(Explorer 4) Bridge to Nowhere & Beyond - the Only Good Hike is a Wet Hike

Trailhead parking will be full by 8:00 am.

Be there early, or park at Oaks Picnic area

and hitch a ride to trailhead.

Organizer: Mike Cheng

Trail guide: Araceli

Hike assistants: Ledy, Tina, Vince

Safety details: Hex C, Phil, Max

Sweep: Larry T

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Location: Azusa, CA

Hike Difficulty: Moderate, Level 6/10

Distance: 13 miles

Elevation Gain: 1000'

Time: 8 hours

Trail condition: Single file trail (We will wet hike 3 miles in the creek. Water level is as high as 40".)

Water: Minimum 3 liters (Do not bring just 2 bottles. You will be mummified by the end of the hike.)

Dog: No Dog

Toilette: At the trail head and also 1/2 mile into the hike.

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Parking: Public and street parking near the trailhead. Adventure Pass is required. If parking lot is full near the trailhead, you can park at the Oaks Picnic Area and hitchhike to the trailhead. It is only 1 1/2 mile south of the trailhead. Parking space will be filled up by 8:00 am. Be there early.

Direction: From the 210 freeway exit at Azusa Avenue (Highway 39) and head north for 10 miles or so. Azusa Avenue becomes San Gabriel Canyon Road and parallels the San Gabriel Dam on the right. Turn right on East Fork Road. Drive 7.5 miles to Camp Bonita Road. Turn Left on Camp Bonita Road and drive to the parking lot at the end.

Park in the lot or beside the road below the ranger station. Do not park where there is a no parking sign. It is ok to park on the dirt along both sides of the road as long as your tires do not cross over the white line.

What to wear: short sleeve shirt, shorts, swimsuit inside and hiking boots. (Sports sandals and water shoes are not recommended.)

What to bring: headlamp or flashlight (for mine exploration), hat, sunscreen, one hiking pole, lunch, snacks, water, and water filter.

Proficiency: Anyone interested in participating in this event must share with my your hiking background to substantiate your proficiency before your name will be added to the list.

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Trail description:

To beat the heat, we will partially deviate from hiker's trail and use miner's trail to access larger bodies of water for a more fun and wet experience.

In addition, we will explore Horseshoe Mine and waterfalls around Devil's Gulch.

A wet hike entails hiking in the middle of a creek with submerged rocks where you can't see the bottom. You will use your foot to pick out a good spot to land. Therefore, you need to bring one hiking pole to test water depth.

By default, a creek bed is rugged and lined with rocks big and small. If you wear sports sandals, wet shoes or trail runners, they do not give you the same ankle support as high-top hiking boots. If you fail to plant your foot safely, severe ankle or leg injury is likely.

Bridge to Nowhere is a popular spot. Naturally it is a place where many accidents happen. If you are bringing a quest, it is your responsibility to fully inform your quest as to the risk he/she is taking on this hike.

If all you have done recently are hikes with distance 8 miles or less, a 13 mile wet hike will literally be your death march. It is critical for participants to have a realistic view of his/her ability.

This hike takes you along the banks of the east fork of the San Gabriel River. While the river banks are wooded and quite lovely, most of the trail traverses the rim above the high water line and most of your travel is through scrub brush. 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.

We plan to take a small trail that leads down to the stream just after you cross the bridge. This is a stunning setting with shear pink tinted granite walls, roaring cascades, and the lovely bridge in the background. http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/0/f/c/event_145820732.jpeg

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Waiting list priority: People who hike with me or with Los Angeles Hiking Group frequently will be given priority when they are on the waiting list.

No show policy: If you sign up for an event and no show, you will either lose your waiting list priority or not be able to sign up for the next event.

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Warning:

If you have prior medical condiction or a family history of illnesses pertaining to heart, lungs, brain, etc. that can be aggravated by heat and physical exertion, this is not the hike for you.

If you have never done a hike of this distance or difficulty before, this hike will be very difficult for you. It may well be your death march. The mountain is not going anywhere. We will schedule this event again in the future. Do it when your mind and body are ready.

Hiking is a recreation, not a suicide mission.

Release of Liability:

The organizer (me) of this trip is a volunteer and is not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/hike/or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests.

By signing up for this trip, or any other event organized by me, 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 (me) of this hike from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities.

In addition, you and your guests are acknowledging that you agree to the Meetup terms of service especially paragraph 6.2: https://www.meetup.com/terms/

Profile Photo:

Members interested in joining this hike must have a profile photo showing his/her face. This is a requirement of the L.A. Hiking Group. Without it, you will not be allowed to sign up.