For a first hike in California, this turned out to be a really great one! The trail isn't too long and doesn't take too much skill to hike, which makes it a great afternoon trip out. There are a few nice views at the start but the rest of the trail was largely in the woods. And honestly? That's totally fine! It had great shade cover and helped make the whole thing feel peaceful. read more

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Place is closed People should be able to know beforehand otherwise is a waste of drive read more

How fortunate we are to live close to truly a magical and extraordinary place! The moment you set foot on the trail, it's an eye awakening experience and you'll momentarily forget you're still in the Los Angeles County. Yes, the parking is a nightmare but it should be expected on a weekend so your best bet is to arrive early. We wanted to avoid the hassle of fighting over a parking spot so we paid $20 at the deli shop area. If it was anywhere else I wouldn't have paid that much but you guys should've seen the road. Carmageddon '19. There's two waterfalls within the canyon, the Hermit and Sturtevant. The Hermit falls is fairly the smaller one while the Sturtevant is more packed with people hanging around for an afternoon delight of packed lunches. The hike to both falls is enjoyable and tons of greenery to see, you'll also come across mild creeks in between the trails. But the absolute brutal part of this hike is the return back to your car. We're talking about a true form of evil inclining up a hill, vicious steps that seem to make no progress, but just as hard as it is .. the outcome is rewarding when you reach the top. read more

Santa Anita Canyon - "May your search through nature ... lead you to yourself" - Hiking Near Me

As good as it gets (in SoCal) is right!! If you have ever tried to hike in the LA/OC area, you know that finding a shady trail is near impossible. Santa Anita Canyon however offers many trails that are 70-80% shaded. To date, I have hiked the following trails: * Hermit Falls ~ 3 miles RT *Sturtevant Falls ~ 4 miles RT *Upper Falls Trail ~ 5.5 miles RT All of these trails offer a mix of incline/downhill but nothing extreme. Do-able for beginners, not boring for avid hikers and great for dogs! Tips: - buy an annual Adventure Pass from REI! There are so many great trails here and can also be used elsewhere in SoCal - bring water! - wear a hat! - come early or be prepared to parallel park Address to get to the parking lot (or close enough): Big Santa Anita Canyon Chantry Flat Rd. Arcadia, CA 91006 Highly recommend. read more

Santa Anita Canyon - Puppy post hike! Dog friendly trails! - Hiking Near Me

Fees weird that Yelp allows me to review nature. But oh well here goes My best buddy Alex and I both had a day off on Monday (life of jazz musicians) so we decided to take a hike, literally! We heard good things about this one so we made the drive from Long Beach. The 15-20 windy drive up the mountain from the residential area was a bit scary. There was plenty of parking when we went. I had to use the bathroom and the stall didn't have toilet paper, but luckily I always bring some with me when I hike. We ended up parking next to the lady we bought parking passes from who said she'd use our money to feed her donkeys or something. Pretty cool! Anyway, we hike up through the campgrounds and get to the start of the Winter Creek Trail, which branches off from the fire road. We hike for a good 45 minutes or so and it's great. It was a hot and sunny day but the majority of the trail was shaded. Even passed right by a small stream. Gorgeous views all the way through too! So after about 45 minutes we hear some rustling in the brush around us. "What's that?" says Alex. "Oh probably just a squirrel or lizard," I say. We keep walking a few more seconds and the rustling persists and gets even louder. "I don't think that's a squirrel," says Alex. He looks left and up into the shrubbery and I crane my head forward and right. As Alex sees a bear cub to our left maybe 20 feet above us in the bushes, I see 2 medium sized bears 20-30 feet in front of us in a clearing just right of the trail. I lock eyes with one of them. "Nope, bears," I say. "Run. RUN" Now at this point you may be thinking, "I thought you're not supposed to run if you encounter a bear." And you'd be absolutely right! I knew this fact full well. But y'all let me tell you, fight or flight is REAL. In the moment, we couldn't think of anything else besides putting as much distance as humanly possible between us and the bears. We're definitely lucky to be alive. I think the bears were as surprised to see us as we were them, rather than pissed. Plus, the trail was maybe a foot or 2 wide. We ran as fast as we could without tripping and falling to our deaths to the left. But I think even if the bears wanted to give chase, the trail was too narrow for them to follow. Whatever the case, I'm going to purchase some dang bear spray Needless to say, we rapidly (and blessedly uneventfully) hiked back to the start of the trail, making sure the only other guy behind us turned back too. Less than an hour later, as we're doing the twisty drive back down the mountain, we almost get killed, AGAIN. I drive us around a bend and we suddenly see some idiot Jeep who's halfway in our lane and closing fast. I honk, brake hard as I can and veer to the right. We came within inches of getting slammed by this fool. So all in all, beautiful hike, but 2 near-death experiences in less than an hour. I think I'm going to stay away from bear territory for a while read more

Santa Anita Canyon - Hiking Near Me

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Purchase your parking pass at the shop! Always hike with somebody with you when you are hiking! Safety first and bring extra water Intense drive! Thanks to my co-worker, I was the passenger and he drove. I would have been a turtle driving up there. Haha... Santa Anita Canyon is located in Arcadia, not too far from Monrovia. It was such an awesome experience because our co-worker certainly did his homework before we hiked. Santa Anita Canyon has a history. Gold was found here! Cabins were bulit for those who digged for gold. We were still able see some and apparently there are at least 81 of them still in good shape, however, we only discovered at least 7 on our trail. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/santa-anita-canyon-arcadia?select=v3MgbrH9mni2g2DgiHwpDg#PdQpc66hoKf8oyhBd7c9Mg What to expect? Crazy parking! People would park however they want, but still have room for others to fit, however, be careful. We saw some people parked their car against the mountain rocks, which looked like their car was about to tip over. (serious!) Get your parking permits because it's only $5 compare to a ticket. Where to hike? As you reach to the top, you'll see a bunch of people just sitting around on the bottom of the restroom trail, that's the start. Check out the map. There's two trail and both have a waterfall. We ended up hiking the short one, which took us about 40 minutes to get to the Sturtevant Falls. about 2 hour round trip. Work those calves and booty! ;) Totally worth the hike. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/santa-anita-canyon-arcadia?select=v3MgbrH9mni2g2DgiHwpDg#8OVbCLl8yS0Sjg2CVbWquw Tips: - Get there early - Have someone drive up there to get parking permit - bring a lot of water including snacks and food (please don't litter, forest is our nature) - prepare to sweat so bring a towel - bring sunscreen! - bring extra trunks/swimsuit/sandals and dip your feel in the water :) - ah yes, dog friendly! - most importantly, be safe! Definitely coming back for the long trail! :) Keep hydrated! read more

