Quirk Creek
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| | Difficulty:3B III (v3a2 III) Raps:5, max ↨80ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 4mi Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 3 Apr 2022
"Thick fog made the exposed hike up Naci-Ferg much easier than normal. The cool weather meant it was too cold to want to get too wet, but too warm and |
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| Best season: | Year round
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35.9988, -121.4760
35.9881, -121.4940
35.9986, -121.4733
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Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
This canyon features lovely flowstone formations, five short but pleasant rappels, and relatively easy approach and exit hikes. The sometimes obstructed creekwalking makes this a less appealing trip than the nearby Kirk Creek, but it’s still worth a visit. In low flows this canyon is suitable for beginners.
Approach[edit]
Park at the base of Nacimiento-Fergusson road. When the road reopens (sometime early 2024) the climb will be shuttleable, but in the meantime it’s open to hikers. Hike up the road until it crosses a running stream (third drainage fork option: 36.0013667,-121.4747276), then head down off the road into the drainage. This third drainage was running in low-flow condition, but in high-flow conditions other drainage forks may be running with water and in no-flow conditions this fork may be dry. The recommended drop-in drainage is the highest on the hill of the three possible entry forks and has a small fence made of barbed wire and green posts on the other side of the road. Dropping in one of the previous (first or middle) drainages is also an option and we think would add an additional ~25’ rappel, but appeared to be more tangled with vegetation than the main drainage.
Descent[edit]
Pass the animal skeletons and the washed-in car parts before reaching the technical section.
Redwood trees growing in the canyon provide plentiful anchoring options. R4 was reached by a downclimb in the stream which is straightforward in low flow but might pose challenges of getting swept over the edge in higher flow. R4 is through a spout that could also pose risks in high flow. All raps were fiddlesticked or double-stranded, so don’t expect any webbing pre-placed. If you can do so safely, please consider using ghosting techniques to keep the canyon pristine.
Exit[edit]
Walk down canyon until you find yourself at the confluence with Mill Creek. Look for orange flagging and cairns marking the way to the maintained Mill Creek trail. Follow Mill Creek trail back to the junction with the road. Keep an eye out for strawberries in the right season.
Red tape[edit]
None. Nacimiento Ferguson Road is closed to motor vehicle traffic, but open to hikers.
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
First descent by Evan, Rachel, Scott, Forrest. Named after the astronomer Dr. Amanda Quirk, as well as the quirky flowstone formations found throughout the canyons in this area.