Desperado Canyon in State Line Hills BLM, NV

Canyoneer Desperado Canyon State Line Hills BLM, NV

Class 2 3A III (70 ft max) 6.8 miles 1700 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Jan 13, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Desperado Canyon GPX Track

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This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

Though different beta suggests parking somewhere else, our parking spot seemed to involve less desert walking and was easy to navigate to. Navigate to this underpass (35.7151286,-115.3642429) and follow the dirt road southwest. From wherever you parked along the dirt road, head through the desert to a hump leading to a ridgeline on the north side of Desperado Canyon. There are a couple of Class 2 sections, but the ridgeline is reasonable and you get nice views into Desperado Canyon. Stay along the ridge until you see a gully emerge on the left leading into Desperado Canyon – it is very obvious and won't require rappeling to get into this side gully, so don't leave the ridgeline too early.

Once in the gully, a few cliff band rappels lead you to a junction with Desperado Canyon's south fork – one of these rappels is the longest of the day. Continue east through Desperado Canyon, where there are a ton of fun obstacles, short down-climbs and rappels, as well as a few slickrock slides and gorgeous chutes.

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Starting southwest into the desert.
Starting southwest into the desert.
Heading up our chosen ridge north of Desperado Canyon (seen on the left).
Heading up our chosen ridge north of Desperado Canyon (seen on the left).
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Class 2+ moves along the ridgeline.
Class 2+ moves along the ridgeline.
View south on the way up, Desperado Canyon below.
View south on the way up, Desperado Canyon below.
Desperado Canyon on the left as we ocntinue up the ridge.
Desperado Canyon on the left as we ocntinue up the ridge.
Looking back along our ridge, Desperado Canyon on the right.
Looking back along our ridge, Desperado Canyon on the right.
Descending into Desperado Canyon's north fork.
Descending into Desperado Canyon's north fork.
First rappel.
First rappel.
A big rappel, still within the north fork.
A big rappel, still within the north fork.
Looking back at the big rappel.
Looking back at the big rappel.
A couple of short rappels and walk-arounds before getting into the main Desperado Canyon.
A couple of short rappels and walk-arounds before getting into the main Desperado Canyon.
Looking back toward where the north fork (right) and south fork (left) join.
Looking back toward where the north fork (right) and south fork (left) join.
Entering Desperado Canyon's narrows.
Entering Desperado Canyon's narrows.
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There are a ton of windy obstacles on beautiful limestone.
There are a ton of windy obstacles on beautiful limestone.
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My favorite spot in Desperado Canyon. I couldn't believe how cool this hairpin turn was.
My favorite spot in Desperado Canyon. I couldn't believe how cool this hairpin turn was.
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Scot acting up.
Scot acting up.
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An interesting rappel in a narrow chute that ends in a pothole.
An interesting rappel in a narrow chute that ends in a pothole.
Looking down into the pothole.
Looking down into the pothole.
Austin escaping the pothole. There wasn't water.
Austin escaping the pothole. There wasn't water.
Last rappel.
Last rappel.
Exiting Desperado canyon.
Exiting Desperado canyon.
Wide open desert traverse back.
Wide open desert traverse back.

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!