Haha. I didn't see Martin's post til after i'd finished mine.
I went to Owens eons ago and I agreed with you about the dirt trench part. The power and water authority from LA owns it and there used to be a hydro plant there which is all now in ruin after they redirected the water for agriculture/big cities hence the dirty trench. But I went back again in 08 and they now have an environmental flow choofing down there and it's really pleasant, lots of greenery etc. and you have to keep crossing the creek on little bridges. Sort of feels like rifle a bit. Oh and there's a Access Fund dunny down the bottom now too.
There are some super steep walls there as well. One is called the dark crystal sector I think and the other is the area with the 12c Loony Binge. Super steep stepped wall with sort of a cross between crack climbing and steep roofy sport climbing. Peter Croft and the other boys from Bishop developed it. Anyway you'll either like it or not. Probably not good for more than a week or two tops but worth it in the convincing anthony stakes.