Classic Canyon

Class:
3A/BIII

Gear:
2-120’ ropes 1-50’ rope, 20’ webbing

Expected Time Commitment:
6 hours car to car

Technical Obstacles:
Steep earth slope drop in, Short bush whack, 3 rappels, 1 possible swim, possible stuck rope at the last rappel. Do a test pull.

Non Technical Obstacles:
Poison oak, Rock fall, heat exhaustion, hypothermia

Recommended Time of Year:
North facing: fall, winter, spring

Directions to Trailhead:
Take the 210 to La Canada
* Take Hwy 2 north – ABOUT 9 MILES
* Turn left onto Angeles Forest Hwy – 3.8 Miles
* Sharp left onto Big Tujunga Canyon Rd. – ABOUT .5 miles
* Park at the first dirt turnout on right with white gate blocking the dirt road. Occasionally cars are broken into at this parking area. Do not leave any valuables in the car or in plain sight.

Approach:
Hike down the gated dirt road about 45 minutes until it crosses A small creek that will have a mini two stage waterfall on the up creek side of the road at the road. You will also be able to look down into the canyon form this point to see several large Concrete road construction piers. Continue down the road until you find a suitable but steep earth slope spotted in yucca plants that can be carefully but easily avoided leading you to the creek bed.

Canyon Descent:
Continue down canyon a short ways to the 1st rappel.
#1 35′ bolted canyon right
#2 50′ bolted front of boulder canyon left
#3 120 bolted canyon right (do a test pull to check for stuck rope scenarios)

Egress
From the bottom of the last waterfall hike up back up the main Tujunga canyon following Mill creek (crossing the river multiple times), until it reaches the dirt road you first hiked in on. Follow the dirt road back uphill to the car park. From here you can continue on the way to Fall Creek to complete what is called the Figure 8 canyon hike or head back up the road Mill Creek canyon left to your car.

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Bonita Canyon

Class:
4B/CIII

Gear:
Rope: 3 @ 200’ 30 of webbing, steel rappel rings,Tree anchors at each drop but be prepared to build alternative natural anchors. Self rescue and group rescue gear with head lamps. Gaiters and long pants recommended for the approach hike/climb.

Expected Time Commitment:
Car to car for a small solid team 6 hours on high water days

Technical Obstacles:
Three long rappel directly in the water course. One multi-pitch

Non Technical Obstacles:
Some Poison oak, snakes, loose rock & steep earth slope approach with some route finding challenges.

Recommended Time of Year:
Year round minus heavy rains or run off periods.

Finding the Trail Head:
Travel I- 15 North of Rancho Cucamonga. Exit Sierra and go towards the mountains. (Hit the Del Taco on your way up.) Travel up into the canyon 1.2mi beyond the Lytle Creek Ranger Station. It is also 0.4mi south of the road junction to the South Fork Campgrounds. Park your vehicle here. You will need an adventure pass for this spot. Looking West across the stream you will be staring up into the South Fork drainage of Lytle Creek. You will need to hike up into this drainage via a stream crossing. Be careful any heavy rains can make this crossing very difficult.

The Approach:
Cross above any rapid at the widest place on the stream you can find. Stay to the “hikers” left side of the south fork drainage and hike up canyon for about 15 minutes. Find a small tributary that is flowing water into south fork from the left or south side of the drainage. There is an old painted blank sign on a post that also will help mark the way into the bottom of Bonita canyon. Follow Bonita canyon way up stream into the woods on a rather well traveled hikers trail. As you go you will be looking and for a low angle long earth slope that heads up the canyon wall on the “hikers” right (looking up canyon would be on the right). Take the earth slope up for quite a ways it will be long and loose so stay close as to not allow any falling rocks to gain speed if they are knocked loose. The earth slope will round out onto a ridge, climb the ridge. If you stay as close to the “true ridge” as you can with the drop into Bonita canyon just to your left you will come to a prominent bare peak. (We call this peak “Weenie Peak”). This should take about 45 minutes from the car park. You will continue down the back side of this small peak staying on the ridge line. You will hear the sound of water below, find a small saddle with an earth slope to drop in by. (Be careful not to drop in too soon as you will “cliff out”).

