The Altadena Crest Trail is not very well known, which makes it a great place to hike, mostly free of mountain bikers or horses. The trail winds through excellent chaparral in the low foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
It has steep sections and switchbacks to climb out of the small canyons but the views at each outside turn make it work the minor effort. Read more
This is an extremely popular hike in the San Gabriel Mountains and one of the most popular hikes in Los Angeles and for good reason. The trail is easily accessed off the 210 Freeway in Pasadena by traveling north on Lake Avenue until it ends at a sharp left turn and becomes Loma Alta Avenue. On the outside of the curve are enormous stone pillars and gates of the Cobb Estate. You’ve found the trailhead. Continue on the paved part until it becomes dirt and then forks, and stay to the right.
History
More than just a hiking trail, Echo Mountain is a piece of Southern California history. It was the location of two famous hotels, the Echo Mountain House and The Chalet, an observatory and a zoo. Unfortunately, all that remains today are the bull wheel of an incline railway and the foundations of the buildings that were destroyed by wind and fire over the years. Beyond ruins, there are picnic tables in the shade of pine trees, great views of Pasadena and Los Angeles, and an echo phone as a great diversion.
Getting there
The trail is mostly comprised of switchbacks as it climbs from the relatively level edge of Altadena to the top of the mountain. It is extremely well-maintained and mostly unaffected by runoff, unlike many other trails in the San Gabriels. The lower sections are also very smooth and hard packed which makes for quick hiking without worries about ankle turning. The upper sections, however, become much rockier and good shoes are a necessity to prevent sore or injured feet. Don’t take this advice lightly.
Where this trail is truly exceptional is in its views of Pasadena, Los Angeles and the LA basin. Hiked shortly after a rain, the views are incredibly clear to Downtown LA and beyond. Even better than a continuous exposure to views, the trail emerges from Las Flores Canyon every so often with a reminder of how quickly you are climbing and how flat the LA Basin is compared to the San Gabriels. There are often views of the switchbacking trail below as well. The trail ascends Echo Mountain at a remarkably steady grade.
Echo fun
We always take turns using the echo phone even though the results never vary. It is one of those pleasures that can’t be easily explained to someone who’s never done it before. Beyond the echo phone, there are ruins to explore, views to take in, and a break to be taken before the steady downhill hike back to the car. Echo Mountain is a great, reasonably short way to get in a workout and enjoy nature on the edge of the city.
There are typically crowds if you go in the late morning or early afternoon, but for those willing to start early or end late in the day, it isn’t unusual to have the top to yourself.
Resources
For additional writeup on Echo Mountain, see these other great resources:
Warning
There are patches of poison oak on both sides of the trail. They are easily avoidable by keeping to the center, but be careful.
Another weekend and another chance to bag a peak in the San Gabriel Mountains near our home in Pasadena. This is one of the more popular hikes in Los Angeles, as it turns out.
San Gabriel Peak was once thought the highest in the area close to Pasadena at 1878 m (6,161 ft) but is now considered the second highest after Strawberry Peak at 1879 m (6,164 ft). It was named for the Spanish mission that dominated the valley to the west and also lies at the head of Eaton Canyon, the site of many of our hikes. Eaton Canyon is the watershed for Mt Wilson, San Gabriel Peak and Mt Markham and has year-round water flow, regardless of rainfall.
To get to the trail, we took the Angeles Crest Highway (Rt 2) from La Canada to Red Box Road, the narrow, windy road to the buildings and antennas atop Mt Wilson. About halfway along the road, we parked at the trailhead.The lot was fairly full, not surprising for a beautiful March Saturday.
The tunnel
We were somewhat surprised (I guess we could have researched) that we were at the other end of the very familiar Mt Lowe Fire Road, once the site of the Mt Lowe Railway. It was such a well-developed road, in fact, that it even has a tunnel through a particularly vertical section of rock at the very head of Eaton Canyon. There aren’t many fire roads with tunnels in this area. We walked for a while with a Forest Service employee who was just taking down the signs from the 2010 Station Fire closure.
A few minutes from the other end of the tunnel, we came to a trail junction that offered three alternatives. To the left, a small trail that would take us to Mt Markham and Mt Lowe, continuing forward on the Mt Lowe Fire Road toward Pasadena, and to the right, which was our path to Mt Disappointment and San Gabriel Peak.
San Gabriel Peak Trail
This section of the trail was much narrower and threaded its way along the steep flanks of San Gabriel Peak itself. The Station Fire had done enormous damage here and there were few large plants that weren’t scorched. The renewed growth was remarkable, however and there was no shortage of vegetation starting over where a generation had been wiped out.
