We did the loop on 12/30/22. There were patches of ice and snow. I wore microspikes for about a 1/3…read moreof the hike. We did the loop and the total mileage was 7 miles. The 2 people I did the hike with didn't have microspikes and they were fine. A lot of this area has been affected by the fires over the previous couple years. Since it is such a long, winding drive along Hwy 2 this trail is not very busy. Make sure to display your Adventure Pass parking permit. Because of the recent storms the waterfall had a good amount of water.

This is a 3 mile (roundtrip) trail that takes you to a really cool waterfall that's located deep…read morewithin the San Gabriel Mountains. Tall trees provide shade throughout most of the trail. There are just the right amount of people on the trail where it is not too crowded and it's also not too secluded. What I wish I would have known before I went was that you can park right next to the trailhead. If you enter into Buckhorn Campgrounds you can drive right up to the trailhead parking lot. I didn't know this so I parked at the outer parking lot and had to walk a half a mile down the hill. The parking lot nearest the trailhead actually had less cars then the outer parking lot. The other thing is that the majority of the trail is really easy to follow. You just have to remember that when you get to the signage and junction that lists both Cooper Canyon Trail and Burkhart Trail be sure to keep going straight along the Burkhart Trail. The falls will be a little further down on your left. You will have to descend down to the canyon bottom, with the assistance of a rope, to reach the base of the falls. Kids can do it no problem. The waterfall empties into a pool of water that's about a foot deep. It's really cold and refreshing. The waterfall was really wide with a nice and strong flow. Be sure to bring your Adventure Pass. There's no cell service. There are bathroom but they were all locked probably due to Covid-related precautions.

This is one of the best campgrounds in the area. The drive there is about 15 miles on bumpy dirt…read moreroad. (We could not find the shortcut route) that's 5 miles. So we followed some signs from Lake Hughes Road and ended up driving on an old road that had another (dirt) road steeply ascending up a grassy mountain. We later passed a nice place called Bear Campground but it was full. We also saw a sign for Atwood Meadows Campground and turned there. The road got too washed out, but we hiked down and it was also nearly full (apparently it was a jeep and ATV group using all these sites). We finally arrived around sunset and found the campground to be fairly quiet compared to the other camps. We got a site down a mountain slightly, under a gigantic pine tree. Some large oak trees were also dotted around the site. This area also has a water spigot but it was shut off (it's overgrown with weeds and has a lot of bees). Just bring your own water because the spigot may be off. We were originally staying for 2 nights but stayed for 4 nights and went back to Atwood meadow and did a hike to a gorge (15 miles on the dot - very overgrown in one section but we found a better way back that was much less overgrown)

Came camping this Saint Patrick's day weekend, first off make sure you have a high clearance…read morevehicle because I used my Honda Accord, a slightly newer model and it was insane getting up here ...so unless you have a jeep, a truck, or huge balls then don't try it.. other than that great, great place ! Only saw one other group of campers and they seemed to be day camping so we ended up being the only ones for a night and a day.. on Saturday like we saw only two more campers but that was all, pretty nice and quiet. There was lots of wind so secure your tents well! Lots of free firewood everywhere and the pacific crest trail is super near, word of advice try your hardest to get a hold of a map. Strongly recommend if you have an off road vehicle the road here will probably be loads of fun ! Just be very careful and safe on the way up ! I do not recommend RVs or a small car like I did because it was very scary, the roads are not pavement at all.. there more of a back road feel, very uneven, and can be very dangerous. Also the toilet isn't that bad, kind of smelly but it's a toilet..There is NO running water at all so bring extra ! Mostly clean, lots of wood chips, stumps, and logs , some left over items from a previous camper but it was an axe and rope, which ended up being useful so it was okay. Grab a adventure pass for the night at the 711 in Lake Hughes only $5 a night, not sure of where else to get get them honestly.. drive safe !

Do it! Worth the views and time and conversions you can have with a loved one on the way up. Not…read morehard on the body.

