A 10.5 mile loop from the top of Mount Wilson to two trail camps along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, then back up to the top of the mountain. This trail is entirely along the mountain’s cooler, more forested north face, and the route follows seasonal streams and rivers that can provide nice swimming holes. A few dangerous stretches of track and the down-then-up route make this a strenuous day hike, or a more moderate overnighter.
A brushfire burning in the Angeles National Forest near Lancaster is only 15% contained, but firefighters are optimistic the fire will be under control by tomorrow.
The fire has burned 250 acres northeast of Castaic Lake, threatened a hundred homes, and closed San Francisquito Canyon Road from Santa Clarita to Green Valley, but the fire has essentially stalled.
If you’re headed to the area, be aware of potential road closings for the next few days.
In response to high temperatures, drying vegetation, and increased visitation, the rangers in the Angeles National Forest have raised the official Fire Danger level from “high” to “very high” today. Fire restrictions remain the same — campfires in developed sites only, propane and gas stoves allowed with Fire Permit only.
Also, reader D.W. Davidson wrote in a few days ago to alert me to a change in operational hours at the gate to Chantry Flats. The Gate — which gets you into the beautiful Santa Anita Canyon area of the Angeles National Forest — will now be open from 6AM to 8PM until further notice. The reason? “Increasing fire danger and a history of human-caused fires in the area.”
A 10 mile trek down the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, following the path of an attempted highway. This hike features multiple river crossings, plenty of opportunities to swim, historic sections of visible roads and tunnels, and the Bridge to Nowhere — a 120 foot high concrete bridge in the middle of the canyon. The bridge is an odd and beautiful sight that is unparalleled in the San Gabriels — and it’s also the only place in California were bungee jumping is allowed (on weekends).
Over the weekend, I led a small group hike down the East Fork of the San Gabriel River to the Bridge to Nowhere — one of my favorite hikes in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Over the next few days, I’ll be updating my existing post with more detailed information, pictures, and a GPS track. You know, the stuff you’d expect.
But it may be a while, as I’m in the middle of moving the Modern Hiker offices back to the Miracle Mile. While you’re waiting, please enjoy this video of one of the many bungee jumpers we saw on Sunday.
Last week, I came across a post from a local blogger about a place in the Angeles National Forest called “Monkey Canyon.” Not on any maps and unofficially named, the area appears to be a popular swimming hole and rugged hike for those in-the-know. It has rough canyons, big drops, and cold streams.
It looks like it would be a lot of fun to get to — if the area wasn’t nearly covered over in graffiti.
Regardless, this is not a leisurely stroll-in-and-swim hike. This is some serious off-trail scrambling and climbing, wading through waist-deep water in flash flood zones, and maneuvering around steep drop-offs. It is not for anyone who doesn’t know exactly what they’re getting in to — a lesson two men learned today when they were rescued from the canyon and hospitalized.
They’d both fallen off the trail — one 50 feet onto land, the other wedged between boulders in the water.
State & Lake has a post with some great information on Monkey Canyon, including some directions to the ‘trailhead’-ish area and some more warnings. Also, there’s a story about Bigfoot hiding out among the cliff-divers.
Huh. I always figured him for more of a Pacific Northwest boutique-coffee kinda guy.
A few weeks ago, Winter Warlock emailed me to say he’d be away from his snow-covered Adirondacks en route to a wedding in Japan. He had a little bit of a layover here in the L.A. area, and wanted to know if I could recommend any dusty Western peaks that would take care of his hiking fix until he got back home.
The Warlock just posted a great write-up of the trail, which he seemed to dig quite a bit — especially our Western penchant for just naming things what they look like. Check it out, then try to get out to Sandstone and see for yourself! Or, if it’s too hot for you to explore here, poke around the Warlock’s site for some great snowy mountain shots that are guaranteed to cool you down. Even if it’s just mentally.
A 6.3 mile ascent over an additional ridge to an often-overlooked peak in the front range of the San Gabriels. This route passes by several other prominent peaks in the area, and finally makes a ridge-line ascent of Markham that includes some moderate class 2 scrambling to the peak.
It’s a holiday weekend, which means thousands of people who rarely or never set foot within National Forest lands are about to descend upon picnic areas like nature-loving locusts.
The ANF Rangers issued a statement today announcing some special road closures and restrictions:
- Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road are closed to vehicle traffic through Monday, July 7th. Bikes and hiking boots are allowed on the thoroughfare, however.
- Gates at Chantry Flats and Chaney Trail will be open only from 5AM to 6PM through Sunday.
- Turnouts along the Angeles Crest Highway above La Canada Flintridge will be closed on July 4th only.
In addition, ALL fireworks are prohibited on National Forest land — including lame ones like sparklers or those little black snake things. So don’t even think about having your own private pyrotechnic party in the woods this weekend.
Be sure to check the Angeles National Forest’s web site for further information on fire and road restrictions. And if you’re trying to find a camp site up there this weekend … good luck.
Stay safe, have fun … and don’t forget what this holiday is all about.
For whatever reason, bears appear to be all over the news lately. In the past month, they’ve been caught plowing into bikers, heading into town for Big Macs, and taking dips in the Gulf of Mexico. Now they’re showing up everywhere on camera, too.
The extensive and growing collection of videos show bears and other wildlife in various states of adorable, and include many instances of behavior never before seen in the wild.
Of course, because the video was released to the public — which includes The Internets — it didn’t take long for someone to make a version of the videos with bears performing seductive bark-dancing for their human audiences.
Your one-stop shop for hiking in Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California. Find a trail. Download a Google Earth file. Charge your GPS' batteries, then get outside and charge yours.
A 10.5 mile loop from the top of Mount Wilson to two trail camps along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, then back up to the top of the mountain. This trail is entirely along the mountain’s cooler, more forested north face, and the route follows seasonal streams and rivers that can provide nice swimming holes. A few dangerous stretches of track and the down-then-up route make this a strenuous day hike, or a more moderate overnighter.
In response to high temperatures, drying vegetation, and increased visitation, the rangers in the Angeles National Forest 
A 10 mile trek down the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, following the path of an attempted highway. This hike features multiple river crossings, plenty of opportunities to swim, historic sections of visible roads and tunnels, and the Bridge to Nowhere — a 120 foot high concrete bridge in the middle of the canyon. The bridge is an odd and beautiful sight that is unparalleled in the San Gabriels — and it’s also the only place in California were bungee jumping is allowed (on weekends).
A 6.3 mile ascent over an additional ridge to an often-overlooked peak in the front range of the San Gabriels. This route passes by several other prominent peaks in the area, and finally makes a ridge-line ascent of Markham that includes some moderate class 2 scrambling to the peak.
It’s a holiday weekend, which means thousands of people who rarely or never set foot within National Forest lands are about to descend upon picnic areas like nature-loving locusts.
For whatever reason, bears appear to be all over the news lately. In the past month, they’ve been caught 
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