Axolotl Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3B III (v3a2 III) Raps:3, max ↨150ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Jan-Apr
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33.6559, -117.4769
33.6713, -117.4602
33.6516, -117.4554
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
Axolotl is a large tributary to Salamander Canyon, connecting 300 feet past the last rappel in Salamander. It can be seen from the Salamander Express Exit as having 2 large waterfalls (in season), and one more hidden from view.
Approach[edit]
There are two recommended approaches:
1) Hike the Los Pinos trail and leave the trail at 33.65518, -117.48147. Angle left, and drop into left most fork of the 3 the Western forks. Battle some brush (use the canyon sides to avoid some of it) as you make your way down past small springs and reach the main (Eastern) fork at 33.64907, -117.48162. Hike the wider area (through mess of sticker vines, other plants and poison oak) a 1/4 mile further to 33.64629, -117.48260 (R1).
2) Run Salamander canyon, proceed down stream 300 feet past the last rappel, head up Axolotl drainage and climb up the scree and talus chute (climber's right) before the big falls in Axolotl. Cross over the ridge at appropriate locations to get to R1, R2 or R3 as desired. Note: this way has not be verified to work, but after close 1st hand visual inspection, it's obvious this will work. Bring loppers, you will need them!
Descent[edit]
R1 40+25' small bush on slab 30 feet DCR of water course
R2 100' small bush 10 feet up DCL
R3 150' small bush cluster 20 feet up DCL, two stage rappel
Exit[edit]
Pick you poison:
1) Hike down Salamander (Hot Springs) to Little Chiquito, climb up it to the San Juan trial, hike back to BlueJay campground
2) Hike all the way out (see Salamander canyon shuttle exit).
3) Scramble and climb up the steep rocky and moss covered slope directly across from where Axolotl connects to Salamander, traversing left once up nearly as high as the Salamander Express Exit rock horn. Climb up to the rock horn and proceed back to BlueJay using the Salamander Express Exit.
Red tape[edit]
You need to pay for parking inside Blue Jay campground (if you park there), or have a Federal Land Pass.
