LA Canyoneering
Angeles National
Forest
The Angeles National Forest (ANF) of the U.S. National Forest Service is
located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, southern
California. It was established on July 1, 1908, incorporating the first
San Bernardino National Forest and parts of the former Santa Barbara and
San Gabriel National Forests. It covers 655,387 acres and is located
just north of the densely inhabited metropolitan area of Los Angeles.
A small part extends eastward into southwestern San Bernardino County,
in the Mount San Antonio ("Mount Baldy") area. A tiny section also
extends westward into northeastern Ventura County, in the Lake Piru
area. Forest headquarters are in Arcadia, California.
The Angeles National Forest manages the habitats, flora and fauna
ecosystems, and watersheds. Some of the rivers with watersheds within
its boundaries provide valuable non-groundwater recharge water for
Southern California. The existing protected and restored native
vegetation absorb and slow surface runoff of rainwater to minimize
severe floods and landslides in adjacent communities. The land within
the Forest is diverse, both in appearance and terrain. Elevations range
from 1,200 to 10,064 ft. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses the forest.
Much of this National Forest is covered with dense chaparral shrub
forests with oak woodlands, which changes to pine and fir-covered slopes
in the higher elevations.
Tree species for which the forest is important include bigcone
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa), Coulter Pine (Pinus coulteri), and
California Walnut (Juglans californica). The National Forest also
contains some 29,000 acres of old growth, with: Jeffrey Pine (Pinus
jeffreyi) forests and mixed conifer forests (Coast Douglas-fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii), Ponderosa Pine (Pinus
ponderosa), and White Fir (Abies concolor)), and Lodgepole Pine (Pinus
contorta) the most abundant types.
Canyoneering
While mountaineering is concerned with reaching the top of a mountain,
canyoneering is all about getting to the bottom. Known as “canyoning” in
Europe, canyoneering involves descending a mountainous canyon just for
the fun of it. Although canyoneering is a modern-day adventure sport, it
got its origins from the necessity of transportation.
As American explorers and settlers navigated across the early American
deserts, they were faced with a maze of canyons in the southwest. As a
result, methods of ascending and descending these canyons were
practiced. Ropes and anchors were commonplace to this first generation
of canyoneers.
After the land was settled with roads and highways, canyon routes were
abandoned. Modern-day canyoneering found it’s rebirth in the 1960’s when
mountaineering and rock climbing equipment was invented. Using this
gear, adventurous souls took to their own backyard seeking adventure. As
the public’s perception this bunch shifted from “crazy thrill seekers”
to “credible adventure seekers,” canyoneering began to take off.
Today, canoyeering is enjoyed all over the world and remains to be a
unique method of testing one’s limits, exploring nature, and having a
fun. It involves travelling in canyons using a variety of techniques:
• Walking
• Scrambling
• Climbing
• Jumping
• Swimming
• Rappelling
The best canyons for canyoneering have narrow gorges and smooth rock
faces. The terrain often encompasses drop-offs, sculpted walls and
continuous flows of water. Canyons can range from very easy to extremely
difficult.
It should be stated that canyoneering is a commitment. It is often
impossible to turn back once you commence the journey, as canyon walls
can be very containing. For this reason, it should not be tried without
the aid of an experienced guide who knows the route and the appropriate
method of descending each section. Canyoneering is also very gear
intensive. Helmets, life jackets, wet suits, and climbing gear are
essential.
Aside from the obvious dangerous associated with this sport, it can be
approached in a very safe and family friendly fashion. Canyoneering’s
ability to accommodate people at different life stages and fitness
levels has resulted in its increasing popularity over the past two
decades
