LSA Sunday December 13 2009

My friend Bernd and I wanted a canyon today and LSA beckoned

We'd done the canyon on 6/8/2008 shortly after the area was reopened after the Santa Anita Canyon fire that started on 4/2/2008 and extinguished on 5/1/2008 (photos)

I'd waffled on doing this until the NWS canceled the flash flood warning that'd been in effect all day Saturday 12/12 & early Sunday 12/13

I'd earlier expressed concern since the hourly forecast had 100% chance of rain until 4am with a 50% chance the remainder of the day. Along with the Flash Flood watch I was a no go.

The watch was lifted and I called Bernd and we where on....

I arrived at 7:15 am and sorted out my gear hacking off 45 feet off my 223 foot rope that'd suffered a core shot in Bailey Canyon the week before. :(

Bernd arrived at 7:45am and we where off by 8:15 am

There where a few hikers some of which turned back at the various rock falls and slides. As we rounded the ridge on the Mt Wilson Trail we heard the roar of the water flowing in the canyon!

I expressed concern about the last two drops, but knew we could deal with it or just back out, there is a spot up canyon where it is possible to climb up to the Mt Wilson Trail

We got our wetsuits on at First Water and headed down canyon about 9:30am, I could see lots of the rocks and stuff that fell into the canyon was washed out but much remained. The biggest problem we'd face the entire day was the numerous trees that have fallen in the canyon

At R2 a tree had fallen covering the anchor. But being a San Gabriel Canyoneer I had a collapsing pruning saw and went to work. We'd agreed it'd be best to leave the ropes in place until we where certain we could safely get past "The Spout".

That accomplished I went down "The Spout" first, at the bottom I stepped into the fastest part of the flow and it felt like I never touched the stone, rather I stepped on the water...A very odd feeling to be sure.

You still have too stoop under the chock stone but some has been washed away, it's gonna take a much more vigorous flow to wash it out.

Scrambling over, under and around the down trees was/is and will continue to be a pain for some time to come. At another rappel we had to break out the saw again, but this was to be the last time.

The hikeable part of the canyon had little evidence of the use trail that is usually very evident, lots of the rocks are loose so caution is required to get down safely.

"The Cave" was fun as I rappelled under the waterfall, Bernd rappelled off to the side. This and other places where the water hit me directly confirmed for me my decision to purchase a neoprene jacket for wet canyons. I can unzip it for the dry parts and zip it up for the wet ones. I used my farmer John shorty figuring the water wouldn't be all that cold (for me)

I was quite comfortable all day

Bernd wanted to have me in one of the videos so I gave him the camera at "The Saucer" which is still filled in :(

Past the emergency exit We came to the pothole and the final two rappels, I was belayed out to the anchor, and as I figured the pothole is still filled in WHAAAAAA

The last rappel was of concern to me as it would be hard if not impossible to stay out of the flow. If the flow was high this could be dangerous / fatal, but again the ropes where left in place until we where certain we could do it safely.

The rain of rocks we had the last time we where has was gone. Down canyon the debris basin behind the dam was noticeably shallower, I suspect the County Flood Control District will be out here soon trucking out all the fill to ???? who knows where.

They're gonna run out of places to put this stuff some day

Ah well it was a great day, certainly not hot nor was it cold... Goldielocks it was!