The Canyon Descent:
#1 multi pitch rappel,
Part 1. 35’ rappel into the tree growing out of the wall on canyon right. Anchor: Rock pinch point with webbing in water course or traverse canyon right to find a tree for an earth slope rappel ending at the same crooked tree that will be the anchor for the second pitch rappel.
Part 2. 190’ rappel from the tree into a shallow pool Anchor: Base or tree
#2 100’ rappel into a shallow pool Anchor: Oak tree cyn left
#3 190’ rappel into a shallow pool Anchor: Tree with webbing set high for smooth pull

Pick up some trash on the way out as this is a popular spot for weekenders.

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Rechie Canyon / Mildred Falls

Class:
4A/B III

Gear:
Ropes: 2 @ 250′, 1 @ 120’ ropes, 30’ of webbing, steel rappel rings, bolts at each drop but be prepared to build natural anchors. Self rescue and group rescue gear with head lamps

Expected Time Commitment:
Solid team of four from car to car, 4-5 hours.

Technical Obstacles:
Long multi-pitch waterfall rappel with class III canyon travel. Be experienced with multi-pitch rappels before attempting. Do not attempt alone – always bring a partner.

Non Technical Obstacles:
Some route finding on the egress. Loose earth slop egress.

Recommended Time of Year:
Later Fall, Winter, Early Spring good right after a nice rain.

Finding the Trail Head:
Find the town of Romona located in north east San Diego County
1. Head northeast on Main St toward 8th St. – 1.0 mi
2. Continue on CA-78/Julian Rd. – 20.0 mi
3. Turn right at Pine Hills Rd. – 1.6 mi
4. Turn right at Eagle Peak Rd. NF-13S06 – 1.1 mi
5. Turn left to stay on Eagle Peak Rd. – 7.6 mi
Eagle Peak Rd @33.011620, -116.712859

As you drive along Eagle Creek road you will see an obvious drainage form on your right. at about 33.013889,-116.712999 you will see a large cliff band of rock that makes up the head wall for the canyon. you can park your car anywhere along the dirt road that you see fit. The further you drive down the worse the road becomes and the better view you will get of Mildred Falls and the canyon below. You may take tome to size up your egress at this time as well looking for the informal path of least resistance that you can climb from the canyon bottom back to the road.

The Approach:
From your car park hike back up the road until you cannot see the main part of the canyon.The creek will come very close to the road making a good place to jump in. Follow the creek down canyon until you get to the top of the first rappel.

The Canyon Descent:
A single bolt anchor will give you an 100′ rappel point down to an exposed ledge where you should find another bolted anchor point. The second rappel will be roughly 250′ and mostly free hanging. From there continue down canyon along Class III & IV terrain until the canyon begins to turn to the right. At that point you can begin looking for a way to to climb out canyon left back to the road.

This canyon was consumed by fire in 2002 and possibly again more recently. The class III section of this route may be filled in with debris. Bolts may be affected.

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Fall Creek

As of January 2010, the Fall Creek area is still closed due to damage from the Station Fire.

Fall Creek will change conditions often, alternating between flowing and not-flowing along with swims versus walk-offs. Do not assume canyon conditions will be the same as a previous descent.

Class: 3A III

Gear: 2-100’ ropes 1-50’ rope, 20’ webbing

Expected Time Commitment: 6 hours car to car

Technical Obstacles: Short bush whack, 4 rappels, 1 swim

Non Technical Obstacles: Poison oak, Rock fall, heat exhaustion, hypothermia

Recommended Time of Year: South facing: fall, winter, spring

Directions to Trailhead:
Take the 210 to La Canada
Take Hwy 2 north
Turn left onto Angeles Forest Hwy
Turn left onto Big Tujunga Canyon Rd.
Go about a ¼ mile
Park at the first dirt turnout on right with white gate blocking the dirt road. Occasionally cars are broken into at this parking area. Do not leave any valuables in the car or in plain sight.

Approach:
Hike down the gated dirt road about 45 minutes until it crosses Mill Creek.
As you near the bottom of the main canyon stay tuned to your left for a set of waterfalls, this is Fall Creek.
Turn right at Mill Creek and head “up stream” about 150’ to cross an old concrete bridge then continue up hill on the dirt road.
The road will level out then make a sharp right hand turn. In the turn on the left hand shoulder of the road is a 4 foot tall red and yellow steel stake.
Behind the stake is a faint use trail. Follow the trail down into the fall creek drainage.
Hit the water and hang a left to the top of the first drop.