We reached another saddle where we could continue straight ahead toward Mt Disappointment and its communication towers (not interesting) or to the right, our choice, toward San Gabriel Peak.
Poodle-dog bush
The trail became steeper and began to switchback its way up the mountain. For the first time, we were very aware of the strangely-named poodle-dog bush, a plant similar to poison oak that doesn’t make its effects known for 24-36 hours after touching it. We were just as concerned about the dogs touching it and then spreading it to us as we were paranoid about our own movements. We haven’t experienced its effects and we didn’t want to find out.
Just before the peak, we found both snow and pine forest, which was a refreshing site after seeing so much fire damage, rock and little shade. The ground was actually muddy in places and it was pleasantly cool in the shade of the conifers. It was a very short time before we were standing on the peak.
The summit was one of more distinct we’ve climbed, with the highest spot being a US Geological Survey benchmark and an actual bench that was occupied by groups the whole time we spent at the top. We made our way down after talking with several people, including a gentleman who just starting blogging about his own hikes in the Angeles National Forest.
The view from the summit was outstanding, with Mt Markham, Mt Lowe and Brown Mountain to the west, Mt Wilson to the south, and Strawberry Peak and Twin Peaks to the east.
Heading down
We moved quickly on the way down, as always, and were back at the Mt Lowe Fire Road in thirty minutes. We debated eating our lunch but didn’t find a spot to sit, so chose to press on to the car.
San Gabriel Peak requires a longer drive to the trailhead than most of our peaks, similar to Mt Baden-Powell, so it doesn’t have some of the appeal that local hikes have in the LA Basin. We realized after looking down on Mt Lowe that we were close enough to reach San Gabriel Peak in either a very long day hike or a rigorous two-day hike from the Sunset Ridge trailhead in Altadena. This may be a great hike for another time.
This is one of our favorite hikes in Los Angeles and is also just blocks away from where we live. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center and the first part of the Eaton Canyon Trail are part of Los Angeles County and are well maintained but also very, very popular on weekends and holidays. If you like avoid crowds as we do, choose your time to go very carefully.
This is also a very popular hike with local dog owners and is just long enough to be good exercise for our very active brittanys. You will see other dogs on the trail and you’ll also see the evidence they leave behind. If you take this trail with your dogs, please pack out your dog poo!
Parking to Bridge
The first part of the trail is mostly exposed and can be uncomfortable on hot days. Once leaving the parking lot, the trail crosses the Eaton Canyon Wash, which is a dry creek bed in the dry season but can be tricky to cross if there has been significant rain.
The trail turns left just after the wash and heads north until it reaches the turnoff for the First Waterfall. Along the way, there is a different turnoff for what we call “The Horse Trail” but is actually called Walnut Canyon. This is a very steep trail that connects to the Mt Wilson Toll Road, cutting off several miles of hiking for those willing to make a fast climb, but bypassing the trail to the First Waterfall.
Many people miss the left turn off the main trail at 2 km (1.2 miles) which comes just before the bridge. There is a small sign at the on the left and newer sign right at the merge point of the two trails that makes it easy if hikers are aware that they need to leave the main trail.
Bridge to Waterfall
The trail continues under the bridge and past the first of a set of old dams that created reservoirs for irrigation when Pasadena was known for its orange groves. There are many points where water crossings need to be made but rocks have been placed strategically to make it easy.
Narrow canyon
This narrow section in the canyon floor is our favorite as the continual crossings of the streams make it a fun challenge to move as quickly as possible. The dogs never hold us back and often will jump into the deeper pools of water. This is also the shady part of the trail and very comfortable in the Summer.
Once you reach the waterfall, it is immediately obvious why it is such a popular hike. The falls drops about 14 m (50 ft) from a narrow split in the canyon. It falls into a shallow pool that is often filled with children on the hotter and busier days. It is such a unique spot that there will oftentimes be people playing music or writing, especially on the quiet days. The water is quite cool, even in the warmest part of the summer and we often take our shoes off and enjoy the moment with our feet in the water. For the dogs, the waterfall is a great chance to jump in and cool off.
Dangerous trail
The reason this is called the First Waterfall is because there are a whole series of waterfalls further up the canyon. The Second Waterfall can be reached from the same trail but requires a turn just before the First Waterfall and a climb up a very steep spine of rock known as the Razor Back and then a traverse across a very exposed rockface. Many people have been rescued from the cliff face and several have died, including two just this Fall.
