Dead Goat Canyon
You do not want to do this canyon unless you are planning on hiking to Cracker lake and want to add some pizzazz to an otherwise straightforward hike. Dead Goat contains a handful of optional rappels through some ancient rock. A geologist may find this route interesting, but the canyoneer? Unlikely. However, if you feel the need for a long approach and exit for just a little canyon. Dead Goat is for you. We have written up the beta for your enjoyment. A zero star canyon when dry. A one-star canyon when flowing. Do we need to say much more?
“Stats:”
Technical rating: 2/3A/C1 III*(V1A1III*)
(This canyon has been GHOSTED)
Time needed: 5 - 7 hours.
Number of rappels: 1 - 6
Number of down climbs: 1 - 6
Longest “rappel”: 100 feet
Distance round trip: 8 miles (not including Cracker Lake)
Elevation gain/loss: 1,150 feet
Significant hydraulics: None.
Special recommendations: None.
Season: Whenever it is accessible (May - November)
Getting there:
Go to Many Glacier. Have fun.
Okay, okay. Fine.
From West Glacier: Cruise onto Going to the Sun Road (Glacier route 1 road) and follow it over Logans Pass and next to the great Saint Mary’s Lake. Enjoy the views, you follow this road for about 37 miles to the bustling town of Saint Marys.
From Saint Marys junction, take a left onto highway 89 and follow it a couple miles until you reach Babb Montana.
At the usual intersection, take a left from 89 and onto Route 3. Follow the road until it becomes dirt.
Turn off into the Swiftwater Hotel parking. Go to the BIG car lot so you do not get towed. From here your trailhead is on the south end of the parking lot.
The approach:
Start up the Cracker lake trailhead and begin your horse fly march. After 4 miles and many feet of elevation you will come across a bridge that crosses Canyon Creek.
Cross the creek and to your left will be a creek bed coming from the mountain above. This is your ticket. If you find flow here, time to bring your A game, the canyon will likely be all rappels and very pushy. Luckily nothing is mandatory.
Take the left ridge on the side of the creek. Climb 400 feet until you reach a overhung waterfall at: 48.76850, -113.61659.
Suit up. You will have to build all of your anchors.
The “fun” part:
The canyon is all rapid fire rappels. The first being the hardest and the only real rappel.
Rappel 1 (30 feet from a tree of your choosing): Go down the drop. Midway down you’ll encounter a crumbling overhand, be mindful of knocking stuff down on your teammates.
Walk about 50 feet.
Rappel 2 (100ish feet from a Carin anchor you’ll likely have to build): Rappel down into the V shaped funnel. In high flow this will have to be rappelled. If dry, down climbing will prove acceptable. It is a pretty slabby “drop”.
Walk 50 feet.
Rappel 3 (20 feet from a boulder DCR): You’ll need to use a rope sheath for this rappel. We used tubular webbing. Rappel down the watercourse. This drop will be impassible in flow without a rope.
Walk 50ish feet
Rappel 4 (40 feet from a tree DCL or DCR): This is a more serious rappel. Rappel watercourse down the steep slab and into a pit filled with boulders. In high flow this drop may prove spooky.
Walk a little ways.
Rappel 5 (20 feet from a tree DCR): rappel down the drop and into a little grotto with beautiful vegetation.
The rest of the canyon is down climbing, though in flow you will likely need to do 2-3 more rappels to 30ish feet. Do not underestimate these drops. Even in dry conditions they proved a little tricky. The rock here on out is also very interesting, the canyoneer will find twisty bedrock. The geologist will find folded foliated layers among some of the oldest rock in the world. Cool I guess? Also you may find a goat skull… how forbidding?
The canyon will quickly become boulder hopping. Follow it until you reach your bridge. You are done!
The exit:
Either go up to Cracker Lake or hike the 4 miles back to you car. Enjoy your second dosage of horse flies.
