Sheepbone and Quarry Canyons Loop in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Canyoneer Sheepbone and Quarry Canyons Loop Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV

Class 2 3A II (70 ft max) 5.1 miles 1100 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Dec 13, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Sheepbone and Quarry Canyons 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.

Sheepbone and Quarry Canyons make for a great beginner canyon loop in Lake Mead. I recommend just parking on Lakeshore Road and following the dirt road, leaving it to head toward the mouth of Sheepbone Canyon. There are a series of washes that lead through the desert, but no one correct route. Shortly after entering the mouth of Sheepbone Canyon, we encountered an obstacle with a fixed rope. There are a few of these along the way, some more difficult than others, and all ascendable without the ropes if you have some climbing skills. The ropes certainly make this canyon more beginner-friendly. On all three of my visits through this canyon, there were always lines in place, so thank you to whoever added them.

A bunch of climbs and obstacles later, we made it to the head of Sheepbone Canyon and headed through more pretty narrows until it opened up. A drainage pops up on the right, which we followed to the saddle separating Sheepbone Canyon from Quarry Canyon. A few years later, I did a nice loop in the River Mountains which included Falls Peak that might be worth checking out if you're in this area. Anyway, from the saddle, we headed north down into Quarry Canyon. The rappels themselves aren't super interesting, but it's a nice warm-up canyon to start the year. The canyon eventually opens up and ends at an ugly quarry. I have no idea what's going on here. We accidentally went through a gated area, but I don't think it matters. We got back to Lakeshore Road and followed it back to the car.

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Starting from Lakeshore Road along this dirt road, heading west toward Sheepbone Canyon.
Starting from Lakeshore Road along this dirt road, heading west toward Sheepbone Canyon.
Approaching the mouth of Sheepbone Canyon. No trail, just washes to follow.
Approaching the mouth of Sheepbone Canyon. No trail, just washes to follow.
Entering Sheepbone Canyon.
Entering Sheepbone Canyon.
An obstacle shortly after entering Sheepbone Canyon.
An obstacle shortly after entering Sheepbone Canyon.
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Very pretty narrows with some minor obstacles within Sheepbone Canyon.
Very pretty narrows with some minor obstacles within Sheepbone Canyon.
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The most fun obstacle. Can be climbed without the rope, but it definitely helps a lot.
The most fun obstacle. Can be climbed without the rope, but it definitely helps a lot.
Looking up the most fun obstacle.
Looking up the most fun obstacle.
Sheepbone Canyon opens up briefly.
Sheepbone Canyon opens up briefly.
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Entering more narrows within Sheepbone Canyon.
Entering more narrows within Sheepbone Canyon.
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The most difficult obstacle. Without the webbing to assist, this one would be pretty difficult.
The most difficult obstacle. Without the webbing to assist, this one would be pretty difficult.
Looking back down the second set of narrows.
Looking back down the second set of narrows.
Sheepbone Canyon opens up.
Sheepbone Canyon opens up.
Heading up a drainage after Sheepbone Canyon opens up. The saddle separating Sheepbone Canyon and Quarry Canyon ahead.
Heading up a drainage after Sheepbone Canyon opens up. The saddle separating Sheepbone Canyon and Quarry Canyon ahead.
Looking back into Sheepbone Canyon.
Looking back into Sheepbone Canyon.
At the saddle separating Sheepbone Canyon and Quarry Canyon, view north toward Quarry Canyon.
At the saddle separating Sheepbone Canyon and Quarry Canyon, view north toward Quarry Canyon.
We dropped into Quarry Canyon, the technical canyon of the two.
We dropped into Quarry Canyon, the technical canyon of the two.
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Just a bunch of short rappels.
Just a bunch of short rappels.
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Cairn anchor.
Cairn anchor.
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Eventually, Quarry Canyon opens up into a quarry.
Eventually, Quarry Canyon opens up into a quarry.
Entering the quarry area on the way to Lakeshore Road.
Entering the quarry area on the way to Lakeshore Road.

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!