For New Year's I went to Shop Creek, just uphill from Camp Orr. Tim E. has posted about how this is a slot canyon and that you very quickly run out of routes to go upstream. He didn't lie. Here is where I got stopped, about 100' in, at the 2nd "S" bend. There's loads of photo's in here and I'll go back, but it will be in the summer, when I'm willing to slip, fall, then swim, and with a padded waterproof camera case, probably the ammo can I use for floating.
This is one of those catch-22 places in that it really looks terrific with a LOT of water gushing through, but when it is you take your life in your own hands just being there. Those are some of the slickest rocks I've ever seen. The secret is to wear felt-soled wading shoes. I've never fallen here, but I suspect if you did and the water was high you would be in for one heck of a ride, and a bloody one at that...I missed the window for a dry hike up beyond the waterfall this past season, but from the photos someone sent me who did make it farther in it did not look worth taking the risk. It is the only true slot canyon in the area that I know of...
Posted by Bill Dark on January 15, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Those do look like some slick rocks. I'd like to check it out sometime, even though I probably wouldn't get very far - even with felt soles. It's pretty amazing how much they improve your footing though. Nice work, Bruce!
Posted by Tom Kennon on January 15, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Bruce, nice work, I am glad to hear you did not fall and hurt yourself, the rocks look really slick.
Posted by David Bush on January 16, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Bruce, nice work, I like the comp as the water curves through the image. These rocks do look like they are slick, would hate to get caught here.
Discussion
4 repliesDetails: Canon 400d, Sigma 17-70 lens, 2.5 sec F10
Thanks for looking, comments appreciated.
Bruce