Basin Creek

Basin Creek is a good quality, short side canyon that enters the NF Kings about halfway from Balch Camp to the powerhouse that makes a great alternative to the high-flow canyons often found in the Sierra Mountains. The route is primarily a series of rappels next to low flowing waterfalls. The creek has a very small drainage, so flows will seldom be large enough to cause problems and suitable for year-round enjoyment. The total hiking distance from road to road is about 1/2 mile. This a mostly bolted canyon featuring several large, straight-forward rappels, 1 minor downclimbing obstacle, and 1 optional traverse; making it a fairly beginner friendly canyon. Poison oak is present in and around the canyon.

As you drive up the Black Rock Road from Balch Camp, the road crosses an exciting cliff face with a couple of bridges to span short chasms. When the road leaves that cliff face, it enters the small Basin Creek drainage. There is a turnout near where the creek plunges down the cliff. The hillside below this turnout is less bushy than other areas, allowing an easy approach to the creek. The creek is very close at this point. Head south and follow the path of least resistance to the first rappel on bolted anchors DCR. Little to no bushwhacking is required.

R1: 2 bolts DCR 70' into a shallow pool. R2: Large boulder, 25' 5' Downclimb R3: 2 bolts DCL 150'. There is a ledge 100' down with deadman anchor options so it is possible to do the rappel in 2 stages. R4: 2 bolts DCL 115'. R5: 2 bolts DCR 140'. There is another set of bolts DCC requiring an easy but exposed traverse to reach. The DCC anchor allows for a better position to exit the canyon.