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We did the Big Santa Anita Loop =) This is a great scenic loop trip form Chantry flat, we climbed the Gabrielino Trail to Sturtevant Camp, and returned by the Mt. Zion and Upper Winter Creek trails. We started down a paved road. There are a number of small cabins along the way. The trail is in the middle of a beautiful oak woodland, and there's a 4 way junction of trails. We then went to see the 50-foot-high Sturtevant Falls, a worthy trip. =) FYI, take the middle (lower) trail -the more scenic and exciting alternative. This trail slices across a sheer wall above the falls and continues through miniature cascades and pools. About 2 miles into the hike you will reach Cascade Picnic where ther are restrooms. Another a mile, you will reach Spruce Grove trail Camp. This is a nice place to stop for a snack or you can continue to Sturtevant Camp which is less than 1 mile where you can relax and have a swing. Cross a dam and take the MT. Zion trail to upper Winter trail. The trip back up can be a PAIN =) so be ready! Overall, a great fun enjoyable afternoon of hiking. =) http://www.everytrail.com/guide/big-santa-anita-canyon-loop-with-upper-trail http://www.greeneadventures.com/2011/03/26/hiking-big-santa-anita-canyon-via-the-winter-creek-loop/ read more

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This is definitely a good hike for beginners, The waterfall is rewarding but in the summer it's pretty dried up. I came on a Saturday and by 7am, the parking lots were all filled up and we had to pay $20 in the private lot. The last 0.5 mile of the hike coming back to the parking lot is a killer because there's an upslope. read more

Wow to sum up this trail in one word i have to say it's BEAST! yes it's 10 miles to complete the big loop, yes there is a beautiful waterfall at Sturtevant Falls. But o man if you take the Mt Wilson trail be prepared for a hurtin! I would rate this trail at a level 6 (beginner/intermediate) until you reach the falls, but beyond the falls you can either take the easier route to mt zion or the iron man 4 miles of super steep hills to the summit of mt wilson. Depending on your hiking preference this can be a majestic family hike to the falls where alot of people bring their dogs and kids out for a day out to enjoy the beautiful socal weather. But if you're gutsy enough you'll see the hardcore hikings backpacking up to the camping grounds or all the way to Mt Wilson for a stunning view of the Santa Anita mountains. Parking can definitely be a pain in the butt on busy days so come early for the best parking either near the ranger station or along the streets down the road. But BUY A PARKING PERMIT or risk getting a $55 parking ticket! Yes they do check as we say at least a dozen cars get ticketed. The permit is only $10 at the ranger station! So don't be a cheapie and take the risk! read more

One of my favorite hikes! Need adventure pass. U can pay for it at the general store driving deep into the Parkin lots, even when the store is closed, u can still pay for it, just go there and take an envelope, stuff $5 inside and write the license plate on the envelope n drop it in the box. Abt 40 min each way. Going the the waterfall is a breeze but coming back up is a real challenge because of the steep climb. First 1/4 of the hike is hot and sunny, when u get down to the bottom then it's shaded and cool. read more

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Santa Anita Canyon! First off, my friend and I took Lyft to get there because we do not have a car. Anywho, going up was a zig zag. Once we get up, we were in awe of the view. I feel free. I definitely suggest to hike early in morning, not only the good scenery but the temperature would be perfect 50-70. I really enjoyed this long hike. I didn't had time to explore those other routes. I will come back and check them out later when I get more time read more

Santa Anita Canyon - Santa Anita Canyon! - Hiking Near Me

WATERFALL WATERFALL WATERFALL!!! BACKGROUND: Big Santa Anita Canyon, with over forty miles of trails weaving through the region, many leading to spectacular vistas, beautiful streams, cascading waterfalls, and situations of quiet solitude, is one of the most beautiful canyons in the San Gabriel Mountains. Although it is just twenty miles from downtown Los Angeles, it appears far removed from the bustle and hustle of our everyday lives. It provides a refreshing retreat to a green, peaceful, streamed woodland. STATS: Distance: ~11 miles Elevation Gain: 2,200ft Trail: Looped, on mostly rocky and regular trails. ESSENTIALS: At least 3 liters of water Know your limits Hiking boots that can withstand water Layered Clothing Gloves High protein food/snacks Electrolytes Camera Hat (optional) Sunscreen OUR ROUTE: Me and The Crew started out this hike at Chantry Flat, with a descend down a paved road to First Water Trail and going along down into the canyon. At one time in the canyon, we headed south along the Big Santa Anita Creek, through the retreat cabin Hamlet of Roberts Camp, to reach Hermit Falls. Our route involved a few creek water crossings and a bit of rock hopping along the way, but that's pretty typical of our hikes. It adds to the fun of it all. Due to the drought, the water level was so low, it wasn't even ankle deep. Afterwards a few ooohs, ahhhs, and pictures of Hermit Falls, we backtracked a little and headed upstream for a span of miles on the Gabrielino Trail to visit Sturtevant Falls. Sturtevant Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the San Gabriels and, with a fall of roughly sixty feet, surely one of the most telling. Later on a break at Sturtevant Falls, we doubled back again for about a quarter mile and got our way further upstream using the scenic Upper Falls Trail. The Upper Falls Trail has a short segment with some significant drop offs so care was needed. We eventually rejoined the Gabrielino Trail and followed its route through Spruce Grove on our way to Sturtevant's Camp, where we stopped for a ride on the big swing, lunch, and fresh water. Later on a luncheon break at Sturtevant's Camp, we merged onto Zion Trail and got down a brief climb to the top of Mount Zion (3,575'), where we enjoyed some outstanding vistas of the surrounding canyon and peaks. After admitting in the scene, we descended down the Zion Trail to Hogee's Campground, where we then connected the Upper Winter Creek Trail as it wraps itself along the pretty wooded canyon side on our way back to our beginning point at Chantry Flat. The most challenging component of this hike, in my view, is the trek back up the paved road out of the canyon. It seems to go on forevea!! A big sigh of relief once we reached the top. Especially since we had a semi-impromptu sausage, roast, adult beverages included. Woo Hoo!!! Disclaimer: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a fireman can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up. Review 64 Yelp 100+ Challenge 2015 #HIKINGINARCADIA #WATERCROSSING #WATERFALL #ROCKHOPPING #PEAKSANDVISTAS read more