Rappels:
Rappel #1: Bolts Center Canyon 45′ into a possible swim or walk-off
Rappel #2: Bolts Canyon Left 60′ into a possible swim or walk-off
Rappel #3: Bolts Canyon Right 30′ into a possible swim or walk-off
Once you reach the top of the next rappel, poison oak is everywhere. Please be conscious of the oak!
Rappel #4: Bolts Canyon Left 100′ into a possible swim or walk-off

Egress
From the bottom of the last waterfall hike up back up the main Tujunga canyon following Mill creek (crossing the river three times), until it reaches the dirt road you first hiked in on. Follow the dirt road back uphill to the car park.

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Great Falls of the Fox

Class: 4 B IV

Gear: 120′ rope, 2-100′ ropes, 50′ webbing, GPS/topo map/compass

Expected Time Commitment: 12-14 hours depending on route-finding ability and hiking pace

Technical Obstacles: Route finding, bushwhacking off-trail, possible multiple swims depending on the time of year, stuck rope on Great Falls

Non Technical Obstacles: Poison Oak, lack of water and no shade from the sun on the off-trail section

Recommended Time of Year: Fall/winter/spring and the cooler weather would be better for the hike in, summer and the hotter weather would be better for the Fox Creek section as its shaded and there are possible swims in cold water. “Pick your poison.”

Finding the Trail Head: The trailhead is the same gate/fireroad as for the Fall Creek/Classic Canyon hike. Brennen has the GPS for this location as 34 17.82′N, 118 10.20′W. I would recommend a car shuttle which will save substantial time and energy, and this Beta is based upon that. Park the 2nd vehicle at the start of the “Big Tujunga Canyon Trail” (this is the trail that is used when exiting the nearby Josephine Creek canyon trip) which is approx 1/2 mile to the west of the above gate. Traveling “up” Big Tujunga Road (From Sunland/Tujunga) to the N-NE, as you pass by the Big Tujunga Reservoir (in this case on the left hand side) there is a paved U-shaped lot which is the scenic overlook for the Big TJ Reservoir, followed immediately by a very large gravel lot; maybe 1,000 feet past this lot, right before the road starts to turn to the south (right), there is a gravel shoulder parking area on the left hand side, park here. This is where you will EXIT, trail comes out right at the small hill you are parked in front of, on the west side)

The Approach: Take plenty of water at the start of this hike, the next reliable water source (after you cross Big Tujunga Creek) is Fox Creek, 4-6 hours away. Hike the fire road down to and cross Big Tujunga Creek, and then begin climbing up the fire road as it winds around and across Fall Creek. (Last source of possible water for about 3-4 hours) After about 1 hour 15 minutes the fire road begins to follow a generally northern trajectory. At a certain point along the road, you have a view (to the west) of “Great Falls” where the Fox Cyn turns to the east. You can hear the falls, even at that great distance. At about 2 hours into your hike at 34 18.927 N, 118 10.276 W you will come to your off-trail turn-off. Take a few minutes at this point to size up the terrain to the west of the road. We proceeded on a NW trajectory from this point. As you look to the northwest, the route basically goes down into the ravine and up an over the moutain beyond the ravine. There is no trail of any kind, lots of Yucca and sharp sagebrush everywhere, with poison oak thrown in for good measure and to keep you honest. Proceed NW to the following coordinates that I will call “Roberts Gulley” (thanks Keith) 34 19.077 N 118 10.621 W. The scramble is really a “hikers choice” hike, there is no easy nor obvious way. There are small open areas between the chaparral, try to find and follows these as long as you can. Follow the GPS coordinates to Roberts Gulley and it will lead you right to a nice shaded spot next to Fox Creek. The Gulley travels S-SW to Fox Creek. There are 2 or 3 (depending on your downclimbing/rock climbing skill level) short rappels in Roberts Gulley in the 20′-25′ range. Anchors consist of small trees/rocks in the immediate area. Plan on about 6 hours to get from the trailhead to Fox Creek if walking at a leisurely pace, and taking several short breaks on the off-trail section. Speed hikers with off-trail/route finding experience could likely make it to Fox Creek via this route in 2 hours or less with no breaks. The off-trail section is only about 1 mile “as the crow flies”, but will be substantially more as you will not be taking a straight path.

The route we took (not necessarily the perfect route, we were exploring…)

You can clearly see in the above image where we left the road, the gully which led to the peak, and finally the descent down Roberts Gully into Fox Creek.

