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Winter Creek Loop


Highlights:

Deep lush wooded canyon, peaceful little stream, shady, a perfect day hike!
Near:Sierra Madre, CA
Scenery:
Distance:5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:1000 ft
Hike Time:3 hours
Difficulty:Moderate
Trail Condition:Well maintained trail
HikeType:Loop


Summary: This wonderful shady hikes ascends up a deep cut canyon, through which Winter Creek flows on its way to merge with Santa Anita Creek. The floor of the canyon is covered with a lush ivy like ground cover, a multitude of trees, large rock faces, and a lovely burbling creek. The morning I did this hike, I heard a symphony of birds, with a large owl swooping down the stream and landing almost directly in front of me. Along Winter creek you will see a few cabins built in the 30's and a series of Lincoln Log like check dams.

Follow the paved road down into Santa Anita canyon, across a bridge, and bear left on the marked Lower Winter Trail. About 1.5 miles up Winter creek you'll pass through Hoegee Camp. Just past the camp you will pass two trail junctions, the second of which will be the Upper Winter Creek trail, which will take back to a fire road just above the Chantry flat parking area. Note that the upper trail has some very steep drop-offs so watch your step.

Trailhead: From the Foothill Freeway(210) in Arcadia, exit on Santa Anita Avenue and drive six miles north to its end at Chantry Flat. The trail begins across the road from the parking lot. (Lat:34.19589 Lon:-118.02285)
Trail Guides for Winter Creek Loop:
Day Hikers Guide to Southern California
by John McKinney  (Olympus Press)

Afoot & Afield In Los Angeles
by Jerry Schad  (Wilderness Press)

Trails of the Angles - 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels
by John W. Robinson  (Wilderness Press)

Best Seasons: Year-Round
User Groups: Hikers, Bikers
Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest, (818) 790-1151
Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted  104 other hikes on this site
Trail Reviews  Page 1 of 7   Submit your own review
Reviewed by Lily on 12/24/2009
Directions for OC commute: The place to park at is called Chantry Flat Address: 2201-2299 Forest Route 2N40 La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 -Take the exit onto I-605 N -Take the exit on the left onto Foothill Fwy/I-210 W toward Pasadena -Take exit 32 for Santa Anita Ave -Turn right at N Santa Anita Ave -Slight left at Forest Route 2N40/Santa Anita Canyon Rd -Continue onto Santa Anita Canyon Trail -Continue onto Forest Route 2N40/Santa Anita Canyon Ave -End at 2201-2299 Forest Route 2N40, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011‎ (keep going up Forest Route/Santa Anita Canyon Ave until you see CHANTRY FLATS. you WILL see it) Please note: Parking space is limited. $10 VIP parking. $5 for roadside and lot parking

Reviewed by Lily on 12/19/2009
Oh! For people who are coming from the OC area.... here are the info and directions on how to get there. It was difficult for me to find at first, but my girl friend Roseanna was able to find directions. Follow this instructions and you won't get lost. DRIVE UNTIL YOU SEE CHANTRY FLATS! do not give up! The parking and hike is really up there!! Purchase parking permit is required at the convience store up on chantry flats. $10 for vip parking and $5 for all around and ROADSIDES. yup!! ROADSIDE PARKING PERMIT IS REQUIRED!!

Reviewed by Lily on 12/19/2009
My first time hiking Winter Creek Loop! My friends and I did the Hermit Falls. This is one of the most relaxing trail I've ever been on with a reward at the end! A group of my friends and I was able to hike this trail on a beautiful day. We definitely enjoyed it and will most definitely come back for more. The trail was shady. There were lots of trees and active rivers. I was very pleased to see the waterfall was active too! That was our reward in the end :) I highly recommend this hike for everyone. Best first hike for beginners. Best hike for those who love taking pictures because the scenery is amazing! Great shading for those who don't want to hike in the sun too much. And best of all WATERFALL!!! :)

Reviewed by wvn on 8/22/2009
Hiked 21-Aug-09: Chantry Flats -> Hermit Falls -> Roberts Camp -> Sturdevant Falls -> Spruce Grove -> Mt. Zion -> Hogees Camp -> Lower Wintercreek -> Roberts Camp -> Hermit Falls -> Chantry Flats. Counting a mile to go to the base of Sturdevant Falls and back, that comes to about 11 miles, or a total of 5.5 hours. It's a little different in the dry season compared to the wet season. My pictures are mostly browns, yellows, and pale greens... the contrast to a cold, drizzly day in November is pretty cool...

Reviewed by Solar Mates on 8/17/2009
First time hiking in this area and what a treat. Did the hike in a clockwise manner (High trail first)and feel that this a a good approach saving the cooler part of the trip for afternoon. Took a side trip to Mt. Zion and enjoyed the viw and solitude. No wildlife seen but there were a lot of hikers out on Saturday. Watch for Poison Oak along the lower trail.

Reviewed by Alonzo on 8/6/2009
awesome hike first time on this hike!!,I liked it because most of the hike is shaded,and great scenery. You will see man made dams. at the very end there is a water pool,great place to jump in and get wet.!!!

Reviewed by S.S. on 5/11/2009
I hiked lower Winter Creek between Hoegees Camp and Roberts Camp. I saw this area as part of the longer loop that goes over Mt. Zion to Spruce Grove Camp and Sturtevant Falls. The lower Winter creek Trail is really scening. The creek is lush and picturesque and the trail is gentle. For more information: http://budurl.com/WinterCreek

Reviewed by KMC on 2/1/2009
Decided to do this one instead of watch the Superbowl. Started about 3pm. Quite chilly on the valley floor. Saw a few people on the trail to Hoegee's but had the trail to ourselves on the Upper Winter Trail. Quite a beautiful trip along the water and then getting the canyon vistas on the way back. Were back in the car at 5:30 but we stopped to look at our surroundings quite a bit. Will definitely hike again.


Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site.
Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes

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