Holcomb Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3B IV (v3a2 IV) Raps:1, max ↨80ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Required 60 min Vehicle:Passenger | |||||||||||||||
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34.3742, -117.8559
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Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
You get to summit Mt Williamson before dropping into the canyon. So in a way, you start at the origin of the canyon which is quite the experience. There is a single rappel of 70' that due to the geometry could pose a problem under high flow. Good amount of down climbing and is picturesque throughout. A lot of signs of bear activity in the upper reaches, so keep that in mind.
Approach[edit]
This trip requires an hour long shuttle. The exit vehicle is parked at South Fork campground and the start is a parking lot along the Angeles Crest Highway 2. The parking area is where Highway 2 and the Pacific Crest Trail cross along the Islip Saddle. Take the PCT until the second large switchback roughly, 1.5 miles in. Here, follow the ridge north to Mount Williamson. Enjoy the view from this spectacular point. You can drop in immediately in front of you, or start heading down on the ridge with a north east direction. Descend the ridge and descend into the canyon in one of the many gullies to your left. The rock is very loose and unstable here, watch your footing and allow one person at a time to get down and get out of the way before the next person comes down.
Descent[edit]
Once in the canyon, it narrows a bit and the beautiful scenery begins. Water will become evident and small pools and cascades will have to be negotiated. Very pristine with no signs of humans in this upper section. The canyon will open up wide and you might see bear scat throughout. The amount suggested that it was a common hang out spot or perhaps a den was near by.
The canyon narrows again and vegetation will take over with no serious bush whacking. You will come to a gully entering from the left that had a trickle to a nice pool. A section with larger pools and small falls will follow that can be easily bypassed. It is truly beautiful here, take time to enjoy this area. Canyon closes in again and marks where the only substantial obstacle is in the canyon. A 70' fall that drops into a large deep pool.
- R1: 70' from tree LDC
While the fall is 70', you can rappel about 45' to a shelf RDC. See banner photo, the photo was taken from that shelf. Doing so, will avoid the pool all together. The canyon will follow with more pools and small falls. Shortly after a section of pools, you might encounter black pvc tubing that had been cut. There will be a 30' fall that some may choose to rappel instead. The canyon is beautiful but unfortunately the black tubing will be almost throughout the rest of the canyon.
Exit[edit]
After 4.5 miles from the start, keep an eye out where the canyon widens and look for a trail. Look for wood posts or cairns on RDC. Here, the High Desert Recreational Trail cuts across the canyon in a east-west direction and you will take this west back to the South Fork camp and back to your exit vehicle.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
- Gallery - November 17, 2013 by Christian Lupercio