Canyon (Canyoneer) Montana

LITTLE GREEN CANYON

Introduction:

Within the greenery of the Boulder River, one drainage withholds its technical difficulty in turn for its beauty. While not as thrilling as its neighboring counterparts, Little Green Canyon is just that. Very green. Its banks outline with thick layers of moss, only seen in even the most wet PNW drainages. This canyon holds a couple drops and has a fair amount of pay to it. Just when the fun starts, the canyon unfortunately terminates. However, it does bring difficulty other canyons don’t, and that’s avoiding its vegetation. It’s a cold drainage year-round. Very cold, yet its greenery brings a warmth unlike any other. If you choose to do this canyon, bring bolts and avoid stepping on the moss at all costs. Few places in Montana look so emerald.

Stats:

Technical rating: 4C2 III (V3A2II*)

(Technical rating will drop from a 4 to a 3 when anchors are placed, this canyon has been GHOSTED)

Time needed: 4 - 6 hours.

Number of rappels: 4

Number of downclimbs: 0

Longest rappel: 120 feet

Distance round trip: 2.64

Elevation gain/loss: 979 feet

Significant hydraulics: None

Special recommendations: Expect cold water, avoid moss.

Season: July - September

Getting there:

From Livingston: Get onto highway I-90 E, for 29 miles until you reach the town of Big Timber.

Take exit 367 off highway I-90 E and under the overpass, take a right to go into the town of Big Timber.

Once you take a right you are now on highway US-191. Follow this until you reach Big Timber’s McLeod Street.

Once at McLeod Street follow until the street turns to highway 298. Follow this highway for another 25.7 miles.

Enjoy the beautiful farm and ranch land.

Eventually you will reach natural bridge falls picnic area, here the road turns into a fairly well maintained dirt road.

Follow the dirt road 5.1 miles, here you will go past a ranger station on your right, wave as you go by.

Eventually there will be a bridge that the road uses to cross the boulder river. Cross the river passing by the falls creek trailhead, and follow the road another 3.4 Miles until you reach the coordinates 45.44884, -110.19355. Here there is no real parking. Just turn around and park on the back of the road. Across from you is a campground and the boulder river. If you car feels out of place, then you are in the right place. Just try to pull off the road the best you can. Here there is a trail for horses. It starts in the tall dead grass and is hard to find, but about 100 feet up you’ll find the trail is actually in really good condition. I assume its just locals trying to keep the trail hidden.

The approach:

Wahoo, the approach. Once you get on the horse trail, you will follow it for .83 miles. You will have a couple creek crossings however you will eventually get to a creek crossing with an old broken-down bridge. You are now crossing the creek you are about to descend. Do not walk on the bridge, it’s a relic of the past and will probably hurt you.

Cross the creek onto the path and walk about 30 more feet. The trail splits and take a left. Follow up the path about 100 feet and there is a washed-out section. Here the trail actually splits, it may not look like it, but it does. Take a LEFT. Do not continue up the drainage. It won’t get you where you want to be. Once on the left break. Enjoy the elevation gain. Follow the trail another .1 mile until you reach a point where the trail takes a hard left up the mountain, and to your right you can see down into the drainage. It’s time to get off trail (45.46064, -110.18584) and cross a scree field. Be very careful. It is really easy to take a fall here, and doing so would not be pretty. Cross the loose slope for about 200 feet, crossing over a ridge and then slide down the scree field into the drainage. You’re in it now.

The fun part:

Its time to suit up, this water is really cold, so you better have brought neoprene socks.

About 40 feet from your suit up spot, is the first rappel.

Rappel 1 (20 feet): DCR there is a tree right at the drop, rig the tree and rappel.

Walk in the creek bed for about 40 more feet, where you will find the water drop away again. Between you and the drop however is a fallen log. If the flow is low enough, go under it. It’s fun. From there a bolt should be place DCL, however you can rig one of the trees, please avoid the moss once again.

Rappel 2 (35 feet): Rappel DCL, this rappel can be skipped by downclimbing DCR, but once again be very careful of the vegetation.

Take a stroll further down canyon and enjoy the sights, soon the moss will grow thick on the embankments, move your way down until the water drops away for a third time. Here a bolt should be placed to break this rappel up into two. However, slinging a tree DCL is possible until you get to the second drop, then a bolt is a good idea for your pull.

Rappel 3 (120 feet): Anchor off something DCL, it could be a tree, or ideally bolts you brought. If you brought bolts, please break this rappel into to. Rappel 20 feet, to the second stage of the drop and re-bolt right before it. It will help the plant life. Go off the second stage and down a long slabby rappel. Fun!

Walk 20 feet, you are at the final rappel.

Rappel 4 (120 feet): This rappel should also be broken up into two rappels, however, if you didn’t bring bolts you have to do it in one. Rig a tree DCL and rappel to the first, ledge. If you have bolts, set them here. If not, rappel the rest of the way down and hope the pull goes well.

Hey, you’re done and in a nice grotto!