Walk deep into a lush canyon in the
San Gabriel Mountains to a 60-foot waterfall hidden behind early
20th-century cabins.
Location: Angeles
National Forest, Arroyo Seco District (near Arcadia) Region: Angeles National Forest Distance: 3.6 mi.
Difficulty: Easy with a couple of stream crossings and a noticeable
elevation change. When to go: Year-round. Hours: Varies. (Road access to Chantry Flat has been restricted
lately, due to maintenance. Be sure to call ahead.) Phone: 626-574-5200 Elevation Gain: 650 ft. Are dogs allowed: Yes, on a leash. Restrooms: Across the street from the parking lot and at two points
along the trail. Parking: To park anywhere in Angeles National Forest, you must
display an Adventure Pass permit, which you can buy at the Chantry Flat
ranger station (when it is open; be sure to call ahead), located across the
street from the parking lot. Cost per car is $5 a day or $30 a year.
Trail Information
Full Review: In the early 1900s, the
cabins at the base of Big Santa Anita Canyon housed visitors to a well-known
mountain retreat. More than a century later, most of these buildings still
stand, nestled in a fairytale nook beneath oaks and alders. You might think
it was a movie set if you didn't know better.
If you take this trail on a weekend, be prepared for lots of company. Among
Pasadena-area residents, it's no secret that the moist, cool canyon offers
an easy escape from LA heat and smog.
To reach the trailhead, walk down the steps at the entrance end of the
Chantry Flat parking area. A trail sign will point you down the paved
Gabrielino Trail, which turns to dirt about a half-mile later. Keep going
straight after crossing the footbridge. Follow the creek all the way to
Sturtevant Falls, a 60-foot waterfall that tumbles down into to a pool. Go
back the way you came.
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