Highlights: Wooded canyon, streams, waterfall, rustic cabins, historical landmark

• Near: Mount Baldy, CA
• Distance: 4 miles round trip
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1400 ft.
• Hike Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: 5/10
• Trail Condition: well maintained trail/road
• Trail head map: Click here for Google map
• Restrictions: Adventure Pass required to park
• Rating:

Summary:

A nice valley trail by a running stream. The hike starts on a paved road which passes an assortment of cabins. After about 1/2 mile, the road ends and the trail begins. Cross the creek and follow the trail as it heads up the canyon. Along the way you will pass by Old Glory. It’s the oldest and largest Bigcone Douglas Fir in existence at 173 feet tall, 91 inches in diameter and approximately 600 to 700 year old. The trail switches back south and climbs the slope to an open stretch with nice views of Mount Baldy Village. After about 1.5 miles, you reach Bear Flat which is a small open area covered by ferns.

Trailhead:

From Los Angeles: 210 fwy (east) to Mountain Av. (left) to Mount Baldy Rd. (right) to Mount Baldy Village Church to trailhead.

Bear Canyon Trail View

Bear Canyon Waterfall

Crossing Bear Canyon Creek

Old Glory

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• Highlights: Great Historical Hike, Sandstone Rock Formations, Impressive City Views
• Near: Chatsworth, CA
• Distance: 4 miles round trip
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 700 ft.
• Hike Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: 3/10
• Trail Condition: well maintained trail/many unmarked side trails
• Trail head map: Click here for Google map
• Rating:

Summary:

If you want an easy family hike close to civilization, this is the place. There is no shade along the hike so summer-time strolls would be very uncomfortable. This is a trail with a long history. The steep Old Stagecoach Road a.k.a. the “Devil’s Slide” in the hills above Chatsworth Park was used from 1860 – 1890 as a connecting route between Los Angeles and San Francisco. There are many unmarked trails going off in different directions so navigation can get tricky.

Trailhead:

From Los Angeles: 405 fwy (north) to 118 fwy (west) to Topanga Canyon Bl. (left) to Lassen St. (right) to Andora Av. (left) to trailhead.

Stagecoach Trail

Stagecoach Trail Plaque

View of San Fernando Valley

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• Highlights: Sweeping view of North Orange County area, rolling hills, streams
• Near: Chino Hills, CA
• Distance: 4 miles round trip
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 500 ft.
• Hike Time: 2 hours
• Difficulty: 3/10
• Trail Condition: well maintained trail
• Trail head map: Click here for Google map
• Rating:

Summary:

If you want an easy family hike close to civilization, this is the place. There is no shade along the hike so summer-time strolls would be very uncomfortable. The native plants here are in the chaparral and oak woodland plant communities, with remnant stands of native grasses.  Visitors can camp for a few days or simply enjoy a walk, horseback or bicycle ride over trails that meander through valleys and along ridge tops through woodlands, sage scrub and grasslands.

Trailhead:

From Los Angeles: 91 fwy (east) to Imperial Hwy (north) to Kellog Dr. (right) to Yorba Linda Bl. (right) to Fairmont Bl. (left) to Rimcrest Dr. (left) to end of road to trailhead.

Dried Thistle

Calabazilla Fruiting

Frog in Running Stream

Trail at Chino Hills

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