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Tenaya Canyon Decent - Conditions/Beta

Original Post
Jeffrey Addison · · Anaheim, CA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 30

I'm going to be in the Valley first week of September and my partner and I want to give a go at the Tenaya Canyon Decent. Does anyone have any update on the conditions with regards to the water levels? With the crazy amount of snow in the Sierra this past winter, I'm not sure if early September will be late enough for the water level to drop. Any beta would be much appreciated as well!

Jay Bird · · Marin, CA · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 1,136

There will be wet parts. Just plan accordingly..........

Ben Taggart · · Oakland, CA · Joined Aug 2016 · Points: 0

I did it in October of a drier year and there was still mandatory wetness at the spot pictured above, unless you zipline down the fixed rope of unknown provenance (we ziplined our packs down). There was also substantial flow on that waterfall which meant rapping down the flowing water was pretty much mandatory.

It's really fun, do it! The only unpleasant part for us was the boulder-hopping at the very end before you find the Mt Watkins climber's trail. 

Geordon B · · Aptos, Ca · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 35
Rude Boy wrote: There will be wet parts. Just plan accordingly..........

I can't find my photo, but I've done it after a similar winter to the one we just had. That rap will probably be a legit waterfall. 
Jeffrey Addison · · Anaheim, CA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 30

Thanks all for the input!

Erik Sloan · · Yosemite, CA · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 336

Gonna be awesome for sure!....I also have a bunch of friends who have enjoyed hiking up the canyon, and hitchhike down the 120.

Alexander Fung · · Sunnyvale · Joined May 2018 · Points: 0

I just did it last weekend, the flow isn’t terrible where you’d be in danger. However you will be getting wet in the point pictured above for sure. The flow was high enough that we rappelled straight through the middle of the falls with water ramming our face. We took aircraft gully over the slab..I don’t think that was the fastest at all. Last bit of beta, get a early start!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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