Hike to Switzer Waterfalls
Details
Arthur is going to be leading this hike. :)
If anyone is interested in carpooling meet at Angeles Crest Hwy and Milmada Dr. (966 Milmada, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/966+Milmada+Dr,+La+Ca%C3%B1ada+Flintridge,+CA+91011/@34.2085893,-118.1998521,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x80c2e9fb97f6c633:0xa576f3515d7a290e)). Meet at 12:15 PM, but leave at 12:30 PM at carpool location and drive up.
If you want to meet at Switzer Falls, meet in parking lot at 1 PM. You need an Adventure Pass to park at the trail. For carpooling, I'd recommend males carpool with males and females carpool with females--unless you already know that person. Don't forget to buy a $5 day pass at the Shell gas station at the base of the hill, about 100 feet from the carpool site.
To get there, you have to drive on a winding road. Shoud have good brakes. To get to the trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in La Cañada Flintridge, take the Angeles Crest Highway (CA 2) northwest for 10 miles to the Switzer Picnic Area. Pass the Clear Creek Ranger Station, then take a right on the Switzer Truck Trail. There is an often crowded parking lot at the bottom of the canyon near the picnic areas, as well as two overflow lots along the way. Descent to the parking lot, display your adventure pass and begin hiking. If the lot at the picnic area is full, there is additional parking at the top of the road.
About Switzer Falls: Distance: 4.5 miles (out and back) Elevation change: 650 feet
Location: Tujunga, CA Open to: Hikers, dogs, bikes. Map for Switzer Falls. (http://www.kcet.org/living/travel/socal_wanderer/outdoors/over-100-miles-of-trails-re-open-in-national-angeles-forest.html)
Stipulations: National Forest Adventure Pass required. Can buy them at hiking stores, shell station up the road, Sport Chalet, or Ranger Station there.
Limited parking at trailhead--hike location.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/cc/e2/23/angeles-national-forest.jpg
http://nobodyhikesinla.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/hiking-2011-7-042.jpg?w=590
Switzer Falls might be the best know waterfall hike in Los Angeles County. This 50-foot waterfall is reachable via a 4.5 mile out-and-back trek that follows a shaded babbling creek down into a wooded canyon. Bring water, sneakers with good traction. or hiking boots. This hike is a moderate level hike--no beginners. HIKE alongside a stream... lots of rock-hopping. Might get your feet wet.
This is one of the most popular hikes in front country of the San Gabriel Mountains. There is a picnic area at the trailhead, which gets crowded too. The trail to Switzer Falls begins at Switzer Picnic Area, ten miles up CA 2 from Altadena. Cross the bridge and walk down Bear Canyon on a road that was paved 80 years ago (and is losing its battle with nature and time). This first stretch of the hike is in the shade, with a few crossing of the Arroyo Seco and the opportunity to visit resort era ruins. After a mile (and a few dozen wild blackberries if you are hiking in the summer) the trail leaves the creek and climbs up the canyon wall. You will be exposed to plenty of views and sun as the trail runs along the steep wall of the canyon. From here you will gain a view of the top of Switzer Falls. The trail continues along Bear Canyon and heads back down to the creek. Follow the trail as it turns upstream toward Switzer Falls. Here you will find fellow hikers enjoying the small pools and cascades beneath the falls.
For map and pictures you can go to:
Hike to Switzer Waterfalls