Rolling Mountain Creek

Rolling Mountain Creek (RMC) is a tributary to Upper Cascade Creek, north of Durango. This canyon descent provides spectacular views, interesting features, challenging geometry for the rappels, loose rock and a great alternate entrance to Upper Cascade Creek proper or can be done within a day without a car shuttle.

From the Durango Mountain Resort, drive FS Road 578 (=Hermosa Park Rd) out of the parking lots to the north and continue as it switchbacks to the west. At the intersection with Elbert Creek Rd, turn north (right) continuing on FS578. Shortly, Hermosa Park Rd turns west, remain straight on FS38. Turn right on FS579 (=Cascade Divide Road, =FS37). Follow this either to the end or drop a car at the top of the Greysill Trail for your return. HC 4WD will have no problems. HC 2WD can likely get through - nothing is too rough. A Subaru AWD made it with care. To get an earlier start, consider camping along this road the night before. From the upper parking lot, hike the connector trail to the Colorado Trail and continue north 2.5 easy miles to the bridge over Cascade Creek. Views of Rolling Mountain Creek will be possible from the trail on the East side of the Cascade Creek valley. Continue past the bridge on the Colorado Trail Segment 25 toward the saddle on the SE side of Rolling Mountain. While a shortcut could be possible, following the trails higher to the lake above the descent of Rolling Mountain Creek affords great views of this pristine high alpine lake, the Rolling Mountain Basin, and the scenic creek above without adding much to the day.

R1: 40' total off a tree on CR. This is a two stage rappel of short drop followed by 20' wall. R2: 130' from a tree on CL. R3: 135' from a tree on CR. This rappel has a wide black rock layer running horizontally and is easily identifiable from the approach trail. The rocks form a significant overhang on canyon right. While it's possible to walk around to get a better view of the falls, note the roof you would be standing on from the photo. Downclimb a bit after R3, and cross the Colorado Trail you used for your approach to continue the canyon. Alternatively for a shorter day, one could skip R1-R3 and simply descent into Cascade Creek starting at R4, just below the Colorado Trail (CT). R4: 40' using a releasable from a large tree in the middle of the creek. A releasable, such as a CEM, was used to prevent hikers on the CT from seeing anchors. Please do the same. R5: ~30' can be bypassed on CR or potentially downclimbed. R6: 100' from tree CL. This waterfall turns toward rappeller's right. In higher flows, be careful not to pendulum into the slot toward the bottom on rappeller's left. R7: 30' can be bypassed on CL. R8: 140' multistage rappel from tree on CL. The first drop of 15' is free hanging. Cross the creek and rappel the final 60' on rappeller's right. Downclimb to Cascade Creek. In spring with additional snowmelt, the calcium carbonate in this creek that is seen later in the year will not be as prominent.