Alimony Creek
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| Difficulty:3B II (v3a2 II) Raps:3, max ↨90ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Watercraft:Yes | |||||||||||
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Condition Reports: | 4 Sep 2022
"Heavy bushwhacking after R1. Downclimbed R2. R3 down to the reservoir was spectacular. Pulled the rope while standing on a foot chip to make bagging e |
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Introduction
Alimony Creek is a brief canyon, but offers a unique final rappel directly into the reservoir and a fun packraft exit.
Approach
Park in the dirt parking lot and drop directly into the canyon.
Descent
Either follow the scree slope directly down, or follow the white rock water course LDC originating from a drainage tunnel running under the road; either path ends in a rappel to the bottom of the canyon.
R1: If following the white rock water course, probably build a cairn anchor for a longer rappel (not measured; probably up to 80ft)
R1 alternate: 40ft from a pole forming part of an erosion control wall. Watch for and avoid poison oak on the way down.
Following R1, there is heavy bushwhacking until R3 at the end of the canyon.
R2: About 30ft from a tree root slightly LDC
R3: 90ft from a bush on the edge of the cliff slightly RDC of the water course
At the top of R3, there is a small clearing RDC that provides enough to space to inflate 3-4 packrafts before descending. It would be a good idea to fully prepare for the packraft exit before beginning this final rappel.
Exit
Paddle up Big Tujunga until you can hike on dry land. Pack up the packrafts and continue up stream until the Josephine bowl appears on the right (LDC). Find the exit gully that leads up to the trail and follow the trail back to the road.
Red tape
Review the boundaries and rules for the Big Tujunga reservoir before attempting this canyon.