If you want to hike to the inner canyon you need a wilderness permit, which can be obtained at the North Rim Ranger Station, and the right gear to get down there. Microspikes are recommended during early spring, fall, and winter. Hiking poles can also be very useful. If you plan to camp at the river, don't forget your overnight gear.

That being said, of all the wilderness canyon hikes in Black Canyon I would call this an intermediate route. You start at the Balanced Rock View parking area and walk NE to the bend in the road and start your descent there. Despite categorized intermediate there is a bunch of ledges you have to overcome that are quite steep and some of them nearly vertical.

Long Draw is about 1 mile long with 1800 ft. of vertical drop. Expect the hike to take at least 1.5 hours on your way down and 3 or more hours back up. There's very little river access (0.25 miles) and one camping site.

Before you venture out on an inner canyon hike/scramble you have to realize they all come with a risk. They are very strenuous, there could be poison ivy everywhere, there are very loose rocks, big ledges to climb down and up to, and routing is difficult. Talk to a ranger and do your own research before doing them.

Info about wilderness permits: nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/innercanyon.htm

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Distance 843 m

Downhill 410 m

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Tuesday 4 November

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Location: Montrose County, Colorado, United States

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