Spur Canyon
verified
ACA 3B
Moderate flood risk
Lovell, WY
Half day limestone canyon in an unexpected location on the Wyoming Montana border. Four short rappels and a cave exit.
First descended by Jeff Baird in the early 2000s. The optional one mile shuttle saves an uphill exit road walk. Rattlesnakes present spring through fall. Cell coverage nonexistent; the access road from Lovell is rough and washboarded.
Logistics
| Manager | NPS Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area |
|---|---|
| Permit | No canyoneering permit required. No entrance fee for Bighorn Canyon NRA. Seasonal closure Dec 1 to Apr 30 for wildlife (bighorn sheep lambing). |
| Distance | 3.4 RT |
| Elevation | ~530 ft loss on approach, ~385 ft loss in canyon, ~900 ft gain on exit |
| Time | 3 hr |
| Technical | Grade 3B II (v3a2 II). 3 to 5 rappels max 55 ft. Four named drops: 30 ft, 55 ft, 40 ft, 35 ft. Limestone narrows. Multiple wading pools up to waist deep. Cave exit with 4th class climbing to escape above the formation. Log jams in the lower canyon depending on year. |
| Season | May-Oct (closed Dec 1 to Apr 30) |
| Flood risk | Moderate. Depends on Bighorn Lake water levels and recent rain in the upper basin. Lake backup can flood the lower exit; check NPS pool levels before going. |
| Vehicle access | 4WD/HC required for trailhead approach |
| Crowd | Solitude likely |
| Coordinates | 44.9723, -108.2198 |