Lower Grand Gulch Pour-off

[fiber]

I found a relatively recent picture of the dreaded lower Grand Gulch pour-off. They made a note there might be a safer way around the pour-off via a steep boulder field RUC. Has anyone tried that route? It sounds like the pour-off is 30 ft. What about rappelling it? There is probably enough rocks to make an anchor.

If that doesn't go, I'm wondering if I can bypass the obstacle by going up Shangri-La Canyon and dropping into lower Slickhorn.

 

[Bob]

That pouroff wasn't bad when I was there years ago with no trail... I'd expect a use trail now. You can get from ShangriLa to Slickhorn on top but it's rough.

 

[AWR]

It's gotten quite a bit worse in recent years. I spoke to some pack rafters who came up from the SJ & hiked up to KGRS. They went both up & down to check it out. You should contact KGRS or one of the rafting outfitters as they sometimes hike into Lower GG on their trips.

 

[fiber]

I called the Monticello Field Office last week because the KGRS isn't open yet. Monticello said that it was "basically" impassible. She said it was possible, but dangerous. Hence my thought of just rappelling it.

 

[Bob]

BLM or usfs quite often say things indicating stuff harder that it actually is. Not saying don't go without two options tho.

 

[AWR]

Bob is right about the BLM/USFS. Try contacting the commercial rafting companies.

 

[fossana]

@fiber When is your trip? I may do the Slickhorn to Grand Gulch loop next month.

 

[fiber]

@fiber When is your trip? I may do the Slickhorn to Grand Gulch loop next month.

I got permits to go in via Government TH on April 16. @fossana, if you end up doing your loop, let me know about the pour-off.

 

[fossana]

I got permits to go in via Government TH on April 16. @fossana, if you end up doing your loop, let me know about the pour-off.

Will do.

 

[James and Amy]

The image you found was taken on our trip. In my opinion, if going down Grand Gulch, bring rappel gear. Although I did not do a complete investigation, a cursory look indicated that it should be possible to do one. The drop from the rim is not more than 40 feet. There were a couple of potential anchors in the form of trees or boulders. We ascended the pour-off and and it is dangerous. We found no way to effectively protect the traverse with a rope. While the route itself is not technically difficult, it is steep, awkward, and quite loose. A fall would likely have extremely serious consequences. A trail crew could likely make significant improvements without too much difficulty, but it is unclear how long any improvements might last.

James