Angel Creek (Upper)

The upper reaches of Angel Creek are seldom descended because it is the only major Cutler Sandstone canyon in Ouray without a defined access trail. The scenery is beautiful and the rappels are impressive, but the amount of effort required to reach them makes this route unattractive for most people. Upper Angel has a poor “pay‑to‑play” ratio—read on. Clarifying the Naming In 2009, what became known as Middle Angel Creek was first explored by continuing above the standard, guided Lower Angel Creek descent. Explorers reached this section by climbing a steep, demanding hillside on the south side of the canyon. The 2020 Canyoning in the Colorado San Juan Mountains guidebook adopts this naming convention and refers to this area as Middle Angel Creek (now corresponding to Upper Angel R10–R15). When the original online entry was created, it was labeled Angel Creek (Upper). The updated definition of Upper Angel Creek now includes everything located above the four rappels of Lower Angel, plus the Middle Angel Creek hillside approach. This is not a first descent—anchors were already present in the upper section of the canyon.

Upper Angel Set a car shuttle. Park the return vehicle by the signs at the Angel Creek Campground next to Camp Bird Road rather than taking space in the campground itself. Drive to the Weehawken Trailhead, just 0.65 miles to the south to start the hike. Hike the Weehawken Trail to the first junction. Left continues to the upper reaches of Weehawken Creek. Go Right toward the Alpine Mine. The trail is good, but steepens. Once at the Alpine Mine, the trail stops. There is an optional Overlook Trail to the Right (East). To continue to the ridge and gain access to the Angel Creek catchment, follow the tiny creek that runs through the Alpine Mine uphill. At an elevation just above 11,000', one could contour to the ridge, then continue following the ridge to the drop in point. Don't drop in too soon. The goal is to gain a large tributary and a forested slope. Follow the topo/gps maps. Middle Angel From the Angel Creek Campground parking by Camp Bird Road, hike to the top of Lower Angel Creek and continue uphill. It is a bit arduous due to the steep and unrelenting climb with an 800 foot gain. While difficult to find your way to the drop in, after several pesky gulch crossings, if you stay high above 9600 feet it is possible to have an easy walk down. If you find yourself rappelling in, there is an easier way.

Forested Slope from the Upper Angel ridgeline R0: The first rappel off the ridge is marked with webbing around a tree. This might be a downclimb, but the ridge is initially rocky and steep until the trees downslope begin. It's a personal choice if people prefer to downclimb or use ropes. The slope is steep, but there is a lot of vegetation and trees of a variety of sizes. R00: Marks a short rappel from trees into a drainage leading to the tribtary rappel sequence Angel Tributary R1: 110' from a stump into the flowing tributary below R2: 45' off a log midstream, followed by 3 downclimbs R3: 185' from a smaller stump/tree R4: 90' just downstream from R3, deadman required for two short drops of 15' and 35' R5: 40' rope for two stage 10' then 15' vertical drops, bypassable on CL R6 (in the watercourse): 260' (estimated) from a small tree CR, about 60' through the first three drops and exposure of the cutler formation, then a 200' vertical rappel. R6a (alternate): 50' from tree 1st stage R6b (alternate): 200' from tree 2nd stage through a narrower slot, which is the a fault line between the cutler and another more crumbly layer, to the debris fan below Hike around to enter Angel Creek above the next rappel. Upper Angel Creek R7: 110' for two stage rappel: 35' falls, 35' platform, then 45' falls R8: 45' rope 20' rap from a rock pinch R9: 180' from a tree CR. Skip the first 25' falls and rappel the canyon side to a great 65' chute rappel (see main photo) Middle Angel Creek R10: 70' total, 55' overhung falls from tree CL R11: 110' from tree CR, free hang twice R12: 50' corkscrew falls, bypassable CL R13: 75' two stage R14: 25' from rock pinch CL R15: 15' short rappel from a rock pinch after several down climbs