2021-08-27, 10:10 AM
I’ve not done Dry Bone thru but I’ve done the top portion as an out and back day hike. The drop into the canyon in order to bypass the technical falls at the head is largely a talus slope most of the way and then some rock scrambling closer to the base. You need to do some route finding so as not to end up above a ledge along the way. It is pretty solidly class 3.
With a daypack it was really not a problem at all though trekking poles are nice to have on such steep and unstable slopes as they can help to keep you upright when talus starts sliding. With a heavy pack for an overnight I can imagine it being more awkward in spots and perhaps taking off the pack being a good idea in spots. I went both down and up it so really it’s not that bad.
Photo from the top of the drop in:
And from the bottom looking back up (from a bit down canyon so that the whole route can be seen):
With a daypack it was really not a problem at all though trekking poles are nice to have on such steep and unstable slopes as they can help to keep you upright when talus starts sliding. With a heavy pack for an overnight I can imagine it being more awkward in spots and perhaps taking off the pack being a good idea in spots. I went both down and up it so really it’s not that bad.
Photo from the top of the drop in:
And from the bottom looking back up (from a bit down canyon so that the whole route can be seen):