Carrizo Creek

A short trip that is right next to highway 74. It has 3 rappels with the longest at about 160' and a good amount of down climbing.

This trip requires a shuttle. Park the return vehicle at the bottom of the mountain at the Art Smith trailhead. It is just past the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. The start is up highway 74 at a turn out right before the vista point. It is at the last large turn on the highway. From there just make your way to the drainage.

The initial part is easy hiking on a sandy canyon. It comes to an abrupt stop at the top of the big rappel and the canyon opens up. As of early 2026 there is fresh webbing on a rock DCL. Starting far DCL gives lots of air and a more direct line to the anchor, but with careful rope management the retrieval on the DC-center line is good despite being a more circuitous path. There are many options here, including re-rigging after the initial drop for a more direct pull. From this point on there will be several down climbs that some may choose to rappel instead.

After that last rappel, just follow the watercourse until you come to a fence. Walk through the opening and make your way to the parking lot.