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Prepare to wake up early! Parking lot gets packed around 7AM, so be prepared to wait for parking if you don't come early enough. My boyfriend and I got here at 6AM, when the trail opened, and the lot was already half full! The route we took was apparently different from what other hikers were doing. We entered from the left side and most hikers started from the right. The view was equally as nice, but another hiker who parked his car the same time as us said we took the more strenuous route. In my opinion, it still seemed like a fairly easy hike. The most difficult part probably would be the hill at the end. It was so steep, no joke! To prepare for your hike, here are a few tips: Pro Tip #1: Purchase an Adventure Pass beforehand. You can pick them up at your local sporting goods store for $5. Pro Tip #2: Bring good hiking shoes!! The paths are very narrow at times and the sand on the large rocks can be slippery. I slipped on a rock and thought I was going to fall off the edge.. Pro Tip #3: Watch out for bikers! Since we started from the left side, the bikers were coming from behind us. If you're hiking from the left, be cautious of these bikers. Pro Tip #4: Share the road. Some hikers are pretty aggressive, so just pause on a large piece of land, and let them pass so you don't end up falling down the cliff. Additional Notes: 1. The trail loops around, making a total of about 6 miles. 2. Trail is pretty shady, but prepare sunblock just in case. 3. Have fun and enjoy the trail! Make sure to pick up after yourself. Nature is our friend! Level of Difficulty: Easy with the right hiking shoes! read more

Santa Anita Canyon is only 15 minutes away from like Santa Anita Park. This is good get away from the cities. Enjoy a nice hiking in the Canyon. You could hike as far as Mount Wilson but most people come here to see the Sturtevant Falls which it would take up to 1 hour to get there and 2 hours round trip. Parking can be nightmare here especially if you don't come early, expect like 10-15 minutes walk, car with all wheel or 4x4 is idea to park near the mountain. There's pinic area in the entrance. There wasn't a information center or I can't find one if there were one. Few of the sign need to be repainted. Just aware with the governmetn cuts this canyon and other might be understaffed and maintenance, the restroom is awful. TIPS - Parking price had raise from $5 to $10, get the annual pass $30. - Hiking Pole is recommended. - Cellular coverage doesn't work most area of the park, bring walking talkie would be good choice if you plant to do long hike like to Mount Wilson. You can get a nice view of SGV on the way to the canyon. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/santa-anita-canyon-arcadia?select=2DYyM2_xhf1zTNujXUoI9A#A2PU0IEUjNeHD64S7CBlDQ Interesting looing Rock. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/santa-anita-canyon-arcadia?select=2DYyM2_xhf1zTNujXUoI9A#YzvbxIJKbLYQOjLAI1NMhg read more

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Sweating is sexy!!!! If ya like seeing a bunch of sweaty peeps, head over to the Santa Anita Canyon. There are loads of trails here. Some are easy. Some are tough. Some take you to waterfalls (2 of them). Some are uphill. Some are shaded. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/GL0F2Iw6rAGAIuyjgpoOOA?userid=YWFbTcVnun8i03XnEU7kVg#4GpRUXUUQ3BUAu-mKWC_tQ Some provide no shade at all so wear your sunscreen. My uncle and I did the 11 mile loop. It wasn't too difficult for us to complete. We jogged a lot of the way. The view at the top would have been spectacular if it weren't for the thick layer of smog over So Cal. We even got to see a baby rattle snake, which was cool and frightening at the same time http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/GL0F2Iw6rAGAIuyjgpoOOA?select=Y3xSIp7YReMDzCIn2MT9kA#nLybutQea4lM-xGTyq5hJQ If you want to hike the trails here arrive early. We got here at 6:45am and we still had to park almost a half mile from the entrance. By the time we left people were parking a mile away from the trails entrance. They have a tiny store here that sells drinks, snacks, maps and even adventure passes for your car so you can park up in the mountains. Great place to hike. Highly recommended. read more

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On Sunday afternoon, I hiked the Santa Anita Canyon Loop: almost 10 miles, 2100' elevation gain, 3576' total elevation, approximately 5 hours. Believe me, on a Sunday afternoon, Chantry Flats is chock full of families, dogs, and teenagers. I had read the reviews below prior to going, and thought "a lot of people" wouldn't be that bad....but I was wrong. Parking will be a nightmare unless you arrive early in the morning or late in the evening. Key things to know before you go: 1) PACK STATION = Call the Adams Pack Station @ (626) 447-7356 to verify trail conditions and Adventure Pass availability ($5 for a day pass). It's open only Friday to Sunday, 8 AM - 5 PM, though Chantry Flats Rd. itself is open from 6 AM - 8 PM. They have food, drinks, and maps (which don't detail all the junctions, so I provided turn-by-turns below). More info here: http://www.adamspackstation.com/ 2) PARKING = If the parking lot is full and you need a day pass, you can stop your car temporarily in the lot to go buy one at the station. Afterwards, you'll have to drive back down Chantry Flats Rd. until you find an open spot by the side of the road. Be sure your car is fully parked behind the white line, or the rangers have a right to tow it. 3) BRING WATER & GEAR = I cannot stress how important this is, especially this time of year. Holy gods, I saw people carrying empty bottles who looked like they were going to die of exhaustion, and all they did was go to Sturtevant Falls and back. The reason for this is that much of the path is exposed to the sun, and the way back is all uphill. So bring sunscreen + cap + breathable clothing, and stay hydrated! Bring 2 - 3 liters of water per person, and carry them in a backpack since you'll have to cross the stream several times on slippery logs and rocks. On that note, bring comfortable hiking shoes with good tread! Trust me, I passed by teens wearing Vans and flip-flops, and they were complaining of sore feet not even halfway to the Falls. 4) FLIES = There are lots of them. If you loathe them with every fiber of your being, you will not enjoy this hike. There are parts of the trail that are somewhat fly-free, but as you get closer to the summit of Mt. Zion, it is like fly-topia up there. The only thing I can think of is bringing a hat with ear flaps to prevent them from buzzing too close to your ears. Onto the Santa Anita Canyon Loop: 1) Next to the parking lot, you'll see a gated paved road with a sign pointing to all the trails. This is where Gabrielino Trail begins. (This is also where the only bathrooms are located.) Keep following the paved road until you see a green bridge on your right. Cross it and follow the signs to Sturtevant Falls. You will have to cross the stream several times (no bridges), so be careful of your footing. 2) After enjoying Sturtevant Falls, backtrack until you reach the junction in the trail with signs on both sides. (There are several small houses with fences here.) On your right, you'll see a sign that points to Upper Trail (Horse Trail) and Lower Trail (to the top of the Falls). To get to Mt. Zion, follow the Upper Trail on the left. 3) For the first portion, the Upper Trail is exposed to the sun, so stay hydrated. You'll get wonderful views of the surrounding mountains along the way, as well as many wildflowers and butterflies. Later in the trail, it will be much cooler with all the shade. 4) You'll reach a sign that points to Spruce Group Camp (which is the same as Spruce Grove Camp) and Upper Horse Trail. Stay on the left towards Spruce Grove. Once you reach the Camp, go straight through it to resume the trail on the other side. (You'll see a large bisected log, which marks the continuation of the trail.) 5) Keep going on the trail until you reach the first sign that points you to Mt. Zion. Continue until you reach another sign that points to Mt. Zion summit and Mt. Wilson. Keep left towards Mt. Zion summit. You'll eventually reach a fork in the road with a posted map that says, "You are here." Take the trail on the left to get to the summit. The path becomes very narrow and a bit sandy, so be sure your shoes can handle it. 6) After enjoying the view (somewhat obscured by high undergrowth), backtrack to the fork in the road and take the trail on the right, which heads back down the mountain. Parts of the trail are quite rocky, so be careful. 7) You'll reach a junction with a sign that points to Upper Winter Creek Trail and Lower Winter Creek Trail. Either one will take you back to Chantry Flats. The Lower is shorter but - like another reviewer mentioned - this means the last part is all uphill. (I took the Lower and it's beautiful -- lots of lush shaded greenery, babbling brooks, and interesting rock formations.) You'll reach Hoegees Camp along the way -- just pass straight through and onwards until you're back where you began. read more

