Class 5 6.6 miles 2300 gain 5-7 hrs Out + Back Mar 31, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

I wanted to show a bunch of friends the beauty of Terrace Canyon, so we followed the standard route up Pine Creek Canyon, taking both left forks to get to Terrace Canyon. I visited this area and did a loop up Gunsight Canyon and down Gunsight Notch, a great route with more gorgeous views of a minor spur canyon of Terrace Canyon than can be viewed from the peak.

We took the scenic drive through Red Rock Canyon and parked at the Pine Creek Trailhead. Following the official Pine Creek Trail initially, we soon noticed several social trails branching off, eventually losing track of the main trail altogether. Opting to descend into Pine Creek drainage, we began the tedious Class 2/3 scramble up its watercourse. We dodged several small water pools and negotiated various boulder obstacles, including a fun rabbit hole scramble or two. This all provided an enjoyable outing, though we were unable to cover much distance quickly.

Terrace Canyon, a minor drainage flowing into Pine Creek Canyon, was our destination. To access it, we consistently chose the left option at intersections within Pine Creek. As we ascended Pine Creek, the boulder-hopping lessened, but the vegetation became denser. Fortunately, frequent travelers had left cairns guiding us around the thickest brush, which often helped a bit. Once within Terrace Canyon, most of the group wanted to enjoy the waterfalls, but myself, Tara, and Carl continued up the Class 4 break in the cliffs, navigating a chimney squeeze and a fixed line before getting to a nice viewpoint down into Pine Creek. We turned around here, realizing we were taking longer than the 30 minutes we estimated it would take to bag the peak. I really had no idea what was in store. I vowed to come back another day.

Full disclosure, I did not complete the route from our little overlook turnaround spot, but beta I have read elsewhere claims the going is Class 3/4 for a while. However, I did summit Terrace Canyon Peak a few days later, but came from the south along a different route (from First Creek). My intention was to descend the Terrace Canyon Peak Class 4/5 route to scout the rest of the sections I didn't get to do with Tara and Carl. I had a rope and webbing and, from the summit of Terrace Canyon Peak, attempted to do so. I got terrified, especially aftering kicking a boulder onto my rope and giving it a nice core shot, so after the final Class 4+/5 section (which I had descended with my rope), I took a deep breath and re-ascended. This was not worth it, especially since I already technically summitted the peak. So, whoever does take the Class 4/5 route up Terrace Canyon Peak, good luck! You'll notice a break in the photos below for where I don't have photos of the route since I didn't complete it. I felt there was value in at least posting what I did have for anyone willing to give it a go.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Terrace Canyon Peak
6266 ft
n/a rise

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Along the Pine Creek Trail.
Along the Pine Creek Trail.
Entering Pine Creek Canyon.
Entering Pine Creek Canyon.
Image 2 from gallery
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
Working our way up the left fork of Pine Creek Canyon.
Working our way up the left fork of Pine Creek Canyon.
Image 6 from gallery
Image 7 from gallery
Lots of little obstacles and fun scrambling within the creek bed.
Lots of little obstacles and fun scrambling within the creek bed.
A wide section within the south fork of Pine Creek.
A wide section within the south fork of Pine Creek.
Image 10 from gallery
Eventually, we made it to the left turn that would take us up Terrace Canyon.
Eventually, we made it to the left turn that would take us up Terrace Canyon.
The start of Terrace Canyon's cool features.
The start of Terrace Canyon's cool features.
Image 13 from gallery
Looking down at the start of Terrace Canyon's slickrock.
Looking down at the start of Terrace Canyon's slickrock.
The break in the cliffs to gain the route to Terrace Canyon Peak. It's located a few hundred feet on the right from the mouth of the Terrace Canyon slickrock.
The break in the cliffs to gain the route to Terrace Canyon Peak. It's located a few hundred feet on the right from the mouth of the Terrace Canyon slickrock.
Looking down into Terrace Canyon on our way up into the cliff weakness.
Looking down into Terrace Canyon on our way up into the cliff weakness.
Class 3+ scrambling.
Class 3+ scrambling.
Looking down the first bit of scrambling, Terrace Canyon below.
Looking down the first bit of scrambling, Terrace Canyon below.
A chimney squeeze.
A chimney squeeze.
Helpful fixed line after the chimney squeeze. It seemed silly that there was a rope here, and not for the section near the summit, which was far more dangerous and difficult, in my opinion.
Helpful fixed line after the chimney squeeze. It seemed silly that there was a rope here, and not for the section near the summit, which was far more dangerous and difficult, in my opinion.
At the top of the fixed line, working our way up, following cairns.
At the top of the fixed line, working our way up, following cairns.
The route heads into these rocks.
The route heads into these rocks.
Carl visible on the right navigating the Class 3 scrambling.
Carl visible on the right navigating the Class 3 scrambling.
Our turn-around look-out spot, Terrace Canyon on the right. This is the last photo from the first attempt.
Our turn-around look-out spot, Terrace Canyon on the right. This is the last photo from the first attempt.
This is the first photo from my second attempt at the route, where I came from the south and started descending. Refer to my trip report above for info as to why. Note that there are missing photos between the last picture and this one. I took this photo so you can see, based on the surrounding cliffs, how much I skipped. This section pictured was a particularly exposed Class 4/5 slab that I didn't want to descend.
This is the first photo from my second attempt at the route, where I came from the south and started descending. Refer to my trip report above for info as to why. Note that there are missing photos between the last picture and this one. I took this photo so you can see, based on the surrounding cliffs, how much I skipped. This section pictured was a particularly exposed Class 4/5 slab that I didn't want to descend.
This cliff is located right behind me in the previous photo. It's the steep, sketchy section. I used the tree as an anchor to set up a handline, but I believe most people who do this route scramble up the right side. I was just super scared, and decided not to descend any farther.
This cliff is located right behind me in the previous photo. It's the steep, sketchy section. I used the tree as an anchor to set up a handline, but I believe most people who do this route scramble up the right side. I was just super scared, and decided not to descend any farther.
At the tree I used as an anchor. You can see how exposed and steep this section is.
At the tree I used as an anchor. You can see how exposed and steep this section is.
Above the crux, looking south toward Terrace Canyon Peak summit.
Above the crux, looking south toward Terrace Canyon Peak summit.
Terrace Canyon Peak summit, looking northeast
Terrace Canyon Peak summit, looking northeast
Terrace Canyon Peak summit, looking northwest.
Terrace Canyon Peak summit, looking northwest.

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!