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 Reporter |
Summary: This hike takes you through the lovely Arroy Seco to the Oakwilde camp. The trail is shaded by oaks, sycamores, maples, and countless white alders. A trail crosses a pretty little seasonal stream at least a dozen times, so bring some shoes you don't mind getting wet. This hike has scenery worthy of 5 stars, but I bumped it down a star due to the ever-present reminders of civilization (from the 1920s!) along the trail. Along the way you will pass a number of inviting picnic sites and several beautiful areas along the stream covered with ivy twining around the trees. The trail is very mellow for the first 3 miles to Paul Little Picnic Area, which you might consider as a turn around point if you are hiking with small children. Beyond the picnic area, the trail steepens, and a rather spectacular waterfall comes into view cascading over an erosion dam. I suppose you could follow the creek upstream from the Paul Little Picnic are to find the base of the falls, although I did not try this. Trailhead: From the Foothill freeway (210) in Pasadena, take the Arroyo Blvd/Windsor Ave exit. Head north on Arroyo, which becomes Windsor. Park in a lot on the left about a mile up, just before the intersection with Ventura Street. Walk up Windsor a few hundred feet to a gated ,narrow, paved road on the right side of a Y. The road to the left drops down into the JPL parking lot. (Lat:34.19338 Lon:-118.16893) Trail Guides for Lower Arroyo Seco: Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) 101 Hikes in Southern California 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, Bikes, Dogs 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 4 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by ASO on 5/11/2009 Hiked this on a Monday. Went down El Prieto/ Brown Mtn. trail. The water levels were extremely low, people said thats about how much there is apparently. Dont bring your dog because of the long black pavement and all the bikers,i saw about one every 45 min. I dont recommend this on a hot day. As for scenery its was nice but nothing exceptional considering it has a stream. I like water so i wont be going back here. 
Reviewed by Suzanne on 3/20/2009 I love this hike. The trailhead is as described. Looks like one reviewer, "Viewer" went on the El Prieto trail, not the Gabrielino trail. You want to stay to the left and not go on the El Prieto/Brown Mtn trail on the weekend. During the week, El Prieto is a quieter and very beautiful hike. On the weekend, don't venture on the path or you will be plowed down by the bikers. Gabrielino has a gradual incline and is not as challenging. Its got several stream crossings, all manageable. I think the further you go on the path,the more serene and peaceful. 
Reviewed by Viewer on 2/25/2009 This hike is OK, don't know if I'll go again. The first part of the trail is paved, but it gets a lot better once it it turns into a narrow trail. Problem was there were so many mountain bikers going up and coming down at such high speeds with no warning, it totally dampered the hike. 
Reviewed by Tikiri on 2/5/2009 Went last Thur morning. Had hiked it once before many years ago after some rain and the stream had risen and made crossing it a problem at some points. This week it was wonderful, our first time out this season, the stream was steady but easily crossed, just made it up to Nino picnic area just passed Gould Mesa and stopped for picnic lunch. Plenty of shade, benches, & picnic tables along the trail to stop and enjoy the day. Only complaint is the early portion along the blacktop and chain link fence.
Reviewed by OB1 on 9/2/2008 After reading the reviews on this site I was geared up for a great hike, but honestly, I wasn't impressed. Certainly there are some nice parts, but I found the overall scenery bland compared with other hikes in the Gabriels. Did this as an out-and-back from Gould Mesa to Oakwilde. If I hike in this area again, it will either be using a shuttle and starting from Switzer's, or it'll be as an expedition up to the Royal Pool as described by Schad. I can see the draw for families though, especially given the proximity and easy access.
Reviewed by RPM on 8/23/2008 Just hiked this for the 2nd time today. Water levels were low but the scenery is still beautiful. Didn't go to Oakwilde, just stopped short of the dam at the Paul Little memorial area for lunch and then turned back, I think about an 8-mile hike. This is an excellent hike for beginners and families since you can shorten the hike accordingly by not going back as far. Very pretty except as others have said for the first 20 to 30 minutes going in on paved road, but it's worth it.
Reviewed by CSolis on 7/7/2008 This hike was amazing! For a summer day, this hike is perfect as it offers lots of shade and the river has cold water running through it. Hiked up a mountain (Towards Switzer Campground) that was indeed the most difficult spot... it was all incline up the edge of the mountain. No city sounds and lots of beautiful birds (saw kites and doves) chirping all day.
Reviewed by PK on 5/28/2008 Indeed, one of the bridges 1.5 miles in has collapsed, but the stream, while strong, is shallow running enough that you can rock-hop around to the other side, not that you're explicitly supposed to not do that. Otherwise, the trail is teeming with greenery and wildlife (hares, woodpeckers, quail, and ducklings, to name a few!), and is pleasantly secluded on a pre-dawn weekday. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||