Duo FINALLY Successfully Negotiates Falling Rock Canyon

[Sally]

From the first time Ellen did Falling Rock Canyon, she had a desire to share a trek up it with me. She was very impressed with what a cool route it was, despite nearly freezing and then returning to her car, post-hike, to find that her keys were missing and was nearly stranded at the Icehouse Canyon Trail Head.

Several weeks later, the weather had warmed a bit and we made plans for the two of us heading up FRC to Ontario Peak. We thought it was a good plan, however, we started up the wrong canyon (now known as "Falling Girl Canyon") and came close to having to press the 911 buttons on our Spot Beacons for a rescue because we nearly got stuck on a slope of crappy rock on a slope that was out of our league. We managed to extricate ourselves on our own and made it to Ontario Peak.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and Ellen made another successful trip up FRC with some other friends, and this time she felt she had the route nailed, having the advantage of there being no snow to disguise the route, and having paid close attention to where one leaves the trail at the foot of the canyon. So Ellen and I planned ANOTHER trip up FRC.

We were to meet at Ice House Canyon TH on Wed Oct 9 at 6:30 to begin our hike up the canyon. At 7:10, still no Ellen, and there's no cel reception. So I drive back to Baldy Village where I get a hold of Ellen, who has been broken down in her car off of the 210 fwy. Foiled again! I go home and Ellen tries to salvage the day after getting towed and getting a rental car, with a solo hike up Register Ridge , where she nearly freezes.

At this point, the need for revenge is uncontrollable and we make plans AGAIN! This Tuesday, the 15th of Oct, we met at the Ice House Canyon TH and started up the trail. Ellen knew exactly where to leave the trail and head up the canyon. It was WAY different from Falling Girl Canyon, with an obvious path up. There was some easy scrambling. The sycamores provided a splash of Fall color. Finally we got to a rock wall that could have been climbed up, but the alternative, a steep slope with loose dirt and rocks seemed to be more our style. We clawed our way up the slope and found ourselves on the "friendly" ridge that we had been so relieved to be on during our first attempt up FRC. I would like to point out that this is a particularly pretty patch of country up there, where one could probably spot some nice wildlife of the Big Horn variety if one were lucky. We crossed over the ridge and, surprise, there was a beautiful snowy slope left over from the previous week's storm. We made use of our microspikes and pushed on up to Ontario Peak. After a relaxing snack we headed back down the trail to Kelly's Camp, Ice House Saddle, and back to the car. Cars working, keys where they were supposed to be, we headed down the hill to PF Chang's for a celebratory meal and beverages.

Pictures:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1009477359 ... directlink

[greatshaitan]

Great report, beautiful pictures!

[towbradley]

Shots 3, 4, 5 .....did yu go straight up the canyon? Thats pretty amazing gnarly. Great pic's.

[Sally]

Thank you, greatshaitan and towbradly. Yup, Brad, we went straight up the canyon , which was pretty straightforward and easy, but getting out of the canyon onto the ridge required clawing our way up on all fours as the ground was steep and the dirt was loose.

[Hikin_Jim]

Cars working, keys where they were supposed to be

Wait. This does not sound like an Ellen hike.

Great photos. And, yeah, I'm going to go ahead and say that looks a little gnarly. And the other canyon was worse?


HJ

[HH8]

that looks a little gnarly.

Yup, scree like that is favored by Bighorns