Hondo Creek

Hondo Creek's descent into the Rio Blanco exceeded expectations. Several nice rappels in a legit long section of narrows, just the right aquatic challenge and nice creek walking made for a pleasant day out.

Drive south from Pagosa Springs on highway 84, turn East on CR 326 for 12.4 miles. Toward the end, when the road takes a 90 degree right heading due East, cross a bridge over a creek and take an immediate left into the forest on a bumpy 2-track into the National Forest land. Drive a half mile to the end of this road and park at the trailhead for the Blanco River Trail (573). Hike the Blanco River Trail 4.3 miles to an elevation of 9550ft, then descend into the creek above the first rappel. Aiming to bushwhack off trail down a slight ridge (orange on the interactive map) may make the forest descent easier. Alternatively, locate an obvious game trail 1/3 of a mile before the ridge on the right that drops into Hondo Creek at R3 (approximate location added to the kml).

R1: 25' from a rock pinch in Canyon Center. Descending into a rabbit hole on Canyon Right can avoid the majority of the flow. R2: 20' from a log for a short nuisance rappel R3: 110' from a rock pinch down a mostly straight collection of three waterfalls. Most of the water flow can be stemmed around, but this felt like the crux of the canyon in terms of contending with the bulk of the waterflow. A short downclimb on Canyon Left follows R3. R4: 45' from a woven in root on Canyon Right for a 15' drop followed immediately by R5. R5: 100' from a large vertical log past two potholes T: 8' a short vertical slide - check the depth first

Descend Hondo Creek to Rio Blanco and proceed downstream in the wider Rio Blanco finding paths on either side and crossing the river a few times as necessary. When the walls on river right allow for a short climb back to the trail, aim for it and follow the trail back to the car.