Death Pit Canyon

A short, cliffy canyon that plunges steeply into the Colorado River. Several nice rappels with beautiful views of the river. Exiting via Bighorn Canyon (non-technical) allows this canyon to be done without a shuttle and shortens the packraft considerably.

From Boulder City, travel southeast on Canyon Point Road for about 4 miles until you reach the trailhead on the edge of a mesa. From the parking lot, follow a faint path on hiker's left down the steep wash, picking the best path down the rocky slope. Continue down the main wash for 2 miles, passing both Bighorn Canyon (your exit canyon if traveling the loop route) and Weeping Springs Canyon on your right, before cutting north over a small saddle to reach the drop-in for Death Pit.

Downclimb DCL 20' to reach R1. R1: 120’ from a beefy cairn anchor in a large pothole. This is the namesake 'Death Pit' rappel. Avoid the death pit at the bottom by traversing DCL to an obvious ledge then descending far DCL on the edge, being careful not to pendulum. R2: 60' from a cairn anchor R3: 180' from webbing around a giant boulder at the edge of the drop. This rappel can be split into two stages by first rappelling 60' to a ledge that can fit 4-5 people and then 120' off of a rock pinch to the ground. Continue down canyon a little ways. R4: 35' off of rock pinch. The hallway between R4 and R5 is the last shade for a while and makes an excellent lunch spot. R5: 30' off of rock pinch to possible pool. Continue down canyon a short ways to the river.