Wully Canyon
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| | Raps:7, max ↨82ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:High Clearance Rock type:Limestone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 10 Aug 2025
"Fun canyon! Nothing too difficult or dangerous. No hydraulic hazards. In higher flow the big rappel would have a lot of spray and mist. All anchors go |
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| Best season: | June-October
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51.3023, -115.1973
51.3040, -115.1822
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Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
Wully Canyon is the shortest and most accessible canyon in the Ghost. While not the best, it's still worth doing, and can be done in only a few hours.
Be aware that accessing the Ghost Wilderness requires a high clearance vehicle. Sturdy, reinforced tires are strongly recommended. 4WD is not mandatory, but is definitely required if you plan to drive across the river. If you can't drive across the river for Wully, it's no problem, as it only adds on a few minutes of walking to the approach.
Entering this majestic wilderness means first driving down The Big Hill, which you'll have to later drive back up - make sure your vehicle is capable.
Flows are strongest in early summer during snowmelt (though probably never actually too high), and low but still flowing in late summer. Water is very cold, but you're never submerged for long. The majority of the canyon is full sun.
Approach[edit]
Following the GPS track, head up the main drainage on a decent climber's trail until reaching a side trail, more faint but visible, that goes up a forested side gully on the left (south) side.
This trail may become more faint as you ascend.
Cross over this side drainage on a bench, and then begin a bushwhack up and over a forested hill. While the forest isn't too thick, there are some dead/sharp fallen trees, and one or two short small cliffs to scramble up in the woods. There is no obvious trail in this section, which should take about 45 minutes.
Suddenly the woods will open, and make your way to the start of some rocks slabs at the start of the canyon.
Descent[edit]
Wully Canyon is pretty straightforward, with no major obstacles or complicated routes.
There are around seven rappels total. All have excellent bolts. The first two rappels are around 11 meters and 5 meters. There are numerous small pools to wade in this initial section, and some easy downclimbs.
The third rappel is where the canyon gets interesting. This big 25 meter drop goes into a rock crevasse, under a gorgeous waterfall. Immediately after is a shorter rappel around 7 meters.
There are then more pools, downclimbs, and a short slide, along with three smaller rappels, up to 16 meters. All bolts are in excellent condition.
The waterflow abruptly ends, and it's a quick walk back down to your car the way you came.
Exit[edit]
Return down the lower part of the approach trail back to your vehicle.
Red tape[edit]
Please treat this beautiful but heavily-used wilderness with respect, and not leave trash, and obey all rules regarding campfires and guns.
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
Wully canyon has been used by ice climbers for many winters. As such, some of the bolts were placed by ice climbers, especially in the lower part.
The first descent by canyoneers was likely summer 2024.
Be aware that the road into this section of the Ghost is rough. High clearance is mandatory. 4WD and sturdy, reinforced tires are highly recommended. You have to drive down a steep hill to enter - make sure you can get back up this hill before committing to it! Also there is one minor creek crossing on the dirt road, and then one major river crossing right before the canyon. If you do not wish to drive across the major river crossing (4WD only!), it is easy to park first, and then wade across the knee-deep water to access the start of the canyon.