Crater of Doom Canyon

NOTE: there is no Crater in the canyon - SS

There are two approaches: From the parking lot take the hiking trail left and then shortly take a packed trail up a ridge fin to gain the ridge. Hike the ridge and start crossing upper canyons. Above Precipice Canyon the hiking gets more interesting, crossing our first noticeable canyon. Later crossing the deeper Dark Shadow Canyon, things got a little spicy navigating a chossy rock band via a few 3rd Class moves on low quality rock right before rounding the ridge to drop into Crater of Doom's wash. It seems like you can traverse the rock band lower via ledges or go higher on more quality rock with more easy 3rd Class to stay above these looser bands. Brice's party traversed the rock bands and it was 'okay', the GPX had listed higher. Round the ridge and drop into the Crater of Doom canyon wash via the gulley or make a short rap over one of the short cliffs. Follow the easy trail up fall canyon for about 2.4 miles. You will approach a wide wash at 36.84532, -117.15604. Look right up canyon and spot a big, pointy rock at the top of a large, obvious drainage. That's how you will know you are in the right spot. From here, you will begin an ~1100 foot scramble. It is tempting to go up the drainage, but it is recommended to avoid as the rock is very loose there and will make rock falls on your team below you much more likely. Just keep an eye and ear out for snakes. We didn't see any, but there definitely could be some there. Go up on the ridge on the left of that drainage. The rock here is very sharp but grippy, so wear gloves! It might feel exposed, but every hold is very confident. There are several flat spots along the way to rest along the way. With careful route-finding, it is possible to keep the route at easy class 3 and below. There is plenty of opportunity to make it harder. At about 2600 ft elevation 36.84443, -117.15104, there will be a plateau. From here, start working your way left around a gully. Go high to avoid the loose rock. There will be a slight ridge on the other side of the gully that you can take up to around 3000 ft elevation. From there 36.84456, -117.14932, look left and you will see a big, smooth plateau. The canyon entrance is on the other side of that hill. Once over that ridge 36.84373, -117.14750, follow the obvious drainage down to the main Crater of Doom canyon. There is a walk in on the right side of that drainage.

Very easy 3 mile hike out on Fall Canyon Trail. You'll likely pass by hikers and feel a bit more sun exposure than on the approach.