September, 2004 Do I say where the canyon is or keep it secret? Do I encourage others to enjoy the same experience, or try to protect the canyon from later abuse? In the case of Lemmon Creek however, it is an obvious attraction. Anyone interested in a finding a canyon to descend in the Catalinas will be drawn to the large vertical drop and the close contours that call out from the map. The Creek's best protection is its location. Someone prepared to go out carrying a heavy pack for 2 days over/around/under boulders doesn't tend to be the type to then trash a canyon. There were 3 of us on this trip, Steve Newcomb, Joe Plassmann, and myself. Lemmon Creek has been explored in the past by hikers from decades ago, but we suspect the area has been rarely visited since then. There certainly were never any signs of anchors from previous parties so we believe our trip was the first technical descent down the Lemmon. Abeautiful abseil to start off with. Steve islanding in one pool and looking over the edge to continue the restof the abseil. The biggest distraction going down theLemmon was all these nooks and crannies to explore. Welucked out finding this campsite.Monster trees and giant boulders dominate a middle section ofLemmon Creek. This was the last waterfall for a long while, though we didnot know this at the time. Another giant tree that has survived for centuries amongst thebouldery edge to a large pool. Joe pulling a water laden pack out ofthe water.Joe is going down the last abseil with water cascading down overhis feet.This is a panorama of the last abseil in the creek before we joinedthe trail.Sometimes there really are no alternatives to it.