle. It is possible to escape the canyon at almost any point, and rappels are off easy natural anchors, with a walk in between each one, making this a good beginner canyon in low to moderate flow conditions.
The approach/exit is long, but the canyon can be combined with Upper Royal Gorge for a good canyoneering weekend. However, it may be unlikely to find both in good flow conditions at the same time -- when Royal Gorge is low enough to descend, Palisade may not have an exciting flow.
The most exciting feature is not technically part of Palisade Creek itself, but in the NF American River (see below).
Approach[edit]
Drive to the end of Kidd Lakes Rd. The road is a bit rough, and best done in a high clearance vehicle. From Kidd Lakes Rd, hike down Palisades Creek trail to the campsite marked on the map. The first rappel is right next to the campsite!
Descent[edit]
Climb into the slot next to the campsite.
R1 - ~70' off a pinched rock RDC.
R2 - ~40' from a stuck log at the top of a small ramp.
Downclimb to the bottom of this initial gorge. Here, the creek flattens for a while. Either follow it downstream, or exit RDC and hike until you hit the trail. Keep your wet suit on, it's a short hike. If you follow the creek, you may still have to exit it briefly to bypass a logjam/brush section. Either way, you will soon encounter a bridge over Palisade Creek. Here, things start to get more fun again.
Five more rappels, the longest about 150', and some easy downclimbing, takes you to the bottom, where Palisade Creek joins NF American River.
R3 - ~50' down to a pull, or walk around the right side and jump into the pool (narrow landing, have someone check first). Can be trivially bypassed.
R4 - 150' down a series of blocky cascades. Easily down climbable in low flow conditions.
R5 - ~50'. Two tiered drop.
R6 - ~30', down climbable on RDC.
R7 - ~30' off a cairn anchor.
That's the end of this canyon, but while you're here, if the flow in the North Fork is low enough, follow it downstream for a few minutes to Palisade Falls (see the Upper Royal Gorge beta).
Exit[edit]
Follow the trail back to the bridge, and back up to your car.