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Spur Canyon Wyoming



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Submitted By: jumar on 16 Apr 2008
 
Bighorn Canyon, Wyoming
Distance: 0.85 mi
Activities: Canoeing
John Blue Draw, Wyoming
Distance: 5.70 mi
Activities: Rock / Ice Climbing, Canyoneering


Location and GPS Coordinates
Latitude: 44.9689
Longitude: -108.2271

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Directions:
This is a canyoneering route in a limestone canyon (quite different from the canyoneering in the Southwest).
From Lovell Wyoming, drive East on Highway 14. Turn North at 44.8567 108.1749 and drive into John Blue Canyon. If you have time, stop and take a look at John Blue's Cabin, and old mountain man's cabin (N 44.901167 W 108.154900). You'll soon come to the exit of a short slot canyon in John Blue Canyon. From here, head up the 4 wheel drive road that runs parallel to the slot canyon. There's a lot of crisscrossed road, so a GPS is the best way to get to the canyon. Drive until you reach about 44.9508 108.1593 and turn left. From here, stay left until you can get as close as your car will handle to the top of the canyon. We got to within a 1/3 of a mile. The drop in point for the canyon is about 44.9689 108.2271.

More info here:
http://www.canyoneeringnorthwest.com/Canyon/bigHorn.html
http://www.my-mania.com/canyoneering.htm


Canyoneering - (0)

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The time needed for the canyon depends on how you approach the canyon, and how close you can drive to the head of the canyon with your 4 wheel drive. When we did the canyon, the water level in Bighorn Lake was very low, so we were able to get to the canyon from the bottom. But since then, the water has risen quite a bit, so the best option, unless you have a boat drop you off, is from the top of the canyon. It'll probably take around 4-6 hours. Since the exit of the canyon drops into Bighorn Lake, you'll either need to return back up canyon, or have a boat pick you up. There are several areas in the canyon where you can escape, so if you don't have a boat, simply head back up canyon and out one of the exits. The first drop in the canyon can be downclimbed, rappelled or bypassed on the right. The next short drops can be bypassed by ledges on the right (LDC). You'll then immediately come to the first mandatory rappel, which is about 20-30 feet. There is a tree at the top of the rappel you can use as an anchor. From there, do some bushwacking to get to the next rappel, which will be your biggest. It's about 40 feet down into a beautiful grotto. For an anchor, we used a scrawny tree that was a ways back from the lip of the rappel. From that point on, there's a lot of bushwacking, fun down climbs and narrows. Keep an eye out for some of the exit options as you head down canyon, because unless you have a boat, you'll need to come back up canyon and out one of the exits. There wasn't any swims when we did it, but there was some wading. The canyon ends in a short tunnel that empties into Bighorn Lake. From there you can back track to your exit, then hike back up to your car. Watch out for rattlesnakes!



Rock / Ice Climbing - (0)

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The time needed for the canyon depends on how you approach the canyon, and how close you can drive to the head of the canyon with your 4 wheel drive. When we did the canyon, the water level in Bighorn Lake was very low, so we were able to get to the canyon from the bottom. But since then, the water has risen quite a bit, so the best option, unless you have a boat drop you off, is from the top of the canyon. It'll probably take around 4-6 hours. Since the exit of the canyon drops into Bighorn Lake, you'll either need to return back up canyon, or have a boat pick you up. There are several areas in the canyon where you can escape, so if you don't have a boat, simply head back up canyon and out one of the exits. The first drop in the canyon can be downclimbed, rappelled or bypassed on the right. The next short drops can be bypassed by ledges on the right (LDC). You'll then immediately come to the first mandatory rappel, which is about 20-30 feet. There is a tree at the top of the rappel you can use as an anchor. From there, do some bushwacking to get to the next rappel, which will be your biggest. It's about 40 feet down into a beautiful grotto. For an anchor, we used a scrawny tree that was a ways back from the lip of the rappel. From that point on, there's a lot of bushwacking, fun down climbs and narrows. Keep an eye out for some of the exit options as you head down canyon, because unless you have a boat, you'll need to come back up canyon and out one of the exits. There wasn't any swims when we did it, but there was some wading. The canyon ends in a short tunnel that empties into Bighorn Lake. From there you can back track to your exit, then hike back up to your car. Watch out for rattlesnakes!




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