The facts
This is a fairly easy hike that takes you out of urban Los Angeles and into a cool, shady canyon in a short period of time. If you want a shorter distance, enter from the back gate on Pinecrest Drive between dawn and dusk (The Fire Service locks the gate at night). There is also a side entrance higher on Altadena Drive that shortens the overall hike but has more poison oak than the main trail and is hard to follow. We recommend either the main or back entrances.
Advice
Poison oak is prevalent in the canyon, so stay off the sides of trails. Remember to bring water! Many people think this hike is short and easy and don’t bring enough, and keep in mind that stream water must be treated. Lastly, sunscreen should be worn as the first half of the trail is very exposed and sun burns happen quickly.
For Dan Simpson’s very good write up on this hike, click here.
Quite unexpectedly, we were able to take a short, local flight this morning from the El Monte Airport, about a half hour from our home in Pasadena . For an hour or so, we flew in and around the mountains that we love to hike. To have such a bird’s eye perspective and to pass so quickly over terrain that takes us whole days to cross was an excellent experience. The skies were perfectly clear and we could see from a snow-covered Mt Baldy (officially called Mt San Antonio) to Catalina Island, over twenty miles off the coast from Palos Verdes.
The gallery
In a recent post, Why would a blind person climb a 10,000 ft. Mountain?, we wrote about a group of blind Braille Institute students who climbed Mt Baldy in Los Angeles. It was a maximum adventure for those involved, both the students and the sighted guides. Just before they climbed the upper section of the mountain, a laptop was produced and they were shown a video created just for them by a blind mountain climber, Erik Weihenmayer, who gave encouraging words to the group. They went on to achieve something they had never imagined before the adventure began.
Erik
As the story was being investigated and written, we learned a good deal more about the climber from the video. We found out Erik has climbed not only Mt Everest, but also the six other highest peaks of all of the continents in the World. That means places like Indonesia, Argentina, Alaska, Tanzania, Nepal, Russia and Antartica, where getting there and back is a significant part of the adventure. Sometime last year, we watched Erik’s movie, Blindsight, about taking six blind Tibetan teens to Lhakpa-Ri 7010 m (23,000 ft) in Tibet, very near Mt Everest. We were also aware that he was competing in a reality television show, Expedition Impossible.
Erik was popping up everywhere in our lives, and we weren’t looking for him. A quick google search produced more links than we could check about climbs in every part of the world. It became clear very quickly that Erik has done far more than the Seven Summits…he has done more than any sighted person we know. It is easy to spend hours just reading about about what he has done and it became clear that he lives a life that goes far beyond the publicity and beyond ‘good enough for a blind guy’. Erik truly lives it and his lack of sight is maybe a footnote to his accomplishments.
Because of our story about the Braille Institute students, we were able to interview Erik earlier this week. Just before we had the interview, Expedition Impossible came to a conclusion and Erik’s team, very appropriately called No Limits, finished in second place (but not by much) to an excellent team. They didn’t “almost win despite Erik being blind”…their greatest obstacle was the severely injured ankle of their teammate, “Ike”. There was nothing about Erik’s blindness that kept his team from beating most of the teams, most of the time.
The interview
MA: We read that you were the wrestling captain for your high school in Connecticut. You have a habit of doing things that people won’t understand at face value. Is this your plan or just the way it has worked out?
Erik: “Not a plan except for the fact that I want to live an adventurous life. I want to live an exciting life. I don’t want to be shoved to the sidelines, which requires me to suck it up and have a good approach to adversity. This means learning to problem solve your way through big walls that sometimes pop up in your path. I’m not trying to prove to the world anything.”
MA: For the Braille Institute students in Los Angeles, this was their first time hiking, much less climbing a mountain. Where would you like to see them go from there?
Erik: “I can only answer for my own projects, like where I volunteer and helped found an organization called No Barriers. We use all types of on-the-edge sports and activities to teach people how to shatter barriers and stretch themselves. We teach to build a team around you and trust people and be trusted in return. Whenever you go through the process of doing something exciting and being stretched and maybe doubting yourself, it helps you develop a particular kind of mindset. I mean whatever the process is…it doesn’t have to be hiking, climbing or anything.”
MA: Do you see yourself as an anomaly/outlier or as someone that many could emulate?
Erik: “I don’t think I have any qualities that are better, smarter or any more exceptional than anyone. In a way I’m an anomaly because I do things that other blind people or others with disabilities haven’t done, but I don’t think that leads me to think I’m different from anyone else. I’ve been lucky to be able to be tough, have discipline, be a pragmatist and not worry about things too much. I was on a radio show and a blind guy called in and said, ‘I have been blind for 25 years and it hasn’t gotten easier, but I’ve never found it easy and accepted it and just want my sight back.’ He’s a guy who will die unfulfilled because he’s going down a deadend street. It is a futile exercise to say, ‘what if’. The question you ask yourself is, ‘how do I do the best with what I have around me.’ I don’t think people do that enough. It’s why I’m a pragmatist.”
