The falls are about 30' in heightl and spill into a circular basin that fills with water during wetter seasons, creating a small wading pool. If you’re looking for a peaceful nature hike this isn’t it. There is a little bit of rock scrambling to reach the top of the lower falls, but from there it is an easy walk along the Arryo Seco to reach the 50' upper falls in about .25 mile. Trail starts wide then narrows and climbs a hill with some switchbacks until you reach the falls. Switzer Falls Trail Description – the detour to the top of the falls The return hike from the Lower Switzer Falls followed the way we came in with the most strenuous part being the ascent back up to the trail junction with the Gabrielino Trail at the apex of the hike. Got there around 6:45am and parking lot was full. Trail Canyon Falls This 4-mile hike ascends a mountain-framed canyon to a 30-foot beauty on the east side of the San Gabriel Mountains. It was very mellow until 8:30, then lots of hikers came in. Wild sage, blackberry brambles, and honey mushrooms spotted along the path! The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. A small waterfall and pool is located a few minutes walk further along the stream. 1.1.21 - wasn’t too crowded early morning. Moderate hike with lots of large rocks in the trail & many small water crossings. Best Hiking Gear 2021. From I-210 in La Canada Flintridge, take the Angeles Crest Highway (highway 2) northeast for 10 miles to the road for the Switzer Picnic Area (mile marker 34.19). Find the most current and reliable 14 day weather forecasts, storm alerts, reports and information for Switzer Falls, CA, US with The Weather Network. 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 … Upper Arroyo Seco: Switzer Falls in the Angeles National Forest. No … Switzer Falls, Altadena, CA. 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. Beautiful view. The weather was nice! Little Falls Trail After visiting Little River Falls, follow the river along the rim on this sandstone-laden trail leading to a popular summer swim spot, Little Falls. This is a relatively easy hike into one of the loveliest sections of the San Gabriel mountains. On a small rise is the junction with Bear Canyon Trail 1.4 miles in, turn right to stay on Gabrielino Trail (NRT). Switzer Falls This 4.5-mile hike starts out above and finishes below a 50-foot tall waterfall. Spur Trail to Upper Falls For the adventurous who wish to reach the larger upper falls, look for a side trail to the right of the lower falls. The hike meanders back and across the stream running down the spectacular Arroyo Seco Canyon. 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. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/recreation/, The Spirit of Adventure: Angeles National Forest | The Cult Collective, Hiking Jurassic World LA (Switzer Falls) - Lost Angeles Underground. saw two woodpeckers and a waterfall can't beat that. 4/60: Switzer Falls Trail. The creek out is pretty and lined with oak, sycamore and evergreens. Totally enjoyable. It begins at Mt. Good workout. Campsites are first come-first served. The Swtizer Falls Trail is a great hike that summarizes Southern California and all the different hiking environments into one hike! The Best LA Hikes. Users have reported that when the trailhead parking is closed, there is an additional 1 mile and 300 feet in elevation added to the hike. Switzer Falls Trail is located at 701 Angeles Crest Hwy, Tujunga, CA 91042. Stay to the right if you’re headed to the falls. The last bit to lower falls was exhausting but you get a few good views. Great trail, going down is nice but the way back has a good incline, work those legs. Great trail! Hike the Etiwanda Falls Trail. Pretty easy going hike with a couple of stream crossings. Make sure to leash your fur buddy when you start summiting towards the peak. Switzer Falls and Bear Canyon Camp via Gabrelino Trail [CLOSED] is a 8.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near La Canada Flintridge, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. THE STORY: Jedediah Switzer was raised by carnivorous squirrels. 103 likes. This is a family friendly hike and not too challenging. It’s a fun hike located at: Switzer Truck Trail, Altadena, CA 91001 Read reviews about going earlier and that's definitely the move! Great hike! A lot of social distancing and mask wearing people were very courteous to others. A nice trail below the camp ends at the top of the falls. The mountainous part of the Arroyo Seco is located within the Angeles National Forest. lots of family’s enjoying this hike. About a mile into the hike, the trail will fork. The trail leaves from the western end of the lot. Crowds could be challenging on the narrow areas, which would also be quite hot in the peak heat of the day. Box 1499 , Sacramento, CA, 95812-1499, Phone: 800-862-2543. Pretty dope. Thank you U.S.F.S for keeping the doors open! This trail is currently open as of 12/20/2020, you can use a Daily Adventure Pass to park in the lower parking lot at the trailhead. Pretty small waterfall—nice and shady. Dawn Mine Trail Hike. From Interstate 210 in La Canada, take Highway 2 north and drive 10 miles to Switzer picnic area on the right. A good majority of people were wearing masks. Since the trailhead parking is closed, expect to hike down the road to the start. Widely recognized as the most well-known waterfall hike in the greater Los Angeles area, this 14-foot cascade is accessed from the Switzer Falls Picnic and Day Use Area just off … Parking Address/coordinates: Switzer Truck Trail, Altadena, CA 91001 34.266204, -118.145574 . You will hike through a stream, forest, mountains and desert all in one hike. You can get more information from their website. Then you have a section that has steep mountain pass to the waterfall. There is pretty gnarly drop at one point. The trail soon descends again leading to the intersection of Bear Canyon and Switzer Falls. We arrived at 10am and parking was full. After a 4 mile hike, your going to feel it. Trail: Switzer Picnic Area to Switzer Falls and the Bear Canyon Trail along the Arroyo Seco to the mouth of Bear Canyon. definitely will do again in spring. On the street of Angeles Crest Highway and street number is 701. It *is* passable, but we averaged a half mile per hour lugging two bikes through, including a few waterfall passes, a jumping into a neck deep pool and tossing the bikes 15 feet into the river. Descend to the parking area outside the campground. