Hastings Canyon

CLOSED DUE TO FIRES Somewhat similar to neighboring Bailey Canyon to the east, Hastings presents a large number of unremarkable rappels in a drainage usually containing a small trickle of water.

After leaving a shuttle car over by the Hasting creek channel (note the no parking areas in that neighborhood), drive to Bailey Park and hike to the stone cabin -- this is the same approach as for Bailey Canyon. Descend into the canyon and head upstream a few minutes At the fork, head up the left fork past 2 rocky water slides and look for a ridge with a relatively easy incline (looking at 7.5 minute topo, it is inline with the word "Canyon" at 34.18584, -118.05991). Hike up it with one switch back to the right and you'll find a well pruned trail to summit the ridge starting at 34.18556, -118.05990, and steeply climbing up 440 vertical feet. Once you hit the ridge (divides Hastings and Bailey, just a little brush on top), head uphill (North) to 34.18900, -118.06299 (3220 feet on the 7.5 minute topo). Traverse 30 feet off the ridge to a trimmed bush, then descend steeply down holding onto bushes until you reach a gully and a short wall. Traverse right into the main Gully which is Hasting canyon. Continue down the steep scree and dirt to 34.18783, -118.06460 (2800 feet on the 7.5 minute topo). NOTE: KML updated 6DEC2023 to be more accurate. Don't follow the old KML file exactly, it's not accurate, it leads you up a brushy and rocky gully, and it will cliff you out on the drop-in.

There are 3 20’ downclimbs before the first rappel. NOTE: 26APR2022 not sure where these are ??? R1: 30’. DCR – big horizontal tree anchor R2: 50’. DCL - big and bigger tree down past giant boulder with a surprise undercut (or DCR tree anchor up a steep gully ?) R3: 20’. DCL? – bush, downclimb ? NOTE: 13MAY2022 this is one of the downclimbs between R2 and R3 R4: 60’. Webbing wrap around a boulder midstream R5: 25’. DCL – 2 pronged bush/tree down next to former big PO bushes DCR NOTE: PO bushes cut down 13MAY2022 R6: 45'. DCR – tree, or downclimb (feet are better than it looks from the top) R7: 45’. DCL – tree on sloping ledge, rappel through a thick dead tree. Exposed getting to this tree – a belay should be used! Or ghost bush DCR 60' down the scree chute. R8: 80’. DCL – high up tree. A “human ladder” may be needed R9: 65’. DCR – big tree (high up) covered with a zillion ants! Or 60' big boulder canyon center. down through 2 grass filled potholes R10: 35’. DCL – dead tree (new webbing could be installed on live part now) R11: 25’. DCL – big tree, some parts dead, through some brush over a big boulder R12: 65’. DCL – multi pronged sticker bush, or DCR tree Work your way around poison oak DCL in 2 places. Bamboo thicket and spring follows