The North Fork of the Snake River makes for a great after work excursion. Short ‘n sweet.
For those who prefer adventure, STOP READING NOW.
BETA ALERT!!
Driving Directions
From the east side of the Eisenhower Tunnel
Take exit 216 off of I-70 for Loveland Pass and follow US 6 to the summit of Loveland Pass. Drive 4.1 miles south from the summit of Loveland Pass to a dirt pullout just west of mile marker 221.
From the west side of the Eisenhower Tunnel
Take exit 205 off of I-70 and drive east on US 6. Reset your odometer at the first stoplight (east side of I-70) at Little Beaver Trail. Drive 11.9 miles east on US 6 to a dirt pullout on the right. If you drive past mile marker 221, you have driven too far.
Approach
From the parking area, walk uphill along US 6 (east) for 100 yards passing mile marker 221 along the way. Depart the road, bushwhacking through some willows, south-southeast to the stream.
The Canyon
Hike downstream as granite walls of the canyon start to rise. Two short 7 foot drops will be encountered which can be optionally repelled during high water off of a variety of stable logs. Just beyond the two down-climbs, a mandatory rappel is encountered.
A solid bush 20 feet back from the edge makes for a solid anchor but use adequate webbing to the lip to ensure that a 30M rope will reach the bottom. During high water it is best to rappel left of the waterfall. With lower water flow, a log may be used at the lip of the drop for a more direct line through the waterfall.
Just beyond the final rappel, look for your exit on the right up a steep grassy up-climb. A steep class 3 dihedral just above Snake River Falls will allow you to retrieve your anchor material from the second drop. Once anchor material is retrieved, hike directly north to re-intercept US 6. A short stroll east along the road will take you back to the parking area.
EDIT: Failure to upload photos.
Furthermore
Both rappels will require getting wet – soaked on the second one. Assuming it’s not icy, the canyon could be descended in late September, although it’s a bit late. My friend took a 3mm and was okay considering it wasn’t exactly a heat wave and the canyon is short. If you get cold on the second rap, at least you have a healthy hill hike right after the rap to warm up. Moreover, bailing options between the rappels are plentiful.
I would just consider the conditions, outside temperature and sound judgment. Maybe an Indian Summer will cut you a break.
Redrockhikerboy
Hey Now, Furthermore and Kevin–I will be in that area the last week of september, on the way to elsewhere. Perfect location for a road break for me. A quickie diversion then back westbound. Question: is it reasonable for each of the drops to be rigged so as to keep the rappeller out of the main flow? Also, late september–a little too deep in the season, or with five mm neo a reasonable proposition?
Thanks much,
chris
Kevin
Nice, Julie and I have done that one before. Short and sweet is a good description, that water is COLD.
ratagonia
Here’s a reduced version of that, uploadable here.
Furthermore
And for those interested, a topo map, and profile. Apparently it’s too big to upload here.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kn6frfvh8dunb1z/NFSR Beta.pdf?dl=0