MA: Do you often provide encouraging words to groups like the Mt Baldy students or was this something different?
Erik: “I thought the idea was very cool project and I applaud the efforts of those who organized it. There’s only one of me, and I’m glad I could take part.”
MA: What do you see as your role in inspiring the blind? Do you hope to inspire the sighted as well?
Erik: “I for sure think that’s the case. On Expedition Impossible, I was racing with my team across Morocco against sighted teams, including NFL players and we were beating them. Most of the comments I got were from families saying, ‘Your show was really inspiring.’ ‘Your courage is inspiring and my kids have a new hero.’ It is more about families and kids and having someone to look up to. It is embarrassing and uncomfortable to be that person but we need that role model in life.”
MA: You just came in second in Expedition Impossible and didn’t end up having the biggest physical challenges on your team. At one point, Jeff Evans commented to you and to Ike, “I can make one complete person from the two of you.” How do you feel about that humor?
Erik: “I grew up with brothers who pounded me into the ground. Jeff is like a brother who doesn’t have to be politically correct with me. There is humor that is demeaning, like a blind comedian I once appeared with. There are always extremes but Jeff respects the hell out of me. There was one guy on the show who was about to be eliminated and said, ‘I should just follow Jeff’s pack like you.’ And I replied, ‘You wouldn’t last five minutes.’ Jeff, Ike and I bust each other all of the time.”
Final thoughts
It was great to talk with Erik because he had the best combination of modesty and strength. He didn’t have to search for answers and it was more difficult to keep up with his responses than to get him talking. Erik inspires us and we wish him the best in all he does (which we’re sure will continue to be remarkable).
Undoubtedly one of the best peak climbs in Southern California. Mt Baden Powell is a very prominent, pyramid-shaped peak that can be approached from several points. We chose to hike from the Vincent Gap trailhead, which is found a few miles north of the Grassy Hollow Visitors Center on the Angeles Crest Highway (Route 2). The nearest gas or shopping is found in Wrightwood, near the Mountain High Ski Resort, further south from Grassy Hollow. The peak is named for Lord Baden Powell, a British general and founder of the modern scouting movement. There is a cement monument on the peak with a brass plaque dedicated to his achievements, which were more significant than climbing the mountain named for him.
Vincent Gap
The trailhead was marked as Vincent Gap on our map and on the web, but the signpost on the Angeles Crest Highway said “Vincent Gulch.” It turned out to be one and the same. The start was clearly marked and there was ample parking on either side of the highway. There was a choice of trails at the northwest corner of the parking lot on the west side of the highway, and the trail you want is the one that goes directly ahead of you, not the one to the left.
The trail
The hike started in great pine forest cover and only after a few minutes, had great views of the Mojave Desert to the northeast. There were many switchbacks (rumor has it at 47) ahead before the trail eventually broke out onto a ridge that approached the summit from the east. The trail showed some signs of the heavy snowpack from the winter, as there were places where small rock avalanches narrowed the trail, but in general, it was great footing everywhere.
The ridge
Just after the ridge started and below the summit, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) broke off to the northwest. From here, you could continue to the summit or head along the PCT toward Dawson Saddle 4 km (2.5 miles), Windy Gap 8.3 km (5.2 miles) or Islip Saddle 11.5 km (7.2 miles). To the south, the ridge dropped sharply down into a deep canyon that we were told was Mine Gulch. The prominence of Mt Baden Powell was even more obvious from this vantage point.
What was most impressive, however, was the incredible view of Mt Baldy (Mt San Antonio) to the south. We’ve climbed Mt Baldy from the Baldy ski lifts and it was great to think we’d been there already, looking to where we were today. We could also see the upper reaches of the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, where we’ve hiked to the Bridge to Nowhere and have ridden motorcycles in the OHV area just above the highest dam. In the far distance, we could just make out San Gorgonio Mountain 3709 m (11,499 ft), the highest peak in Southern California and a tough climb that we’ve vowed to accomplish in the coming months.
The peak
The views from the top of Mt Baden Powell were truly fantastic. It is a true 360 degree panorama of desert to the east, mountains to the north and south, and the many antennas of Mt Wilson to the east. We could see where Los Angeles should have been but it was shrouded in summer haze. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect at the peak with a gentle breeze, cool but not cold temperatures, and a brilliantly sunny sky from horizon to horizon. We spent time talking with people enjoying like we were, and then headed back down the mountain.
