Outlaw Canyon

Overview

So, do you like really remote territory? This is a really nice surprise. Pull open any guidebook to Colorado with the hikes and climbs marked, and notice the big blank spot in Northwestern Colorado. This area of Colorado, without question, has the most remote peaks and canyons in Colorado and almost certainly even has some un-climbed peaks and untouched canyons. The peaks are incredibly spectacular and almost completely ignored, despite the fact that it offers some of the best scenery in the lower 48 states. Over a dozen very inaccessible peaks invite exploration. Only a few of the more accessible peaks are on Summitpost, but there is enough exploring here to keep one busy for years.

There are all kinds of spectacular canyons here as well. From big and scenic to tight slot canyons, this area has enough exploring left for years. There are literally dozens of seemingly completely unexplored slot canyons in the area.

”Outlaw Canyon” (not to be confused with Outlaw Arch Canyon, which is an entirely different complex) is the name we have given to this canyon because Outlaw Park is the nearest named feature (besides the Yampa River). The canyon is seldom descended and we almost certainly made the first traverse through the canyon in September 2006.

Putting these routes up is one thing I have been working on and off for the last three years. A route from the north proved too rugged and impractical. A route from Mantle Park didn’t work out. There were a few more trips that ended without finding any viable routes to access the area. Finally in April 2006, we climbed the point on the south side of the river for a good close up view of Peak 6489 and the canyons surrounding it. We got off track and just happened to spot the couloir that would be the key to the lower part of the route. The upper part of the route was discovered mostly by accident when looking for routes into the nearby canyon. The obscure route up to “Key Saddle” proved to be the key that unlocked the door to accessing the nearby canyons.

In all my years of exploration in the area, I have only run into people in Jones Hole and Harpers Corner. The rest of the area is very little known. I’ve found one cairn, no hikers, and no footprints in all my years of traveling here, even on holiday weekends. Over Labor Day weekend, there was neither a soul nor footprint to be found for miles and miles around.

In the spring and early summer, many rive runners do run the Yampa River Canyon, and these are about the only people using the area. Climbers, hikers and canyoneers have always ignored the area.

This canyon is the one north of Outlaw Peak and is just one of the recommended routes you could use after climbing the peak.

Outlaw Canyon isn’t quite as spectacular as Outlaw Arch Canyon, but is still a worthwhile destination. It is also perhaps the quickest way off the summit of Outlaw Peak.

Getting There

Note: Directions are going to be very brief and this is intentional. Pay attention to the landmarks when driving and make sure to use a good map. If you can’t find the trailhead on your own, then this is not the right place for you to go climbing. I would suggest doing something like Longs Peak instead.

Briefly put: To get to the trailhead drive to the park headquarters of Dinosaur N.M., which is a few miles east of the town of Dinosaur, CO (Dinosaur is located on Highway 40 just east of the Utah border). Drive north on the Harpers Corner road for north until the Echo Park Road (gravel) takes off to the right (east). Drive the Echo Park Road to a junction. Turn right at the junction and head east along the Bench Road. Follow this road to the head of Red Rocks Canyon and Park. The road is sometimes too rough for passenger cars after leaving the pavement. Moderate clearance vehicles such as Subarus should do OK, but low slung cars can sometimes have problems.

Routes Overview

Approach Routes to Outlaw Park:

There are three approaches to the base of the climb that will be discussed here. See the route page for more details.

Option #1

The easiest but the longest of the three approach routes is the one down Red Rock Canyon. Old cattle trails can be followed for much of the way down canyon to the Yampa River. Once the Yampa River is reached, you can follow more game paths down the river to Outlaw Park.

Option #2

Another route, slightly shorter than the one above is to hike cross country from the Bench Road to the big bend in the Yampa River north of the mouth of Red Rocks Canyon. You can scramble down to the river at the end of the point.

Option #3

The most direct way to the base of the climb is to head to and climb down the gully to the river. This is the most difficult route, and a very hot one when coming back out.

Option #4

Option #4 is yet another option. It is the same as option #3, but comes in from the rim to the north and is equally difficult. The advantage is the views it provides, but it is a very rugged and strenuous route.

In my opinion, the best route is option #1. See the Approach Map for more details.

Approach Routes to Outlaw Canyon:

Option #1

The Key Saddle Route is the most practical route into Outlaw Arch Canyon if you want to climb Outlaw Peak on the same trip. It is also the best route to use if you want to expore the west fork of the canyon.

Option #2

The Bighorn Sheep Couloir is another route, but ascending up the canyon wall to the east before contouring around to descend a route into the east fork of the canyon. This is the best route if you want to descend the east fork.

Canyon Descent

The Key Saddle Route into the Outlaw Canyon is reasonably easy (comparatively) once you know where it is. There is still some exposure and much scrambling. Luckily, the hardest parts of the route aren't too exposed and the exposed parts of the route aren't too hard.

The Bighorn Couloir is rugged, but easy to find and follow and you can't get lost. There is loose rock and you might question the sanity of the four legged animals that use this route to access the rimlands.

Once in the canyon, you will descend it to the river. This requires some technical downclimbing as well as rappels of natural anchors, a few of which might be intimidating. See the route page for details.

Clean Canyoneering Eithics

The canyons in this area are very pristine. Bolts and pitons are not needed to descend this canyon, and would detract from the incredibly pristine setting of this wild canyon. There are plenty natural anchors around for the technical obstacles. Try to leave as little behind as possible. This trip is certainly not for beginners; canyoneering techniques must be practiced before going on this trip.

Take care while visiting this area, because pockets of cryptobiotic soil exists in this region. Watch your step, especially in the flat areas frequented by bighorn sheep. Please use slickrock, rocks, riverbanks and sandy washes when visiting this area. Please leave as little impact as possible.

Maps (click for larger image)

Red Tape

Camping permits are required for overnight use. The area is closed to climbing from March 1 through August 15 due to Peregrine falcon nesting.

Camping

After obtaining a camping permit, you can camp anywhere 1/4 mile or more from the road. There are some nice sandy beaches accross the river from Outlaw Park and another nice one on the far western end of Outlaw Park.

Seasons

The best time of year to go is from mid-August to mid-October. To access the peak, you must wade the Yampa River, so the river must be low for this. Under 200 CFS would be ideal. Cooler weather will help on the ascent, but then the water gets cold. It was pretty hot for us in early September.

The area is closed to climbing from March 1 through August 15 due to Peregrine falcon nesting.

You can visit the lower part of the canyon (which the closure doesn't affect) using an inner tube or life jacket/floatation will increase the season to include May through mid-August, but make sure you are a strong swimmer. The river is very cold in May and June, so a wetsuit would be standard equipment for the swim.

If you have access to a raft, you may work out a trip via raft. This would be the best way to see the lower part of the canyon, but you have to get a permit in advance.

[img:240591:aligncenter:medium:Exploring Outlaw Canyon in September.]

Canyon Conditions

WEATHER FORECAST FOR DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT

See the weather charts below for a general idea on the climate. These are just averages however, as in Spring or Fall you can either roast or freeze, often on the same day!

This is a land of extremes and it is not uncommon to have the afternoon be sixty degrees warmer than in the morning. At the quarry, an average night in January is 4 degrees, and an average day in July is 95 degrees, but temperatures have been as low as -40 or as high as 110.
Weather and climate data for the Dinosaur Quarry is below. *National Weather Service Data 1958-2004.

Images

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