Little Falls

A short, fun waterfall canyon, at 8200 feet and less than an hour from Las Vegas.

Access Road:
Drive up Kyle Canyon road past the town. Bear left over the bridge where the road to Mary Jane Falls splits off to the right. Park on the right at the Cathedral Rock trailhead, where stairs lead up with an outhouse on the left.

From the Trailhead:
Head up the stairs and turn left to begin the hike towards Cathedral Rock, making a right at the next intersection up a few switchbacks through Mazie Canyon. Eventually the trail will come to a pass behind Cathedral Rock where the Cathedral Rock Trail splits off to the right. Continue on along a wide nicely graded trail. As you approach the canyon, the trail will bear left and head up towards the drainage. Where the canyon is about 30 feet below you, scramble down to the edge and climb your way in.

Skills required: Rappelling, downclimbing on logs, anchor construction. Class C skills may be required in the early summer during snow melt.

Water: Water is ankle deep, spring and snowmelt fed. Depending on the year's snowpack, expect cold flowing conditions in the first half of summer (typically May and June, but could be later). Also has potential for significant ice and snow through even July after winters with heavy snow.

Anchor Conditions: Anchors are mostly off of logs, obvious, though some consideration of the mobility of your chosen log is a good idea. The last drop has some particularly old and questionable bolts.

Gear Recommendations: Webbing, rapids, harness, helmet. A rain coat and a fleece are a good idea for flowing conditions

Flash Flood Danger: Moderate

Head down the drainage a short ways to the Little Falls trail which will lead you quickly back to your car.

National Forest land. The trailhead often fills up. Additional parking is available north of the trailhead on the opposite side of the road.