Switzer Picnic Area to Bear Canyon

Saturday, February 25- Switzer Picnic Area to Bear Canyon Distance: 5 Miles Roundtrip with 1100' gain. Switzer's Camp was once one of the most famous resorts in the San Gabriel Range. Perry Switzer along with Bob and Liz Waterman fashioned this wild resort in 1884. There once was a tennis court, croquet court, library, children's playground, and an open air dance floor. A cow horn was left hanging from a Manzanita bush 1/2 mile below the camp with instructions to issue one blast for every hungry guest. When the visitors arrived they were greeted with a hot dinner. Trout was the featured feast, caught in the adjacent stream.

The hike starts at the Switzer Picnic Area parking lot. It is located approx. 1/2 mile passed the Angeles Crest/Angeles Forest Highway Junction. Adventure Pass is required to park your car here. From the parking lot the trail will lead us pass the Switzer trail Camp, dropping in the Arroyo Seco (On the way down there are good views of Switzer Falls). From here we will walk up the creek a short way than backtrack and follow the gorge past numerous pools and mini cascades. At Bear Canyon Junction we will turn around and head back. There are many stream crossings. Be sure to bring plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen, snacks, hiking poles, good hiking boots, and a camera. Meet at Towsley Park OUTSIDE the Gates at 7 AM for a 7:15 carpool to the trail head. If you’d like to meet at the trail head, we’ll see you there at 8:00.

Directions to trailhead: Take 5 south to the 210 frwy and exit on the Angeles Crest Hwy (2 north). Drive up the Angeles Crest Hwy 10 1/2 miles to the side road down to the Switzer Picnic Area, which is 1/2 mile past the junction of the Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest Hwys. Turn right and descend 1/4 mile to the parking area outside the picnic area. Restrooms are located at the trail head.

Leader: Dave Pulsifer

Rated: Easy