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Great hike along a creek most of the way. My brother took his Aussie and it did great! NPS / Matt Switzer. Crowded, but fun hike! Fees: Camping - Adventure Pass/America the Beautiful Pass Required if parking at any of the parking areas for Switzer's Picnic Area. I wasn’t planning on doing this hike this past weekend. Lower parking lot was closed, but the hike next to the river was amazing. Only 1/4 mile extra, but it's a bigger, less crowded, fall. You can get to the top of the waterfalll but requires some scrambling, Red Box Trail to West Fork Campground [CLOSED], Mount Lawlor via Strawberry Peak Trail Loop, Gabrielino Trail from Redbox to Devore Trail Camp [CLOSED], Strawberry Spur Trail, Mount Lawlor, and Gabrielino Trail Loop [CLOSED], Colby Canyon, Strawberry Spur and Josephine Peak Loop, Switzer Falls and Bear Canyon Camp via Gabrelino Trail [CLOSED], Gabrieleno Trail: Switzer Falls to Hahamonga Watershed [CLOSED], Gabrielino NRT to Josephine Peak [CLOSED], Switzer Picnic Area to Gould Mesa Campground. The stream is lined with oaks and alder, with the water cascading over granite into mirror-like pools. But it’s a beautiful hike, u can hear the creek flowing next to u as u walk. Many hikers with dogs and families. Switzer Falls Hike The Switzer Falls hike is so much more than just a waterfall. When meeting the trail junction, hike down to … Didn’t take children or a dog with me but saw many enjoying the trail. Turn right and drive a mile downhill to the picnic area. COVID REVIEW! As many has mentioned. Awesome trail. A 17-year-old Rancho Cucamonga boy died Monday when he fell about 50 feet while hiking at Switzer Falls in the Angeles National Forest, authorities said. Location: Angeles National Forest near Mt. Easy going to falls but going back it’s moderate to hard. 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. After a mile (where you can enjoy wild blackberries in the summer), Gabrielino Trail leaves the creek and climbs up the side of the canyon. Hiking directions: In order to reach the falls, hike along the Gabrielino trail 1.6 miles until reaching a trail junction. People aren’t joking that when the driveway is closed it’s quite a steep walk up at the end of your hike - but I think it’s worth it! Really lovely trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. It was a great hike today, the day was beautiful. Wear right pair of hiking shoes or it be can ankle-twisting. Get there early. Hiking back up that road afterwards is no fun. Great views. Fun hike with two different terrains. After about a mile and a half on the trail, you’ll see a junction, continue taking the trail toward Switzer Falls. It’s all going up . Get there early to snag a parking spot since the ramp going down to the trailhead is still closed. Just hiked the Switzer Falls trail yesterday. Lowe Truck Trail (2N50.1) at the water tank and ends at Gabrielino NRT below Switzer Falls. The way back is all up hill but not nearly as difficult as expected. Angeles National Forest Hikes. Waterfall wasn’t that impressive but nice none the less. Like most people said, it gets pretty narrow in the middle of the hike so try to go early to avoid the crowds. Please purchase a Forest Adventure Pass $5 before parking. The section of the Gabrielino Trail beginning at the west end of the parking area, after crossing the bridge over the creek, takes you first above Switzer Falls (you can detour to visit the Falls). 221. After seeing the falls, travel downstream to the intersection with Bear Canyon, and travel up this spectacularly wild, steep-walled canyon for another half mile or so to enjoy its wonders. When to Initiate a Backcountry Rescue (with Your Garmin InReach, PLB, or SPOT) Easy Bear Safety For Hikers and Campers. The trail to Switzer Falls begins at Switzer Picnic Area, ten miles up CA 2 from Altadena. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The falling, yellow leaves were delightful. Beautiful stretch, perfect hike, refreshing views along the creek. You will see a footbridge over the stream leading to the trail head. Cross the bridge and walk down Bear Canyon on a road that was paved back in the 1930s and is losing its battle with nature and time. The trail ends with 127 stone steps leading into the canyon and down to the river. Hike at Switzer Falls near Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA, California. Nice, popular trail with optional off trail segment up-stream to reach base of Switzer Falls. Your email address will not be published. Date: January 27, 2017 Author: Lyndi M 2 Comments. Elevation change: 650 feet. More waterfalls around Los Angeles Explore other waterfalls in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains. Beautiful views, some steep areas, narrow trail at top of the canyon could be a challenges for those afraid of heights. Very easy going. This is a great hiking trail to the gorgeous Switzer Falls in the San Gabriel Mountains Beginning of trail to Falls and Bear Canyon There was very little water at the waterfall. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Switzer Falls Trail is located in Los Angeles County of California state. Quiet with tons of birds and squirrels and the like. 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