Mt. Baldy Canyoneering

After several years of hearing about the canyoneering that existed along falls from the stream that runs by the hut, I finally found a group that was actually doing it - the crew from ExtremeThings. We all met in Altadena and carvaned up to the Mt. Baldy trailhead. We loaded up our gear and hiked to the base of the falls visable from the Antonio Falls road. From there we followed a narrow trail that led to the top of the falls. I had never realized there are actually 5 water falls there, 2 of which are in the 90 foot range. They are hidden nicely in the canyon. It was warm out, but despite that we put on some light thermals and rain gear to start the descent into the canyon. We were going to be getting wet and I wasn't ready to plop down some big bucks for actual canyoneering gear. A wetsuit may have looked odd but would have been more effective.

Here I am at the top of the first falls.

I believe this is the bottom of the first falls.

This is the second or third falls and is one of the longer ones. You have no choice but to go directly into the downpour on this one, it was aweome getting blasted by all that freezing water. I loved it! Here I am at the top.

A little further down.

 

Totally immersed!

Finally coming back out of the water.

This is the 4th falls. They were short but difficult due to several off angle pools.

The final falls has rooster tail. I rapped down into it and the pressure shot me out. The lighter people on the trip got pushed out before really even getting ino the heart of it.

 

This is the view from the road where you can actualy see parts of some of the falls. I always assumed thy were only as big as you could see. That is definitely not the case. In this shot there are a few people on the top and the bottom of the falls, you can get a better idea of just how high they are.

And here is the crew from that day. I can't wait to go back. Now that I know the anchors I may have to try this on my on with a smaller group.