Goldie Drops

Region: Bear Mountain    

Distance: 6 miles + 2,000’

Difficulty: Hard     

ACA: 3Alll    

Duration: 5-7+ Hours

Longest Rappel: 200’

Rope: 2 x 200’

Anchor Materials: 25’ of webbing + 2 rapides

Parking: Park at Bear Mountain Trailhead for the start. Groups with an extra vehicle may want to leave a shuttle at Fay Canyon TH (less than 1/4 mile away). Parking passes and restrooms available at both trailhead kiosk.

Overview: Two large, back to back rappels, which may or may not be worth the effort to access. The value of this route lies mainly in it’s proximity to Grizzly as a safe retreat option during a change in weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances that may arise during the approach. For those who really enjoy larger rappels and longer approaches this may be worth checking out. On a very rare occasion when Grizzly is flashing, Goldie drops forms a 450’+ cascading waterfall that adds a magical element to this route. This route sees little to no traffic so be prepared to build anchors. Please respect the other adventurers nearby and preserve the peace. Fay Canyon is heavily trafficked and the Fay Buttress on canyon right is a popular big wall climbing destination. Rugged adventurers checking off all the worthwhile options off Bear will want to put this one on their list.

• Demanding and Scenic approach

• Moderate down climbs

• Free hanging rappels

• Great with runoff, but dangerous depending on flash flood/weather conditions

Approach (2-3 hours): From the Bear Mountain TH hike about  2.5 miles to the trail end (estimated 2 hours). From the trail end follow a faint social trail North through dense patches of agave and Manzanita. Work your way down the center of the ridge until the vegetation clears and you are greeted with fantastic views of Grizzly Ridge. On your left you will see laser cut cliffs standing 500’+ and on your right jaw dropping views of sandstone spires and Fay canyon. Your descent begins here but you will not need to gear up until you reach the edge of the 1st big drop.

Descent (1-2 hours): From the turnoff hike down to the pour off at the cliffs edge staying on the left side.

R1: 200’ off large juniper near the edge LDC. Free hanging into large slick rock bowl. The white wall rappel,

R2: 170’ off tree LDC down a beautiful red wall.

Exit (1+ hours): After the 2nd Rappel you can gear down and head down the drainage downclimbing large boulders. You will soon arrive at the main confluence with the last rappel of grizzly on your left and the main drainage on your right. Take a right and boulder hop your way down the wash to the main trail end on your left. Follow main trail back to the road and Fay canyon TH or Bear Mountain TH.

Coordinates:

Goldie Drops Turn off: 34.91927, -111.87567

R1: 34.9183, -111.87258

Route Established By: Eric Moorcroft & Tyler Arnestad