Lodge Canyon

I don't think anyone did this since the last time we did it in July. Same webbing with additions we made last time. Webbing on tree at Rap 1 will probably need changed with much more sun. Black webbing on Rap 2 is showing some abrasion. We did some scrambling up the MoS approach to check it out in case we want to summit another time. Later discovered we took an approach too far north, which we thought was the case because it turned into some chossy 5th class with lots of exposure. Be careful in the creek down to the employee campground as there are a fair number of quicksand spots.

Group of 4 started at 6:30am from the trailhead to stay out of the sun on the hike up and over the saddle to Spry and Lodge. Saw lots of Desert Big Horn Sheep. Took the short detour to the MoS cave. It was a nice, cool place to take a short rest. First rap had webbing between two trees, like that webbing was going to hold the front tree if it fell. Fixed it to be a true backup to the actual rappel webbing on the front tree. Replaced webbing & rapide on rap 3. LAWAR used an ATC and snuck the knot tying two ropes together past any obstacle for pulls on raps 5 & 6. All other raps we used a single rope. Weighting anchors on raps 5 & 6 is not nearly as difficult as we thought after reading beta - lots of foot holds to easily weight the anchors. On the Lodge lawn eating ice cream at 12:30pm. Lots of fun.

Bottom of 1st and 2nd rappels is ankle deep pools. Fixed a couple ugly anchors. But all anchors in good condition.

All webbing and anchors in good shape. We used a large chokestone on the first rap and stayed in the canyon. After the last long free rap, I would suggest keeping your harness on as there is another waterfall downstream that would make an additional cool rap, rather than hiking around it

Lodge was in very good shape. On the first rappel, you can either climb high canyon right on a ledge and rap off a large dead tree or you can downclimb the slot and do a short rap off a chock in a crack.

We hopped over one or two pools of water- otherwise it was completely dry.

The last rap is gorgeous- definitely worth the hike up!

A long walk for a few sweet rappels. The exit rappel is excellent. there is a trickle of water running through the canyon but nothing more than that. No cold water protection needed