Class: 4 C III
Gear: One 100’rope, Two 60’ ropes, outfits for a class C canyon, depending on time of year several cold mandatory swims, 30’ of webbing, steel rappel rings, bolts at each drop but be prepared top build natural anchors. Self rescue and group rescue gear with head lamps
Expected Time Commitment:
Car to car for a small solid team 6 – 9 hours on high water days
Technical Obstacles:
11 rappels 15’ – 55’, Strong recirculating current possible at the second to last rappel. Swiftwater rope systems required for several rappels with water disconnects and swims in currents. Steep uphill egress with some route finding abilities.
Non Technical Obstacles:
Some Poison oak, snakes,
Recommended Time of Year:
Late fall, winter, early spring. Due to the large watershed basin that serves this drainage LSA should be avoided during and after rainfalls due to high water flows and rock and land slide possibilities. This is a south facing low elevation front country canyon route that could be enjoyed during hotter summer days if the water levels are still up from winter.
Finding the Trailhead:
From the 210 freeway near the town of Arcadia and Sierra Madre exit Baldwin Ave. and go north to base of the foothills. Turn right onto Mira Monte Ave. head down and park anywhere near the Mt Wilson trail drive and city park.
The Approach:
From the parking area head up Mt Wilson road and then onto the famous Mt Wilson trail. Follow the trail up to the junction of “first water”. Go right and continue downhill at the fork to “first water” and find your way to the streams edge.
The Canyon Descent:
Gear up at the edge of first water then continue hiking down canyon for 10-15 minutes to find the anchors for the first rappel. Several deep wades and a possible swim must be negotiated before committing to the first rappel. After you complete waterfall #9 the canyon will take a 90 degree turn to the east. After a few tricky down climbs, you will need to identify the exit route on canyon right. This can be found by way of a steep and worn usage trail that will wander uphill and follow a ridge line back to the Mt Wilson trail. From the exit site you can continue down canyon to rappel three more waterfalls finishing the exploration of this truly amazing part of the canyon. Please fix lines at each of the last three anchors to re-ascend and return back to the egress point as continuing down canyon will lead to a fenced off dam.
Optional Write Up:
LSA has an incredible watershed basin up country and is the site of a high volume of water flow during the rainy season. Rappel #3 is of particular interest as the geometry of the waterfall makes for a difficult obstacle. **Update – Rappel #3 has been filled in with debris in Jan. 2010. Now, a mysterious pre-existing webbing anchor makes all the sense in the world. Rappel #11 is also of particular interest as it drops into a 17’ deep pool that has a strong whirlpool affect during high flow days.
This canyon route is considered closed due to a fast moving wildland fire that burned out the entire canyon route in spring of 2008 . Several larger landslides have filled in most of the canyons natural granite gorge sections and all of the pools. This canyon will continue to receive large amounts of debris from the unstable earth slopes until well after good rains, and the vegetation can become re-established re-stabilizing the hill sides. Check back for updates to this warning. This canyon has been adversely affected by landslides from rains in February 2009. It is advised to stay away.
This canyon route is very very closed by the Sierra Madre FD currently. Do not attempt access! However, there is good flow throughout it right now so when it does reopen, it should be good fun!
Bailey is open again! But, the PD will close it again for at least 72 hours if it rains this week including this coming weekend. Canyoneers are advised to stay away or contact ATS on the sidebar for a conditions update. Also, many landslides have occurred in this canyon in the last month. Consider it to be an unstable environment.
LSA is doing OK as of May 22nd, 2010. Just ran it in 5 hours with a group of ten including several first timers. Low flow this time around with no water really over your knees, but some nice little waterfalls to get wet on. Definitely a lot of changes since the fires in the area. One of the big trees is gone and a new anchor has been found. Bolts are still in good shape thanks to ATS and other groups that take care of them. Lots of beautiful wildflowers plus a newt and a frog!
A note on safety: we did experience some rock fall on the trip despite no rain this weekend at all. Probably some stones kicked up by people on the Mt. Wilson trail up above. Be reminded to always wear your helmets and be aware of rapidly changing conditions in the canyon. Like Travis commented above, landslides (and flash floods) are definitely a concern especially with the vegetation lacking since the fires. Stay safe.