The Canyon Descent: The canyon descent is fairly straight forward and I will defer to the Brennen Beta. Heed his warning regarding the possibility of getting a stuck rope on Great Falls. We were eventually able to free our rope by standing in the pool right across from the falls where the rock is undercut, but it still took some time and effort. (And a hilarious fall backwards into the water once the 2 people working on freeing the rope got it unstuck!) From the entrance point into Fox Canyon to the first rappel is 30 minutes. From the top of the 1st Rap to the bottom of the last rap we spent 4.5 hours in the canyon. (5 people) Our pace was moderate and unhurried. There are several possible swims at the base of waterfalls in this canyon. Our trip was mid-April and the pools were 4′ deep or less so we did not encounter any swims only wades. The anchors (April 2009) were all in good shape, but you’ll have to decide that for yourself when you’re there. This canyon is quite spectacular, definitely one of the most scenic in Southern California.

Egress: From the bottom of the last rappel it is a 10 minute hike to Big Tujunga Creek where you turn left (east). From the waterfall there is a use trail on canyon right for a short time, then it crosses over Fox Creek to canyon left. Stay on the use trail on the left hand side and watch for the turn up Big TJ Creek, if you are looking down you can easily miss the turn and end up walking down Big TJ Creek, when you want to hike up it. The USGS Condor Peak Quad Topo map and GPS software map both show the water level in the Big TJ Reservoir incorrectly. The maps show the water in the reservoir starting at the intersection of Fox Creek and Big TJ Creek, it actually starts almost a 1/2 further W-SW down canyon, so don’t expect to see the reservoir water as a gauge for your turn up Big TJ Creek. The intersection of Fox Creek and Big TJ Creek has a GPS of 34 18.091 N, 118 10.598 W Proceed east up Big TJ Creek for about 15 minutes (1/4 mile), as the canyon narrows down stay to the right (south) side of the canyon. The canyon opens back up, but continue to stay to the right hand side as you travel for a short distance to the south. Note the power lines running north to south across the canyon. The closest set of lines (not the ones with the big balls on them) will lead you right to Big TJ Trail. If you stayed on the right side of the canyon look up for the lines, (Trail starts directly under them) look to the south for a group of 10-12 100′ foot tall trees, the trail starts here. (This is the end of Josephine Canyon) You will see a clear rock slide zone, (3′wide?) and about 30′ feet up you’ll see a terraced slope with green vegetation, this is the trail. From this point to your shuttle vehicle the trail takes about 20-25 minutes to ascend. The first 100 feet or so is very steep, but then the trail becomes obvious and is maintained and easy to find and hike. It does make 1 fork to the east (which leads to the last waterfall in Josephine Canyon), make sure you don’t take this fork to the left.

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San Antonio Falls (Mt. Baldy)

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.

Canyoneering at San Antonio Falls

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Little Santa Anita Canyon

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.

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Falls Creek

Class: 4 C IV+

Gear:Four wheel drive, Ropes: 2 @ 200’, 2 @ 250’, 1 @ 120’, Rappelling equipment, Self rescue and group rescue equipment, 70’ webbing, bivi gear, water filters, headlamp, extra food.

Expected Time Commitment:14-15 hours. Best done as a two day, allow 3.5 hours for the approach including the four wheel drive section. A competent group of four canyoneer’s should be able to navigate the technical section within an 8 hour time frame, the class III section will take another 2.5 – 3 hours. Once at the road again the walk out is 1 hour.

Technical Obstacles: Several large multi-pitch rappels, 1200′ of technical canyon descent within 100 yards of canyon. Long fun class III scrambles, swims.

Non Technical Obstacles:
Long hot approach, some poison oak, large loose rock columns near rappel route, high level of commitment.

Recommended Time of Year:
Late fall, winter, early spring.

Finding the Trailhead:
We have removed access beta for this canyon as it’s now marked as private property belonging to the Water District. We are working to resolve access issues. In the future when (being optimistic) these issues have been resolved, we’ll repost the trailhead and approach beta.

The Approach:
See above.

