Dark Side Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A I (v3a1 I) Raps:5, max ↨140ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | |||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 23 Jan 2016
"There is another storm coming so things will keep changing this spring. The rain two weeks ago may have washed a lot of the loose rocks down so it was |
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34.2573, -118.2054
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Introduction[edit]
A short, pretty brush free canyon along the Angeles Crest Highway.
You can see a few of the rappels from the large paved parking area at: 34.2544, -118.1992
Approach[edit]
Park along the Angeles Crest Highway at 34.2575, -118.1969. At the end of the paved parking area the trail climbs steeply. Follow this trail to the intersection with the Mount Lukens Fire road. Turn left at the fire road to continue going up, towards Mount Lukens.
The drop in is at:34.2580, -118.2064 just after the second hair pin turn in the fire road. It's pretty steep and rock fall is likely. There should be a use trail going down into the canyon.
If you wish to cut off the last .3 mile hike back to your car along the Angeles Crest Highway you can park a shuttle vehicle at:34.2544, -118.1992 where you will exit the canyon. You can also look up canyon and see a few rappels from here if you look closely.
Descent[edit]
The canyon narrows up a little and before long you are at the top of the first rappel.
(Be very aware of rock fall in this canyon! It is highly recommended that you stay out of this canyon if it's raining as the rock can be loose)
Rappel 1: 65' anchored off a bush DCL
Rappel 2: 105' anchored about 30 feet from the edge (total rope length around 140') on a bush DCL. There is steep slope at the bottom of this rap you could rappel down adding another 15'.
Get away from the bottom of this rappel for the rope pull or be prepared for a rock shower!
this brings you to an area with some trees followed by a few downclimbs to the top of rap 3. You could also rappel off a big tree DCL in this bowl, avoiding the downclimbs. This might be better considering the small rocks that might fall off the bush on rap 3.
Rappel 3: 35' anchored off a bush DCL.
Rappel 4: 35' off a bush DCL. This penultimate rappel puts you in view of Dark Canyon and you will probably be in the shade at the bottom. File:40ft penultimate rappel Dark Side.jpg
Continue down into Dark Canyon (turning left). The 5th and final rappel is almost right away.
Rappel 5: 15' anchored off a tree DCL.
Continue down canyon until the canyon opens up. The road is up on your right. If you have time, check out the culvert going under the road DCL. There are many wise words and refined drawings scrawled on the walls of this concrete tunnel.
If you chose to do a shuttle your vehicle is here at: 34.2544, -118.1992
Exit[edit]
Turn left and head up the Angeles Crest Highway .3 miles to your car. Be very careful as there isn't a large shoulder in some areas. Or if you did the shuttle your car will be right at the end of the canyon.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
First known descent by Dave Red & Alden Anderson on August 8th 2014
