Switzer Falls and Brown Mountain - Full day (13 - 14 miles)

Saturday, May 16 - Switzer Falls to Brown Mountain

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Description:

This mountain is named after the mid-19th American abolitionist, John Brown. It seems that his two sons lived near the head of El Prieto Canyon in the 1880’s and spent a lot of time exploring the front range. To honor dad, the sons named the mountain after him.

The hike starts at Switzer Picnic Area and follows a beautiful stream pass Switzer Falls into the Arroyo Seco. Once inside the canyon the stream has mirror like pools, cascades, and small waterfalls. Our trail branches off at rugged Bear Canyon. In 2.5 miles we will arrive at Bear Canyon trail camp. The next 1/2 - 3/4 miles will be without a trail as we follow the creek up the canyon. The underbrush can be thick but it is passable. The trail picks up again as we head out of Bear Canyon to Tom Sloane Saddle. From the Saddle we will follow the path up the ridgeline 1/2 - 3/4 mile to the top of Brown Mt

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The views are great - looking north, beyond Bear Creek, your eye catches the distinctive shape of Strawberry Peak and Josephine Peak to its left. To the east are San Gabriel Peak, Mt. Markham and Mt. Lowe. To the west is the magnificent chasm that is the Arroyo Seco and across Angeles Crest Highway, you can make out the antennas of Mt. Lukens in the distance. To the south is Millard Canyon and beyond that, a usually hazy view down into the San Gabriel Valley metropolis.

From Brown Mtn. we will return to the Switzer Picnic Area.

Meet: For those wishing to carpool we will meet at Towsley Canyon SCV between 6:45 - 7:00 AM or meet at the trailhead at 08:15 AM.)

Please be respectful of your driver's support by contributing something at the end of your carpool to help defray the cost of gas - THX.

Directions to the Towsley Carpool meeting spot: From Valencia, take the I-5 South to the Calgrove exit. Exit, turn right. Go through the signal and immediately turn right into the driveway for Towsley Canyon. Park OUTSIDE the gate. Look for the hiking club members and leader there.

Directions from Towsley to the Switzer Trailhead: Take 5 to 210 East. From I-210 in La Canada, take Highway 2 north and drive 10 miles to the Switzer Picnic area, which will be on the right. Descend to the parking area outside the campground. You will see a foot bridge over the stream, leading to the trail head. (Lat:34.2663 Lon:118.1336)

Directions from Palmdale to the Switzer Trailhead: Take the Angeles Forest Hwy to the intersection with the Angeles Crest Hwy (2), turn left and you will see the road to the parking lot on the right side less than 1/2 mile after the intersection. Descend to the parking area outside the campground. You will see a foot bridge over the stream, leading to the trail head. (Lat:34.2663 Lon:118.1336)

Positive Note: There are restrooms at the trail head.

Dogs: OK, on leash and if well behaved around people / other dogs. If you bring a dog, please drive yourself. Bear in mind that this is a long all day hike.

Adventure Pass: Required.

BRING: Poles, lunch/snacks, boots with good tread, lots of water and electrolytes, camera, hat and sunscreen.

Rated: Strenuous - an all day hike.

Hike Length and Elevation Gain: 13-14 miles round trip with 2500-3000’ elevation gain. Plan on 7-8 hours of hiking.

Leader: Dave

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