Class: 3CIII
Gear: Two 120’ropes, one 60’ rope, outfits for a class C canyon with no swims, depending on time of year several cold / icy mandatory drenchings while on rappel, 30’ of webbing, steel rappel rings, mix of natural anchors and bolts at each drop but be prepared to build natural anchors. Self rescue and group rescue gear with head lamps.
Expected Time Commitment: Car to car for a small solid team 5 hours on high water days
Technical Obstacles:
-Easy 3rd class down climb
-6 waterfalls
-6 rappels
Non Technical Obstacles:
Loose scree fields, and potential for large rock fall from either canyon rim. Route finding abilities for the approach.
Recommended Time of Year:
6000’ elevation south facing canyon route. Year round depending on what type of adventure you are looking for. Winter = snow and ice. Summer = fun and wet with thunderstorm potential
Finding the Trailhead:
From Hwy 210 in the Upland area. Find Mountain Ave and follow the signs for Mt Baldy ski area. Park at Ski Hut Trailhead above Manker Flats Campground.
The Approach:
Cross around the white metal gate blocking the dirt road until you come across a view point of the lower three falls. Hike up the dirt trail that leads to the base of these falls. You will cross through a shallow but steep drainage. Turn right and climb the faint use trail up the steep drainage. After about 150 yards begin looking for a faint usage trail that leads up and left out of this drainage. Continue to follow this trail as it crosses over fallen trees and lose scree fields until you reach a 3rd class down climb that will lead you to the water edge and if you have done well the top of the 1st drop signified by a pair of bolts located under a mountain mahogany bush canyon left. You should find faded pink flagging to mark the trail, but don’t count on finding it.
The Canyon Descent:
#1-45’ rappel off two bolts canyon left under a bush
#2-60’ rappel off two bolts canyon right off an open ledge, (tricky rope pull and a “test pull” is suggested by the first person down)
#3-20′ rappel off two bolts back side of dome canyon left
#4-90’ rappel off a pair of bolts canyon right (watch for knocking rocks off this one)
#5-70’ rappel of a rock “pinch point” and a bolt equalized canyon center
#6-110’ rappel off two bolts huge boulder center canyon. Wrap your ropes and head back out past the steep / shallow drainage, down the dirt road back to the car park. Often the webbing and rappel ring are removed from this anchor as it can be accessed from day hikers climbing up a side trail from below. Plan on having to rebuild the anchor and be pleasantly surprised when you do not.
Egress:
Hike back up the dirt use trail on canyon left to the initial lookout and then back to the cars.