The Canyon Descent:
Once in the water way you will be atop of a 60’ water fall that shoots into a pool that must be swam. A single bolt anchor is available cyn right. At the base you will now be atop of the largest and most challenging obstacle in the cyn. A 400’ two pitch rappel awaits. You will find a pair of good bolts cyn left. be careful as you approach these anchors as there is a very exposed edge just below. Rappel 180’ to a semi hanging re-belay stance that will be directly below your start. A single bolt/ a piton, and a stopper will be found and equalized, deploy a second rope and begin your final 220’ descent into the belly of falls creek. A shallow pool awaits you at the bottom. In pulling your ropes the lower 220’ rap will present several difficulties. There are two different rope eating ledges that you rope may get stuck on as it falls from the anchor point. Be advised that if you loose your rope at this point there is an “escape route” option at the top of the next water fall cyn right. If you need to escape the cyn via this route make sure that you have plenty of water as it is a very steep and grueling climb out with a lot of very loose rock. We recommend that you bring the amount of rope suggested at the top to insulate against having to climb out.
The next rappel is a 120’ rap into a deep pool, the anchors are a pair of good bolts cyn left. you will have to climb a safe inside corner up to a ledge that will afford you a great view of the drop. Directly after that rappel is a two pitch 215’ rappel the first pitch is a 65’ rap off of a good single bolt cyn left down a narrow cleft to a two bolt station. From the two bolt station you will find a 150’ rap down to a great pool. A 65’ rap is next off of a good two bolt anchor that is just to the cyn right of the water course close to the edge.

Your final rappel is another two stage rap. A 65’ rap off of a single bolt anchor leads you down to a small ledge that has a two bolt anchor. From that stance you will be able to rig up the remaining 140’ to complete the rappel. There is considerable poison oak beginning to grow from this rappel all the way to the bottom of the canyon.

From there you will find another amazing adventure hike as you explore a perfect class III cyn descent with challenging route finding and down climbing sections. We rigged up a retrievable anchor to do a 15’ rappel to complete this section. As you head down cyn the drainage will turn to the left, soon after this natural bend in the cyn you will reach the damn that the water co. has in place. At this point you can pick up the paved road and follow it back to the point that you reached at the beginning of the cyn route. Follow your pipeline trail back down the delta until you reach your car.

Optional Write Up:
This is a 14-15 hour trip. Plan of a bivi even if you get an alpine start, bring extra food and Gatorade. If using creek water, make sure that your bottles stay full. The rock has an algae growing on the wet rocks that makes it unbelievably slick. Sticky rubber shoes are a must. On the second rappel on the lower 220’ section you will pass though a huge section of loose death blocks that are delicately stacked on top of one another. Take care.

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Rubio Canyon

Class: 3AIII R

Gear: Two 120’ropes, One 60’ rope, outfits for a canyon with no swims (wetsuits are unnecessary), 30’ of webbing, steel rappel rings, bolts at each drop but be prepared to build natural anchors as bolts may be damaged by rockfall (inspect carefully). Self rescue and group rescue gear with head lamps.
Expected Time Commitment: Car to car for a small solid team – 6 hours (on the short approach), 12 hours (on the long approach)
Technical Obstacles:
8 waterfalls 25′ to 100′
7 rappels (one two stage)
2 down climb
Non Technical Obstacles: The lower sections of this route was completely buried by a land slide that was naturally re-exposed as of October of 2004 resulting in loads of loose rocks. This route has to be avoided during and just after any rains. Any animal movement, heavy wind, or seismic activity on either rim of this canyon will result in rock fall.
Poison oak: Plenty of it in the upper reaches along and above the stream. Look out especially just upstream of the first rappel.
Recommended Time of Year: Late fall, winter and spring. Low elevation south facing front country canyon route.
Trailhead:
From the 210, take the exit to Allen Ave – go 0.2 mi north
Bear left at E Maple St – go 0.1 mi
Turn right at N Allen Ave – go 1.8 mi
Continue on Allen Ave – go 0.8 mi
Turn left at E Altadena Dr – go 0.1 mi
Turn right at Tanoble Dr – go 0.2 mi
Turn left at E Loma Alta Dr – go 0.7 mi
Bear left at Rubio Canyon Rd – go 0.1 mi
Turn right at Rubio Crest Dr – go 0.1 mi
Turn right at Rubio Vista Rd – go 0.1 mi
Approach:
- Look for a canyon warning sign and proceed quietly through the easement that will lead up canyon. The easement is located on the east of Rubio Vista near the top of the road.
# Continue up canyon as the trail enters the water course until you reach the last and lowest exposed waterfall. Look to the “right” up slope (canyon left) and follow the steep but shallow dry drainage on a faint usage trail.
# This trail will work its way up hill about 500 feet before it takes a sharp left hand turn.
# Follow the trail as it climbs steeply to a look out point we call lunch ledge.
# You will be able to assess the water flow and the presence of the fixed anchors atop the largest waterfall in the canyon.
# Continue up slope on this trail until it begins to contour side slope up canyon then drops down into the canyon.
# There are two rigged rappels down this slope due to severe erosion. One is off three pickets at the top and the second is off a tree about halfway down.
# Once in the water course you should change into your technical canyon gear.
Longer approach that visits upper parts of the canyon:
Drop your car at the Rubio Vista trailhead, then drive a second car back to the top of Lake St. Park and follow the trail up to the top of Echo Mountain. From there find the new user trail that goes east off the back side of the old hotel ruins area. find your way from there down into Rubio canyon proper and follow it down cyn.
Descent:
For the longer approach you will navigate a 75′ two stage rappel first –
Rap #1 75′ bolts cyn right (two stage)
Rap #2 95′ bolts cyn right
Rap #3 40′ bolts cyn right
Rap #4 40′ bolts cyn left
Rap #5 55′ bolts cyn left (recent rock slides have shortened this rappel be heads up!)
Rap #6 55′ bolts cyn right
rap #7 45′ bolts cyn right (two stage with walk off at the base of the first drop)
Egress:
Follow faint user trail back to the point where (if you hiked in from the bottom) entered the rock filled stream bed. If you came from Echo Mtn look for elevated water pipes overhead, and a large stack of smashed up pipes in the middle of the stream bed. you will find a faint user trail cyn right under a large shade tree with a small bit of poison oak on the right

