Sun Cliff Canyon (Lower)

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Difficulty:‌3A I (v3a1 II)

Raps:‌4, max ↨30ft

Metric

Overall:	1.5h	⟷1.2mi
Approach:	0min	⟷0ft	↑0ft
Descent:	1h	⟷0.3mi	↓190ft
Exit:	30min	⟷0.9mi	↑240ft

Red Tape:‌No permit required

Shuttle:‌Optional

Vehicle:Passenger

Rock type:Sandstone

Start:

38.7658, -107.8879

Parking:

38.7655, -107.8880

Shuttle:

38.7660, -107.8811

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Weather:

Weather forecast

Waterflow

Best season:

Spring, Fall

winter				spring				summer				fall
Dec	Jan	Feb		Mar	Apr	May		Jun	Jul	Aug		Sep	Oct	Nov

Regions:

Delta

Download: KML / GPX | Open in CalTopo | Printable Map

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Introduction[edit]

Lower Sun Cliff Canyon is a dry canyon east of Delta, CO with four short rappels. The canyon ends with a nice view of the Gunnison River and with the easy return on a dirt road.

The rappels all have awkward overhung ledges. It's such a convenient loop, it probably warrants 1.5 stars.

While closer to Delta, Sun Cliff has been placed in the Grand Junction subregion.

Approach[edit]

From Delta, drive East on CO 92, take a slight right onto H75 Rd. Take the second right at a four way dirt road intersection onto S River Rd. Park at a switchback above the drainage.

Walk across the road to enter the drainage and begin the descent.

Start down the canyon from the road

Descent[edit]

Hike down canyon a short distance from the upper parking to reach the first rappel.

These four rappels are overhung with some tricky edges and anchors set back from the lip.

R1: 55' from a slung rock on Canyon Left for 30' rappel

R2: 45' from a slung rock on Canyon Left for 20' rappel

R3: 45' from a tree on Canyon Left for 10' rappel

R4: 45' from a slung rock for 30' rappel

R1
R1
R2
R3

View of the Gunnison River from R4
R4
R4

Exit[edit]

Follow trails to the east along the South side of the Gunnison River to the lower parking lot on South River Road. Hike the road back up to the car at the top of the canyon.

Exit up the road

Red tape[edit]

Beta sites[edit]

Trip reports and media[edit]

Nov2022: Ted Doughty posted his exploration on the Colorado Canyoneering FB group

7Apr2024: beta entry on ropewiki. photos and kml added. Ira Lewis, Carl Bern

7Apr2024: Canyon consists of 3 sharp lip crossings and one rappel

Background[edit]

Incidents

Credits

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

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