Boy Scout Hot Springs and North Fork Boy Scout Canyon Loop in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Hike Boy Scout Hot Springs and North Fork Boy Scout Canyon Loop Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 3 7.8 miles 2400 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Mar 23, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Boy Scout Hot Springs and North Fork Boy Scout Canyon Loop GPX Track

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A year ago, Shawn and I rappelled the infamous Boy Scout Canyon's 340-foot rappel using two ropes spliced together. It was incredibly cool, but we ended up hiking out in the dark and getting quite lost in the process on the Class 3 scramble out of the canyon. So, Josh and I revisited Boy Scout Canyon and the many beautiful hot springs throughout the canyon, but instead of rappelling, we made the approach via the scramble. After getting to the Colorado River and to the bottom of the rappel, we headed back and continued up another canyon leading to the Black Canyon Overlook Road. There were a few section of interesting narrows along the way, and a Class 3 scramble to gain a cliff band up to the road. From here, we took the North Fork of Boy Scout Canyon to complete the loop, where there was another section of beautiful narrows and Class 2 scrambling some of the way.

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Starting down Boy Scout Canyon from the trailhead.
Starting down Boy Scout Canyon from the trailhead.
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Approaching the narrow section leading to the 340 foot rappel.
Approaching the narrow section leading to the 340 foot rappel.
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Looking down the rappel. Not doing this today!
Looking down the rappel. Not doing this today!
After leaving Boy Scout Canyon (see map), we headed up to find the Class 3 scramble to get down into the canyon.
After leaving Boy Scout Canyon (see map), we headed up to find the Class 3 scramble to get down into the canyon.
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Colorado River in the distance, Class 3 section below us.
Colorado River in the distance, Class 3 section below us.
Josh coming down the Class 3 section.
Josh coming down the Class 3 section.
A little gully with a rope to aid in down climbing.
A little gully with a rope to aid in down climbing.
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Beautiful views of the Black Canyon Wilderness.
Beautiful views of the Black Canyon Wilderness.
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Almost all the way down. There are multiple ways down (see map), and I'm sure there are more than the two we took.
Almost all the way down. There are multiple ways down (see map), and I'm sure there are more than the two we took.
First heading up Boy  Scout Canyon to get to the bottom of the rappel.
First heading up Boy Scout Canyon to get to the bottom of the rappel.
Twenty mile hot springs (I think).
Twenty mile hot springs (I think).
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Some fun ropes set up.
Some fun ropes set up.
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Some people were doing the rappel when we got there!
Some people were doing the rappel when we got there!
Heading back down the canyon toward the Colorado River.
Heading back down the canyon toward the Colorado River.
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The most pleasant temperature of all the pools in Boy Scout Canyon.
The most pleasant temperature of all the pools in Boy Scout Canyon.
Gorgeous section of narrows.
Gorgeous section of narrows.
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Approaching the Colorado River.
Approaching the Colorado River.
Colorado River, looking back up Boy Scout Canyon.
Colorado River, looking back up Boy Scout Canyon.
After returning up the scramble, this is a view of the side canyon (right) away from Boy Scout Canyon (left).
After returning up the scramble, this is a view of the side canyon (right) away from Boy Scout Canyon (left).
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Narrow section in the side canyon.
Narrow section in the side canyon.
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Beautiful scenery and some pools and colorful plants along the way.
Beautiful scenery and some pools and colorful plants along the way.
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Avoiding some obstacles.
Avoiding some obstacles.
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The cliff band on the left is our route to get to higher ground above. I've been able to locate at least three routes up the cliff bands above, but this one is my favorite. Head to the base of the band, and keep left of it.
The cliff band on the left is our route to get to higher ground above. I've been able to locate at least three routes up the cliff bands above, but this one is my favorite. Head to the base of the band, and keep left of it.
Looking back toward the canyon we came out of.
Looking back toward the canyon we came out of.
After reaching the base of the previously mentioned hump's cliff band, we ascended a Class 3 portion on its left side.
After reaching the base of the previously mentioned hump's cliff band, we ascended a Class 3 portion on its left side.
Another Class 3 move.
Another Class 3 move.
Looking back at the short Class 3 move. The minor saddle is seen top left.
Looking back at the short Class 3 move. The minor saddle is seen top left.
Above the cruxes and over the cliff band, now heading back to Black Canyon Overlook Road.
Above the cruxes and over the cliff band, now heading back to Black Canyon Overlook Road.
View down into the Black Canyon.
View down into the Black Canyon.
Black Canyon Overlook Road.
Black Canyon Overlook Road.
Heading down North Fork of Boy Scout Canyon.
Heading down North Fork of Boy Scout Canyon.
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Narrow section in North Fork of Boy Scout Canyon.
Narrow section in North Fork of Boy Scout Canyon.
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Image 61 from gallery
Wash opens up and leads to the car.
Wash opens up and leads to the car.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!