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 Reporter |
Summary: This hike take you into one of the loveliest sections of the San Gabriel mountains. The hike meanders back and forth across the stream running down the spectacular Arroyo Seco Canyon. The stream is lined with oaks and alder, with the water cascading over granite into mirror-like pools. The hike travels high above the 50 foot high Switzer falls, where the trail bears right to head towards Oakwilde Camp. The trail traverses the hillside high above the Arroyo Seco, then drops down into the densely wooded Long Canyon. At the junction of Long Canyon and the Arroyo Seco, a lovely two tier 50 foot waterfall drops down into a gleaming pool. The section of this trail between Long Canyon and the Oakwilde camp is considered to be the most gorgeous of the entire Arroyo Seco, with its souring walls, cascades, and dense woodland. Trailhead: From Interstate 210 in La Canada, take Highway 2 north and drive 10 miles to Switzer picnic area on the right. Descend to the parking area outside the campground. You will see a footbridge over the stream leading to the trail head. (Lat:34.26609 Lon:-118.14559) Trail Guides for Upper Arroyo Seco: Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) Afoot & Afield In Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) 101 Hikes in Southern California by Jerry Schad (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 JimZ on 2/8/2009 My neighbor Nick and I did a 10 mile point-to-point hike from Switzer Camp all the way down the Arroyo to JPL in Pasadena. The past two days of heavy rains was a blessing and a curse. The scenery was stunning, with the big waterfalls roaring and many small waterfalls caused by the runoff. Thats the upside. The downside was that we had 34 stream crossings, with about half of them calf to knee deep. Nothing dangerous, but we definitely got wet. Took us 5 hours of steady hiking without a break. Definitely recommended! 
Reviewed by David on 1/5/2009 I hiked down the steep use trail from ACH to Oakwilde. I then climbed the Ken Burton Trail and continued up a steep use trail to the top of Brown Mtn. From there descended to Tom Sloan Saddle and hiked down Bear Canyon. I reconnected to the Gabrielino trail and took it through the Upper Arroyo Seco. A wonderful ridge and canyon experience with lots of water!
Reviewed by TRC on 10/14/2008 (did hike on: 9-22-08)Awesome hike!!!! I really enjoyed this hike for myself. We jumped into the top of the waterfall that made a pool and was cold as hell, great experience!!!! There was beautiful sites and scary trails but all in all... VERY WORTH IT. Really nice people and good place to just lose yourself.
Reviewed by CT on 6/30/2008 Excellent outing! We went down to Oak Wild and back. Lots of birds, lizards, and even trout!! Watch out for poison oak, and keep in mind as you casually make your down to Oak Wild, you have to come back up!! Makes for a great 5 hour hike! Our GPS tracked only about 9 miles, not sure why.
Reviewed by d on 6/4/2008 beautiful sites i fell into the water when we went to the rock under the waterfall, it felt good. we did step on a baby rattle snake on acident it was near the fenced part. also we saw a king snake and what looked like a coral snake the king was red black yellow the coral snake was red yellow black
Reviewed by Chris on 5/5/2008 Great Hike. Trail is a little overgrown in spots but managable. Great views and little traffic past switzer falls junction. This is a lightly travelled trail when compared to the neighboring trails. The canyon hike in and out is great. May want to stay away on hot days due to lack of shade on approach to Arroyo Seco canyon from Switzer area. Overall a great hike that will be revisited in the fuutre.
Reviewed by PK on 3/28/2008 If you do have the 5+ hours to spare, this hike is indeed worthwhile! Taking the right fork up and around the mountain to continue along Gabrielino was pretty straighforward, though some parts were overgrown, but not impossible to maneuver through. The two-tiered waterfall was truly spectacular and was practically worth the long haul in and of itself (the area above makes a great pit stop)! Farther down, the forest opened up as did the stream, possibly even wider than the stream S of Oakwilde- that was eye-opening, yet still blocked most sun out. There are a couple downed trees along the lower trail, and there are gnats aplenty during hotter weather, not to mention the omnipresent rock hops along the streamside bits.
Reviewed by MCB on 9/30/2007 Walked Switzer picnic area to Switzer Falls & a mile or so down Bear Canyon this afternoon, with my 10 year old and one of his friends, plus my two 7 years olds & one of their friends. Kids love this hike, but watch them carefully on the ridge coming down into Bear Canyon below the falls. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||