Canyoneering Route Description

Shoestring Canyon - 3A III
Death Valley National Park, California.

Quick Facts

11-20-10, 6 people, 1 Day (Travel time in route 9.75 hours)

Time Required - 9 to 10 hours
Distance - 7 miles Total, 3.8 miles Technical
Rappels - 11Rappels, Longest Rappel 140 feet.
Elevation Range - 5300 - -220 feet below sea level
Shuttle Required -Yes 51.8 Miles (half paved half dirt)  Vehicle - High Clearance (4WD if roads are bad) Permit Required - No

Gear Used for Canyon

Rappelling and anchor gear, Ropes and or pull cords for rappels up to 140 feet and 75 feet of 1 inch webbing for sling placement.

General Comments

ATTENTION!!
Death Valley is considering a new permit system in response to the impact of the growing popularity of Canyoneering.
Lets continue to show the park just how respectful we can be to our environment.

Specific issues the park is concerned about:
1. Anchors: Bolting is Illegal in Death Valley National Park! Do Not Add Bolts. Natural anchor options are abundant.
Recent illegal bolts have popped up in Helios and Rainbow Canyons.
2. Poop: Dig a cathole at least 6 inches deep and 200 yards from any water source or campsite. Pack out all toilet paper.
3. Collecting fire wood is illegal, just don't do it!

Other basics:
Avoid walking in water when possible (Willow Canyon, etc). Hike on durable surfaces and previously worn paths (avoid trampling vegetation or fragile soil crusts). Pack out all trash including organic material (including seed shells, apple cores, orange peels, etc). More info can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backcamp.htm

Lets keep this wonderful resource pristine so that we may continue to enjoy the canyons with limited regulations!

Rick Kent and crew had a different name in mind when doing the first descent of Shoestring Canyon.  Near the beginning of the second half of the canyon there is an inscription carved in the wall that reads Shoestring.  The inscription is deep and has been there for a very long time so they adopted it as the name of the canyon.  

From the bottom of rap 6 down to almost rap 10, travel is very annoying since the canyon is full of large rubble like rock that rocks under your feet constantly.  This close to mile long stretch detracted from the fun of the canyon.  

The upper portion of the canyon is not overly interesting but the bottom half is made fun by mixing a few down climbs in with seeing some of the old stuff the miner used to climb up this canyon.  Well I assume it was miners but the rebar and stick ladders have been there for quite some time.

Driving Directions

To get to the Trailhead

From the Bad Water parking lot drive south on highway 178 approximately 48.1 miles to a turn off on the left (north west) to a dirt road (ExtFrnCk-178).  The turn off will have a sign saying Furnace Creek Wash Road (on some maps this is labeled as Greenwater Valley Road). 

Note:
Shortly before reaching the turn off will be another turn off with the same name to the right, note this is not the one you want.

After turning left onto the dirt road drive north west 10.6 miles to a junction with another dirt road (ExtTwrdGoldVly) and turn left onto the this dirt road.   

Drive another 2.5 miles to a fork in the road (ExtGoldValley1) and continue left. 
Drive another 5.2 miles to another fork (ExtGoldValley2) and continue right. 
Drive another 3.0 miles to another fork (ExtGoldValley3) and turn left. 
Drive another 1.5 miles to any spot you find convenient to pull off the side of the road (tBlckSmithCyns).  This trail head can be used for a few canyons starting from the Smith Mountain area.

Optionally you can turn left at ExtGoldValley2 then right at the next road junction then on to the spot to park.  This will save about 2.7 miles but involves slightly rougher road.

To leave the Exit Vehicle / Escape Pod

From the Badwater parking lot, drive south on highway 178 approximately 19.3 miles and pull over to the side of the road where convenient (pkShoestringBt).  There are no designated parking areas just find a spot you feel comfortable with.

Maps

GPS coordinate information listed at the bottom.  For information about waypoint naming and map symbols, refer to the Glossary page.

Click the links for maps of the route. Map of the entire route and drive into the route.
Map of the canyon route.

Details

The Approach:
From the trailhead (tBlckSmithCyns), travel due west along the relatively flat floor of Gold Valley.

After about 1.1 miles there is a large flat rock (wBlckSmthRP-01).  This rock is near the mouth of the canyon that has to be ascended as part of the approach.  The rock is about waist high and perfect for setting packs on for a quick break. From the rock, continue west up the canyon ahead. Once in the canyon the route becomes steeper with more rocks to maneuver around.

A little over a half mile up the canyon, is a large rock fall area(wBlckSmthRP-02).  The rock fall is bypassed by climbing high on the left side of the canyon to get up and around the rock fall.  Drop back to the canyon floor about 500 feet up canyon of the rock fall.

