More. Didn’t take children or a dog with me but saw many enjoying the trail. After the unbridged creek crossing by the stoves, we then ascended a couple of short switchbacks as the trail became much narrower with some dropoff exposure. Get there as early as you can. Log In About a mile into the hike, the trail will fork. Lowe Truck Trail (2N50.1) at the water tank and ends at Gabrielino NRT below Switzer Falls. Waterfall wasn’t that impressive but nice none the less. – Elevation Gain: 750′. i loved this hike so much! Bikes are permitted to use these trails too (though this outing isn’t particularly appropriate for mountain bikes).A National Forest Adventure Pass should be displayed in vehicles parked at the Chantry Flats Trailhead.. Other waterfalls in the San Gabriel Mountains to visit include Switzer Falls, Millard Falls, Fish Canyon Falls, and Monrovia Falls. and it’ll just add to the fun seeing them maneuver throughout the trail. This is one of the most popular hikes in the San Gabriel Mountains, in part because of the easy access, ample parking, and great trail, but also because it is a truly lovely area with a great deal of natural diversity, and a storied history as well. If you decide to go up-stream to the falls you will first encounter Lower Switzer Falls in about .15 mile. Please read this, Hermit Falls Hiking Trail Guide - My Open Country. if you have a dog and you aren’t sure if they can handle it, they can! Are there i It’s summertime and there hasn’t been any rain so the water isn’t exactly gushing. Get there early. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. You can get to the top of the waterfalll but requires some scrambling. It begins at Mt. Overview: Avenue to Switzer Falls, Bear Canyon, Lower Arroyo Seco and Red Box Gap. Rocks were a little slippery after the rain, but the streams were flowing nicely and everything was lush. As many has mentioned. My brother took his Aussie and it did great! As of this writing (May 2015) the trail to the right is closed for trail maintenance. Got there around 6:45am and parking lot was full. Note that this is a popular trail and includes a picnic area near at the trail head, so it can get crowded, especially on nice weekends. Fun hike with two different terrains. Waterfall was flowing pretty nicely. More than just an easy trail, this destination is one that will completely captivate your senses. Once the Angeles Crest Highway – which incidentally was constructed using prison camp labor – was completed, the allure and unique nature of Switzer’s Camp was lost. loading map - please wait...Map could not be loaded - please enable Javascript!→ more information. The Gabrielino Trail continues up and to the right. Switzer Falls via Gabrielino Trail is a 3.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Pasadena, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. Summary for Switzer Falls Hike. This is "Switzer Falls Trail. Once you passed the bridge, the trail starts. Will have to come back with lunch next time. Now you will cross the bridge over the Arroyo Seco stream and head down stream along the trail. From there, it is less than a quarter mile or so before you reach lower Switzer Falls. At this signed trail junction you can choose the optional off trail scramble up the stream bed to the base of Switzer Falls, or continue down the Arroyo Seco stream bed on the signed and maintained Bear Canyon Trail into a lovely wooded paradise along the tumbling stream with its small cascades and large, deep pools. All rights reserved. Switzer Truck Trail Mount Wilson trails Switzer Falls Via Gabrielino trail Altadena trail Clear Creek trail Bear Canyon trail Oakwilde trail Gould Mesa trail Dr. Rouzbeh`s day hikes plan. Switzer Falls might be the best known waterfall hike in Los Angeles County. The trail crosses the stream right away and you now follow along the pretty and mellifluous creek. Lots of people on this hike , so arrive early. Here you can go to the left up-stream which will take you to the falls, or continue downstream on the signed Bear Canyon Trail. Great hike with 85% shade, nice water falls at the end of the hike. Great hike along a creek most of the way. Wild sage, blackberry brambles, and honey mushrooms spotted along the path! Beautiful views, some steep areas, narrow trail at top of the canyon could be a challenges for those afraid of heights. Switzer Falls via Gabrielino Trail is a 3.