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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a good short trail through some interesting geological and ecological features. You start at South Fork Camp right at the very edge of where the forest meets the desert, so you hike through a transitional zone and even cross a couple of streams. As you begin you cross South Fork Creek then you gently climb a nice slope to a ridge, then descend some switchbacks, and climb up the steepest portion of the trail to the punchbowl. This is a pretty easy hike for anyone in decent condition. Surely, everyone in your party can make this one. However, I would recommend they be sure of foot, there are some steep drop offs and trail erosion along the way. The feint of heart may want to tread lightly on this trail, very very narrow in spots. I was tempted to continue on, but I wasn't sure what the weather would do, and I wasn't outfitted for rain. This one is worth going to at least once. Trailhead: Take the Pearblossom Hwy (138) West from the 15 past the twon of Llano and just before Pearblossom. Turn Left onto Longview road. Make another left onto W Avenue (there's a sign for Valerymo Road) W will veer right and become Valerymo Road. Follow this road for a while until you see the sign for Big Rock Creek Road - turn right and follow it to the signed turoff for South Fork Campground - turn right and follow it to its end - park. The trail is well marked as it crosses the stream. Follow it up as it climbs and down as it descends then climbs again to the Devil's Chair. (Lat:34.40216 Lon:-117.84575) Trail Guides for Devils Chair from South Fork Campground: Best Hikes With Dogs - Southern California by Allen Riedel (Mountaineers books) Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) Trails of the Angeles - 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Horses, Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest (661) 944-2743 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by CharlesC on 10/8/2007 Did the hike from Southfork Perfect day about 70 degrees, trail well maintained. Steep climb to the chair but worth the views of the rock formations.
Reviewed by Ron on 5/25/2007 On 25 May 07 3 of us did a thru hike from South Fork to the Devils Punchbowl. W left one car at the Punchbowl parking lot and drove another around to South Fork Camp Ground. We started on the trail and it took 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete. It looks like someone has been working on the trail from South Fork to the Devils Chair Junction because it was in a lot better shape than last time we did it. Ran into a few others on the trail. One father and his two young boys told us they had come across a bear who high tailed it up the side of the mountain. All we saw were the usual lizards and squirrels. Getting hot so we are probably heading higher up in the mountains for the rest of the hikes this summer but it was a great hike today!
Reviewed by Ron on 1/26/2007 On 23 Jan. 07 a friend and I did the South Fork trail thru to the Devil's Punchbowl parking lot. (required a vehicle at both parking lots) Great weather and the trail was in good condition the entire way. Have done both trips on either side to the Devils chair and this was the first time as a thru hike. We completed the hike in 2.5 hours. It was nice to hike somewhere and not have to turn around and go back half way because of where the car was parked.
Reviewed by Michael on 12/29/2006 The trail was washed out about 1 mile in and we couldn't figure out how to continue finding only 1 temporary trail marker.
Reviewed by jdfromla on 12/24/2003 Do this one as a through-hike with a car shuttle to Devil's Punchbowl County Park Headquarters. You'll pass through every microclimate from desert to sub-alpine. My group, Italians Go Hiking, does this hike every year at the end of March. Some years there's lots of snow, some years it's 80 degrees. The trail is beautifully graded, at least up to the switchbacks just below Devil's Chair. Taken as a through-hike, it's a "sampler" of everything CA has to offer to the outdoor adventurer. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
