All Locations > Nevada > Western Nevada > Santa Rosa Range

Falls Canyon Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Falls Canyon

L › R R › L A › Z

Falls canyon Falls WI2

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

Explore this area in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Elevation:	5,433 ft	1,656 m
GPS:	41.49831, -117.7265 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	349 total · 12/month
Shared By:	Mitch Vorwerk on Nov 10, 2023
Admins:	Lurk Er, Justin Johnsen Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Description

Falls Canyon is a relatively popular 1/2 mile hike for many locals and some tourists in the summertime, but sees considerably fewer visitors in the winter months. So far the only known established climbing is ice climbing the waterfall, but there may be other climbing potential in the canyon. The rock in this canyon is dark phyllite (that looks a lot like shale).

The falls are located fairly close to the Santa Rosa-Paradise Peak Wilderness, so check your land management maps and please make sure you follow all wilderness guidelines if you venture off the approach trail or go a ways beyond the waterfall.

https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=532#general..

Getting There

THE DRIVE

Take US-95 north from Winnemucca for 39.8 miles to these coordinates: 41.515252°, -117.789129° and take a right on the small dirt road labeled Horse Canyon.

*If you get to the Orovada Rest Area on the right you’ve gone too far north- the turnoff is 1.86 miles south of the rest area.

Reset your trip odometer once you leave pavement and head east on the Horse Canyon road, crossing a couple of seasonally wet small creeks along the way.
At 2.57 miles, take a right at the fork to go SE (do not go left or you'll end up in Horse Canyon). In about 300 feet there is another intersection, stay right here too (going left would also take you to Horse Canyon).
At 3.50 miles you'll cross a creek, 100 feet past that there will be another intersection. Stay left to continue into Falls Canyon and do one more creek crossing.
At 3.68 miles the road ends in a big turn around area with a fire pit surrounded by big trees. Park here. Parking coordinates: 41.501424°, -117.732160°.

*High clearance and 4wd needed on the dirt roads as there are several small creeks to ford and large ruts to negotiate. A Subaru or better will have no trouble, but anything with less clearance will have to either drive very carefully or consider hiking in.

THE HIKE

Continue hiking generally SE up Falls Canyon on a single track trail for 0.5 miles until you reach Falls Creek Falls. Coordinates: 41.498446°, -117.726810°.

*There are a couple of small creek crossings on the hike, so choose appropriate footwear and consider hiking poles to help you balance on the logs and rocks to make the crossings.