Class: 3AIV+
Gear:
Ropes: 2 @ 250′, 2@ 120′, 70′ of webbing, steel rappel rings, bolts at each drop but be prepared top build natural anchors. Self rescue and group rescue gear with head lamps, bivi gear, plenty of water, cell phone to call a cab with or a second car for the shuttle.
Expected Time Commitment:
Car to car for a small solid team 14 hours
Technical Obstacles:
Several long rappels, with a 550′ multi-pitch dry waterfall finish.
Non Technical Obstacles:
Heat, canyon choking grapevine, snakes, difficult route finding
Recommended Time of Year:
Late fall, winter. Spring time will bring to life the grapevine which will make this route impassable. Summer heat will exceed 120 degrees.
Finding the Trail Head:
Park at the lowest Palm Springs Tramway parking lot with their permission. We used an old bike that the driver coasted down the hill to the group that was awaiting at the start of the hike. the bike was hidden in the brush and retrieved the next day. The hike started as an off trail steep earth slope climb about 1 mile down from the lowest tramway parking area canyon right or if you are looking up at the mountain on your left.
The Approach:
You will need to study this hillside and pick a line that looks the easiest. Climb the steep earth slope until you reach the ridge. from the ridge and depending on how high you are on the mountain begin side hill hiking trying not to gain or loose elevation you will cross over the formation of what will eventually be a side slot that feed into Dry Falls Canyon proper. Do not go down this route. Continue side hill until you see a larger more obvious drainage. This will be your route.
The Canyon Descent:
We did this route as a two day canyon. Begin down canyon looking for the path of least resistance. rig rappels and down climbing as you see fit. Eventually the canyon will narrow and you will begin to find signs of our descent. There are a few long drops that will have bolts. The last rappel will have a large single palm tree marking the edge. we set a pair of bolts and rappelled left of this tree. Since this final cliff is approachable from the base it has become home to several bolted climbing routes, we added bolts for the canyon rappel stations but you may find additional anchors on the wall. the total length of this cliff is 550′.Take care and be prepared to self rescue if needed.
Egress:
Find the user path from the base of the waterfall/ climbing area and follow it out to the rock dam. On a pre-scout you will need to locate the hiking access trail through the fence and find your way through the maze of residential streets back to Hwy 111 downtown Palm Springs. From there you can either find your second car or call a cab and be driven back up to the Palm Springs Tramway parking lot.
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