Rubio Canyon

Rubio Canyon is a nice, short, very accessible canyon perfect for an introduction to the canyons in the area. The main attraction is a beautiful, tall, slippery waterfall named Thalehaha that can be observed beforehand on some of the approaches.

There are three main routes for this canyon, one of which starts on a different trail from the other two.

Rubio shortcut
The shortcut route combines one of the shortest access hikes of all the San Gabriel canyons with a technical section of intermediate difficulty. It is the easiest variation both physically and technically, but it descends a slope with loose rocks so helmets are essential.

The trailhead for the Rubio shortcut is located in a residential area at the intersection of Rubio Vista Drive and Pleasantridge Drive in Altadena (34.2030, -118.1229) now marked on Google Maps. Plenty of parking is available on the adjacent streets. The trail is not immediately obvious as a trail to everyone because it is directly adjacent to the north noise wall of 1342 Rubio Vista Drive, but it can be recognized by the warning signs at its entrance. Follow this trail 0.5 miles to some concrete pillars that previously formed the foundation of the Rubio Pavillion. Shortly after this point, the trail will descend to the canyon bottom. Turn around and note what the trail leaving the canyon bottom looks like as you may need to find it in the dark.

Continue up canyon 750 feet to a waterfall RDC – this is the final rappel (34.2074, -118.1164). Continue up the large scree gully LDC for 450 feet to a large section of solid rock in the bottom of the gully (34.2072, -118.1150). Just before this rock face, there will be prominent use trails turning left to contour west up the ridge forming the RDC side of the gully. This trail continues 300 feet through tall grass to a collection of boulders on a relatively flat area overlooking a large waterfall to the north – this is the Lunch Spot (34.2077, -118.1157) and it overlooks Thalehaha Falls. At this point the trail can be difficult to find. Continue up the ridge NE on a faint use trail for another 240 feet until the use trail starts contouring along the ridge to the left. Contour along the ridge for 60 ft and then up another 40 ft to the summit (34.2082, -118.1150). There should be a small clearing with two rebar anchors staked into the ground and an eroded trail heading steeply downward into the canyon. Some choose to use the anchor for a hand line or rappel while others choose to downclimb this 100 ft slope. The eroded trail then takes a sudden left hand turn to contour along the ridge for 25 feet to a tree which makes an excellent anchor. The sloping drop from the tree to the canyon bottom is nearly 100 ft and extra care should be taken to mitigate the danger of falling rocks. The top of Thalehaha is just down canyon of this point.

Leontine extension
The Leontine extension adds 300 ft of elevation gain to the approach and 4-5 additional rappels, one of which is taller than Leontine. This route is appreciably more difficult than either of the other two routes.

The Leontine extension is identical to the Rubio shortcut up to the summit of the Rubio shortcut. At the Rubio shortcut’s summit, do not descend the eroded trail. Instead, continue up the ridge on the use trail. Continue following the largest trail visible until you cross the next large gully. Do not take the trail the branches to the left at 34.2084, -118.1142; instead continue up the ridge to 34.2084, -118.1133. After crossing the large gully at approximately 2800 ft elevation, the trail descends into the canyon bottom just above a series of waterfalls leading to Leontine Falls (34.2094, -118.1135).

Via Echo Mountain
The Echo Mountain approach described by Chris Brennen doubles the elevation gain of the Rubio shortcut by adding 700 ft and requires a car shuttle (or long walk), but it is the easiest route technically because it avoids the hazard of the first loose entry rappel for the Rubio shortcut while only adding a short, easy two-stage rappel relative to the Rubio shortcut.

To begin the Echo Mountain approach, first place a retrieval vehicle at the trailhead described in the Rubio shortcut route -- this is the exit. Then, drive back to Lake Avenue and follow it north to its intersection with Loma Alta Drive. Make sure to obey the signed parking restrictions, but parking can usually be found within 800 ft of the intersection even on busy days for this popular trail. Begin the Sam Merrill trail by walking east next to a large metal gate onto a poorly-maintained small road. Follow the road 450 ft until it bends left – continue straight at this point. After another 175 ft, the trail will turn left and head slightly downhill. Ensure that you are on a trail that is on a small canyon wall rather than being above the canyon. This is the Sam Merrill trail; follow it 2.5 miles to the ruins at Echo Mountain (34.2110, -118.1209).

After taking a break at the ruins, backtrack 300 ft and head down the NE side of the ridge where signs to the dance floor or tennis court indicate. Find use trails that continue the 400 ft descent to the canyon bottom.

Skills required: Ability to navigate a standard class 3 canyon

Rappels: 7 rappels (10 with Leontine), up to 100'; possibly 140’ with Leontine

Additional Risk
· The first sloping rappel on the Rubio shortcut route has a lot of loose debris that has a tendency to fall while people are rappelling. Ensure that people at the bottom, including the belayer, are positioned safely.
· Thalehaha is very slippery; most groups are almost guaranteed to have someone fall. Make sure to remind everyone not to let go with their brake hand lest this happen.
· The bolts on the last stage of Leontine Falls (only encountered on the Leontine extension route) should be examined before use. Ensure that you have a backup plan in the event that making an anchor in the hanging pool proves impossible.

Water
Except after strong rains, nearly all of Rubio requires only knee-deep wading. Thalehaha and Leontine falls can both present a large amount of splashing though, so canyoneers should be prepared to be damp. Both the Leontine extension and via Echo Mountain routes involve one short section of waist-deep water.

Anchor Conditions
All rappels in the Rubio shortcut and via Echo Mountain routes have double bolts. See the Additional Risk section for notes on anchors in the Leontine extension.

Gear Recommendations
Standard gear to navigate a class 3 canyon, non-cotton socks, potentially a wet suit or rain jacket October-April

Flash Flood Danger: Low, but exceptional rain events have caused lethal flooding in the past

For the Rubio shortcut and Leontine extension, you should recognize the base of the final rappel from the approach; simply reverse the approach back to your car.

For the route via Echo Mountain, scramble over boulders down canyon until a prominent trail leaves the canyon bed RDC about 800 ft from the final rappel. Make sure not to miss this turnoff or a very unpleasant 140 ft (vertically) scramble awaits you at the bottom of the canyon. Follow this trail to the street where your retrieval car is parked. After leaving the canyon bottom, the trail is fairly flat. If you find yourself hiking steeply uphill, retrace your steps and take the other fork of the trail.

No permits are required. Most of the trip is located in the Angeles National Forest.