When you get back down to the canyon floor above the rock fall area, continue up canyon staying right at the forks and follow up the more wide open drainage.  On maps this will be slightly right (north) of the line drawn to show the watercourse.  Continue up canyon another 0.4 miles to where it tops out on a saddle (wBlckSmthRP-03).  From this saddle is a great view of the top of Shoestring Canyon to the west and Telescope Peak (looks good when snow covered) way off in the distance.

From the top of the canyon on the saddle (wBlckSmthRP-03), turn right (north west) and walk down the slope toward Shoestring Canyon.  The head of Shoestring Canyon is about 0.5 miles.  You will end up following a smaller side drainage on the way down to the main drainage for Shoestring Canyon (yShoeStringTp).

The Canyoneering / Technical Section:
Once in the main drainage for Shoestring Canyon (yShoeStringTp), walk down the wide open wash for about 0.4 miles to the top of rap 1.  

Rap 1 (dShoeStrR1) is anchored LDC by a large rock and drops about 90 feet with a couple short spots of free hang.  Rap 1 has a lot of loose rock so be careful not to knock it down on people below.  The rock is also sharp and care should be taken as you rappel so you don’t damage the rope by improper placement or dragging it over sharp edges.  

Down canyon of rap 1 the canyon is still wide open and easy walking.  A little over 1.0 miles down canyon after rap 1 the canyon starts to narrow up just a little.  Shortly after narrowing up there will be a series of drops to down climb (wShoeStr-RP-01).  

The series of down climbs (wShoeStr-RP-01) is a series of about 5 down climbs ranging from 15 to 35 feet.  Most of it is pretty simple with great hand and foot holds.  There are a couple spots where weaker down climbers may want a hand line for some added safety.  Shortly down canyon of the series of down climbs is one more that can be down climbed LDC under a boulder.  

After the down climbs is more easy wash walking for about 0.3 miles and a couple scrambles down some long sections of gently sloped white rock.  

Rap 2 (dShoeStrR2) is about 1.7 miles down canyon of rap 1.  Rap 2 starts down a sloped flute that then turns almost vertical, then a very short section of free hang before walking down another flute.  

About 200 feet down canyon of rap 2 is a down climb of about 15 feet then another 15 foot down climb of about 15 feet also.  Each of these down climbs is able to be down climbed by stemming down but the second one will be difficult for short people.  Just after these two down climbs is the top of rap 3.  

Rap 3 (dShoeStrR3) is a little over 300 feet down canyon of rap 2.  Rap 3 is anchored from a rock horn sticking up out of the wash on the RDC side.  The horn meets the canyon wall under a ledge and creates a pinch point to keep the webbing from rolling off.  Rap 3 is about 45 feet with the first half being down climable.  

Down canyon of rap 3 is easy wash walking and a few sections of drops to down climb.  Each of the down climbs are easy 6 to 8 foot drops that require only light scrambling.  

Rap 4 (dShoeStrR4) is about 650 feet down canyon of rap 3.  Rap 4 is anchored from a cairn anchor in the center of the wash from a stone embedded in the wash about 15 feet back and drops about 25 feet.  

Down canyon of rap 4 is some wash walking and more down climbs of 6 to 12 feet each with moderate difficulty.  

About 300 feet down canyon of rap 4 is a drop of about 40 feet that looks a lot harder than it is (wShoeStr-RP-02).  The first half of the drop is down climbed down the water course.  To get down the second half traverse over to the LDC side and climb down a section that resembles a chute.  This down climb is not as bad as it looks but weaker down climbers will not want to do this without rope.  At the bottom of the down climb are some foot ball shaped pockets in the rock.  They almost look like egg shaped pockets of rock.  About 200 feet down canyon and a short down climb will get you to the top of rap 5.  

Rap 5 (dShoeStrR5) is about 500 feet down canyon of rap 4.  Rap 5 is anchored from a cairn anchor and drops about 80 feet.  From the top of Rap 5 you have a view of the very wide open canyon below and a view out to the road in the distance.  

After rap 5 are a few drops that are easily bypassed by climbing around LDC then scramble down to the top of rap 6.  

Rap 6 (dShoeStrR6) is about 350 feet down canyon of rap 5.  Rap 6 is anchored from a rock feature up canyon about 40 feet.  Rap 6 drops over a series of ledges of very colorful rock with a total drop of about 140 feet.  Take time to look at the very colorful rock along rap 6.  

Optionally rap 6 can be bypassed by scrambling up and around LDC then working your way down a tall scree pile.  

