I.W.M.M. (Leavitt Falls)

I.W.M.M. (Leavitt Falls)
Rating: 4C R II *****
Time: 5-6 hours
Season: Low: July-Sept Norm: Aug-Sept High: Sept
(Maybe)
Number of Raps: 4
Longest Rap: ~115ft
Gear: 2x 200ft rope, 100ft webbing, 4 rapides, wetsuit,
neoprene gloves, technical canyoneering gear
Rubber: At least 4mm/3mm. 5mm or more recommended
under most conditions. The water is very cold!
Hazards: This is a white water canyon. You MUST check
the flow in the canyon before committing (see
description). Dealing with the flow requires solid swift
water canyoneering technique. Be prepared to use
guided rappels to overcome dangerous waterfalls and
difficult hydraulics. There is also some rock fall hazard in
the middle section of this canyon.
Introduction:
I.W.M.M. is a serious swift water canyon that holds
many technical challenges for the experienced
canyoneer. Set in the High Sierra, I.W.M.M.’s
challenge is matched by its spectacular beauty.
During a descent of I.W.M.M. you will be pummeled
by intense waterfalls, challenged to avoid dangerous
hydraulics and treated to some really magnificent High
Sierra views. The technical section of I.W.M.M. is
relatively short but the challenges are real. Solid
leadership with a good understanding of swift water
canyoneering is a must. This is no place for
beginners!
All the water in I.W.M.M. flows naturally through the
canyon. In a normal year, all this water flows through
I.W.M.M. in spectacular fashion for most of the
summer. It is a an awe-inspiring site to look at the
canyon in this condition but it would be very
dangerous to attempt a descent under high flow.
Depending on the snowpack, the flow through
I.W.M.M. will subside somewhat during mid to late
summer, opening a window for descents. In big snow
years this window may never open. Pushing the limits
in I.W.M.M. is a very dangerous proposition and
cannot be recommended in any way.
Driving Directions:
From Sonora Pass on CA-108 in the High Sierra,
travel east 5.9 miles and park at a pullout on the south
side of the road that is located just before CA-108
starts to head steeply downhill and next to a “12%
downhill grade” sign. This is the upper trailhead. The
pullout is big enough for 2-3 cars. There is also a short
driveway adjacent to the pullout but this driveway has
Vehicle: Passenger car
Car Shuttle: About 1.4mi
Approach: 1/8mi
Exit: 1.25mi
Good Eats: Casa Michaela Mexican restaurant In
Bridgeport, ice cream bars and beer at the Kennedy
Meadows Pack Station
Camping: The Leavitt Meadows Campground has nice
riverside sites. There is dispersed camping at Leavitt
Lake but access requires a high clearance 2WD vehicle.
deep sandy soil and can easily stick a car that is not
4WD.
To reach the lower trailhead, continue east 1.4 miles
on CA-108 steeply downhill past switchbacks to a
large parking area on the north side of the road that is
across the street from the Leavitt Meadows Pack
Station.
Approach:
Flow Check: Before attempting a descent of I.W.M.M.
it is important to check the flow to make sure that it is
not too high. This is best done from a viewing platform
that can be accessed between the upper and lower
trailheads. You will find this platform at a turnout with
a sign for the “Leavitt Falls Vista.” From the
viewing platform most of the route is on display before
you. Note the second to last falls. The watercourse
splits at the top of this 80-foot tall falls, going around
either side of a large spire. If water is flowing around
both sides of the spire, the flow is too high and a
descent should not be attempted. If water is only
flowing around the right side of the spire (LUC) then
the flow MAY be low enough and it is worth hiking to
the drop-in point of the canyon for a look. If you like
what you see then return to the upper trailhead.
From the short driveway at the upper trailhead, head
south following a lateral ridge. As you reach the end of
the ridge start to descend southwest off of the ridge
and down towards Leavitt Creek. Make your way
down to the creek, find a passage through the brush
and walk the creek downstream a short way to the top
of the first falls in I.W.M.M..
This route description is licensed under a Creative Commons license,
some rights reserved. (See www.sierracanyons.org for more information)
Canyon:
Before committing to a descent of I.W.M.M. seriously
consider the flow you see going over the first falls. If
you feel that you are up to it get ready for a wild ride!
Rap 1: 100 feet from a tree on the RIGHT (LDC), right
at the head of the canyon. This is a double drop rap
and is very interesting. You may have noticed that the
line of the rappel seems to intersect with the pounding
beast of a waterfall to your left. The idea is to rap
down to the first, hanging, pool which (hopefully) isn’t
a swimmer while staying out of the main blast of
water. Traverse carefully under the first waterfall and
climb up onto a ledge on the RIGHT (LDC). Be careful
in here as the current is strong and it will try to suck
you and your hanging bag over the second falls
below. Once on the ledge continue the rappel down
relatively easily to the pool below. Be sure to set the
rope length or be prepared for a floating disconnect in
current.
Swim to the rocks on the other side of the pool and
await the rest of your team.
The rope pull from the first rappel can be very tricky
due to debris lodged at the top of the lower waterfall in
the rappel sequence. This debris can tend to stick the
rope after it has been pulled down off the anchor and
is floating in the current. If at all possible, it is best to
keep the rope out of the lower waterfall during the pull.
If it gets in this waterfall, pull the rope quickly down so
that it does not double over on itself and stick. The
canyon in this section is not escapable and getting
stuck would not be fun.
