A fun, mostly dry canyon in the foothills between Loveland and Estes Park.

Directions To The Trailhead: From the town of Drake on Highway 34 (Big Thompson Canyon, west of Loveland and east of Estes Park), drive roughly 2.6 miles up Highway 34 to True Gulch, past the pulloff to Waltonia. At Waltonia, a passing lane appears. When the passing lane ends, the road curves to the west. On this curve is where True Gulch crosses in a tunnel under the highway. There is a large pile of dirt here, in a pulloff. Park here.

Approach And Entrance: Looking up the Big Thompson canyon, you'll see the large crag known locally as Mary's Bust. It has several unfinished bolted routes on it. The canyon drains to the right (north) of Mary's Bust. The crags to the right of the canyon are more broken.

The canyon appears as an unnamed temporary drainage on the maps. It is the next one up the road from True Gulch (0.15 miles).

Climb the steep slopes to the west of True Gulch. The steepest section is by the road. Don't hike along the rim of the technical section, rather the slopes to the north (right) of the rim. Eventually, when you pass the technical section, make your way down to the bottom of the gulch, and hike down it until you reach the top of the technical section. This point is pretty obvious when you get there - above, the stream winds through forest, then plunges 50 feet or so down a cliff. The hike to the top will take around 30 minutes, or longer if you take plenty of rests.

Description: Sling a tree (using retrievable webbing), or tie a rope to a tree using a macrame knot, and rappel in. You'll rap into a short narrow section. If the water is flowing, you'll rap beside a small, beautiful waterfall. Hike down the narrow section a short distance, over a small logjam, and over a few large boulders. Use a pinch between several boulders as a rappel anchor, and rappel down the canyon, next to a small pool that almost always is full, to safe ground. Don't get too close to the edge without setting up the rappel anchor - there are some below, but the boulders near the edge of the drop are slick, and it can be dangerous to descend to them. There are plenty of anchors 10 feet or so before the edge.

Hike and scramble down the drainage. You may need a handline in a few places, especially if water is running. If things get sketchy, you can hike to the right (south) to steep, but less technical ground. The drainage will run over open bedrock and twist around slightly. The left (north) side of the canyon is a wonderful high wall, and the right (south) is a steep slope. You will encounter two or three spots where you will boulder down at a lower 5th class level. Soon the canyon will open out in a series of cliffs. Look around for a safe way down, there are several (the least exposed being on the right, or south side of the drainage) - or rappel. Make your way to the right (south) side of the canyon, and after climbing down several benches and cliffs, keep an eye out for a log leaning against the wall, in a small slot. Climb down the log (climbing under it is safer). From here, the descent involves downclimbing a number of boulders. Occasionally a handline or short rappel may be needed, but these can easily be bypassed on the right (south). Pick the route that is safest for you and within your abilities.

Exit: Eventually you'll reach the road. Walk along the road for 0.15 miles back to True Gulch and your car.

Safety Concerns: Rocks can be slick, especially at the anchor for the second rappel. Exposed downclimbs. Belays recommended.

Permit Information: No permit required.

Nearby Rescue Resources And Agencies: Drake, Estes Park, Loveland