After rap 6 work down the semi steep slope to the wash below.  You can get down RDC or LDC but both involve traveling over rock that is like large rubble, everywhere.  Travel in the wash below rap 6 is frustrating since it is full of loose rock that is more like large rubble and rolls under your feet constantly.  This goes on for about 0.3 miles all the way to rap 7.  The only break from the rubble walking is a couple short down climbs.  

Rap 7 (dShoeStrR7) is about 0.3 miles down canyon of rap 6.  There is a down climb of about 8 feet do get down to the top of Rap 7 which people with little upper body strength will not like.  Rap 7 is anchored from a rock near the top of the drop and drops down a couple of ledges with a total drop of about 70 feet.  

Down canyon of rap 7 is more rubble to deal with but soon gives way to wide open wash walking.  

Rap 8 (dShoeStrR8) is about 0.4 miles down canyon of rap 7.  Rap 8 is anchored from a rock embedded in the wash and drops about 40 feet.  Rap 8 looks down climbable but is not recommended since the rock is very loose and breakable.  

Rap 9 (dShoeStrR9) is about 250 feet down canyon of rap 8.  Rap 9 is anchored from a cairn style anchor and drops about 125 feet.  Half way down rap 9 is a ledge to break up the drop.  

After rap 9 is easy wash walking for about 0.2 miles to a series of small drops to be scrambled down.  After the short down climbs is more wash walking for about 0.2 miles to where the canyon begins to get narrow again.  Just after the canyon begins to narrow will be the top of rap 10.  

Rap 10 (dShoeStrR10) is about 0.4 miles down canyon of rap 9.  Rap 10 is anchored from rocks piled near the top of the drop and uses about 80 feet of rope travel as it drops over 2 drops of about 15 feet each with a long horizontal mid section.  After the two drops for rap 10 is another drop that is easily scrambled down.  

At the top of rap 10 there are some interesting items pounded into the walls from back in the mining days of Death Valley.  From the top of rap 10 down to the mouth of the canyon keep an eye out for interesting things like rebar, nails and ladders made of sticks and bailing wire.  

About 700 feet down canyon of rap 10 is a drop of about 50 feet (wShoeStr-RP-03).  Get down this drop by climbing under the huge boulder in the middle of the wash.  Climb down through the hole under it on the RDC side for an easy scramble down to the wash below.  

Continuing down canyon is easy wash walking and a few easy scrambling down climbs.  About 250 feet after going under the boulder is a down climb of about 25 feet that could be difficult with the last 12 feet steep with few hand holds.  An easy way down is to climb up and around LDC then walk down a pretty gentle sloped ridge along a ledge back to the floor.  This option isn’t as obvious until you are at the bottom so you may miss it and look back to notice what you could have done.  

Just down canyon of this drop is another drop to down climb.  On the LDC side of the drop look for an old ladder made from wire and sticks then held up by a piece of rebar nailed in to the wall!  Near the bottom of the ladder is rap 11.  

Rap 11 (dShoeStrR11) is a little over 400 feet down canyon of the boulder that was climbed under.  Rap 11 is anchored from a rock embedded in the wash about 10 feet back and drops about 45 feet.  

About 275 feet after rap 11 the canyon opens up onto the alluvial fan (yShoeStringBt).

The Exit:
Once on the alluvial fan (yShoeStringBt) walk about 0.6 miles west to the road where you left the exit vehicle (pkShoestringBt).

GPS Waypoint Information

Click to show / expand the list of waypoints below........

Shoestring 1 - Drive to Exit Vehicle Parking

sBadWater282          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.23001   W -116.76791        Elev: -282 Feet Sign at Bad Water Stating 282 feet below sea level extWillowPkBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.06770   W -116.74806        Elev: -263 Feet Exit to the parking area for the bottom of Willow Canyon. MormonPntSign          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.05564   W -116.76533        Elev: -306 Feet Sign on the side of the road for Mormon Point. pkShoestringBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.01182   W -116.74807        Elev: -220 Feet Park the exit vehicle here for Shoestring Canyon.

Shoestring 2 - Drive into Trailhead

extFrnCk-178          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 35.96640   W -116.36372        Elev: 2,100 Feet Hwy 178 and Furnace Creek Wash Rd extTwrdGoldVly          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.05575   W -116.50741        Elev: 3,090 Feet Turn off of Furnace Creek Wash road (Greenwater Valley road) toward Gold Valley. extGoldValley1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.05790   W -116.55112        Elev: NaN Feet Turn left here to go toward Gold Valley, Black Smith trailhead or Willow Canyon trailhead. extGoldValley2          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02142   W -116.62266        Elev: 4,243 Feet Turn right here to go toward Gold Valley, Black Smith trailhead or Willow Canyon trailhead. Left is shorter to Black Smith TH but rougher. extGoldValley3          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.04561   W -116.65862        Elev: NaN Feet Turn right here to go toward Willow Canyon. Turn left to go to Black Smith trailhead. tBlckSmithCyns          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02642   W -116.64468        Elev: 3,813 Feet Spot to pull over along the dirt road. This is the start trailhead for some of the canyons in the Smith Mountain area named with the Black Smith Theme.

