West Fork San Gabriel River to Upper Bear Creek

This area is very rugged and beautiful- truly the Wild Wild West! We will meet in Azusa. It takes about 40 minutes to drive up the 39 to the trailhead. The trailhead is the West Fork Roadside Rest (parking lot off the 39 along the West Fork of the San Gabriel River). We'll hike west on a fire road that parallels the West Fork for about 30 minutes, then head north along Bear Creek. It's roughly 12 miles round trip with a 2,000 foot gain. The farther in we go the more rugged it gets (shady with big boulders). Lots of stream crossings and lots of rock hopping. THIS HIKE TAKES LOTS OF ENERGY SINCE IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 10 HOURS! We will be along the river the whole time. There are swimming holes- if it's warm enough we can swim. Caution: There are rattlesnakes and mountain lions and occasional forest fires in there! Plenty of poison oak! Not much shade the first half of the hike in.

BRING: AT LEAST 2 quarts water (we can filter more if necessary), plenty of food (especially with salt and sugar in case it is really hot), hat and sunscreen, bathing suit (optional), warm clothes (just-in-case), flashlight (just-in-case), shoes or hiking boots that can get wet.

You will need an ADVENTURE PASS if you plan on driving to the trailhead from the rideshare point. They can be purchased from Sport Chalet or REI or any ranger station. There is a booth to buy them at in Azusa, but you can't always depend on it being open.

You can see PICTURES under BEAR CREEK PHOTO ALBUMS

Directions to the RIDESHARE POINT in Azusa: from the westside: 105 or 10 east, 605 north, 210 east, exit at Azusa Av. Go north (left) toward the mountains. Turn left at Foothill Bl., then an immediate right into the CVS parking lot. Park at the west end (back) of the parking lot. from the valley: 118 east, 210 east, then follow directions above.