Name: The Bridge to Nowhere & Beyond
Start: 2013-04-21T07:00:00-07:00
End: 2013-04-21T10:00:00-07:00
Location: East Fork Trailhead

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THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE: This is one of my favorite hikes. I began making an annual trek to the bridge in the Fall of 2005.The hike takes you along the banks of the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. The river banks are wooded and there are several river crossings. The highlight of the hike is a mysterious bridge built over the East Fork in 1936, which has no road leading to it. Actually, in the 1930's a road did lead to it, but was swept away by floods in 1938. The trail continues beyond the bridge and becomes a little more pristine as it is less traveled.

This hike is posted on Happy Hour Backpacking and Early Bird Hiking - if you are a member of both Meet-ups, please RSVP on only one.

Due to the popularity of this hike, I am going to limit the number of hikers to 20 (per Meetup group) with a wait list. Please do not RSVP “Yes” unless you are certain you are going to go (barring any unforeseen circumstances) and do not be discouraged if you are on the wait list as things change for people and you could have an opportunity to join us.

The hike: You may get wet ! ! ! This is a moderate hike of about 10 miles - there are no strenuous hills, but it is not recommended unless you have hiked at least 7 or 8 miles previously. There are several stream crossings and a portion of the trail is rocky riverbed. If you are not adept at walking on logs and/or rock hopping, plan to get your feet wet. We will meet in the parking area near the trailhead gate (East Fork Ranger station) at 6:55AM to begin the hike at 7:00AM. The early start time is to get to the parking area before it fills up with Bungee America clients. Parking is limited (Adventure Pass required) and the closure of so many other places in the Angeles National Forest has increased the popularity of those that are still open. I highly recommend car pooling. I have a few $5 Adventure "day" Passes available.

The faster hikers will continue on beyond the bridge to explore for about 45 minutes to an hour before turning around. The slower hikers can also go beyond The Bridge, but will not go as far. The other option is to hang out at the bridge and watch the bungee jumpers.

DIRECTIONS: If you use Google Maps and enter "Camp Bonta Prairie Forks Rd, Los Angeles, California" - it will show you the area, but if you request directions it will take you thru Glendora - this is O.K., but not recommended as the directions look complex - My preference is to take Azusa Ave. (Highway 39) North up into the mountains -Turn right onto East Fork Rd - You will pass a sign on your right "Sheep Mountain Wilderness Road Ends 1/2 Mile" -Shortly after that sign you will approach a right-hand hairpin turn...DO NOT MAKE THAT TURN - Instead, continue straight onto the unmarked road directly in front of you. WATCH FOR TRAFFIC COMING DOWN THE HILL - The road will end in a parking lot just past the East Fork ranger station. There are restrooms there and at the bottom of the hill. The trailhead is at the far end of the parking lot. If you haven't found the group yet, we will meet at the trailhead. Watch for "No Parking" areas along the road - just because someone else parked there doesn't mean yo will not get a ticket.

When you RSVP "Yes", please incicate at which location(see below) you will meet us and e-mail me ( leetracy2@att.net ) or post if you can be a driver for carpooling.

TIMING: Out of courtesy for your fellow hikers, please be at your meeting place a little early so we can get to the trailhead to find parking and get started on time. Traffic may be light for the Holiday, but don't count on it as the 210 can be nasty just about any day. If you follow my directions it is about 18 miles from the 210 freeway - N. Azusa Ave exit and will take 35 to 40 minutes to drive. I will meet people for carpooling at the Vons parking lot on Fair Oaks and Orange Grove in front of the Subway shop to leave at 5:45AM (If you plan to get a sandwich at Subway, please allow extra time), and at Ninth St. East of Azusa Ave (Use Google maps and enter 858 N Azusa Ave, Azusa, Ca 91702) - when you get here turn right on Ninth and park - we will leave here at 6:15AM. This will probably be the last place I will have a cell phone signal. Additional details will be sent to those who are going on this hike.

WHAT TO BRING: Ample water, comfortable shoes that you can walk in when they are wet, a snack or nutrition bar for along the way, something for lunch, a windbreaker or other light weight jacket, and maybe a dry pair of socks. I know people hike at different levels and I try not to leave anyone behind (you won’t get lost, if you get separated, just follow another group of people), but I cannot wait for someone who wants to change shoes at every water crossing. The water level should be low unless we get some serious rain between now and the hike. If you want to change your socks and shoes, do so after the last river crossing when we take the switch back up the canyon wall high above the river. This is about a mile or so before the bridge.

The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging. that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts of this Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities

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The Bridge to Nowhere & Beyond

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