Rose Valley Falls
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| | Difficulty:3B III (v3a2 III) Raps:2, max ↨250ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | |||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 3 Apr 2022
"Some cloud cover over the canyon which cleared as we hiked up the approach trail. This canyon was easy going with some interesting downclimbs, very li |
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34.5178, -119.1813
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Introduction[edit]
Beautiful and challenging hike with a great variety of rock formations and flora. The approach is steep but minimal bushwacking; there's no tree cover on the 4x4 road so avoid super hot and bright days. The 4x4 road is in good shape but due to the campsite closure/damage (see Red Tape) it's not accessible currently - and it's unclear how/if/when forest service will allow unlocking the 4x4 road gate anyway.
As of 2026-01-17, R1 has webbing DCL but no webbing was spotted on R2 (could be present further back). You can, with much effort, hike down if you get to the first big rappel and find it has no anchor available.
Approach[edit]
Nearby the campground road there is a trail that leads to a metal gate. The gate has a combination lock. If you contact the ranger station to inquire, they may be able to give you the code to open the gate. The trail is good for 4x4 capable vehicles, but the steepness may present some challenges to vehicles that are not in good shape.
If the gate is locked, or you don't have a shuttle vehicle, you can follow the fire road up the ridge, on foot for a fairly steep hike which winds around the ridge until a small pond at the top.
Descent[edit]
Right by the small pond at the top of the ridge, is a trail that leads into the gully. Follow the gully down into an area which requires some mild bushwacking. You may pass some small orange markers tied to shrubs. Continue on and you will reach a section where the bushes have grown togethor into a type of tunnel you must duck and crawl through. There may or may not be a trail cairn. Continue on further and it begins to open up from a shrubby, dirt laden area into a much wider area with tall trees and boulders. Downclimb and hike down canyon for about 30-45 minutes until the first rappel.
R1 - 250' Off a slightly overhanging tree canyon left. If you want to take this as a 200' rather than a 250', you may use a series of ledges to the canyon left. The ledges are exposed and rockfall can ricochet quite far from the canyon wall, so use caution when rappelling and belaying. The DCL rappel has a second anchor (small tree/bush) about half-way down if you prefer to multipitch this rappel.
R2 - 130' high off the tree, set back in the watercourse.
Exit[edit]
Follow a well marked path canyon left, that leads up out of the last waterfall and towards the campground. Some trees have fallen across the trail but it's in good shape otherwise.
Red tape[edit]
A metal gate blocks a potential 4x4 shuttle road. Contact the ranger station to see if they will give you the code, and if it requires a permit.
As of 2026-01-17, the Rose Valley Campground is closed due to storm damage to the road immediately outside the campground. I couldn't find any online notice of the closure besides the Recreation.gov Reservation Page. There are a couple turn-out parking locations just before the road closure. The 4x4 shuttle road gate is therefore also inaccessible as well.
Beta sites[edit]
Chris Brennen's Adventure Hikes (Southwest) : Rose Valley Falls