Las Flores Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v3a1 II) Raps:3, max ↨50ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None | |||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 10 Nov 2024
"4.5 hrs car to car from parking via lake. Canyon itself isn’t spectacular, but the mines were all great. We explored 3 major mines. Anchors were in |
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34.2190, -118.1238
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Introduction[edit]
Simple canyon with convenient location, located very close to Pasadena. It has 2-3 rappels and some interesting mines to explore. This is a good route for beginners.
Approach[edit]
Park at the end of Lake Ave in Alta Dena. Head East and take the second trail on the left. Trail is well traveled and busy with hikers. After about 3 miles on the trail you will reach the drop in point. If you happen to be running the canyon at night beware of the "No parking after 8pm" signs.
Descent[edit]
The first rappel is almost immediate after dropping in from the trail. It is 20 foot rappel with a large tree for an anchor located about 20 feet from the rappel LDC for a total rope length of about 45'.
The second rappel follows soon after, and is about 30 feet. There is a good tree for an anchor located RDC about 15 feet from the rappel and about 10 feet up on a slope. Be cautious with the rope pull and anchor pull to not snag in any of the branches on the slope. You can also anchor it off a shrub LDC. There is loose rock here so beware on the rappel and rope pull.
About halfway down the canyon there is a mine entrance in the watercourse (banner image). This is a pretty nice mine for the area and goes back quite a ways. You have to crouch a little at the beginning but it gets taller. Expect to get wet about up to your thighs in some areas.
After a couple down climbs and a long distance the third rappel appears. It is about 30 feet tall. There is a large tree RDC up on a slope, similar to the second rappel. Notice the rusty pipes and metal debris directly on the rappel lip. If the rappel is done RDC there will be a slight free rappel with an overhang, but no metal pipes to damage the rope.
More information on the mines can be found here: http://www.lagoldmines.com/index.php?page=916662.txt
Exit[edit]
After continuing down after the third rappel you will reach a small concrete dam with a ladder DCR. Do not continue down the ladder, exit the steep trail DCR. This will lead to a paved path which loops back to the start point.
Red tape[edit]
None
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
Lots of graffiti and trash. Bring a trash bag to help clean it up.