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This is like baby big bear with less people and it's green!! In summer I trade hikes for the gym because most hikes become desert-like, but this reminded me of the east coast and even in summer this would be shady and gorgeous. Also, I felt safe here, it's a very well watched and maintained area but still it wasn't crowded (left Eaton Canyon and yelped around to find a road less traveled: post holiday and weekend that should have been difficult) and there is parking. We were a little confused on where to park because all along the drive up were people randomly stopped and parking. However we came to a parking lot, which had three levels to it and for five dollars we could park there until 8 pm (or be locked inside) and they do take credit cards. An annual pass is 30 bucks and let's you park anywhere in the Los Angeles National Forest. Also, they had a burger joint (more like a burger bbq pit) and cold drinks and horses...which I have to figure out if you can rent these guys because the trails were perfect for horses as well as hiking. Come here if you want a green, wild hike with also a lot of safety nearby. read more

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Great hiking spot! I love the Hermit Falls and the Sturtevant Falls. Come here early if not parking will be a hassle. Trust me, you don't wanna park at the bottom cause it'll suck before you even start hiking. Parking is $5 so make sure you pay for it or you'll get fined. Try getting it at REI on the way here its more convenient read more

I LOVED THIS HIKE. That is all. No that's actually not all! I'll tell you what I loved... It's challenging! I consider myself to be in pretty good shape: cardio wise and weight wise. This place had me huffing and puffing - especially on a hot summer day - whew! Took a side route (sorry, can't remember the name) to a small little cliff diving spot = awesome! Cliff dived of a 20-footer which was so refreshing. The water was clear, cold as fuck and gorgeous! There was another spot that was at least 40 ft. tall! I did not dare take the plunge but my friends did and it was awesome. Sturtevant Falls: what we really came for, a nice short hike, not as impressive as I'd thought it would be but it was a nice place to picnic after a good hike. If you hike behind the falls, you can actually look down the waterfall from the top of it and pound your chest like the beast that you are. My and my friends found a nice, perfect private spot at the top of the waterfall where the breeze would perfectly flow through and let me tell you it was the most relaxing and satisfying thing I've done in a while! read more

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GORGEOUS! Simply, absolutely, positively and without a doubt one of the most beautiful trails in this area. Challenging enough yet pleasant and not too crazy of a hike that you can't soak in the beautiful surroundings. I came here while it was drizzling and parking wasn't even an issue and there was practically nobody on the trail - except when my friend decided to pee behind a rock on the main trail and ended up mooning a group of boys behind us. Pretty exciting stuff. read more

Santa Anita Canyon - Hiking Near Me

Besides the fact that the waterfall was practically dried up, there were flies EVERYWHERE & that I twisted my ankle hiking back (2 miles out)... This was a pleasant hike. We came on a Friday morning and there was no problem parking. We bought our 1 day adventure pass from Big 5. It was much easier than buying it there. We met a friendly couple who had been hiking there years ago and directed us in the right direction. We saw them later at the waterfall and they were telling us how much water used to be there. It was so hard to imagine. The CA drought is real guys! We hiked up to the Strutevant cabins and explored some there then decided to head back to the parking lot. Little did we know we hiked 4 miles out already! From the Strutevant cabins it's a 4 mile hike back to the parking lot. On the way down it becomes narrow and a little steep. That's where I twisted my ankle. Stay away from the edges! Some dirt may looked packed but looks can fool you! Overall the canyons were nice, quiet & clean. Bring bug repellent because the guys won't leave you alone otherwise! It's interesting seeing the cabins and outhouses that may or may not be preoccupied by tenants. Interesting hike to say the least! Will probably be back to conclude the entire trail unhurt! read more

Santa Anita Canyon - Water tinkle instead of water fall - Hiking Near Me

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Best hiking spot in LA county and also the most popular. I'm also surprised at the many names for this on yelp for this same place. Chantry flats recreational area, Sturtevant Falls, hermit falls, & this one Santa Anita canyon, all actually in the same general place. Anyways, you need an adventure pass. Come at sunrise for a good parking spot or circle the lot and be patient and wait for someone to leave, otherwise the worst option on my opinion is having to park on the street. Bathrooms here are disgusting wow. I don't blame them for not wanting to clean that rancid filth. Who has to do that job anyways? Sick. Ugh. Pack out your trash people!!! read more

