Ice Box Canyon - 2.6 Miles Round-Trip

The Ice Box Canyon Trail leads through open desert into a narrow, high-walled box canyon highlighted by perennial water, diverse vegetation and a seasonal waterfall. Bighorn sheep are frequently seen in the upper canyon where large pools persist much of the year.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

This shaded canyon is aptly named for its cooler environment, however moderate-challenging scrambling is required to reach the scenic falls.

Note that GPS signal is unreliable in the canyon, and precise distances can be difficult to verify. Additionally, trail guides and signs may interpret the 'end point' differently, contributing to discrepancies among them. The following description details distance from the trailhead to waterfall, and acknowledges potential variations by route:

The trail dips from the parking area across a wash and rises steadily through dense and diversely vegetated brush flats. Primary constituents of these overlapping creosote and blackbrush ecotones include buckhorn cholla, beavertail cactus, ephedra, rabbitbrush, manzanita, penstemon and sage.

Enjoy great views across the Rainbow Mountains and back at Turtlehead Peak from this elevated area.

The trail braids in many places as you near the canyon mouth, with minimal guidance from signs. Spurs lead down to the main wash from the open desert, but keep right of and above these options until being naturally funneled into the canyon mouth (.65 miles : 4,503’).

Travel narrows into the canyon and makes a short, sharp drop onto the central wash floor (.85 miles : 4,560’). Note this entry – exit point, which is well marked by a large cairn and tree ribbons.

Here the maintained trail ends and minor-moderate scrambling begins. Large oak and redbud trees offer welcome shade as you pick your way through this cluttered space. Be mindful of snakes as you progress, and never place your hands where you can’t see them.

Navigation is intuitive, however anticipate keeping left at a difficult-to-see fork in the upper canyon just before reaching the pools. It’ll quickly be clear if you inadvertently stray here, as travel becomes markedly challenging.

The canyon floor opens at a steep slickrock chute where the seasonal pools and waterfall are located (1.3 miles : 4,672’). The slickrock pitch is deceptive, and the rock offers little traction.

It’s generally easier to scramble up, but choose your route very carefully on the way down – it’s quite possible to slide down into a pool or worse – all the way to the canyon floor. The waterfall is a spectacle when flowing, but inadvisable to climb. Look for sheep in the vicinity.

Rock Climbing in Red Rock Canyon

There are over 2000 designated climbing routes in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which includes two wilderness areas: The Rainbow Mountain Wilderness and La Madre Mountain Wilderness. New, bolted, fixed anchors and/or protection bolts cannot be installed in either area. Ice Box Canyon falls within the Rainbow Mountain Wilderness.

Routes in Red Rock Canyon are rated via the Yosemite Decimal System. All class V routes (those involving the use of protection) range from 5.0 (easiest) to 5.14 (most difficult).

Sandstone can become brittle after rain and should not be climbed for at least 24 hours after storms. Anchors and weight-bearing instruments are susceptible to cracks and break-offs. Climbers should seek out limestone crags as an alternative after storms.

Climbing Permits: 702.515.5050 | Climbing Ranger: 702.515.5358 | See Rules and Regulations for additional permit information.