Muir Valley / The Great Wall Location

Post by **bcombs** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:53 pm

Hello All,

A friend and I went to Muir Valley yesterday and had a great time climbing in the new areas. This was our first trip to this area.

We found Rebel Branch Hollow and Joe Ponder Branch Hollow just fine. We also wanted to go to The Great Wall, but we were a little confused by the directions. In order to get to The Great Wall do you need to pass the first parking area and go to the next one on the left and go down from there?

Thanks!

Brad

Post by **chriss** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:56 pm

In order to get to The Great Wall do you need to pass the first parking area and go to the next one on the left and go down from there?

YES. Park in the next parking area. Follow the trail all the way down, cross a creek and head up left. Once you get to the wall follow it all the way around to the left.

Post by **Spoonman** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 5:50 am

Two approaches from second P-lot. Check out on-line guide. Canyon floor will be a bit easier.

Post by **busty** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 2:41 pm

Its fairly muddy getting in and out of the value right now, so expect to get a little dirty. Watch out for falling ice around the cliffs. We saw and heard huge chunks falling on Thursday.

Post by **bcombs** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 3:07 pm

Thanks for the information, I'll try going the Canyon Floor route you mentioned Spoonman.

Yep, the ice was bad on Wednesday too. We were climbing a mixed route at Rebel Branch Hollow and the little gully next door was spitting out chunks of ice as big as bowling balls. My dog was almost taken out.

Thanks again!

Brad

Post by **Roentgen Ray** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:59 am

Look out for rock fall as well. This time of year when it's wet and temps fluctuate b/t freezing and melting lots of rocks become loosened. At Foster Falls a couple of years ago, a chunk of rock about the size of a computer monitor fell off a route and wedged up against a tree, landing exactly where the belayer would normally stand. Luckily, it happened when no one was around.

Post by **weber** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 4:59 pm

Check out our new posting "Ice Fall in Muir Valley."

Liz and I were in the Valley last week taking advantage of the unusually warm weather to explore new areas. The winter scenery was breathtaking, but a bit scary at times.

Be careful of that "INCOMING!!!" icefall from above. Falling chunks the size of bathtubs. Honestly.

The advice offered in this thread to access the Great Wall was good, however... There is a photo of this area included in the "Ice Fall..." posting that shows big ice above the climbs where it cannot be seen from below. When I took this photo, there were people climbing below.

This time of year in the Valley, please be absolutely sure there is no ice above your head when climbing.

Please, no ice climbing in the Valley. In the future there may be some toprope protected ice routes established. This is a beautiful area, but it ain't Ouray!

One final advisory note: Please use the parking lots and access trails shown on the maps at our website: www.muirvalley.com The gate combo is 13-3-37 (then,push the button). Do not attempt to take the steep road down from KY 715 in Rogers. It is impassable, dangerous, and closed.

Rick

Post by **J-Rock** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 4:09 am

This year several signs will be added at numerous trailheads and junctions to help locate various hollows and climbing areas... also the maps will be updated with new trails, wall locations, etc. it is already in the works...