Two weeks ago I took a small group of hikers to Stoddard Peak with the intention of cooling off afterwards at the Baldy Water Slide. It was a nice day, we made good time but it started to lightly rain on us during the descent.
By the time we returned to our cars, the rain had stopped. A couple of us checked out the Baldy Water Slide. We walked along the trail for a short distance before finding the rope used to descend the steep, rocky section to the creek below. There was a big pool at the bottom which indicated what was in store for us.
We decided to go downstream first. We were amazed to be in this gorgeous canyon that seemed like it went on forever. There were pools and pools of blue-green water holes with lots of mini waterfalls and cascades. The water was so pristine and crystal clear. We couldn't resist taking a dip and cooling off in almost every pool we waded through. A few were too deep for me, so we bypassed them.
I was overwhelmed by this canyon's beauty. It's a hidden gem in the San Gabes. And yet, no one else was around to take advantage of such a serene location that mother nature has provided. I was in awe! I was in love! To my eyes, this is the most impressive canyon I've ever hiked through.
We turned around at some point and headed up stream. After arriving back at the first huge pool of water, below the ropes en route to the Baldy Water Slide, I didn't think this section was as pretty. Near the end it was a bit challenging for some of us. There's a section where you need to use ropes to walk across a rock wall. Unless you are 6 ft. tall, then you can easily walk across a deep pool avoiding the ropes. This section is not for inexperienced individuals. We waited for a group as they struggled to get past the ropes with the look of fear on their faces. Not to mention, they wore the wrong shoes, freaking out and holding up the line while the rest of us waited patiently.
After we got beyond these ropes, there was a second obstacle to climb over. A huge, knocked-down tree that someone placed between a rock and a wall in order to climb to the base of the slide.
Finally, we arrived at the huge, deep, green pool of water beneath the water slide. We sat on a big rock watching people muster up the courage to take the plunge. It was hilarious.
I contemplated sliding down because it looked refreshing. But after seeing how potentially dangerous it was and the fact that the pool below was very, very deep, I opted out.
I recommend going downstream if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a peaceful swim.
Baldy Water Slide
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Girl Hiker
- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:46 am
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Girl Hiker
- Posts: 1297
- Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:46 am
That pisses me off so much. At least there's good signage now? Pop quiz: who's the "they" that are giving out the tickets? If you don't know already, you'll be shocked.
For those not yet aware, the MRCA owns that pullout across from Barret Stoddard rd. That's all they own. Just that little pullout. And the way the use that tiny bit of land is to put up no-parking signs, and then to patrol that one pullout to write tickets. Bleh.