Dry Taco Ravine
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| | Difficulty:3A II PG (v4a1 II) Raps:6, max ↨200ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Granite | |||
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| Condition Reports: | 21 Apr 2024
"Who wants to run Dry Taco when there is Eaton Canyon right next door? Decided to scope out Dry Taco again after a year and Im reminded why I dont d |
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34.1955, -118.0963
34.1905, -118.1072
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Introduction
If you are looking for big vertical (1500 feet) with minimal horizontal (from the approach road to Eaton wash mega trail), ZERO poison oak, and a few yuccas to dodge, Dry Taco Ravine is made for you! Note that the first 2 rappels have lots of loose rocks, thus the PG rating.
Approach
Parking near Pinecrest Dr and Crescent Dr in Altadena (same as for Eaton Canyon), head toward the gate at 34.19163, -118.10545 (note: the gate is timed entry during daylight hours), down across the bridge and hike up the Wilson Toll road past Henninger Flats to the T junction at 34.19722, -118.08614. Head West (downhill) toward Telephone trail (Eaton approach), but take the first left branch on the road and continue to the very West end at 34.19498, -118.09557 (slightly West of the Helipad). Head North off the road at 34.195083, -118.095388 where it makes a gully, but head a bit right and follow the cut path on the ridge through dense brush about 150 feet. The path angles hard left for 50 feet to a large bush The path then angles hard right dropping significantly and quickly there after dropping very steeply down earthen terrain to the first rappel at 34.19541, -118.09637.
Descent
R1 120' off a stout bush around a few yuccas, DCL over a crumbling rock ridge (PG)
R2 150' off a descent bush around more yuccas
Head down the main drainage past a few short sketchy downclimbs. 24NOV2022 there is webbing anchor under a boulder canyon center for the 3 short downclimbs at (34.19483, -118.09761).
A few minutes hike leads to the "main event" at 34.19477, -118.09806:
R3 100' off big bush on the ridge DCR above the drop
R4 75' off a BFR center drainage
Continue down scree and talus to the BIG :) rappel:
R5 180' off a eyebolt and 2.5" bush growing out of the rock high DCL. There are 3 stages, so keep going until you are getting close to the end of 200 foot rope.
Continue down to the last rappel:
R6 40' off a BFR center drainage
From the bottom of R6 (note the graffiti) it's a few minutes hike to the main Eaton drainage.
Exit
Head down the Eaton wash to the Wilson Toll Road bridge, climb up on either side, head up to the gate and back to your car.
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Background
No clue why anyone would want to explore this ravine!