I was here on Saturday, June 8th. I arrived around 6am, parked in front of Clear Creek Fire…read moreStation, summited at 8am, and back to the car around 930am. It's an easy trail. Easy to follow. There are several parking spots. I do suggest arriving early for a parking spot. There is a restroom across from Clear Creek Fire Station. Vault restroom. There was no sign at the top of Josephine Peak (FYI). Overall, it was a nice and warm hike. Happy Hiking!

This review is for the Indian Canyon North Via Pacific Crest Trail which was a ~4.5 mile round trip…read morethat took ~2 hours to complete. Trail entrance is across the street from the parking lot. The first ~0.5 miles was a bit overgrown and washed out. In addition, there was one large stream crossing with a lot of water. For this particular stream, it was somewhat ankle deep otherwise you can cross by using the logs and trees. Once you cross the railroad tracks to another part of the PCT, it becomes a steady incline / flat trail for the remaining duration of the hike. Plenty of wildflowers and views throughout the hike. Unfortunately, nothing exciting at the end of the trail. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/DyMKtjR5YZk

A decent trail and hike. No trees just bare hills. Would be pretty in spring but rather lackluster…read morein late summer/fall. No bikes or motorcycles allowed. Parking is easy and there's a restroom at the parking lot. The trail connects to the PCT so you can make it a longer hike if you want.

Simple and ordinary trail in the Angeles National Forest. Despite the fanciful name, the canyon…read moreneither looked gold nor had any gold mining relics. Park along Big Tujunga Canyon Road where North Trail Canyon Road intersects. Hike up Trail Canyon until the road splits. Trail Canyon is to the right (see https://www.yelp.com/biz/trail-canyon-falls-tujunga) and Gold Canyon is up to the left (see pic). As a sandy service road, the trail was easy to follow, good for mountain bikes, and never gets super steep. It's also monotonously boring. Initially curvy and repetitive, the hike gets better when the road straightens and views of surrounding mountains and canyons plus the ocean on a clear day are visible (see pic). At the highest point of Gold Canyon Road, often called Gold Creek Saddle, is a circular concrete pedestal with Yerba Buena painted on the top. From the highway to this point is 4.65 miles with a 2000' elevation change. We turned back but the road continues downhill south to the city and also diverts north up towards Mt. McKinley that is overgrown with brush. With no trees, no shade exists. The low elevation means the temps aren't much different than in the city. On a positive note, Big Tujunga Canyon Road has significantly less vehicle noise than hikes along Angeles Crest Highway. When parking and leaving your car anywhere in the Angeles National Forest, a $5 Adventure pass or alternative pass like an Interagency Annual Pass is needed.

Brian U. gave a good and thorough review. I will add that one of the reasons I like this trail is…read morebecause it is not popular. I love solitude when I'm in the forest and this has it. I mountain bike this road/trail also to the Round concrete pedestal that says Yerba Buena. It's just shy of 5 miles from the car. There is another circular concrete pedestal at about 3.5 miles but I would suggest going to the Yerba Buena because that last stretch is beautiful.

Great route for hiking and biking. Even better if you are into bouldering…read more You are in bear country so be weary. Adjacent to horse flats campground. Nearby Pacifico and the PCT. Ranger and Firestation are nearby for an added sense of security.