Pee Pee Razzi
It was thrilling to see a glider pass so close by the mountain that we could see the pilot’s face. The second time it passed, we realized that both incidents coincided with Jeanne taking a bio break nearby, leading us to believe the glider’s timing was not accidental and he was probably trying to take pictures. We decided the pilot was part of the pee-pee-razzi. It seemed funny in the moment. Before you think we had a unique experience, check out Dan Simpson’s account of his Mt Baden Powell hike where he talks about gliders coming out of nowhere and circling the peak closely enough to wave at the pilots.
Spit happens
When Gwenn hikes, she does so with all of the vigor and energy that she does everything, causing her to sometimes develop foam around her mouth. She also loves to ‘greet’ other dogs we meet on the trail and today, she managed to leave a significant amount of saliva on the other dog. The owner seemed to take it in stride, so I didn’t feel too glib telling him, “spit happens.” It also seemed very funny in the moment.
The facts
This is truly great hike on a single track trail that is very well maintained. There was no poison oak to be found, but we were warned about a “poodle dog bush” that supposedly has similar effects. The trail is only 12.8 km (8 miles) but it covers a healthy 904 m (2803 ft.) and at a higher altitude than you’ll find on the western side of the San Gabriels with the exception of Mt Baldy. Because we were on the northeast slopes, there was less sun, less dryness, and far more trees. Most of the hike was in the shade, in fact. Remember to bring plenty of water if you choose to take this track, as there is none at the trailhead and only one spring along the way that we didn’t stop to verify.
Links
You can find good writeups of the hike on Dan Simpson’s page (above), The Sierra Club Hundred Peaks Section, LocalHikes.com, and ModernHiker.com, and the FootHillFlyers.org
The trail was hot and dusty when we started walking at 2:30 in the afternoon. We made sure the dogs had plenty of water before starting, but even so, they started panting and looking miserable within a few minutes of getting on the trail. Our solution was a trick we saw in brittany field trials…we used our Camelbaks to soak Gwenn and Mitch’s heads, which worked very well and we had energetic, eager dogs in short order.
LA County’s finest
Meeting up with the LA County Sheriff’s equestrian officers was a real treat. We were concerned that the dogs would scare the horses, or vice versa, but it was a peaceful coexistence for everyone. We realized, too, that Mitch spent his first two years around horses used for training brittanys, and he was probably more comfortable with the horses than the humans we met along the trail. With all of the people that have been using this trail this year (there is more water than usual), there have been problems, including people who died in the months of July and August from falls from the canyon walls, so seeing the police presence was reassuring. This first section of trail is 1 km (.6 miles) and gains only 30 m. (93 ft.), making it the easiest section of the hike.
The Horse Trail
We left the crowds behind when we turned right on the Horse Trail at the 1km (.6 mile) point. The Horse Trail is the local name for a 1 km (.6 mile) short, narrow and steep trail that forms a cutoff connecting the Mt Wilson Toll Road with the Eaton Canyon Trail. Taking this trail is a tough way to start a hike and we are usually winded in the first few minutes. The elevation gain, however, is the payoff as the top of the trail is the first opportunity for a great view. In the short 1 km that it runs, this trail gains a whopping 155 m. (480 ft.). Make no mistake, this trail is tough for those who don’t normally hike. Going down is equally challenging, as the trail is degraded by water runoff and dense vegetation.
On the Toll Road
Once on the Mt Wilson Toll Road (no longer an actual toll road), the trail is wide enough for Forest Service trucks and a favorite of bicyclists. It also far less steep than the Horse Trail, though it has sections that make you consider a little more conditioning. Remember that mountain bikers can come around the next corner at high speeds and watch for rattlesnakes that love to sun along the the 3 km (1.8 miles) way to the Flats. The total elevation gain is 282 m. (874 feet) and is moderately difficult.
Henninger Flats
Henninger Flats is a cool and peaceful place after a hike that takes place mostly in the sun. Pine trees were planted many years ago that have survived forest fires and make the Flat an excellent ‘bench’ to look out over Los Angeles, have a lunch, and refill you water containers. There are public taps for water, benches and picnic tables for relaxing. There are grills that allow for cooking, but there is no firewood nearby and the design of the stove is such that the top surface is iron and must be headed from below (no grates). If you want to cook out at Henninger, bring lots of charcoal.
The way down
Our favorite way to return from Henninger Flats is to remain on the Mt Wilson Toll Road past the Horse Trail to avoid the steepness that can be a challenge with dogs on leash. By taking the longer way down, the footing is much better and the additional distance is only 1.9 km (1.1 miles). As the trail reaches the junction of the Eaton Canyon Trail, there are three options:
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