Start

We arrived at the gated Fall Creek road hoping to find it unlocked, but not really expecting it. Not that it would matter, since the road is too rough for anything less than a 4 wheel drive. Of course the gate was locked, and so after loading our packs, we set off. We wound around the turns of the road down a bit more than a mile to the Classic Canyon drop-in.

Classic

My gps pointed us to an unlikely spot on the road as our drop-in. We looked over the edge and found a very steep scree slope heading into the canyon. We carefully found our way down, dislodging what seemed to be half the slope. After the scree, we came into bush, tree, and boulder obstacles. This section was also full of poison oak and dense foliage, and we both got a little scraped up. But finally we came to a 10 foot dirt slope which dropped directly into a small stone slot with a pleasant creek down the center. We had entered Classic Canyon.

Dry Canyon?

In past reports Classic Canyon was completely dry save for a few stagnant pools. This was not the case today. The canyon had a good flow going down the center. I put on my brand new 5.10 Camp Fours along with my new water socks and REI gaiters. It was quite a getup. We proceeded down the canyon only a minute or two when we arrived at the first rappel.

Classic #1 and #2

For the first two rappels, we only found one bolt with a chain link on each bolt. We set up a double line, and I went first. The slot of the water flow was so slick, I just slid down slow while controlling my descent with my new Petzl Pirana. Each drop was about 20 feet, and dropped into a waist deep pool of freezing water. It was so cold, my knees started to numb.

Classic #3

After only a few minutes of travel, we arrived at the big one. There's some debate about the height of this one ranging from 125 to 160 feet. To be safe, we chose to single line with a 200 foot rope. This rope was Brian's new 8mm canyon pro, which looked awfully thin, but it was super light. Brian went off the edge first, and spent 10 minutes detangling the rope on the way down. We both used prussic loops and level 3 friction on the pirana. I still felt that the friction was not enough. It seemed like I was loosing control over my descent, but we both made it down safely. There was extra rope at the bottom, so I'd say the drop is closer to 125 than 160.

Mill Creek

After exiting from Classic Canyon, we had a hike along Mill Creek back to the Fall Creek road. It couldn't have been more than half a mile, but it must have taken a half hour to do this walk. We had to cross Mill creek several times, sometimes wading above our waist. Hiking through thick undergrowth, on slick rocks, and across muddy embankments took considerable time and effort. But we did eventually reach the road.

Hike to Fall Creek

We walked to the end of the road, followed the creek to the old cement bridge, and started up the dry and hot road. We stopped and took a small detour to see the campground, and then continued on the steep uphill section.

Drop-in

We came to the first drop-in, which is a very steep soft dirt trail that you must half slide half hike down. It puts you down right at the first rappel. We chose to continue on the road to where it meets the creek bed about 5 minutes ahead. It seemed like the logical choice. Travelling down the creek bed that would normally be avoided started out very pleasant. Soft moss covered banks around a shallow creek. However, we came to a lengthy section filled with downed trees. Crawling under, climbing over, sometimes even moving them out of the way took way more time and effort than we expected. After we finally arrived at the first drop, we both agreed the first drop-in trail is the way to go.

Fall Creek

The last time I was in Fall Creek, we spent at least 6 hours in the canyon due to the instruction and practice during the canyoneering course. However, the canyon only has four drops, and we proceeded through the entire canyon in about 35 minutes.

The first drop

Last time the canyon was bone dry, but this time a good amount of water was going over the edge. The slot was very slick, and as you approach the bottom, the slot goes inward into a grotto. The end result of this is that you end up with a face full of water as you go through the falls. And after that you drop into a waist deep pool that you must pull yourself out of. Last time this pool was entirely full of sand.

Drops two and three

Immediately following the first is the second fall. This drop used to lead you into a sand filled stone bowl that is ideal for a dead-man anchor. Now the sand has been washed out down a good two feet and filled with water. What was an awkward sit-start is now a step onto a lip out of the pool. The pool below the third drop was only about a foot deep.

Final drop
The last drop was only about 25 feet beyond the third. It being 90 feet, we decided two double line rappel with the 200 foot rope. Brian went first and I followed. This rappel is claimed to be one of the best rappels in the San Gabriels. I have to say it was pretty awesome. There are many holes that you dip into that get the water fall pounding on you from above. The best part was that it was completely un-slippery. The pool at the bottom was just below the waist.

Exit

After exiting from Fall Creek, we had a short walk across Mill Creek back up to the road. Amazingly enough, just as I popped up onto the road, I startled a hiker that just happened to be hiking with her dog on the road. She continued on and we both stopped to change into some dry clothes. The 2ish mile hike back to the car was all uphill, and had a seemingly endless amount of curves and false ends. Finally we reached the car, tired and very satisfied with a fun day in the canyons.