East / West Fork of Big Spring Canyon - High Spur

Mark and Tyler avoiding water in the West Fork

RATING: 3A / 2A

LENGTH: 4-6 hours

RAPPELS: 1+ to 45 m ( 148 ft. )

WATER: Little

FLASHFLOOD: Moderate, but you can see the whole drainage and skies on the approach.

SEASON: Any

NOTES: Reaching the trailhead requires a high clearance vehicle or 4x4.

Hype

Sometimes good things come in small packages! Although short, both the East and West forks of Big Spring Canyon offer fantastic slot sections. The two canyons have different personalities, with the West Fork being more challenging and technical. This is recommended for intermediate or better canyoneers. The East Fork, on the other hand, is much easier and suitable for most canyoneers. It does not have any rappels, but a short rope is recommended to help beginners over a couple of moderate downclimbs.

Get a SUBSCRIPTION

-OR-

Login to view or purchase this description

Photos (click on photo for more detail)

Mark and Tyler just above the tough downclimb

Mark Fallentine at the bottom of the hard downclimb - west fork of Big Spring

Mark and Tyler Fallentine - west fork of Big Spring

Mark Fallentine in the West Fork of Big Spring

Tyler Fallentine in the East Fork of Big Spring

Mark and Tyler Fallentine - East Fork of Big Spring

Bridges in East Fork of Big Spring - Robbers Roost

Mark and Tyler - Teamwork - East Fork of Big Spring - Robbers Roost

Comments

I was in there a few days ago. In the W. Fork, there is now an anchor. Looks like someone tossed rocks in from above, or carried them in. If they washout, it would be tricky to build an anchor in this section. The easier route alternative you describe for W. fork is a good way to avoid the tricky anchor section though, we were going to do that, but then found the anchor built so stayed in the canyon. Fun canyons, thanks for the write-up.

by: pothole [Mar 29, 2011]