KC Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v4a1 IV) Raps:12, max ↨100ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:granite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 8 Mar 2025
"For this run, I spent at least 2 extra hours trimming poison oak and any other plants that were in the way of easy progress through the canyon floor. |
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| Best season: | oct-apr
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34.1623, -117.1758
34.1637, -117.1825
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Weather forecast
WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
Since the big storm on 13Feb2025, highway 330 had been closed, but as of 28Feb2025 is now open again. Check with CalTrans road conditions before heading that way.
KC is sweet short canyon off of highway 330 just north of 210 freeway. The canyon has many rappels from 30-100ft. The approach is steep like Monkeyface, but faster on earthen hillside mostly through grass and light brush. Some anchor making skills are requires as some of the anchors are from dead-man anchors in the watercourse and may be washed away. As of 1Mar2025 after the canyon clearly flashed HARD, only one dead-man anchor remains; all others are bushes or trees. One word of caution: at the drop-in and through out the canyon there is a LOT of poison oak! The oak gets denser the further down you go. However, thanks to the flash flood Feb2025, the canyon floor is totally clean out.
Approach[edit]
As you drive up highway 330, park in the third turnout on the right side just past the elevation 2000 feet sign. Before you start the approach, you may want to hike about 600 feet up grade (North) along highway 330 to the exit point (34.16510, -117.18184) and rig a handline to aid climbing up the rock field just below the highway support wall. For the approach, hike down grade (South) highway 330 about 500 feet to (34.16260, -117.18346) where there is a shallow gully below a 10 foot tall support wall. The gully itself is rather loose and steep, but the DCL (North) side is easy enough going through the plants to reach City Creek's canyon floor at (34.16236, -117.18314) without any exposed climbing. Hike up City Creek about 225 feet to a large oak tree (34.16293, -117.18267) on the opposite (East) side.
From the soil bank on the high side of this large Oak tree, climb straight up the steep earthen slope angling slightly right onto large rounded rocks protruding from the dirt. Note that these rocks may be loose, so be careful. This is the only exposed section on the approach; it's easy enough to have someone set a handline or belay people through this section. About 50 vertical feet up the angle backs off in the brush; follow the animal path through some pruned brush and you will see a old steel wire rope. Follow the KML file route up the ridge, mostly in the grass and through a few spots of white thorn bush. The game trails are excellent all over this hillside; just pick ones that general stay on route. About 700 feet up at (34.16135, -117.17911), the grass all becomes light brush to the left toward the canyon; continue mostly straight up to a path cut through the white thorn at (34.16091, -117.17806). On the other side, you will be back on grass; traverse the hillside gain elevation slightly heading toward a shallow saddle at (34.16215, -117.17566). From here drop steeply down the animal paths to the KC canyon floor; beware of poison oak bushes! Rappel 1 is less than 100 horizontal feet down canyon.
NOTE: this approach is mostly on soil with grass holding it somewhat together, and it will become loose when it's totally dry. After rain, this soil is somewhat "glued together" and will be much easier and more pleasant to climb. Not to mention that KC canyon itself will be nicer with a fresh wash of water, even if there is zero water flowing when you run it. Also, once the grass seeds and dries out (mid to late Spring), it will stick in your clothing and mesh topped shoes.
Descent[edit]
NOTE: a BIG flash flood came through in FEB2025 and there is only one dead-man anchor left. However, there are plenty of sturdy bushes and trees that have already been rigged, so no need to build anymore dead-man anchors.
- R1: 25ft from bush RDC (red and black webbing 1MAR2025)
- R2: 30ft from bush LDC (black webbing 8MAR2025)
- R3: 84ft 2 stage from shrub up off the canyon floor DCR (red webbing 8MAR2025)
Two easy and short downclimbs follow
- R4: 30ft from tiny bush cluster DCR (red webbing 1MAR2025)
- R5: 70ft from only remaining dead-man backed up with cluster of tiny bushes DCR (black 15mm webbing 1MAR2025) great picture opportunity
A couple of 10-15 foot down climbs and a crumbly 8 foot down climb
- R6: 80ft from cedar LDC 80ft slopped rappel (blue webbing 1MAR2025)
- R7: 60ft from small tree DCL and bushes (blue and black webbing 1MAR2025)
35ft ledge'y down climb <- Hmm ??? no bushwhacking anymore
20ft rounded chimney down climb or escape on dirt DCR <- watch out for poison oak on the escape
30ft chimney "stair case" down climb
- R8: 80ft from large J shaped tree DCL (red webbing 1MAR2025) buried in Poison Oak or
- R8: 105ft from a sturdy white thorn bush 25 feet up a dirt ramp and left on a rock outcropping DCR (green webbing 1MAR2025) which avoids the PO
R8 is covered with vines DCR and many DCL. Spring water may be present at the bottom of this rappel.
- R9: does not exist dead-man in watercourse 25ft <- bush? <- does not exist anymore
Final rappel sequence:
- R10: 45ft from tree LDC (red and green webbing 1MAR2025) <- exposed to reach and you rappel through poison oak or
- R10: 35ft from mangled (likely dead) and somewhat wiggly tree center watercourse <- better tree 30 feet back from lip; use as backup
- R11: 75ft to top R12b or 100ft to bottom R12b (bottom of technical canyon) of from 3 sturdy bushes DCR (black webbing 1MAR2025)
- R12a: from the top of the fallen "upside down" tree (no webbing present)
- R12b: from the bottom of the fallen tree DCL (black webbing 1MAR2025).
- R10-12: can be combined as 185 foot 3 stage rappel but your rope might get stuck on the big fallen tree.
Exit[edit]
Hike down stream in City Creek about 330 feet to (34.16474, -117.18175) and look DCR back up canyon and you will see a grassy (with a few bushes) earthen slope with no cliff bands. This is only non-exposed climb back up to highway 330 anywhere near the canyon exit. Climb up about 120 vertical feet to Highway 330. If you have left a hand line down the rock / scree field the last 40 feet will be easier. From the 330 support wall, hike down grade (South) back to the parking area.