Trail Canyon Trail

This is about a 6 mile round trip hike out and back. It is a low-moderate hike with about 1000 ft. elevation gain to Lazy Lucas Camp (often mistaken for Tom Lucas Camp) - all that remains here is a fire pit and two logs to sit on, but this will be our turn around point. Tom Lucas Camp was about .7 mile further, but has been swallowed up over the years by fire and thick brush.

The trail: A closed fire road, passes some private cabins that date from the 1920s and ’30s, and arrives at the creek. The road ends and the footpath begins three-quarters of a mile from the trail head, at a creek crossing. After half a mile, the path switchbacks up the canyon’s chaparral-covered west wall. After a couple of bends in the trail, Trail Canyon Falls appears below. Trail Canyon Trail isn’t quite as redundant as it sounds. The "trail" in Trail Canyon refers not to a footpath, but to the "trail" left by tiny flakes of gold found in the gravel of the canyon’s creek bed. Turn-of-the-century placer miners worked the creek, but the trail didn’t lead to any riches. The real wealth of Trail Canyon is in its scenery: steep canyon walls that conceal a bubbling creek and surprising waterfall. During dry months and drought years, the creek is still, but swollen by rain and runoff it becomes a lively watercourse. While not completely back to its former verdant splendor, Trail Canyon had recovered nicely from the 1975 Big Santa Anita Fire that blackened this part of the forest only to be burnt again in the Station Fire. Beyond the falls, the trail used to lead to the shady Tom Lucas Trail Camp, named for a grizzly bear hunter and one of the first forest rangers in that forerunner of the Angeles National Forest, the San Gabriel Timberland Reserve

Trailhead: Take I-5 north - exit Sunland Blvd. turn right. Shortly after you pass under the 210 freeway Sunland becomes Foothill (or take the 210 to Sunland Blvd and head north) – continue on Foothill .4 mi. turning left on Oro Vista Blvd. in .9 mi. Oro Vista becomes Big Tujunga Canyon Blvd. go another 7 miles to Trail Canyon Road on the left(a.k.a. Gold Creek Rd.- .9 miles after you cross the bridge) - creek will be on your right(NF–3N29 a.k.a. Gold Creek Rd.). If you see Ottie Rd. on the right you have passed Gold Creek Rd. Note that Trail Canyon Road is a fairly narrow dirt road, a bit bumpy, but passable except by cars that are low to the ground. Follow the dirt road and bear to the right at the fork– follow it down to the parking area – Adventure Pass required (Lat:34.30564 Lon:-118.25527) Note: Some car pool space available from Pasadena - Contact Linus

What to bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, sun screen, insect repellent, ample water or other liquids for hydration and snacks or a light lunch for our break at the turn around point. (traditionally hikers usually bring something to share). You may also want to apply some Ivy Block or at least be aware of the abundant Poison Oak present after the falls. It is avoidable if you know what you are looking for.

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.