Its a great trek but we took a longer one and man it really gets tough. The starting mile is cold and you need your jackets put in. Later comes the waterfall (which is another 7min diversion from your main trek) I love the quietness, the shade and the entire experience. It might get a bit scary when you start hiking after the waterfall as its valley at one side and need to be a bit careful. The best part is its so famous and even if you don't see the signs for a really long time, you meet other hikers all along your way at every detour you take. Take ample water.. It took us more than 5hrs to complete the hike. read more

Santa Anita Canyon - Hiking Near Me

Beautiful waterfall, parts are paved. You have to pass over a little creek but kids can do it. Greenery throughout the entire trail, amazing views. Nice little escape from the city. Gets cold during the winter, wear layers. read more

I have a German Shepherd/Husky puppy who is finally old enough to go on outings. As I'm sure most people know, both breeds are very active and are considered a "working breed" so they need to get tons of exercise and both physical and mental stimulation. That being said, I have been trying to find a good hiking spot to take my pup. I live in Studio City in the San Fernando Valley and I know there are some really popular trails right around the corner (Runyon, Fryman, Franklin, Cahuenga Ranch, Westridge-Canyonback, etc) but they are mostly known for their city views and I wanted somewhere I could relax and get away from the city. After doing tons of research, I found Chantry Flats and I am so glad I gave this place a shot! It is about a 30 min drive away from me, but it is so dang worth it. I work during the week which makes morning hikes difficult on weekdays so I decided to go on a Sunday, heeding the advice of many and arriving to the trailhead as early as possible to get parking. The gates to the road that leads to the trailhead opens at 6am and I got there at 6:15. You drive up a very windy road up the mountain and the view is awesome. I actually saw a bear cub run across the road maybe 15 yards in front of me and leap onto the side of the cliff! I was already so excited. Anyway, by the time I reached Adam's Pack Station, the parking lot was already almost completely full. Yeesh. I decided to start out on the Hoegee's Campground Loop (about 4.7 miles total) but I don't recommend this trail for doggies. I turned back after the first mile due to A) It's a very narrow dirt trail with a steep and long drop-off directly to your right, so there wasn't much room at all. and B) My little Millie started acting very strange, anxious and whining and pulling me backwards away from where we were heading. After seeing the bear cub so close to the trailhead, I decided to err on the safe side and turn back. We took a little break, had some snacks and water and decided to go on the more popular Sturtevant Falls Trail. Man oh man, this trail is AMAZING! It's rated moderate, but I would call it easy. It's 3.1 miles out and back and you are pretty much always under the cool canopy of the trees, so heat isn't even much of an issue. There are always quite a few people on the trail, so if you are looking for pure quiet, I wouldn't recommend this trail but it isn't overly loud or anything. I saw many young children, even as young as 3 or 4 years old, doing this trail. Lots of other dogs too, so if you have a pup who's good with others then this is a great spot! I met tons of super nice people and Millie made a bunch of new friends. You also pass through some little creeks and streams about 3 times (although there are several more opportunities to go down a small hill on the edge of the trail to play in the creek) until you reach the falls, which is nice for the dogs to get their paws wet and cool down for a couple minutes while you rehydrate. Now, Sturtevant Falls isn't a crazy huge gorgeous waterfall, but it is very pretty. There were some nice little shallow areas surrounded by rocks in the small pond as well, so very good if you want to get your feet wet and chill out for a while. The water seems fairly clean and was very clear, you could see the bottom extremely easily and some people were swimming around in it. The only downside to this trail is the first/last 1/2 mile. The very beginning of the trail is going downhill on asphalt which is fine, but it sucks having to lug yourself and your gear uphill in the sun after already hiking for 2.5 miles haha. Overall though that last stretch is 100% worth such a beautiful hike. Millie had a ball and we are going to make this our weekly Sunday hike! I didn't see too many bugs, only a couple here and there and I only remember them irritating me once for about 2 minutes. Bugspray isn't necessary but I still brought some with me. Doesn't hurt when some other folks who are having a hard time need to borrow some! If you live somewhere in LA County and want a fun, fairly easy hike with your family or fur babies, then definitely check out Sturtevant Falls. Oh and getting to the trailhead can be a little difficult since there isn't an actual address. All you have to do is head north on Santa Anita Canyon and just keep driving. You'll see the signs. Or if you're like me who needs to have google maps directing you lol download the AllTrails app. You can search for different trails with breakdowns and lots of info and they will open up the location on Google Maps for directions. Super helpful. read more

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Cool hike trail, thought the waterfall would be bigger or have more water flowing in it... maybe during spring? read more