Shoestring 3 - Approach

tBlckSmithCyns          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02642   W -116.64468        Elev: 3,813 Feet Spot to pull over along the dirt road. This is the start trailhead for some of the canyons in the Smith Mountain area named with the Black Smith Theme. wBlckSmthRP-01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02573   W -116.66427        Elev: 4,125 Feet A large flat rock about waist high to set packs etc on. Makes a good break spot before ascending the canyon to the saddle. wBlckSmthRP-02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02417   W -116.67476        Elev: NaN Feet This is the bottom of a rock fall area. Climb high on the left side as you ascend to bypass the rock fall. Drop back to the canyon floor about 500 feet up canyon. wBlckSmthRP-03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02175   W -116.68098        Elev: 5,320 Feet Saddle at the top of the canyon. To the west is a good view of the start of Shoestring Canyon. Telescope Peak looks good way off in the distance looking beyond Shoestring. yShoeStringTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02683   W -116.68632        Elev: 5,015 Feet Top entry of Shoestring Canyon. This is in the main drainage where all the side drainages begin to merge.

Shoestring 4 - The Canyon and Exit

yShoeStringTp          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02683   W -116.68632        Elev: 5,015 Feet Top entry of Shoestring Canyon. This is in the main drainage where all the side drainages begin to merge. dShoeStrR1          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02515   W -116.69286        Elev: 4,770 Feet Rap 1 - Shoestring Canyon. Ancorded LDC from a large rock debris and drops about 90 feet. wShoeStr-RP-01          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02313   W -116.71262        Elev: 3,870 Feet This is in the middle of a series of about 5 down climbs. Weak down climbers may want an occasional hand line. dShoeStrR2          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02414   W -116.71652        Elev: 3,435 Feet Rap 2 - Shoestring. Anchored from a deadman anchor about 15 feet back from the top and drops about 120 feet. With a very short spot of over hang as you drop out of one flute and start down another. dShoeStrR3          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02416   W -116.71765        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 3 - Shoestring Canyon. Anchored from rock horn LDC protruding up from wash floor to teh canyon wall and drops about 45 feet. dShoeStrR4          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02426   W -116.71970        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 4 - Shoestring Canyon. Drops about 25 feet and is anchored from rock embedded in the wash about 15 feet back. wShoeStr-RP-02          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02427   W -116.72079        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 40 feet that looks more difficult than it is. Down climb the first half in the water course then traverse up and over LDC to scrable down what almost feels like a chute. dShoeStrR5          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02423   W -116.72140        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 5 - Shoestring Canyon. Drops about 80 feet and is anchored from a cairn anchor. dShoeStrR6          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02416   W -116.72254        Elev: 2,640 Feet Rap 6 - Shoestring Canyon. Drops about 140 feet over a series of ledge with very colorful rock. Rap 6 can be bypassed via a scree pile RDC. dShoeStrR7          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.02312   W -116.72644        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 7 - Shoestring Canyon. Anchored from a rock near the top of the drop and drops over 2 stages a total of about 70 feet. dShoeStrR8          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.01893   W -116.73021        Elev: 1,400 Feet Rap 8 - Shoestring Canyon. Anchored from rock embedded in the wash and drops about 40 feet. dShoeStrR9          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.01826   W -116.73025        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 9 - Shoestring Canyon. Anchored from cairn style anchor and drops about 125 feet with a ledge half way down. dShoeStrR10          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.01415   W -116.73474        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 10 - Shoestring Canyon. Anchored from rocks at the top of the drop and drops over two drops of about 15 feet each with a long horizontal section between using a total of about 80 feet of rope travel. wShoeStr-RP-03          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.01249   W -116.73564        Elev: NaN Feet Drop of about 50 feet. Get down the drop by climbing down through a hole under the boulder on the RDC side for an easy scramble down to the wash below. dShoeStrR11          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.01214   W -116.73698        Elev: NaN Feet Rap 11 - Shoestring Canyon. Anchored from a rock embedded in the wash and drops about 45 feet. yShoeStringBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.01172   W -116.73775        Elev: 180 Feet Bottom exit of Shoestring Canyon where it opens up onto the alluvial fan. pkShoestringBt          Lat/Lon (WGS84):  N 36.01182   W -116.74807        Elev: -220 Feet Park the exit vehicle here for Shoestring Canyon.