Last week, I went out into some desert canyons in the SE section of the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Yes, the SGW, does have a desert section. Check out the Whitewater River some time.
I had seen videos and photos of a big falls in the Whitewater Drainage. I figured this would be a good year to see it, what with all the rain, so I set out to find it, and find it I did.
It's got to be 200' high when you add up the drop of all three tiers.
Now, the trick to it here was that I was searching for a weather balloon that had landed up behind the falls in some seriously rugged country. The falls, even the lowest tier, pretty much stops progress up the canyon, at least for hikers.
How did I find the falls? How did I get up into the drainages behind them? All that and more on my ever-so-exciting trip report.
The Road to Hell is Paved with... Weather Balloons?
Now, for those of you who like a challenge, there are notes on the continuing search for the balloon. If you're up for it, it's a challenge to plan and execute a trip into remote, rugged, trackless country. For those who are qualified, I hope you'll take up the gauntlet.
Regards,
HJ