Santa Anita Canyon - Hiking Near Me

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Want to hike to the top of Mt. Wilson but: Don't feel like going on a long 18 mile hike on the wide Mt. Wilson Toll Road from Eaton Canyon in Pasadena? Or intimidated by the strenuous and often exposed 15+ mile hike on the Mt. Wilson Trail from Sierra Madre? Then you might want to hike to Mt. Wilson via Big Santa Anita Canyon from Chantry Flat, which is probably the easiest route to the summit. It's about a 14 mile hike that hits Mt. Wilson from the east side unlike the other routes, allowing you to summit at the Mt. Wilson Observatory. Cool, huh? And because it starts further up the mountain (meaning less elevation to climb) and because most of the hike is in the shade, I highly recommend this route for hikers trying to summit Mt. Wilson for the first time. You start this hike at Chantry Flat, the same place you start hikes for Sturtevant Falls, Hermit Falls, and Big Santa Anita Canyon Loop. The actual hike to Mt. Wilson is identical to almost half of the Big Santa Anita Canyon loop that I reviewed here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-anita-canyon-arcadia#hrid:J0Jxhrl3dO6JTYwHhMtxxA and I would actually recommend that you do the 10 mile loop first before taking on this hike. The preferred route goes counterclockwise, going down the paved road at the start, heading towards Sturtevant Falls. When you reach the Falls/Gabrielino Trail junction, you can go on either the Lower Trail (Top of the Falls) or Upper Trail (Horse Trail) as they will merge later. I would recommend the Lower Trail for the better scenery and shade. You can even take a mile round trip detour to see the 50ft Sturtevant Falls if you have never seen it. You will soon reach the Cascade picnic area, and shortly after that you will hit the Spruce Grove Campground. You can take a break and use the toilet at either of these locations. Keep going further, past the Sturtevant Camp to the right (which seem to be all cabins BTW) and at around 4 miles into the hike, you should come across the Upper Zion Trail Junction http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mt-wilson-via-big-santa-anita-canyon-arcadia?select=Dczj4KVcKZ9O-zs7w7ClGQ#4bgDkAkZyGDKefSxefgB_A which is where you would get on the Sturtevant Trail. From there, it's about 3 miles to the summit and you should see this halfway rest sign http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mt-wilson-via-big-santa-anita-canyon-arcadia?select=Dczj4KVcKZ9O-zs7w7ClGQ#iTjjNmUkbDwXeAffCBh2Ow along the way. This climb up on Sturtevant Trail is probably the most difficult stretch of this entire hike but it will all pay off shortly! Once you summit, you will see the first of the many white domed observatory structures. You will continue to hike on the paved Rim Trail through the Observatory-Skyline Park past the Cosmic Cafe down to the parking lot (BTW this whole area is closed from 12/1-3/31 so don't expect to tour the observatory or eat at the cafe during the winter) where you will find a sign and the start of the Mt. Wilson Trail http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mt-wilson-via-big-santa-anita-canyon-arcadia?select=N4cznTKg3p78-o3fqCtndA#N4cznTKg3p78-o3fqCtndA to begin your descent. Hike down a couple miles, and make sure you STAY ON the Mt. Wilson Trail; even though you'll be on the wide Mt. Wilson Toll Road for a little after a mile into your descent, you have to switch back on the Mt. Wilson Trail (otherwise you'll end up in Pasadena like I once did...). Once you reach Manzanita Ridge - where you will find a sign and a wooden bench, you will end your hike on the Mt. Wilson Trail and transfer on to the Winter Creek Trail which can be found just left (east) and downwards from the bench. From here, it's a long 5 mile descent on the Winter Creek Trail. Well, it goes down and near Hoegee's Camp it goes uphill for a little so there is a little bit of a climb out of the canyons towards the end. Make sure you stay on the Upper Winter Creek Trail and not the Lower one to avoid the paved climb at the end that you did in the beginning and instead end your hike right at Chantry Flat picnic area. I printed this map and found it pretty helpful during my hike. I highly recommend you take it as well: http://www.adamspackstation.com/docs/big-sac-map.pdf Also, remember that good parking is very hard to find at Chantry Flat so try to get out there early! read more

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Santa Anita canyon loop is in my opinion, the nicest hike in southern california. Yes, I said that. Here is why. First you get to Chantry Flats. If on a weekend, COME EARLY. Im talking get here at 6:45am the latest! The parking lot fills up and parking a mile down the road really sucks. Make sure to have your adventure pass or you will be cited. To begin your hike, I take the long paved trail that leads down to the trailhead. Cross the bridge and walk along the river. Those cabins next to you, have no electricity. What an awesome way to live, and I'm not being sarcastic. Anyhoo, you will come to a sign where the trail splits. To the right will take you to the base of Sturtevant falls. To the left is the Gabrielino trail that takes you above the falls. Go left. You will get a birds eye view of the falls and the big crowd of people down there. You will see them all wondering how you got up there. Here is what makes it the best hike in SoCal for me. As soon as you pass the waterfall, its like you are out of SoCal. Everyone just goes to see the waterfall then turn around and go back. They will never see how pretty and amazing things are beyond it. I would say about 75% of the trail from here on is shaded and runs next to a babbling creek. I have gone when it is 100 degrees in the city, and about 65 and shaded in the canyon. There is a little elevation gain and plenty of things to look at. The creek has etched out this canyon for centuries and there are all kinds of odd and neat ways the rock is sculpted. You will see mini waterfalls and even some super smooth water slide looking plarts like you see only in the sierra nevada. About 6miles in, you will get to Sprucegrove camp. There are firepits for backpackers, and picnic benches for dayhikers. There are some nasty pit toilets so if ya gotta go, go now. Be respectful of them and clean as possible as I once saw that it is Boy Scouts who clean these toilets. This is a Great place to stop and have a lunch break! Once again this is all shaded and next to the creek. Once your up again, just a few feet ahead you will get to Sturtevant Camp. This place holds A LOT of history as it is over 100years old. There is that one stand alone cabin that is the oldest Forest Service cabin in the nation. What is most impressive about it is to think that John Muir himself stayed there one time or another. If you are lucky, the door will be open so you can experience it. There is also the "swiss dinning hall" where people used to get their party on. The rest of the cabins are owned and operated by the Methodest church. I met a man who maintains everything there and he was incredibly nice and took time to show us around and explained the history. Next you continue through the camp on your way to Mt. Zion. This whole entire path, like the path before it, is shaded. This is the hardest part of the hike. The elevation gain isn't difficult at all but it does not let up. I consider myself an experienced hiker, and find this part fairly easy, but a few friends who are novice had to stop and take a few breathers. No shame in that since it just allows you to take in the scenery a bit. You will finally arrive at a sign. The view off of Mt. Zion isn't very impressive, but worth the short walk out of way to get to it. Once your back on trial, its all downhill from there. Literally. This portion is the only unshaded part of the hike. It doesn't last that long, and its all downhill so it's all good. As soon as you duck into the treeline again, you're almost at Hoagees camp.You have the option of upper winter creek or Lower winter creek. I take Lower winter creek since I like being next to the creek. The only trade of is on the way back I have to hike that long paved trail I first come down, and its killer. You can hike upper winter creek and you will sacrifice some nice scenery, but end up at the parking lot. At Hoagees camp, take another break and relax a little. Picnic benches, the creek, boulders, and lots of shade for a last break. After that your almost back. You will end up at the bridge and base of that paved trail. All in all, this hike is the easiest 10 mile hike ever. I have gone with experienced hikers and novice. They all enjoy it the same. Hope this helps, and have fun. read more

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Beautiful hikes alot of nice nature, very peaceful! A place to go to relax and get away from society

Come EARLY for parking. Otherwise, prepare to do a hike before a hike. This recreation requires for you to have a parking permit, which costs only $10. Unless you don't plan on coming here for a month straight, you can risk the $5 fine for parking here. Always bring water, you don't wanna be dehydrated during a hike. They have a water fountain right before you start going down the mountain, so please refill your bottles! Unfortunately, they only have a smelly restroom right before also, so you may take care of your business here. This trail is fairly easy. It kinda threw me off when I was walking down the mountain rather than up. I'd prefer the other way around so I don't have to work so hard on the way back. :) Although, there is plenty of shade on your journey, sunblock is highly recommended. You can wear your swimsuit! This hike leads to the Sturtevant Falls which has a small creek you can JUMP into to take a break. read more

