Big Bad Ben, White Roost Area

BBB or Big Bad Ben --has one very good section of canyon, and then a few cute narrows, and... and... it makes for a pleasant day out. The technical part is short. Some stemming and climbing, some nice bits, a pretty good rappel (careful with that anchor, please - no boltage)... But the good part is so short, it does not give much bang for the buck.

Could tag Chambers on the way out.

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  • Approach
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LOGISTICS
  Rating 3B III Slot PG yellow_star
  Season Winter, Spring or Fall
  Time Commitment
 5 to 6 hours
  Longest Rappel
 one rappel to 60 feet (18 m)
  Access Loop route. Requires high clearance 4WD vehicle for the short section of road below the White Roost campsite. Park a car at the end, then walk or spot another car 2.0 miles back along the road.
  Permit Required?
 None required.
 

EQUIPMENT
  Essentials As little as possible. Full body armor, bunny strap, gloves for the hands. Webbing to build an anchor.
  Cold Water
  Protection		 Commonly has pools to waist deep. Can be deeper after storms. Drybags for your gear.

DIFFICULTIES
  Flash Flood Risk
 Low
  Skills Required
 A few narrow sections. Anchor for the rappel may be difficult to and use (R).
  Anchors Natural.


Approach

Park a car at the end of the road, as for Chambers. Walk or drive back 2.0 miles, then head northwest to the edge of the canyon. Find a place to slip over the edge and into the bottom of the drainage. Follow it down for 1-1/2 miles to where it drops into a canyon coming in from the right. Follow the rim of the new canyon up-canyon until you can drop into the wash easily. Pad up and enter the canyon.


The Canyon

Continue downcanyon. The good bit is quite short.

Continue downcanyon about 2 miles to where a major canyon comes in from the left, almost within sight of the Dirty Devil River. This is Chambers. Climb up on the bench (left), then follow the Chambers Exit directions to get back to the top.


Swagger downcanyon, enjoying the beautiful walls. Just before the canyon enters a larger canyon, a sandpile offers an enticing way up on the Left (south). Continue closer to the confluence where a series of ledges allows easier (and less damaging) access to the bench. Find a reasonable climb up to the next level of bench, then head back upcanyon along the rim, generally following the ridge, then up to the drainage, to the rimrock and back to the carpark.

Up on top, you should be near your car.  Either walk back to camp (2.0 miles), or grab your car spot.

AdobePDFicon

PDF Canyon Guide

A printable canyon description
and map you can take with you.

chambersdrivingmapRobbers Roost: Driving Map to Chambers and BBB

Detailed Route Maps

Click on any map to browse a larger view,then right-click to save and print.

chambersmapBig Bad Ben, White Roost Area

 

Author's Experience

I descended Big Bad Ben in November 2006 with Steve Ramras and family and friends. He suggested the name Big Bad Ben to honor his friend Ben, who had just gotten out of the pen. The canyon was listed on the project map as "BBB".

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