South Fork of Maidenwater, Trachyte Creek
Last Candition: May 12, 2012
Bone dry. Not even any mud in the final "swimmer" pothole. Recent parties have built anchors for the last two downclimbs. Unnecessary for the last downclimb, but the last part of the pothole downclimb has become difficult with the low water, so probably a good thing. More fun with some water, but still a great route.
completely dry except one pool about 1 inch deep. All the webbing anchors were fine, although the last one was sun exposed and a little crunchy
Completely dry 10/8/2019.
Water level was just below totally full. 2 pools were neck deep for me (6'0"). Did this as a night canyon and had a fantastic trip!
Relatively easy with some fun, easy downclimbs, a good way to spend a half day. The anchors that we used were in good condition (there were one or two that could use replacing, but we downclimbed those drops). Canyon was fairly dry with a few ankle deep puddles that were unavoidable.
Full of water. I put on my 3/2 when the wades got to waist deep, about 3/2rds of the way down the canyon. Was very happy to have the wetsuit. We did about 5 rappels and 25 downclimbs. Anchors in good shape.
Replaced some webbing and reworked one anchor to enable a cleaner pull. Canyon was 90% dry - one pool was ankle deep. Dropped in at the bowl at the top of the wash. Bring a headlamp for the tunnel -there is a 4' pit on the right side (down canyon) about half way through. 6 hours/4 people. This was my first time but is now one of my favorites for the area.
Easy to follow approach trail. Down climbed the chimney and scrambled in. The entire canyon is bone dry. Really enjoyed all the down climbing. Only needed to rappel three times. Saw decent anchors and webbing at about six or seven drops. An excellent canyon with moderate difficulty and some very nice narrows. Just under four hours for a party of two. We will bring friends back and do this one again someday.
Near repeat of what Peakbaggers said of conditions last September. Some unavoidable water to maybe waist to chest deep. Lots of short rappels that some other people may down-climb and lots of short raps that were not down-climbable.
Found part of an animal skeleton with no idea what it was.
Team of 6 took about 6 hours.
Not a spectacular canyon but a very nice one with lots and lots of variety and never a dull moment. Worth doing now and again in a couple of years.
two pools that are hard to avoid. Both can be stemmed around for some. Last pool is waist deep.
Thought maybe because Middle fork was so dry from the day before, we'd find this one dry or drier as well. NOT SO! Plenty of unavoidale pools & full corridors. A couple were nearly swimmers, especially towards the end when you can see & hear the highway. Rappelled in from the head of the canyon on a preset anchor on an 83 foot rope with equal pullcord. Had a 35 foot rope we used for everything else excpet one rap near the end. Did not need to replace any webbing but always backed up with additional meat anchors. 6.5 hours with lunch break. This is a great little canyon. Deeply entrenched, high walls, lots of obstacles to overcome. Teamwork a must.
We did not encounter any water, and did not feel the need to replace any anchors except to rearrange the webbing at the drop in at the head of the canyon. We went through the tunnel at the end under the road and climbed up on the East side. The tunnel is dark and has an obstacle that took the group member walking in the lead by surprise.
South Maidenwater was full. We had 5 swims and many chest deep wades.
Everyone had 3/2 wetsuits and no booties, we were a little cold.
Many anchors intact, some aren't, bring webbing.
Didn't do it, but the other group I was with did and said there was no water. Anchors all in good condition.