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Lower Eaton Canyon

Class: 4CIV R

Gear: Two 120’ropes, one 60’ rope, outfits for a class C canyon with multiple mandatory swims, 30’ of webbing, steel rappel rings, 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 10 hours if water flow is high or low

Technical Obstacles:

* Warning! Canyon is impassable under heavy water conditions. Hike to the bottom of last waterfall to verify if conditions are passable
* 5 rappels
* Several 4th and 5th class down climbs.
* Several swims, swiftwater rope systems may be required
* One known strainer pool to be aware of during swims in heavy water flows.
* Hypothermia and heat exhaustion during high water, high air temperature days
* Mandatory jumps and slides not in accordance with the WCCM

Non Technical Obstacles: Long hike with tricky route finding needs for the approach. Bush whack with a steep loose down climb at the final drop in section. Snakes and bees prevalent throughout.

Recommended Time of Year: Late spring, summer and early fall. This route is a long low elevation front country canyon with a back country feel and commitment. This canyon is basically south and west facing with a narrow shady section.

Trailhead:
*Near the city of Pasadena head north off the 210 freeway on Alta Dena drive.
*Park along the road at any of the dirt turnouts above Eaton Canyon Nature Center. The closer to the base of the hill the shorter your hike will be.
*As of the winter of 2004 the main road to Henniger Flats was washed away in sections creating a need for an alternative start. Inquire ahead of time at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center on trail alternatives and conditions.

Approach:
* Hike the road up hill towards Henniger Flats.
* Once at Henniger Flats follow the road up past the camp towards a large saddle where the road makes a “T” junction. Make a right and follow this road downhill staying right. You will reach a large turnout area before the road banks left and back uphill.
* From the “T” intersection down to the turn out the road will be following above a deep canyon called Esme canyon. You can look across Esme to see an old brushed in road with a line of old telephone poles. From the dirt turnout you will need to locate a steep trail that drops directly down into Esme canyon.
* At the bottom of Esme hike down stream a few yards then find a route to climb back up the opposite side of the canyon to the old brushed over road. Follow the road for a while until it dead ends into a large brushed-in turn around area. At this point you will be able to see down into Eaton Canyon Narrows.
* You will need to make a hard right, find and follow a small trail that will contour up Eaton Canyon far above the stream bed. This trail will wander down to a severely washed out area that must be down climbed to the base of the canyon. Watch for loose rock and potential rockfall. Helmet up!

Descent:
* After gearing up hike then down climb several obstacles
* Rap #1 45′ bolt cyn right – up out of sight
* Rap #2 35′ bolt cyn left – black hanger
* Rap #3 80′ bolts cyn right – out ln the face of the canyon blocking boulder
* 2+ hours of wading, swiming, down climbing and hiking with possible small rappels or jumps to navigate
* Rap #4 60′ natural anchor  - into possible swim **bolt has been chopped
* Continue hiking down canyon 10 minutes
* Rap #5 bolts cyn left rap into possible swim watch for other hikers when you throw your ropes, tricky rope pull, possible swim at bottom.

Egress:
* Follow established hiking trail back to the car park. You will cross under the out of service bridge after about 20 minutes. Use this as a possible exit point depending on where you parked your car.

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