Penin Canyon

During a narrow Spring window melting water flows through the canyon, giving rise to the best of San Diego water routes. The water sheets nicely off the rock and forms minor turbulences. Above the canyon, a myriad of occupied and active private fenced lots preserve the canyon and spectacular ridge top views from public access.

The only legal approach is temporary access via a ridge off the San Diego River made passable by the Cedar Fire of 2003. Hike up the north side/ridge of the canyon off a trail that runs above the San Diego River. The current condition of this ridge allows 800 feet of gain to get to the start of a ridge descent down to a semi-technical section at elevation 2750 in Penin canyon. Once the area fully recovers from the fire of 2003, this access will likely be lost. Above this elevation, the creek is a slow and tedious trek through marshes, slippery shallow granite pools, and cumbersome edged boulders to elevation 2800. Above that is a section of easy slick rock travel.

Jammed rocks and deadmen anchors are available. A 200ft rope should suffice (depending on waterflow. With large waterflow, two 200 foot ropes may be necessary. The first section starts off with a slippery 2-stage rappel, the first stage is low angle, the next steep. There are a few short drops after that, difficulty will vary with water flow and how slippery the rock is. At elevation 2300 a long low angle chute begins a long waterfall rappel sequence. The water splits around a jutting rock and drops into a short freehang down to a wide ledge. Use the the tree RDC on this ledge to rappel another 30 feet to the next ledge. This is followed by a steep 50ft watery down-climb and finally another two-stage rappel both about 30-40ft. There is another drop downcanyon, but after that drop the creek is back to long bushwacking to the San Diego River. Current conditions allow the north ridge to be easily gained after the long waterfall and jaunt cross country back to the San Diego river cascade at elevation 2000.