|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
         
 Reporter |
Summary: I really enjoyed this hike through Trail Canyon along the banks of Gold Creek. The trail starts out on a fire road, with several cabins from the 1920's dotting the landscape. After about 3/4 of a mile the trail narrows and begins a half mile long gradual accent through a lovely alder lined stream bed. The trail then leaves the stream bed moves up along the slopes of this amazingly deep canyon. At 1.5 miles in from the start, the lovely falls come into to few. I found a several somewhat steep side trails that dropped into the base of the falls. This is a spectacular setting, not to be missed! After the falls, the trail continues for another 2 miles or so to Tom Lucas Camp. The hiking is pleasant and the terrain quite lovely. I was not successful in spotting the camp, and wound up walking at least a mile past it supposed location on the map. All the guide books say it there, and other hikers I talked to say they have been there, but I sure didn't see it! Trailhead: From the 210 freeway in Sunland, take the Sunland exit and head north east to Mt Gleason Avenue. Turn left and follow Mt Gleason to a T intersection with Big Tujunga Canyon. Turn right and follow Big Tujunga 4.5 miles to Trail Canyon Road on the left. Note that Trail Canyon is a fairly narrow dirt road, a bit bumpy, but passable. Follow the dirt road to the parking area/gate. (Lat:34.30564 Lon:-118.25527) Trail Guides for Trail Canyon - Tom Lucas Camp: Hike Los Angeles Volume 2 by Dennis Gagnon (Western Tanager 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, Dogs, Horses Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest, (818) 899-1900 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted 104 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 10 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Rockys007 on 8/3/2009 8/1: This hike starts off okay with shade and good road, but soon comes out into the open. There is a steady 15 deg uphill climb for about 2 miles, it can get tiring. The falls were dry last weekend and we just kept walking thinking the falls were further uphill. We ended up where the trail just dead ends into huge boulders which looks like the middle of the stream if there had been any water. The climb in the hot sun does take its toll. There is no water at this time. Never saw campsite. We turned back after encountering the boluders where we had lunch and rested in the shade. 
Reviewed by Liz M. on 6/29/2009 Three of us hiked this trail in the heat on Saturday, June 27th, 2009. I rather liked the trail in the end, but the trek was killer. We did visit the waterfall, making the first 1.5 miles worth the sweat. After some resting, we managed to find Tom Lucas Camp without much effort. It seemed a rather obvious find to us. Look for thick, fallen logs and a fire pit. You might also search for a large rock with a Native American drawing on it (I'm not so sure on the autheticity or purpose of this painting). Overall, a good day's hike!
Reviewed by Anita S. on 5/18/2009 I would give this 3 1/2 stars. We hiked in the afternoon. It was quite a hot day, and the hike has more exposed sunny spots than we anticipated. The first part of the hike was quite hot, and there was a lot of poison oak right by the trail. That said the creek was lovely and there weren't many bugs. We thought the hike might be just so-so, but then we started to climb higher up the canyon. The breeze picked up, there were many plants in bloom and the scenery was very pretty. There were mixed areas of sun and then shade. This hike would be way too hot for mid-day summer. We took the first right trail down to the base of the waterfall, which we had all to ourselves (due to the Lakers game). Despite the graffiti covered tree it was beautiful. 
Reviewed by GAM on 4/4/2009 This was a great hike, the best parts were up to and including the waterfall. There were some other good areas but there was a lot that were narrow and plagued with poison oak. We did find the camp which was welcoming because it was open and it had the tables. The waterfall was the best part, the basin was freezing but I jumped in anyway! Next time I'll probably just go to the waterfall and turn around.
Reviewed by EA on 3/29/2009 Hiked this today (3/29/09) only up to the falls and back. The water was flowing heavier than I expected. The trail is beautiful for the first mile plus when you crisscross the creek several times and are under the cover of the trees. Then, you head up the side of the valley out of the cover of the trees but still have a view of the creek below. Made it out and back with a 45 min stop at the falls in 2.5 hours (that's with carrying my 20 month old on my back). Excellent short hike.
Reviewed by PK on 3/23/2009 Hiked this on Mar 17. Flow was pretty good at the falls and most of the stream crossings were pretty manageable. With the warmer weather, however, arises many flying pests, so bring repellent... a gallon or two should suffice.
Reviewed by Willim on 1/10/2009 Walked this yesterday. Took 2 hrs to get to "3 tables and stoves" (there's a fourth table and stove just to the south), so estimated 4 mi and +1985/-200 ft elevation change. Altitude 3600 ft. Some traces of the Boy Scouts handiwork: some lashed-together logs in the stream, possibly a bridge? The plaque at the site says "In Memory of Paul R. Little". Trail is blocked just past this. The "Old Tom Lucas campsite" is the 'logs grouped around the fire pit' 3 miles in (about 2800 ft altitude). See Robinson hike #9
Reviewed by mountainman99 on 12/16/2008 I have been hiking this trail since 1987, and have never had any problem in finding the camp. The first time was in August and very hot. Took 2 hrs and 45 minutes to do the 4.5 miles! Cooler weather in about two hours. I think that most people make the mistake of stopping at the false camp about 30-40 minutes past the falls: Several logs grouped around a fire pit. Keep going up the obvious trail for another steep hour until reaching the camp, in a clearing with 3 tables and stoves. This used to be a boy scout camp with pit toilets to the upper left of the camp, now overgrown. Looks like the sign is now gone too. One of my favorites! 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||