Stone Plus One Canyoneering 2025

Stone Plus One contains a large number of reasonably-sized closely-spaced rappels; it could be described as a larger version of Little Santa Anita Canyon.

This canyon is notorious for rock fall after high winds and rain. Sharp rock can fall on webbing and cut it. Check all anchors thoroughly!

As with many canyons in the Big Tujunga area, canyoneers' help keeping access open is appreciated. This area is still recovering from the Station Fire in 2009 which means lots of invasive plants and overgrowth in general can quickly close off access to these areas and/or make your time in them miserable. Consider adding a pair of hand shears and/or small bypass loppers to your gear list when descending these places. There are many places online to learn how to prune constructively, and other organizations are helping with the effort.

R1: 78' from two bolts slightly RDC (Cyan 5/8" webbing MAR2025) There is an overhanging rock LDC that makes for a good picture spot.

R2: 129' from cairn anchor center canyon (needs rebuild) now bush DCL (Cyan 5/8" webbing MAR2025)

R3: 37' from a small tree center watercourse (ghosted MAR2025) R3 can also be combined with R2 at 200 feet, or down-climbed RDC.(R2-R3).

R4: 39' from small bushes center watercourse.

R5: 83' from a BFR LDC (multiple cairn options available from huge rock slide 2/12/17 no webbing MAR2025) or bush DCR (purple webbing MAR2025). This is the first rappel of the sequence that is highly visible from the approach trail.

R6: 17' from wiggly tree sticking out straight toward drop, center watercourse (Blue webbing MAR2025) Be careful, this rappel is slippery and awkward!

R7: 59' from tree right of center canyon (Cyan 5/8" webbing MAR2025) or huge tree DCL with bear claw marks (chewed up webbing removed MAR2025)

R8: 41' from tree center watercourse (green and black webbing MAR2025).

R9: 46' from two bolts attached to a rock on the ground RDC. Canyoneers in the picture below are pointing to the bedrock where the bolts are located; these bolts often get buried in dirt. Sharp Edges exist on this drop so proper rope placement and care should be taken.



(R7-R8) There is a long walk in between R7 and R8 with a short downclimb (6 to 8 feet) with a big tree for hand holds and a super pretty waterfall; see pic. This is also where one would enter the canyon if taking the shortcut approach.

R10: 116' from a huge tree high LDC (purple webbing MAR2025) or a bush cluster after a 5 foot downclimb DCL (black webbing MAR2025)

R11: 47' from bush cluster center watercourse; was a tree but it died. (black webbing MAR2025) This is the second stage of the same waterfall as for R10, and R11 could be combined with R10. (R10-R11) Combine as one rappel with two 200' ropes.

There is a "long" walk after R11 through thickets of canyon kelp.

R12: 136' from two bolts LDC. This is a two-stage rappel; 65' to the end of the sloping rappel that is probably down climbable in dry conditions, then the remaining distance over the lip is steep. Rope pull may be a problem! R12a: 90' from two bolts DCL. R12b: 50' from rock cairn with long extension (black webbing MAR2025)

More "walking" through thickets of canyon kelp.

R13-R17 are five back-to-back rappels, and some of them may be combined. If you are short on anchor material and are not familiar or comfortable with releasable anchors, consider your pull strategy carefully for these last five rappels.

R13: ~60' from two bolts LDC (silver "Sun bleached" webbing MAR2025)

R14: ~40' from bush center watercourse. (ghosted MAR2025) This rappel ca be combined with R13.

R15: ~25' from two bolts RDC (silver "Sun bleached" webbing MAR2025)

R16: ~70' from a tree center watercourse. This rappel could be combined with R15. A single 200' length of rope was just barely enough to combine rappels 15-16 (including pull).

R17: ~50' from two bolts RDC (silver "Sun bleached" webbing MAR2025)