Hastings Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A III (v3a1 III) Raps:12, max ↨80ft
Red Tape:Closed to entry Shuttle:Required 4 min Vehicle:Passenger | |||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 29 Oct 2023
"Thanks to everyone who worked on the approach trail. The approach is a breeze now and only took 1:20 from the trailhead to the drop-in. We did about 6 |
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34.1872, -118.0651
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Introduction[edit]
CLOSED DUE TO FIRES Somewhat similar to neighboring Bailey Canyon to the east, Hastings presents a large number of unremarkable rappels in a drainage usually containing a small trickle of water.
Approach[edit]
After leaving a shuttle car over by the Hasting creek channel (note the no parking areas in that neighborhood), drive to Bailey Park and hike to the stone cabin -- this is the same approach as for Bailey Canyon. Descend into the canyon and head upstream a few minutes At the fork, head up the left fork past 2 rocky water slides and look for a ridge with a relatively easy incline (looking at 7.5 minute topo, it is inline with the word "Canyon" at 34.18584, -118.05991). Hike up it with one switch back to the right and you'll find a well pruned trail to summit the ridge starting at 34.18556, -118.05990, and steeply climbing up 440 vertical feet. Once you hit the ridge (divides Hastings and Bailey, just a little brush on top), head uphill (North) to 34.18900, -118.06299 (3220 feet on the 7.5 minute topo). Traverse 30 feet off the ridge to a trimmed bush, then descend steeply down holding onto bushes until you reach a gully and a short wall. Traverse right into the main Gully which is Hasting canyon. Continue down the steep scree and dirt to 34.18783, -118.06460 (2800 feet on the 7.5 minute topo). NOTE: KML updated 6DEC2023 to be more accurate. Don't follow the old KML file exactly, it's not accurate, it leads you up a brushy and rocky gully, and it will cliff you out on the drop-in.
Descent[edit]
There are 3 20’ downclimbs before the first rappel. NOTE: 26APR2022 not sure where these are ???
R1: 30’. DCR – big horizontal tree anchor
R2: 50’. DCL - big and bigger tree down past giant boulder with a surprise undercut (or DCR tree anchor up a steep gully ?)
R3: 20’. DCL? – bush, downclimb ? NOTE: 13MAY2022 this is one of the downclimbs between R2 and R3
R4: 60’. Webbing wrap around a boulder midstream
R5: 25’. DCL – 2 pronged bush/tree down next to former big PO bushes DCR NOTE: PO bushes cut down 13MAY2022
R6: 45'. DCR – tree, or downclimb (feet are better than it looks from the top)
R7: 45’. DCL – tree on sloping ledge, rappel through a thick dead tree. Exposed getting to this tree – a belay should be used! Or ghost bush DCR 60' down the scree chute.
R8: 80’. DCL – high up tree. A “human ladder” may be needed
R9: 65’. DCR – big tree (high up) covered with a zillion ants! Or 60' big boulder canyon center. down through 2 grass filled potholes
R10: 35’. DCL – dead tree (new webbing could be installed on live part now)
R11: 25’. DCL – big tree, some parts dead, through some brush over a big boulder
R12: 65’. DCL – multi pronged sticker bush, or DCR tree
Work your way around poison oak DCL in 2 places. Bamboo thicket and spring follows
Exit[edit]
Stay DCR of the stream bed and follow the trail—you'll end up on the DWP side of the fence
Red tape[edit]
Be careful of the closing time of the parking area for Bailey Park.
Effective 10-9-2020 this canyon is closed through April 1, 2022 as part of the "Bobcat Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure" for the Angeles National Forest. Forest Order No. 05-01-20-08. Link to CalTope map showing closure area is here - https://caltopo.com/m/9KEQ?fbclid=IwAR2FQQ-n-3nETK2-f1Dh_AlCh4LbOxAzGCpPxYSkR_bdsddZ9FP7ekwEOQ8
Beta sites[edit]
Chris Brennen's Adventure Hikes (St Gabriels) : Hastings Canyon- Super Amazing Map : Hastings Canyon
Trip reports and media[edit]
Nov 16 2014 Don't use the KML - the bushwack is horribly overgrown and dusty. Use Brennan's approach and Beta.
Background[edit]
First canyoneering descent by Scott Smith, Nathan Wozny, Troy Sette, Chris Brennen and others on Dec.12, 2004.