Lomatium Canyon

Lomatium is one of two well-known canyoneering routes in the Fiery Furnace. This route is frequently combined with the other well-known route, Krill (aka Belly of the Whale), but both routes can be done independently. To keep things clear and organized this page details the beta for Lomatium while a separate page details the route for Krill.

As mentioned, the Fiery Furnace is a natural labyrinth, making detailed route descriptions of limited use but an attempt will be made here. From the parking lot you will begin the approach via the Ranger-led Hiking Tour Route. The Ranger-led tour follows a counter-clockwise route through the Fiery Furnace. You will notice, from the parking lot, two trails, one heading south east and one heading north. For the Lomatium approach you can take either trail, but it is most efficient to take the Northern Trail and follow the ranger-led route in reverse (clockwise). Regardless of the direction/path you take the goal is to reach the reach the center of the Furnace at the Kissing Turtles Crossroads. From there you will depart the Ranger-Lead tour route and head northward. Navigating to the Black Wall On Top of the Fin Reaching the Sandy Area The Diagonal Drainage As you navigate through this section, you’ll encounter the three key obstacles: Alternatively, it may be possible to access the Lomatium by skirting around much of the fins to the north (top) and east of the Fiery Furnace. This way misses much of the awe-inspiring scenery, but is quicker and does not involve any scrambling or exposure.

Lomatium consists of two rappels connected together by an impressive "hallway." Once down the first rappel there is only one way to travel, south down the hallway, to the second anchor.

After completing the second rappel of Lomatium, the canyon opens into a wider section of the Fiery Furnace. From here, you have two options: continue with the standard Lomatium exit or add Krill as a bonus canyon before returning to the main drainage. If you are not adding Krill, continue walking south from the second rappel. You will pass a rubble-filled side drainage on your left (north); this is the approach to Krill. Ignore it and continue toward Skull Arch, one of the most impressive features in the Fiery Furnace. Take a moment to appreciate the arch before continuing. From Skull Arch, remain in the main drainage as it trends south. The terrain includes a few easy obstacles, but staying within the obvious watercourse and bypassing alcoves and side canyons will keep you on track. The route naturally funnels you toward the main drainage used on the ranger-led tour route. If you plan to add Krill, head south from the second rappel but turn left (north) into the rubble-filled drainage before reaching Skull Arch. If you overshoot, simply backtrack a short distance to find it. This side drainage forms the standard approach to Krill. Follow the Krill beta from this point; after completing Krill, you will return to the same main drainage used for the Lomatium exit. Once in the main drainage, follow it as it gradually turns west. You will encounter rocky obstacles and occasional narrow cracks requiring short downclimbs. The Fiery Furnace is complex and difficult to describe precisely, but the natural watercourse is your primary guide. Its sandy, distinct path is easy to identify, though you may briefly leave it to bypass obstructions. Eventually, leave the watercourse on a well-traveled rocky path heading west toward the parking lot. This turnoff can be easy to miss—if you find yourself continuing south through multiple bends, you have gone too far. Once you gain the rocky path, it transitions into a defined trail that leads directly back to the Fiery Furnace entrance.