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Pasadena, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. As you get down into the canyon, the shade comes back, and you will reconnect with the stream and head up alongside it. Show more photos. After passing through this area you will enter a magical portion of the Arroyo Seco, tree-lined with numerous small cascades and some great pools. From Interstate 210 in La Canada, take Highway 2 north and drive 10 miles to Switzer picnic area on the right. The canyon features many old growth trees and thus offers a pleasant riparian environment with abundant shade. You can also hike to Switzer via the popular Switzer Falls hike. Switzer Falls Trail is a 3.5 mile hike with 450 feet elevation gain. – Length: 5 to 6 Miles Round Trip saw two woodpeckers and a waterfall can't beat that. See more of Zealyn on Facebook. Wear right pair of hiking shoes or it be can ankle-twisting. Good workout. Trail: Switzer Picnic Area to Switzer Falls and the Bear Canyon Trail along the Arroyo Seco to the mouth of Bear Canyon. Simply continue down the trail about .5 mile until you reach the stream crossing where the trail begins to ascend the slope on the opposite side. The rock hopping is fun, the trail clear, the large and well-maintained camp a nice turn-around point. Lower lot is closed so the trek back to the upper lot for sure tops it off, especially for those looking to get a workout! At the signed trail junction follow the Bear Canyon Trail downstream. The hike travels high above the 50 foot high Switzer falls, then drops back to the stream, where hikers can double back to stand at the base of the falls. I definitely did!!!! Only issue with this hike is lots of people and parking lot closed so you have a long downhill walk to trailhead and a long uphill walk back to car. Switzer Falls Trail Description – skirting then descending into Bear Canyon. This portion of the trail takes you above Switzer Falls and its gorge, before descending back into the canyon later. – Time: 3 to 4 Hours. Great hike! The stream is lined with oaks and alder, with the water cascading over granite into mirror-like pools. Really lovely trail. SWITZER FALLS TO BEAR CANYON TRAIL CAMP 31 MAY 2000-9:30 START, LEADER: BILL TOWNSEND PARK IN LOWER LOT, THE GATE IS OPEN questions call Bill Townsend TRAIL HEAD: Drive up Angeles Crest Highway, 10.5 Miles from La Canada to the side road down to the Switzer Picnic Area ( 0.5 miles east of the junction of the Angeles Crest Highway and the Angeles Not too many people and we had light snowfall which made it all the more fun. Trail Report (winter only) Switzer Park also has an interpretive canoe route. A lot of people at the falls. There is pretty gnarly drop at one point. Loved it! I headed downhill on Bear Canyon Trail to get to Lower Switzer Falls. Great trail, going down is nice but the way back has a good incline, work those legs. Everyone was wearing madk. Although I’ve listed the Switzer Falls hike as moderate because there’s a bit of climbing, overall it’s a very doable hike that offers many rewards for a small effort. Going all the way from the parking lot to the fall was about 6 miles round trip. After about a mile and a half on the trail, you’ll see a junction, continue taking the trail toward Switzer Falls. From where we had to park (top of the mountain) to the start of the trail was almost 2 miles itself. A bit chilly but warmed up quickly. But it’s a beautiful hike, u can hear the creek flowing next to u as u walk. Albeit worth it because in the end, we got the workout we wanted. Crowds could be challenging on the narrow areas, which would also be quite hot in the peak heat of the day. Parked at the upper lot. The creek out is pretty and lined with oak, sycamore and evergreens. This is a relatively easy hike into one of the loveliest sections of the San Gabriel mountains. 7,594 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos taken at ‘Switzer Falls Trail’ I arrived at 630 am and the lot was full, had to park along street. It all took us longer going in than we normally expect, partly because of stopping to see the remains of Switzer’s and the falls and all the rock hopping. Altadena, California." Read reviews about going earlier and that's definitely the move! – Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Totally enjoyable. 1.1.21 - wasn’t too crowded early morning. – Length: 5 to 6 Miles Round Trip. 1793 Reviews. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. – Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. This closure blocks access to the Switzer Picnic Area parking (the trailhead). The first mile out of the falls may be some of the prettiest in the range. Great trail! Please purchase a Forest Adventure Pass $5 before parking. This definitely wasn’t a 3.6 mile round trip hike. Switzer led a burro train with resort visitors twice a week up the Arroyo Seco on a long trail to the camp.