Devil’s Drain Canyon Loop in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Canyoneer Devil’s Drain Canyon Loop Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 3 3A III (140 ft max) 8.6 miles 1800 gain 6-8 hrs Loop Jan 12, 2020
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Devil’s Drain Canyon Loop 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.

Devil's Drain Canyon was a long-awaited technical canyon in Lake Mead. I met up with a couple of new friends (Sarah and Tim), and got Adam and Frances away from peakbagging for a day of canyon fun. A couple of years ago, I hiked down to Moonscape Hot Springs via a non-technical route. This loop is a great technical addition to that route.

A couple of really burly vehicles could serve as a shuttle to shave about a mile off this hike, but we hoofed it from the junction of Canyon Point Road and Canyon Point Mesa Road, heading north onto a mesa with increasingly pretty views toward the Black Canyon as we progressed. The mesa slowly curved east and became more narrow, eventually appearing like it would drop off completely. However, a Class 3 scramble continued east along the rim down toward a crumbly-looking yellow dirt saddle. Although very steep, there weren't any surprise moves during the scramble and the exposure is minimal. Once at the yellow saddle, we began a slightly aggravating descent on the steep, loose slope heading south. You'll notice the yellow-colored dirt features end at a small and jagged cliff, and below this cliff is black volcanic rock again. We followed the rim of this cliff and stumbled on the first rappel. You can easily bypass this rappel by continuing down the loose slope rather than following the cliff rim, but it's the highlight rappel of Devil's Drain, the drain itself! There are two holes in the feature, the smaller one being the fun little hole to rappel through.

There was a minor partner-assist obstacle just before the biggest rappel of the day. This second rappel gave me a bit of vertigo. It's a two-tiered rappel, but we did it in one shot without issues pulling the rope. Another big rappel followed shortly after, and then the technical stuff was over for the day.

We continued down Devil's Drain Canyon, some Class 2/3 obstacles leading through really pretty scenery before entering a short section of narrows. Just after the cliffs opened up, the sounds of a spring meant ample water for brush in the canyon. Fortunately, most of the brush can be avoided by keeping to a social trail on the left, but eventually it was unavoidable as the canyon narrowed up again. I recommend just staying in the watercourse once this happens. Our attempts to avoid it via the slopes and cliff faces didn't save any time. The algae and colors within the watercourse are nice and the brush had minimal prickliness. We made it to the top of a warm waterfall, which we bypassed on the right via a Class 3 scramble. Below the waterfall is a sandy wash and easy walking to Moonscape Hot Spring. We hung out for a bit before realizing how late it was getting and continued east toward the Colorado River.

About halfway between the waterfall and the Colorado River is a side canyon on the right, which would serve as our ascent route. This canyon is known as Emerald Pools Canyon. It's got some really pretty features, including a small section of narrows, some boulder-hopping, and minor route-finding to avoid brush. When the canyon begins to open up a bit, keep to the left and cairns will mark a Class 2 route along the cliffs to avoid the brush in Emerald Pools Canyon's watercourse. Once the canyon becomes even more open, the brush peters out and the only obstacles are the occasional Class 2/3 scramble over boulders. We followed Emerald Pools Canyon to its head, where we were met by a wide section of uninteresting desert, which we traversed southwest and down into the canyon known as Weeping Spring Canyon. Heading left (east) leads to the technical route of this canyon, and right (west) leads up the long wash and finishes on the somewhat aggressive Class 2/2+ talus field ascent to Canyon Point. Watch out for broken glass as you near the rim. We followed the road back to where we parked.