EXTRA SHOOOOOEEEES! So we went down the little trail instead of up the path. Ended up all the way down which was fun but water everywhere! Definitely fun, definitely need appropriate shoes. Next time we're staying on the path lol read more

This trail sucks and literally was here early and got locked in, who ever works here literally drove passed my car and locked me in . Had to call the cops read more

Santa Anita Canyon has one of the best hiking trails in SGV! Just head north on Santa Anita Ave. There's multiple hiking trail for hikers for all levels. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advance, there is a trail for you! I came here for my school fundraiser and ran the 9mile trail in 2 hours. I felt darn proud for that accomplishment. I enjoyed the cleanliness and the accompaniment other friendly hikers as well as the beautiful scenery which all made the run possible. Fee: Adventure day pass is $5/vehicle and the Annual pass is $30 ( Need I say more?) Pro: Cleanliness, nice views, multiple hiking trails, only $30 for annual pass, Con: (1)Restrooms have portable toilets that do not flush! (2) Limited parking spaces and sometimes when it gets crowded you'll have to park a long way down along the side of the mountain. TIPS: Always be prepared! Bring lots of water/gatorade, sunscreen SPF 30 or greater, First-Aid Kit, hiking shoes, Tylenol/Motrin, Salonpas patch for pain, wear comfortable clothings, hat, snack (Protein bar or nuts), eat before the hike. read more

This hike is okay. It's beautiful scenery, and it's a good workout. Normally, with those two attributes, I'd be raving about the place, but here is why I'm 2-stars-ing it: I'm REALLY not a fan of the initial giant hill you climb down to get to the hiking area, because after the 6-9 mile loop you have to climb up that massive sucker and die once again. (Can you tell the pain is fresh in my mind? And not the good kind of workout pain...) Also, unless you're there with someone who's been there before, you most likely will pass the trailhead for the 6-9 mile loop, therefore adding an extra 20 minutes of crossing creeks to nowhere. They need to make the trail names and trailheads much more obvious. We didn't know where we were going, but were just hoping it would be the right loop and we wouldn't get lost. Also, this place is suuuuper popular... Expect to park halfway down the hill on the narrow road, possibly with your car at a 45 degree angle messing up you alignment, and adding a mile plus each way to your route. Overall, it has its pluses and it has its minuses... Really, there are too many other choices for great hikes in the San Gabriel Mountains to settle with this one. Save yourself the hassles here for a more thoroughly-blissful hiking adventure elsewhere. read more

Fun/Cost: (5/5) The Santa Anita Canyon Loop runs about 9.5 miles and what an enjoyable 9.5 miles it is! What I particularly enjoyed about this hike is the lush vegetation and how it's shaded about 80% of the way. The version of the Loop that my friend and I took went like this: (1) From Chantry Flats, we took the Gabrielino Trail to Sturtevant Falls; (2) From Sturtevant Fllas, we backtracked a bit back the Fallen Sign Junction to take the Upper Zion Trail; (2) Upper Zion Trail all the way to Mt. Zion Summit, passing Spruce Grove Camp on the way; (3) From Mt. Zion Summit, we took the Lower Zion Tail back down to Chantry Flats, passing Hoegees Camp on the way. All in all, the entire trip took a bit under 5 hours, with plenty of rest and picture stops along the way. Most of the trail is at a slight but steady incline so even though the trail is relatively long, it's manageable. And of course you get that awesome feeling of accomplishment after the entire, near 10-mile journey. Ambiance: (5/5) The trailhead and the first, most popular section of the hike to Sturtevant Falls are usually very busy and full of people. However, once you get past that, it's quiet and peaceful. Not counting the people we saw at the campgrounds, we only passed about 8 other parties on the the Upper and Lower Zion Trials -- and this was on a long weekend! I like that though -- you get some of the hustle and bustle of other hikers in the beginning, which then fades into the sounds of birds, water, and the crunch of your own footsteps as you progress along the loop. Location: (4/5) Super easy to get to. Near the 210 Fwy. You just go all the way up Santa Anita Avenue for 5-6 miles until you hit the dead end where the pack station, trailhead, and parking lot are located. I wish the parking lot was larger though as finding parking on a long weekend or some of the more popular weekends is nearly impossible. I came here yesterday (the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend) to hike and we had to park 3/4 miles down from the parking lot due to space constraints. Overall: (5/5) What a lovely hike. There's a waterfall, a creek, campgrounds, cabins majestically tall trees, short shrubs, lush ferns, views, flowers -- everything! read more

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Parking was a mess. People were parked a half-mile and more down the mountain road because the lot was full on a Saturday at 8:30A. A fight almost broke out with people arguing over the next available stall. Cars were being ticketed because they were sticking out too far into the street. Most importantly, it was a safety hazard having people walking on the curvy mountain road. A better, safer setup is needed. It's probably not financially feasible to use shuttles like at a National Park or the Reagan Library. The picnic area was barely used compared to the number of hikers on the trails. And who wants to pay $5 to picnic in an area without parking. So turn the picnic area into parking. Not only will there be more spaces for hikers and campers, but fewer spaces would be needed for picnickers. Maybe expand services at the nearby Arcadia Wilderness Park to placate displaced picnickers. A $5 Adventure Pass is required for parking. The pass can be bought at the trailheads at Adams Pack Station (http://adamspackstation.com) on the weekends or at local sporting goods stores (http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/recreation/). The daily passes can be bought in advance and then marked on the day of use. As a National Forest Service site, the annual Interagency Pass (most often used at National Parks) can be used. Santa Anita Canyon has a number of cabins for rent and also Sturtevant Falls (see http://www.yelp.com/biz/sturtevant-falls-sierra-madre). To the falls and back is an easy to moderate (based on how the National Park Services tends to rate day hikes) which takes 90 minutes to hike. The first part of the hike is on a paved road. There is also a hiking loop that goes to the Falls and around the canyon up to Mt. Zion. The moderate to strenuous hike is 8.7 miles and took us 4 hours, 40 minutes. The loop starts along the cabin-lined Gabrieleno Trail. When at the Falls, go to the left and up the hill. It doesn't look like much of a trail, but it will continue the loop. Return on Mt. Zion Trail which has a small side trail to the top of Mt. Zion and then connect to Upper Winter Creek Trail. The loop can be shortened 1 mile by taking Lower Winter Creek Trail, but we wanted to avoid the blandest part of the trail which is the paved road at the beginning. The trails were not extremely steep, but walking along the river wasn't as flat as most riverside trails. Dams meant a lot of going up to clear the dam and then back down to the river and then back up again to clear the dam. After rollercoastering a number of times, it was like, "Damn, another fricken dam to go over." This is a real forest with trees that provide lots of shade. The highlights of the hike are the creeks and rivers because the trails don't have many vistas. read more

