Where should you hike while visiting Pasadena?
Where should you hike while visiting Pasadena?
So you're in town for a convention or a parade but you want to take advantage of all that the Pasadena area has to offer? Believe it or not, a big part of the Southern California culture is the outdoors. Immerse yourself in the wilds of LA with one of these hikes picked just for you.
So you're in town for a convention or a parade but you want to take advantage of all that the Pasadena area has to offer? Believe it or not, a big part of the Southern California culture is the outdoors. Immerse yourself in the wilds of LA with one of these hikes picked just for you.
How much time do you have?
How strenuous do you want your hike to be?
What type of scenery do you like?
How far are you willing to travel?
Gabrielino National Recreation Trail from Switzer Picnic Area
Gabrielino National Recreation Trail from Switzer Picnic Area
Escape into the natural world of Upper Arroyo Seco on a classic hike that offers waterfall views and explores a remote canyon. This easy to moderate hike is 4 miles roundtrip to the base of the falls.
Details: To reach the trailhead, follow Angeles Crest Highway about 10 miles from La Canada Flintridge. Past the Clear Creek Information Station, look for a turnoff on the right for Switzer Picnic Area. The road drops about 0.3 miles to the main parking area, where the trail begins just across the bridge.
Gabrielino National Recreation trail from Altadena
Gabrielino National Recreation trail from Altadena
No San Gabriel Mountain hike captures the abrupt transition for the urban to the wild like the first stretch of the Gabrielino Trail on the border of La Canada Flintridge Altadena. This easy hike is about 4 miles roundtrip to the Gould Mesa Campground.
Details: From Interstate 210 take the Windsor Avenue/Arroyo Boulevard exit. Head north on Windsor for about 0.7 miles to the parking lot on the left just south of Ventura Street. From the parking area, look north and you’ll see an overlook on the right and a yellow gate across a road to the left. The gate marks the access to the Gabrielino National Recreation Trail.
Lower Arroyo Seco Park
Lower Arroyo Seco Park
Extending through a historic Pasadena neighborhood, Lower Arroyo Seco Park follows a channelized stretch of the stream but still retains an outdoorsy feeling. This easy hike can be as long as 4 miles from the Colorado Street bridge to the San Rafael Bridge.
Details: Park at the Lower Arroyo Seco Park off Arroyo Boulevard at Norwood Drive, then walk north for views of the Colorado Street Bridge and south to reach the San Rafael Bridge.
Mount Lowe, Angeles National Forest
Mount Lowe, Angeles National Forest
This hike to the summit of 5,603-foot Mount Lowe is a brisk 3.2 miles that promises breathtaking views of Mt. Baldy and, on a clear day, Catalina Island. It’s an easy to moderate hike with just 500 feet of strenuous climbing.
Details: From La Cañada Flintridge, follow Angeles Crest Highway about 14 miles to a right turn at Red Box Station on Mount Wilson Road. Continue about 2.4 miles to unmarked Eaton Saddle, where there is parking on both sides of the road. The trail begins on the right. For information, contact the Angeles National Forest at 818-899-1900 or fs.fed.us/r5/angeles.
Monrovia Canyon Falls
Monrovia Canyon Falls
Less than three miles from Monrovia’s traditional downtown, 80-acre Monrovia Canyon Park offers a quick escape into the San Gabriel Mountains. A highlight is the 30-foot waterfall tucked into the forested canyon. It’s an easy hike, but be forewarned of an 800 foot total elevation gain, and is a short 3.5 miles.
Details: Monrovia Canyon Park is at 1200 N. Canyon Blvd. From the 210 Freeway, exit at Myrtle Avenue and go 1.1 miles through downtown Monrovia to Foothill Boulevard. Turn right on Foothill and go four blocks before turning left on Canyon Boulevard. Stay on Canyon Boulevard as it veers to the right at a couple of spots until you reach the entrance station, which is about 1.6 miles from Foothill. Parking is $5. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Tuesdays. For more information go to www.cityofmonrovia.org/recreation/page/monrovia-parks-0.
M*A*S*H* Site Hike, Malibu Creek State Park
M*A*S*H* Site Hike, Malibu Creek State Park
If you’ve got access to wheels and you want to see the stars, consider trekking out to Malibu Creek State Park to hike what was once a 20th Century Fox Studios movie ranch. This easy hike includes one climb each way and is on the longer side at 4.8 miles round trip. Bring $12 to park your car in the lot at the trailhead.
Details: Malibu Creek State Park’s main entrance is at 1925 Las Virgenes Road, just south of Mulholland Highway. Parking is $12 (bring exact change for the iron ranger parking machine if no one is at the booth). 818-880-0367; www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=614. For information about occasional docent-led hikes and park history, go to the Malibu Creek Docents website at www.malibucreekstatepark.org.
Parker Mesa, Topanga State Park
Parker Mesa, Topanga State Park
With unrivaled views of both the city and the ocean, Parker Mesa is a tough hike for those who like a challenge. The 6.4 mile roundtrip hike is moderate for those who hike regularly.
Details: Where: Trippett Ranch is about a mile off Topanga Canyon Boulevard at Entrada Road near the commercial area of Topanga. Parking is $10. Information: Topanga State Park, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=629