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Heading north from the junction of Canyon Point Road and Canyon Point Mesa Road. We followed the mesatop for a long time, our goal the yellow eroded-looking saddle right of center.
Heading north from the junction of Canyon Point Road and Canyon Point Mesa Road. We followed the mesatop for a long time, our goal the yellow eroded-looking saddle right of center.
Close-up into Devil's Drain Canyon below.
Close-up into Devil's Drain Canyon below.
Descending the steep Class 3 at the end of the mesatop, where the route became a ridge.
Descending the steep Class 3 at the end of the mesatop, where the route became a ridge.
Class 3 along the ridge as we descend to the yellow saddle below. The first rappel (the devil's drain) is found toward the end of the yellow jagged-looking cliff on the right.
Class 3 along the ridge as we descend to the yellow saddle below. The first rappel (the devil's drain) is found toward the end of the yellow jagged-looking cliff on the right.
Descending Class 3.
Descending Class 3.
Class 3 descent. Tim seen center at the spot where we would descend off the ridge.
Class 3 descent. Tim seen center at the spot where we would descend off the ridge.
Last view at a Class 3 move along the rim descent.
Last view at a Class 3 move along the rim descent.
Awful, loose stuff leading down from the ridge. Keep to the yellow rim to reach the first rappel. You can skip the "devil's drain" rappel by just scrambling down Class 2 talus in the center of this photo.
Awful, loose stuff leading down from the ridge. Keep to the yellow rim to reach the first rappel. You can skip the "devil's drain" rappel by just scrambling down Class 2 talus in the center of this photo.
The Devil's Drain.
The Devil's Drain.
Friends prepping for the rappel.
Friends prepping for the rappel.
Through the drain.
Through the drain.
Bottom of the drain, view toward the little hole.
Bottom of the drain, view toward the little hole.
Short rappel or partner-assist.
Short rappel or partner-assist.
Big second rappel.
Big second rappel.
Close-up of the drop.
Close-up of the drop.
View back toward the second rappel.
View back toward the second rappel.
Final, third rappel.
Final, third rappel.
View back toward the third rappel.
View back toward the third rappel.
Continuing down Devil's Drain Canyon.
Continuing down Devil's Drain Canyon.
Fun Class 2/3 obstacles as we continue down the canyon.
Fun Class 2/3 obstacles as we continue down the canyon.
Relatively lush stuff.
Relatively lush stuff.
The canyon began to open a bit and introduced a bit of brush.
The canyon began to open a bit and introduced a bit of brush.
We avoided the majority of the brush by keeping to the left of the watercourse at first.
We avoided the majority of the brush by keeping to the left of the watercourse at first.
But eventually it was easier to just stay within the watercourse and do some light bushwhacking.
But eventually it was easier to just stay within the watercourse and do some light bushwhacking.
Plus, the watercourse was pretty.
Plus, the watercourse was pretty.
Cool algae and whatnot.
Cool algae and whatnot.
Image 26 from gallery
Image 27 from gallery
Warm waterfall, avoidable via Class 3 downclimb, pictured here.
Warm waterfall, avoidable via Class 3 downclimb, pictured here.
View back up Devil's Drain Canyon.
View back up Devil's Drain Canyon.
Moonscape Hot Spring.
Moonscape Hot Spring.
We continued down Devil's Drain Canyon, but didn't hike all the way down to the Colorado River due to lack of time, instead turning right into Emerald Pools Canyon.
We continued down Devil's Drain Canyon, but didn't hike all the way down to the Colorado River due to lack of time, instead turning right into Emerald Pools Canyon.
Class 2/3 boulder-hopping.
Class 2/3 boulder-hopping.
A Class 3 move within a narrow section of Emerald Pools Canyon.
A Class 3 move within a narrow section of Emerald Pools Canyon.
Class 3 move in the narrows.
Class 3 move in the narrows.
Avoiding the brushy drainage by keeping to a social trail on the south side of Emerald Pools Canyon.
Avoiding the brushy drainage by keeping to a social trail on the south side of Emerald Pools Canyon.
Eventually the social trail led back into the canyon's watercourse and we continued ascending.
Eventually the social trail led back into the canyon's watercourse and we continued ascending.
Class 2/3 osbtacles.
Class 2/3 osbtacles.
Nearing the head of Emerald Pools Canyon.
Nearing the head of Emerald Pools Canyon.
Continuing south to the head of Emerald Pools Canyon, visible ahead.
Continuing south to the head of Emerald Pools Canyon, visible ahead.
At the head of Emerald Pools Canyon, a bit of a desert stroll to reach the Weeping Spring Canyon wtercourse.
At the head of Emerald Pools Canyon, a bit of a desert stroll to reach the Weeping Spring Canyon wtercourse.
Within the Weeping Spring Canyon watercourse, heading southwest toward the Canyon Point rim. It got dark shortly after, but the route continues up the wash for a long time and then ascends some steep Class 2/3 black talus to get to the top of the rim.
Within the Weeping Spring Canyon watercourse, heading southwest toward the Canyon Point rim. It got dark shortly after, but the route continues up the wash for a long time and then ascends some steep Class 2/3 black talus to get to the top of the rim.

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