We decided to attempt this hike to see how much a larger hike would entail ie, Mt Wilson Trail. There are several bummers this time of year so you might want to check elsewhere. 1. FLIES. The best thing my son brought was DEET. After getting eaten alive 5 min after the fork, I covered my head with a gym towel, sprayed it and stuck my hat. That cut them down to a mere bother, but I really wanted my mosquito hat. Get one, or this will be a bummer. When we got to Studervant, we couldn't even enjoy lunch because they allowed us to rest for about 15 min before they kept attacking us. 2. NO WATER. My son says this is probably the reason for all the flies. There are just pools of stagnant water around with no streams, no flowing water and of course, no water falls. 3. PARKING. We arrived just after 7am and barely got a parking spot. If we were 15 min later than that, we'd have to park down the road. 4. CAMP GROUND TRASH. Come on people. If you're bringing up food, pack it out. The good parts were coming back through Hogees trail it was mostly shady, but the flies get to you so that you can't really enjoy it. We took some pictures after Mt Zion, but even then its not worth it. If I come back, it will be winter or with my mosquito hat! God Bless. read more

The rating was not given to the trail, it is towards how the trails are treated by the hikers/visitors. Overall tips= bring plastic bags to collect trash. think twice about bringing dog to wet, slippery rocks/ "falls". Two friends and I went on a weekday around 12 pm about a month ago. It was hot, but being in the shade helped and walking next to the creek/standing water. I am pretty sure it was the Hermit Falls trail that we took that at the "falls part" was three mini pools, the first you walked into which had a "slide" down to the second which was about 20 feet jump, and then the 40-50 ft jump that a lot of people were crowded around. I loved the shade and this is rare to Orange County hikes that I do normally conquering hills. The problem= the TRASH EVERYWHERE!!!!!!! literally everywhere.... in the standing water, along the trail, falling off the trail. Also DOG POOP EVERYWHERE!! Also the amount of dogs on the trail when there were parts of the trail that were just a slope of soft dirt that was indicating the trail was slipping off/weathered away to a slope. If the dog slipped off that small area of slippery dirt it was a good 20 ft drop down off the trail... I was even a little scared for myself. I do not know how parents were able to watch their 4-5 year old walk across that. The main issue was at the falls though where people had their dogs off leash going where ever they wanted especially in the first pool. The wet dogs were walking all over the rocks slipping and hitting themselves hard on the rock. The worst part was when one of the dogs slipped down the slide which mid way has a tiny pool of water that fits about 1-2 people. The dog did not want to go down the rest of the slide because obviously it had hurt itself getting halfway down and was scared to go the rest. A guy went down to help the dog and instead of helping it down the rest of the slide (which was what they were originally trying to make the dog do) the guy starts trying to push the WET dog up this side rock, which it was just slipping down hurting itself more. It got to the point of a WET girl getting on the top of the sloped rock and trying to pull the dog up, as another dog was trying to see what was going on behind her slipping into her. It was horrible to watch so people please think twice about bringing your dog. And if you do bring your dog take care of it!!!!! Tie it up or something so it doesn't slip down the rocks and hurt itself. I would hate to see you have to carry that 50-60 lbs dog for about a hour. It would take four guys and a stretcher/towel to carry the dog out. Thank you for listening!! Now go and clean up the place!!!!!! :)))) read more

Located in the city of Arcadia, you'll surprisingly find a lush oasis of green forest at the Santa Anita Canyon. The Santa Ana creek flows through the canyon and is a part of the watershed of the Rio Hondo which flows from the mountains through the San Gabriel Valley. Boy scouts who backpack these woods oftentimes will filter the water from the creek and drink it. The boy scouts attest to the cleanliness of the creek water. I, myself, would still be skeptical of drinking it. This is a popular destination. The parking lot is oftentimes filled to capacity. During holidays the overflow spills onto the small winding highway and you'll see droves of cars tucked awkwardly in random spaces on the side of the road. The most popular use of the trail is to access the impressive Sturtevant Falls. There are many variations of hikes available from the start point that range from easy to strenuous. For the more ambitious hiker this trail takes you all the way to Mt. Wilson. Other points of interest include, Adams Pack Station, Hermit Falls, Chantry Flats, historic cabins and campgrounds. The trail is dog friendly, and well maintained and wide at all spots. read more

Excellent hiking spot, sadly its getting too well known for its own good, as the parking lot is now seriously over crowded on weekends. You might have to park 1-2 miles downhill from the parking lot. Get your parking permit (5 bucks) at the ranger station. Or better yet, buy the annual pass (30 bucks) from outdoor sports stores like REI before you head up, so you don't have to walk back to your car just to put the permit on your dash. Get here early. on weekends, getting here anytime after 8 am means you'll never find a parking spot. Additionally, since the people that already parked will be (usually) hiking till noon, you might as well go home. The hikes themselves are great. Be aware that the trails starts on a hill top, and regardless of which trail you head to, a full hike will have around 3700 ft elevation change. That's to say, the hikes aren't the easiest, know your limit, don't try to hike to Mt. Wilson on the first try, and bring plenty of water. The ranger station has maps and free flyers, grab something and keep it on you just in case. The paths are not confusing, but there are a few stream crossings and you can, however unlikely, lose the trail. The best part about the trails here are they are all shaded, so, regardless of the temperature up to at the parking lot, once you reach the trails it's always cool and comfortable. The Upper / Lower Winter Creek trail loop is especially nice since it's the longer and more difficult trail, hardly anyone goes there. And you can stop by camp Hoegees about midway and take a break. Great place to hike, but do get here early or don't bother coming at all. read more