Hike to Spectacular Delightful Fish Canyon Falls

March 10-Hike to Fish Canyon Falls, one of the top natural attractions of the San Gabriel Mountains. Hike Length: 9 miles http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/c/c/event_77940972.jpeground trip, out-and-back Hiking Time: 6 hours round trip Elevation Gain/Loss: 3000'/3000' Difficulty: STRENUOUS Trail Use: Dogs allowed Fish Canyon Falls has moved into my all time 10 best water falls. The falls are a spectacular delight, plunging some eighty feet in stairway fashion. The topmost fall is the longest, shooting out http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/0/8/event_77941032.jpegfrom the narrow gorge above, then swishing down into a sparkling pool 40' below. Then there is a short cascade, followed by a 30' plunge into a lower pool, with one final 8' drop below that. A fine spray dampens the canyon walls causing them to be embossed with lush green mosses and grasses. In the amphitheater below there is a roar of the falls with a small flat area for lunch that is shaded by oaks and overhanging rock. http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/b/2/event_77941202.jpegAlthough Fish Canyon and the Falls are worth the effort, it is a strenuous hike. The trail is STEEP, needs trimming, sections of the trail are covered with POISON oak and if the water is running high there is one stream crossing where your feet will get wet. This is a trail you will need to man/woman up. Directions: Take I-210 pass I-605 and exit at Irwindale Ave. Turn left under the freeway making a right turn onto Huntington Drive. Proceed 0.6 mile to Encanto Parkway. Turn left and follow the parkway northeast for 1.4 miles. Turn left into the dirt parking lot, which is just short of the Vulcan rock quarry entrance. Those who would like to carpool can meet a Towsley Canyon Park at 06:45 for a 07:00 departure. Or meet at the trail head at 08:00.

Leader: Dave

Rated: Strenuous