I'm putting together a trip report on Fern Canyon; the one to the immediate north of Mescalito. When I was up there, I saw somebody's sleeping bag on a rock near the creek-bed. They can camp near the rappeling/climbing area with a BLM permit??? Just curious ... it's an awesome spot to climb! - Larry of AZ
I don't think you can bivy in the Fern Canyon. But just for example if you called the ranger and said I will do the complete 14 pitches of Dark Shadows and I am concerned about getting back before the closure, they might do something for you. The rangers are nice guys and if you propose reasonable things to them, they will try to accomodate you. I have done couple of long climbs in Red Rocks recently and was allowed to bivi. They might have taken a pitty on an old man, but they were nice and helpful, everything was legal and we had a good time.
They make distinctions between climbing couple pitches and climbing 15 pitches up a remote canyon with long return back to your car. Obviously, the longer the route anf the farther in the Red Rocks it is, the better the chances of getting extentions and bivi permits.
Thanks ... I'm not a rock climber, but I see what you're talking about. It would be better to error on the side of caution by consulting with a ranger, being the Visitor Center is right there as you drive into the place. It all makes sense.
14 to 15 pitches for Dark Shadows??? That's an awesome amount of pitches; but then, Mescalito is an awesome pyramid of a rock!!! Is Joe Herbst still climbing in the Red Rocks? Regards... thanks for the information!!! - Larry
lcarreau - Mar 11, 2008 10:52 pm - Voted 10/10
Great page...I'm putting together a trip report on Fern Canyon; the one to the immediate north of Mescalito. When I was up there, I saw somebody's sleeping bag on a rock near the creek-bed. They can camp near the rappeling/climbing area with a BLM permit??? Just curious ... it's an awesome spot to climb! - Larry of AZ
asmrz - Mar 12, 2008 5:55 pm - Hasn't voted
Re Fern CanyonI don't think you can bivy in the Fern Canyon. But just for example if you called the ranger and said I will do the complete 14 pitches of Dark Shadows and I am concerned about getting back before the closure, they might do something for you. The rangers are nice guys and if you propose reasonable things to them, they will try to accomodate you. I have done couple of long climbs in Red Rocks recently and was allowed to bivi. They might have taken a pitty on an old man, but they were nice and helpful, everything was legal and we had a good time.
They make distinctions between climbing couple pitches and climbing 15 pitches up a remote canyon with long return back to your car. Obviously, the longer the route anf the farther in the Red Rocks it is, the better the chances of getting extentions and bivi permits.
lcarreau - Mar 13, 2008 10:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Re Fern CanyonThanks ... I'm not a rock climber, but I see what you're talking about. It would be better to error on the side of caution by consulting with a ranger, being the Visitor Center is right there as you drive into the place. It all makes sense.
14 to 15 pitches for Dark Shadows??? That's an awesome amount of pitches; but then, Mescalito is an awesome pyramid of a rock!!! Is Joe Herbst still climbing in the Red Rocks? Regards... thanks for the information!!! - Larry