Ross Creek

Ross Creek is a good early-season canyon for when the rest of the Sierras are running too high. It features tight channels which make for challenging footwork, complemented by some slippery, wide cascades. Be warned that Ross has foot-grabbing cracks, strainers, and rope pinches on many rappels, especially the upper half. The canyon has a convenient shuttle option when the San Joaquin is navigable. Groups attempting this canyon when the river is high should be prepared for a steep bushwhack hike out if the exit proves unsafe.

From the parking, head north along the access road, then drop into the drainage around where it starts to get cliffy. Dropping in later saves some sections in the watercourse which could be inconvenient to impossible depending on flow.

R0: ~50’, fiddlestick off of buckeye tree DCR to drop into drainage. In moderate-low flow, you can just walk into the drainage and climb your way down the crack. Once in the creek, there is an approx. 20' drop that beginners may need assistance/meat anchor for. Webbing could be rigged around a chockstone DCR. R1: 30' DCR webbing around a pinch. Not visible from the edge of the rappel, climb around a boulder DCR to find the anchor. R2: 100'? DCL off a single bolt. Rope line takes you through the crack. Only drop to the middle ledge, watch for strainers and foot grabbers, especially near the next anchor. Bypass this series in moderate flow or above. R3: 50'? DCL single bolt R4: ~30’, single bolt DCR R5: ~60’ webbing around a pinch DCL. R6: 190’ off a boulder pile DCR. This rappel might be able to be rigged shorter if your rope doesn’t reach, and can be bypassed entirely DCL, but is fun the whole way if you have the rope length for it. Watch out for a foot-grabbing crack halfway down. R7: 80' Webbing around a chockstone DCL. In moderate/low flow, this is a mostly dry rappel into a shallow pool. This could be rigged to rappel in the flow through the slot DCR. A creekwalking section follows, including the diversion dam and road deliniating the upper and lower canyon sections. R8: 170' Webbing off a small tree very far DCL. Getting to this anchor requires strong downclimbing skills - climb DCL past the lip of the waterfall and down the face (see image, anchor tree outlined in red). If bolted or slung with webbing at the top of the falls, this rappel would be closer to 200+' and a more difficult pull. Shortly thereafter there's a short drop to a shallow pool which can be slid with care in the dry section depending on sand levels. R9: 90' off a single bolt center-left, on the bushy ledge below the rim. If there is a lot of greenery, this can be tricky to find unless you climb onto the ledge and search around. R10: 60' off a single bolt DCR. R11: 130' off a single bolt DCL. The final lip before the pool is especially rope grabby, rap and pull with care. It will not look or feel like it during the rappel, but it will grab your rope.