Turtle Tears and Ladder of Doom Canyons in State Line Hills BLM, NV

Canyoneer Turtle Tears and Ladder of Doom Canyons State Line Hills BLM, NV

Class 2 3A (80 ft max) 4.2 miles 1600 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Feb 12, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Turtle Tears and Ladder of Doom Canyons 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.

Turtle Tears Canyon and Ladder of Doom Canyon are located to close to each other, and are both relatively short. Both canyons are interesting, but the drive out is somewhat tedious on a somewhat rocky and rough road, so we decided to group them together as a one-day outing to maximize our time. From the parking spot we chose just north of a hill, we set out into the desert, noting three major ridges, separated by Ladder of Doom Canyon (the northern one) and Turtle Tears Canyon (the southern one). We headed south to the ridge just south of Turtle Tears and ascended on Class 2+ fun scrambling to the head of Turtle Tears. There were lots of down climbs and short rappels, and overall it was a nice little excursion.

After the final rappel, which was the prettiest of the day, we headed out of Turtle Tears Canyon, keeping to the northern slope of the canyon. We ascended the ridge to the north of Turtle Tears, some more class 2+ as we worked along the side of the cliffs. We wrapped around the cliffs to the head of Ladder of Doom. Note that the standard route for Ladder of Doom comes from the northern ridge, but we took this way in order to link the two canyons. It was fine overall.

Ladder of Doom Canyon was comparable to Turtle Tears, but probably a bit less interesting. There's a wooden ladder at the bottom that leads up a side canyon to basically nowhere. We hiked bck through the desert back to the car.

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The three ridges separating Ladder of Doom and Turtle Tears.
The three ridges separating Ladder of Doom and Turtle Tears.
Approaching the ridge up to enter Turtle Tears Canyon.
Approaching the ridge up to enter Turtle Tears Canyon.
It's pretty steep.
It's pretty steep.
Shawn on the ridge.
Shawn on the ridge.
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Looking back toward the trailhead, behind that butte over there.
Looking back toward the trailhead, behind that butte over there.
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The start of Turtle Tears Canyon on the bottom right.
The start of Turtle Tears Canyon on the bottom right.
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Shawn starts the descent.
Shawn starts the descent.
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One of a few downclimb obstacles.
One of a few downclimb obstacles.
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Approaching the last rappel.
Approaching the last rappel.
Definitely a great last run.
Definitely a great last run.
Looking up at Shawn as he rappels the last dryfall.
Looking up at Shawn as he rappels the last dryfall.
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Looking down at the rest of Turtle Tears. There were no more technical spots, so we just followed the base of the mountain in order to save a few hundred feet of elevation.
Looking down at the rest of Turtle Tears. There were no more technical spots, so we just followed the base of the mountain in order to save a few hundred feet of elevation.
Walking along the base of the mountain before going up the next ridge (to get up to Ladder of Doom Canyon).
Walking along the base of the mountain before going up the next ridge (to get up to Ladder of Doom Canyon).
Along the ridge.
Along the ridge.
Ladder of Doom Canyon on the right. We have to go all the way around and start on the north side.
Ladder of Doom Canyon on the right. We have to go all the way around and start on the north side.
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Looking into Ladder of Doom Canyon.
Looking into Ladder of Doom Canyon.
Going along the side of the base to get into the canyon.
Going along the side of the base to get into the canyon.
Shawn entering Ladder of Doom canyon.
Shawn entering Ladder of Doom canyon.
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A series of fun rappels in sequence makes up the most of Ladder of Doom Canyon.
A series of fun rappels in sequence makes up the most of Ladder of Doom Canyon.
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After the last rappel, there is a short side canyon where you can find the Ladder of Doom.
After the last rappel, there is a short side canyon where you can find the Ladder of Doom.
The old ladder.
The old ladder.
If you go up the ladder, you enter an open section. Not much to see here.
If you go up the ladder, you enter an open section. Not much to see here.
Heading out of Ladder of Doom Canyon.
Heading out of Ladder of Doom Canyon.
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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!