Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Hanging Garden & White Box - Exploring West Clear Creek
Nick has never seen the White Box in West Clear Creek. I've been there a few times and I love it, so when he recommended we check it out, I said sure.
I have a problem of agreeing to things sometimes without thinking them through. This was one of those times. When I agreed to check out the White Box, I did not think about the fact that West Clear Creek was experiencing night time temperatures in the 40's (sometimes even 30's.) Now, before someone says "That's SUMMER temps around here, you wimp!" I want to remind you that I am a desert dweller. Anything below 70 degrees is considered arctic temperatures to me. Also, it's not nice to call me names.
Anyway, as Nick is unable to lose any elevation without using a rope, he decided that it would be a good idea if we descended into West Clear Creek via a technical route called Jacob's Ladder. Now Jacob's Ladder isn't exactly a five star 'canyon', but it is a nice enough route. It's mainly known for dropping you directly between the Hanging Gardens and the White Box, which are two of the more impressive features in West Clear Creek. But canyoneers are typically more interested in rappelling than anything else, so a not too impressive canyon isn't very popular, even if it takes you to some amazing destinations. So that added some spice to the descent as most of the anchors had to be redone. Personally, I like a good solid tree or bolt as an anchor, but this route was nothing but pinch points, dead man anchors and other techniques I'm not as happy about. So it was really fun going first and testing them all out. But overall, Jacob's Ladder was a fun enough route and even had some fun downclimbs. Plus, we lived, so there's that.
Once in West Clear Creek, we headed downstream to check out the Hanging Gardens. If you haven't been to the Hanging Gardens, it's amazing and I highly recommend it. Just know that it is Type 2 fun to get in and out of. Regardless, the Hanging Gardens are a great oasis and worth the trip. They usually have a full growth of bright green plants feeding off the water, but this time most were dead due to it being so late in the season. Still pretty though.
After hanging around (no pun intended) for a bit, we headed upstream to the exit. Between us and the exit was the White Box. The White Box is somewhat notorious. It is a swim followed by a short boulder hop and then another swim, repeat until you're sick of swimming, then repeat it a few more times. Personally, I love the White Box. It's one of my favorite sections in West Clear Creek. However, I am less of a fan when it's arctic temperatures at night. But we had wetsuits, we lived and most of the feeling has come back in my fingers and toes.
Oh, and as a last bit of info, the roads to the Hanging Garden/White Box are all trash. The one portion we took out at the end in particular is one of the worst roads in the West Clear Creek area, and that's saying something.
Anyway, Jacob's Ladder, the Hanging Garden and the White Box. We went and survived hypothermia and had a general good time. If you're interested in going, I highly recommend it....Maybe wait until it's warmer outside though.
Music by Artlist:
Fur Elise - Beethoven
Even - Light Whales
Reflections - Simon Wester
Kharon - The Duke of Norfolk
The Hanging Garden & White Box - Exploring West Clear Creek
Nick has never seen the White Box in West Clear Creek. I've been there a few times and I love it, so when he recommended we check it out, I said sure.
I have a problem of agreeing to things sometimes without thinking them through. This was one of those times. When I agreed to check out the White Box, I did not think about the fact that West Clear Creek was experiencing night time temperatures in the 40's (sometimes even 30's.) Now, before someone says "That's SUMMER temps around here, you wimp!" I want to remind you that I am a desert dweller. Anything below 70 degrees is considered arctic temperatures to me. Also, it's not nice to call me names.
Anyway, as Nick is unable to lose any elevation without using a rope, he decided that it would be a good idea if we descended into West Clear Creek via a technical route called Jacob's Ladder. Now Jacob's Ladder isn't exactly a five star 'canyon', but it is a nice enough route. It's mainly known for dropping you directly between the Hanging Gardens and the White Box, which are two of the more impressive features in West Clear Creek. But canyoneers are typically more interested in rappelling than anything else, so a not too impressive canyon isn't very popular, even if it takes you to some amazing destinations. So that added some spice to the descent as most of the anchors had to be redone. Personally, I like a good solid tree or bolt as an anchor, but this route was nothing but pinch points, dead man anchors and other techniques I'm not as happy about. So it was really fun going first and testing them all out. But overall, Jacob's Ladder was a fun enough route and even had some fun downclimbs. Plus, we lived, so there's that.
Once in West Clear Creek, we headed downstream to check out the Hanging Gardens. If you haven't been to the Hanging Gardens, it's amazing and I highly recommend it. Just know that it is Type 2 fun to get in and out of. Regardless, the Hanging Gardens are a great oasis and worth the trip. They usually have a full growth of bright green plants feeding off the water, but this time most were dead due to it being so late in the season. Still pretty though.
After hanging around (no pun intended) for a bit, we headed upstream to the exit. Between us and the exit was the White Box. The White Box is somewhat notorious. It is a swim followed by a short boulder hop and then another swim, repeat until you're sick of swimming, then repeat it a few more times. Personally, I love the White Box. It's one of my favorite sections in West Clear Creek. However, I am less of a fan when it's arctic temperatures at night. But we had wetsuits, we lived and most of the feeling has come back in my fingers and toes.
Oh, and as a last bit of info, the roads to the Hanging Garden/White Box are all trash. The one portion we took out at the end in particular is one of the worst roads in the West Clear Creek area, and that's saying something.
Anyway, Jacob's Ladder, the Hanging Garden and the White Box. We went and survived hypothermia and had a general good time. If you're interested in going, I highly recommend it....Maybe wait until it's warmer outside though.
Music by Artlist:
Fur Elise - Beethoven
Even - Light Whales
Reflections - Simon Wester
Kharon - The Duke of Norfolk
