In The Shadow of Longs Peak
Little Holes Canyon
28 April 2005
Dave and Ginni arrived on Thursday Morning. The plan was to do the Little Holes Hike, from top to bottom. Dave Barnes, Gary and I had done this delightful canyon three years ago – on my first trip out here. Follow the directions in Steve Allen’s guidebook. The climbing and hiking are easy to start, with a few spots where the dogs needed help. Maybe after 20 minutes or so, we hit a the first more significant drop, which seemed to be essentially a 3rd class down climb. We can see a body of water, though no telling how long or deep, so I probe. It ended up being only knee deep and about 15 feet long. The last time we did this, there was water, but we could easily side step it so not even wading was required. This is not a good sign but we press on. We put our shoes and socks back on and hike a bit more. Next obstacle: another 3rd class down climb. There is water immediately, but we are able to skirt it, at least till the ledge runs out where we stop to remove out shoes and socks again. Dave Barnes now presses on. Shoes and socks go in the packs. The water is ankle deep then knee deep then up to our waist. But there is not much further to go and we all manage. Not too much further is another pool but this one only thigh high. Next is the big pool – this was the hardest to side-step last time. This time, there is no side stepping. And even if we swim it, what lays ahead? We know there is another big drop coming – the one where we will need to lower the dogs. If we go past the drop and need to return will we be able to get everyone back up the drop?
Dave Copper does a test, touches bottom and returns. Gary swims then continues down the canyon without shoes and just skivvies. Finds the big drop but the bigger unknown is what lies ahead. In the meantime, thunderheads are building. We bail, turn around, find a place to climb out and return to the car via the rim.
The final outcome: Don’t do this one after a wet fall or winter. Or be prepared to swim.