You can get to Mt. Hillyer from Upper Chilao Campground, from Horse Flats Campground and from…read moreRosenita Saddle. To get to Upper Chilao or Horse Flats take Interstate 210 in La Canada, exit at Angeles Crest Hwy. (Hwy. 2). The drive takes less than an hour. This review is for the backdoor entry into Mt. Hillyer and the descent towards Horse Flats Campground. This backdoor entry starts at Rosenita Saddle which you can get to by turning right at the same fork which takes you either left to Horse Flats or right to places where you can park if you are not camping like Rosenita Saddle. If all you want to do is admire the 360 degree view that is afforded by Mt. Hillyer then start at Rosenita Saddle. It is less than a mile of hiking from Rosenita saddle to Mt. Hillyer. The hike from Rosenita Saddle to Mt. Hillyer is easy. You don't have to climb uphill at a steep incline. The trail is easy to follow throughout the hike. After the lookout rock atop Mt. Hillyer there is a descent to Horse Flats. The climb back up to Mt. Hillyer is not too steep at all. Then from there it's downhill to Rosenita Saddle. We were here in April and there really are no bugs like on other hikes along the Angeles Crest Hwy. You may need sunblock since most of the trail is not under the shade of trees. The whole area is characterized by high areas (where you feel refreshing gusts of cool wind), some meadows, pine trees and large rock formations. Some of these formations can be climbed and they afford incredible views. There are no streams or waterfalls here if that is what you consider necessary for a beautiful hike, but generally those kinds of hikes do not afford the views hikes like Mt. Hillyer offer. From the top of Mt. Hillyer you can see the extent to which forest fires have caused deforestation but you can also see pinecapped mountains. At the right time of the day if you look towards Los Angeles you can see clouds and/or smog hugging the mountains. It's quite a beautiful sight. We were lucky to see gray squirrels, blue jays, woodpeckers and unfortunately a rather large rattlesnake - so be very careful around the parts of the trail with brush. It's bear country so make noise often and be sure to contact the Ranger's Office for tips on what to do if you encounter a bear. Since it's bear country you need to be very careful if you bring along kids or pets. Pets are allowed but must be on a leash. Be wary of mountain bikers. Some of them rush downhill recklessly. The trail is fairly kid friendly since the climbing is moderate, but you can't forget it's bear country. Don't forget your Adventure Pass which is currently $30 for a year and $5 for a day and can be obtained at Ranger Stations. The fines are pretty steep for people who don't use Adventure Passes. The area around Mt. Hillyer is just as beautiful as more famous trails like the one at Mt. San Jacinto near Palm Springs. This trail is really worth your time if you like to climb rock formations, see impressive views and love pine trees!

Long before the 14 freeway existed, the only way to travel north past the Santa Susana and San…read moreGabriel Mountains to central and northern California was through a narrow 70 foot tall pass called Beale's Cut (also known as both the San Fernando Pass and the Newhall Pass). Completed in 1859, this pass was used up to 1910 until it was abandoned after the Newhall Tunnel was built located ¼ mile to the west of the site. Through the years the site has been used for a number of western movies. William S Hart supposedly jumped his horse across the gap. The land around Beale's Cut was used by a refinery until the 1980's. The land currently remains vacant. You can still see various concrete foundations and pipes from the oil refinery. In the spring of 1998 a massive landslide filled in nearly half of the cut. This site was designated as California Registered Historic Landmark No. 1006 on May 11, 1992. A marker base and plaque for this historical landmark was unfortunately never erected. The entrance to the site is located 1 mile south of Eternal Valley Cemetery. You'll see a metal fence on the east side of the road. From there you walk up the hill for another 1,000 ft.

If you like odd bits of history this is a fun one. Only takes a minute to get find, and you don't…read morehave to hike. From Sierra Highway and the first instersection with Highway 14 go north and stop just short of the Welcome to Santa Clarita sign. There will be the remains of a stone monument on your right. Walk back down the road and look back. You will see the cut.

There are a lot of trails out here. Some are just for atvs and bikes. And you have to be careful,…read morebecause many of the trails have black diamond offshoots that can mess you up if you're. it careful, or at least prepared. lovely place.

Although COVID cancelled our hikes overlooking Lake Tahoe, we tried Bouquet Canyon reservoir as a…read moresubstitute. Granted, not an equal replacement but was still enjoyable with multiple vistas of the man-made lake and a few patches of wildflowers. We started at Forest Road 6N08 and Bouquet Canyon Road along the eastern edge of the reservoir and just kept going up until we reached the top of Martindale Ridge. The ridge is also accessible from opposite side via Sierra Highway near Agua Dulce. Not an area of the Angeles National Forest where environment concerns are at the forefront, the roads are legal for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use like dirt bikes, ATVs, and 4-wheelers. We were the only hikers on the dirt roads which we safely shared with six motorcyclists and a dozen 4x4s. As with most off-roading areas, multiple tracks were cut through the mountains. The trails were either named Martindale Ridge Road or Rowher OHV Trail. Consequently, it's easy to confuse the two and depending on the route taken, distances can greatly vary. For example, we hiked 5.0 miles going up and 3.8 miles returning down. The entire hike was 8.9 miles with a 1700' elevation difference.