Deer Creek (California Sierras)

Deer Creek is a very pleasant nearly full day canyon in the Dinkey Creek area, about halfway between Shaver Lake and the Jump Trip canyons. With a variety of options for rappelling, jumping and sliding in or out of the water and generally short rappels, it is a good choice for those looking for something different in the area, or slightly less challenging than some of the other nearby canyons. The in-canyon travel distance is relatively long, however, so the length of commitment shouldn't be underestimated.

Spot a car at one of 3 locations: Return to the bridge where Ross Crossing Road crosses Deer Creek, scramble down to creek upstream of bridge and proceed downstreem

The canyon consists of 3 main sections: The initial non-technical creek Walk/run/bushwack through the first mile or so of the non-technical portion. You may wish to slide/jump as well if the temps are acceptable. There are large portions of flat granite slab, with occasional bushwacking around pools. You will come to a pool with an option for a 15' slide, or a downclimb DCR, at which point you may chose to suit up. Continue another 0.5 miles to the first rappel. The technical section The technical section contains 8-12 rappels, all under 70' in length. Obstacles are generally grouped, with stream walking in between various groups of obstacles. Bolts and pins exist where needed, though many of the noted rappels can be downclimbed or jumped, depending on comfort/skill level. All rappel lengths are approximate. *R1 25' from bolts canyon left *R2 25' from a pinch point canyon left (may also be carefully downclimbed/slid) *R3 (65' from bolts high on a slab canyon left) bypasses a series of potholes, one of which has an underwater arch (noted by lack of visible outflow from the top). This pothole/arch can present an escape hazard even at low flows, but the arch has been swam through to escape this pothole. *R4 30' from bolts canyon left *R5 40' from bolts canyon right *R6 60' from bolts atop a large boulder canyon center *R7 60' from two pitons in a crack below or downclimb to jump ~25' into a large, deep, but shady pool. *R8 40' from a dead tree DCR to a short but deep pool (filled with log debris as of summer 2020). *R9 65' from a 2 bolt (+ 1 pin?) anchor down the mossy watercourse *R10 35' from piton in hard-to-see crack DCR, or downclimb and jump ~20' *R11 70' from an oak tree canyon left to a large, deep pool. For extra excitement, try rappelling ~55' in the flow and off rope via a slide (this was not attempted by the author but looked fun)! Send someone down on rope first, debris in the pool may be hidden from the top. Optional bypass may exist DCR *R12 Downclimb DCL (or slipperier, DCR) or rappel DCR from a single pin with a quicklink, 15'. The exit portion of the creek After the final rappel, the creek continues to the exit, with a more dense, wooded feel. After Bull Creek enters on your left, there are no more mandatory swims, though you may wish to keep your wetsuit on until leaving the stream.