Reverse Pool Canyon
This is it. One of the best canyons in the region, if not the entire state of Montana. It’s short, fast and frankly some of the best fun we’ve had in the park! You’ll be hard pressed to find something as easy and enjoyable as this canyon. I honestly don’t have much more to say other than if you’re reading this, you’re doing something wrong, because you should be in this canyon.
Stats:
3C2 I***** (v3a2 I*****)
Time needed: 1.5 - 3 hours
Number of rappels: 5
Number of down climbs: 2
Longest rappel: 60 feet
Distance round trip: 1.35 miles
Elevation gain/loss: 556 feet
Significant hydraulics: None
Special recommendations: Bear spray!
Season: July - September
From West Glacier: Immediately jump onto Going to the Sun Road (Glacier route 1 road) and follow it up until the first switchback. This is located at 48.75481, -113.79966. A good indication that you are in the right place is it has a bus stop with a bunch of bathrooms before a complete switchback. There is also a small parking lot that fits smaller vehicles. Please only use 1 car if possible. Parking is tight!
Getting there:
The approach:
Suit up at your car before starting the approach (wetsuit and all),
Grab the loop trailhead, which is across from the parking lot. Walk 100 feet down trail until you reach the bridge. This is it!
The fun part:
Go under the bridge and start walking down the creek. This will involve some minor boulder hopping. Not too long down stream (5 minutes or less). You will run into a drop. Cross over to the right side and down climb it. Soon you’ll see a slot and a drop. This is not a downclimb! Welcome to rappel 1.
Rappel 1 (30 feet): From a slung alder bush DCR, rappel over the boulder and into some flow!
Immediately after comes rappel 2.
Rappel 2 (35 feet): From a bolt a ways back from the edge DCL. Into the flow with you, be careful of foot entrapment due to a boulder pinch!
Slide down the short slide (5 feet long).
The canyon will bench right, and narrow a bit. Downclimb this section!
The canyon will bend left, this is rappel 3.
Rappel 3 (30 feet): From two bolts that need to be replaced due to placement. Please be mindful that you should avoid rappelling behind the old growth log as it could be a body entrapment issue. DO NOT GO BEHIND IT.
In the nice alcove, enjoy the view!
Rappel 4 comes into sight.
Note: to get to the bolt for rappel 4, there is a fallen log in the watercourse. We recommend handlining the first person to the bolt as it is precarious and slick.
Rappel 4 (60 feet): From a bolt on the front side of a boulder in the watercourse (you may see a boulder with 3 bolts in it. These need to be removed, do not use them). If the single bolt is not on an edge, you do not have the ight anchor. Rappel under the boulder and next to the rooster tail into the dragons den.
Enjoy the semi-violent dragons den from the bottom and pull your rope.
Down-climb and the slot will relent, on a sunny day Heavens peak will be aligned with the canyon. Awesome!
The next obstacle looks like a slide. IT IS NOT. It is a very careful down-climb to a log jam. This is also a rappel.
Rappel 5 (25 feet): From a slung fallen tree, rappel down into the chest deep pool below. Be careful of the log jam as it is unstable.
The canyon opens up a bit and you will have some minor down-climbs on slick rock to tend to. Then it will restrict one more time.
This short section is completely down climbable, use partner assists and hug the right wall. None of these pools are deep.
After the short slot, the creek becomes wide and a trail crosses over it. You are done!
The exit:
Take off the gear and take the DCR side of the trail back to your car! This will take about 30 minutes.
Rappel 2
Rappel 3
Traverse to rappel 4
Rappel 4
Rappel 5
One of the many shallow pools
The exit