It should be noted that the entire first waterfall
sequence could be bypassed by rapping off a large
tree a short ways downcanyon on the RIGHT (LDC).
But, what fun would that be as you would miss a
spectacular drop and the first significant challenge in
I.W.M.M..
Continue downstream through a magical hallway and
down a few minor downclimbs.
Rap 2: 30 feet from 2 bolts on the LEFT (LDC). This
rappel drops straight though another raging waterfall
in a narrow slot. It can be done as a sort of selfbelayed, rope assisted downclimb by the first
canyoneer down. Be careful of a potential hydraulic at
the base of the falls. With one down a zip line can be
set-up using the rocks at the far end of the pool as a
bottom anchor. It is best to leave a short rappel line as
well so that canyoneers can get out on top of the
boulder at the brink of the falls before zipping down.
From this pool a difficult escape from the canyon may
be possible by climbing up a weakness on the RIGHT
(LDC).
Make you way though the rocks at the back of the
pool and downclimb on the RIGHT (LDC) to the next
pool. Cross over to rocks on the other side of the
canyon. In 2007 there was also a downed tree
spanning the canyon here that seemed like it could be
walked by the brave to make this cross-over. Note,
this area of the canyon has rock fall danger, speedy
passage is advised.
Continue down canyon to a nice 8 foot slide. Swim a
pool and exit on the RIGHT (LDC). You are now right
next to the spire you eyed from the observation deck.
The next anchor is on the top of the spire.
Rap 3: 80 feet from 2 bolts in the MIDDLE of the
canyon on the top of a spire. Climb up the spire from
the RIGHT (LDC). This rappel is also tricky. Although
it avoids the teeth of the braided falls beside you at
the top, the fall line heads into them towards the
bottom. The first person down should work their way
down canyon on the vertical wall as they head down
the rappel. This will set up a pendulum but will avoid
entering the powerful falls high. Eventually you will
loose your footing on the slippery rock and swing back
into the falls. There is a dangerous, deep, hanging
pothole hidden in the falls about 2/3 of the way down.
Getting in it is very scary as the current will try to keep
you and there is no bottom. All the pendulum business
may help you avoid this pothole. If you are lucky you
will swing back into the falls below the pothole and rap
to the pool below. Consolation prize, the pool at the
bottom is only waist deep, easily managed and you
will be in quite the spectacular alcove between large
and powerful falls. Set-up a guided rappel off of meat
in the back of the alcove for the remainder of your
team.
Looking around, the inquisitive canyoneer may ask,
“how do I get out of here?” The canyon narrows down
into the top of the fiercest falls yet and canyon walls
tower above. At the back of the alcove where your
meat probably was you will notice a ledge about 10
feet up. The next anchor and your escape are on this
ledge. Getting there requires climbing a tough V4
boulder problem to top out on the ledge. Fortunately
there is a horn on the lip of the ledge that can be slung
making it also go at A1! Be creative and top out on the
ledge.
Rap 4: 115 feet from 2 bolts on the LEFT (LDC). This
is a spectacular single drop beside a monster falls.
There are little sections of freehang mixed in to the
This route description is licensed under a Creative Commons license,
some rights reserved. (See www.sierracanyons.org for more information)
mostly vertical descent. Where you land in the pool
below is only about waist deep.
Marvel at the last falls, gather yourself and start
headed down stream sticking mostly to the right bank
of the creek. Usually staying on the bank provides
faster passage than the watercourse itself though you
will be forced back into the water a few times. After a
while the gradient flattens and the creek bed starts to
get a bit brushier. Soon you come to the smallest dam
in the world. Get your gear off here next to the dam.
You will be leaving the water behind.
Exit:
Keep headed downhill drifting farther and farther right
(LDC) of the creek. You may have to cross a small
diversion stream. You will see a fence line in the
woods marking a parcel of private property. STAY
CLEAR OF THIS PROPERY. The landowner is
friendly but please respect his property line. Skirt this
property by heading right (LDC). You may pick up an
old dirt road. Eventually the fence makes a 90-degree
turn at the forest edge and a route into the spectacular
Leavitt Meadows unfolds. Head east into the meadow
until you reach a well-worn stock trail. Turn north (left)
on this trail and follow it as it crosses back over Leavitt
Creek and continues all the way out to your car at the
Leavitt Pack Station.
This route description is licensed under a Creative Commons license,
some rights reserved. (See www.sierracanyons.org for more information)
45000m N.
42
44000m N.
42
43000m N.
42
2
2
75
000m
75000m E.
E.
76
0.0
0.0
2
E.
0.1
000m
Exit
Lower Trailhead
77000m E.
0.2
0.4
0.5 km
0.3
0.5 miles
2
77
000m
E.
MN
14°
03/02/08
TN
WGS84 Zone 11S 278000m E.
jump
knot chock
arch
bolts / pitons
flake
pinch
choke stone
boulder
tree / log
WGS84 Zone 11S 278000m E.
I.W.M.M. 4-C3 R II
4mm+ wetsuit
White water canyon
R 100’
You MUST check the flow in the
canyon before committing
Dealing with the flow requires
L 30’
solid swift water canyoneering
technique
M 80’
Be prepared to use guided
rappels to overcome dangerous
L 115’
waterfalls and difficult hydraulics
There is some rock fall hazard in
the middle section of this canyon
CA-108
2
This map is licensed under a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved. (see www.sierracanyons.org for more information)
Approach
Upper Trailhead
76000m E.
Leave Watercourse
2
45000m N.
42
44000m N.
42
43000m N.
42