Turtle Tears Canyon

Short but sweet canyon down a fun limestone slot with big vertical gain on the class 3-4 approach. May be combined with Ladder of Doom Canyon.

Do not blindly follow the Google Maps point for driving directions, as it will send you on many unnecessary dirt roads. Instead, use the driving directions from the GPS driving track. There is also a turnout from the shoulder of I‑15 South that brings you much closer if the highway gate happens to be open. The turnoff from the I‑15 South shoulder is located at coordinates 35.681641, -115.377059. Follow the track up the steep slope to the top, choosing more direct class 4 routes if desired. Class 3 options are almost always available if you look for them. Once you reach the bench below the peak, follow it across and descend to the drop‑in point.

Lots of great downclimbs of varying difficulty that some will want to rappel or handline 3 downclimbs before you get to R1 R1: 25' pinch LDC there follows a couple of notable downclimbs R2: 35' from a cool jug-handle anchor RDC R3: 25' off of a perfectly placed shrub growing from a crack above the drop RDC. The roots seem very solid but please use a soft start and avoid moving laterally on rappel to minimize impact on the little feller. R4 optional: 50+' 2-stage or a slightly exposed bypass RDC. R5: 35' bush LDC. potential for biner block to get stuck here. R6 optional: slung rock high RDC or straightforward though exposed downclimb. R7 optional: 25' from jug-handle RDC or slightly tricky elevator downclimb. R8: 100' boulder LDC. (previously listed at 75')

After the final rap out of the slot, a series of downclimbs leads to boulder-hopping and wash walking until you meet back up with the approach track.