Great Falls Basin Canyon in Great Falls Basin Wilderness Study Area, CA

Canyoneer Great Falls Basin Canyon Great Falls Basin Wilderness Study Area, CA

Class 2 3B II (50 ft max) 2.1 miles 800 gain 2-4 hrs Loop May 18, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Great Falls Basin 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.

Okay, okay. I know I'm not supposed to go canyoneering alone, but there's likely never going to be a chance I will get someone to do this short canyon with me. It's sort of in the middle of nowhere, and I happened to be here to explore the Great Falls Basin area. To reach the trailhead, turn off from the paved road here (35.83263, -117.33775).

After a long time sitting in my car talking myself into it, I got up the nerve to pack my gear and commit. My main hesitation was that Great Falls was flowing, meaning I'd likely encounter water within the canyon. Whatever, it was only a few rappels, right? The canyon was six rappels for me in total, none of them difficult, but a few slippery due to the water. A lot of historic junk that was never cleaned up (thanks, humans!) clutters the canyon, but the industrial rusty pipes and bolts sort of added to the charm somehow.

I started up a well-established trail leading up the slope to the left of Great Falls, leading all the way to a saddle overlooking Great Falls Basin. From here, the trail thins out as it leads west, down to Great Falls Basin Canyon's head. A short bushwhack and some boulder-hopping led me deeper into the canyon, and then a few larger boulders served as obstacles just before the first rappel.

I looked at the "anchor", a rusty bolt jammed into the granite, likely used for a water pipe that was no longer there. A piece of webbing was already on it, so I tested it a few times and committed to it. After this first droI encountered running water. Oh boy. I continued to the second rappel, which had bolts. Just after this, the prettiest section of the canyon boasted some trees and algae that dotted the white granite canyon. I then got to an interesting section of slot that I never would have expected to see in the Mojave Desert. It was really something. A dam with some more old pipes served as my anchor (I set some webbing on a pipe). This section could likely be downclimbed, but I was alone and playing it safe. And then there were three more bolted rappels and a few full swimmers in the deepest section of narrows. It was on the border of my comfort level for being alone in a canyon, but it was the kind of stress I kind of live for, so there's that. After the last rappel, I ended up at the top of the lower falls, where I located a social trail to the north leading down to the base. There's some graffiti up here unfortunately, since people can scramble up. I

should note it'd be wise to throw your ropes far to avoid getting them caught in the pipes throughout the canyon (a mistake I made twice), and to be extra cautious the rope doesn't get severed by the rusty hangers and other metal.

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Heading up the trail leading up the slopes to the south of Great Falls. My car is parked on the far right. Great Basin Falls is in the center.
Heading up the trail leading up the slopes to the south of Great Falls. My car is parked on the far right. Great Basin Falls is in the center.
The trail leads up to a saddle overlooking Great Falls Basin.
The trail leads up to a saddle overlooking Great Falls Basin.
Image 2 from gallery
Working up on the trail to the saddle.
Working up on the trail to the saddle.
Saddle overlooking Great Falls Basin.
Saddle overlooking Great Falls Basin.
Entering the head of Great Falls Basin Canyon.
Entering the head of Great Falls Basin Canyon.
Great Falls Basin Canyon. Some brush and boulders in the wash.
Great Falls Basin Canyon. Some brush and boulders in the wash.
Some larger obstacles before the first rappel.
Some larger obstacles before the first rappel.
Looking back toward the larger boulder obstacles.
Looking back toward the larger boulder obstacles.
Some greenery in the canyon.
Some greenery in the canyon.
Image 10 from gallery
Looking back up the canyon just before the first rappel.
Looking back up the canyon just before the first rappel.
At the first rappel.
At the first rappel.
Haha. Great. Rusty old hardware. The webbing was already in place and looked new, so I trusted it.
Haha. Great. Rusty old hardware. The webbing was already in place and looked new, so I trusted it.
Looking back toward the first rappel.
Looking back toward the first rappel.
After the first rappel, looking down canyon.
After the first rappel, looking down canyon.
I had to go under that fun chockstone in the water.
I had to go under that fun chockstone in the water.
At the bottom of the second rappel.
At the bottom of the second rappel.
After the second rappel, Great Falls Basin Canyon gets a bit of pretty foliage.
After the second rappel, Great Falls Basin Canyon gets a bit of pretty foliage.
Image 19 from gallery
Image 20 from gallery
And then the canyon narrows up significantly.
And then the canyon narrows up significantly.
An old dam in the narrows.
An old dam in the narrows.
I placed some webbing on that pipe and used it for my anchor. It seemed fine.
I placed some webbing on that pipe and used it for my anchor. It seemed fine.
Possible down climb, but I used the pipe mentioned before as a rappel.
Possible down climb, but I used the pipe mentioned before as a rappel.
A hairpin turn in the canyon. I came from the right (the possible down climb), headed to the left, at the fourth rappel (third if you down climbed that previous one).
A hairpin turn in the canyon. I came from the right (the possible down climb), headed to the left, at the fourth rappel (third if you down climbed that previous one).
Chains visible in the center for the fourth rappel, a quick swimmer away.
Chains visible in the center for the fourth rappel, a quick swimmer away.
Looking down the fourth rappel.
Looking down the fourth rappel.
At the bottom of the fourth rappel, looking back up.
At the bottom of the fourth rappel, looking back up.
Pipes in the canyon, at the fifth rappel.
Pipes in the canyon, at the fifth rappel.
Looking back up at the fifth rappel. A waist-deep pool.
Looking back up at the fifth rappel. A waist-deep pool.
Final rappel, rap 6. Located just after rap 5.
Final rappel, rap 6. Located just after rap 5.
Looking back up at rap 6, with a full swimmer.
Looking back up at rap 6, with a full swimmer.
Continuing out of the canyon after rap 6.
Continuing out of the canyon after rap 6.
Exiting Great Falls Basin Canyon.
Exiting Great Falls Basin Canyon.
Looking back toward the mouth of Great Falls Basin Canyon.
Looking back toward the mouth of Great Falls Basin Canyon.
A view from the top of the main falls. My car in the center. Rather than rappelling this last waterfall, I scrambled down a Class 2 social trail on the left.
A view from the top of the main falls. My car in the center. Rather than rappelling this last waterfall, I scrambled down a Class 2 social trail on the left.
At the base of the main falls.
At the base of the main falls.
Close-up of Great Falls.
Close-up of Great Falls.
The mouth of Great Falls Basin Canyon, seen from the parking area.
The mouth of Great Falls Basin Canyon, seen from the parking area.

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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!