2025-July: Bridge to Nowhere/Devil’s Gulch-Summer Water Fun Hike/Level 2+

This special post for us to cool down a bit from the Summer's heat, a fun water hike in the San Gabriel Mountain/River: Bridge to Nowhere/Devil's Gulch!

Departure time :
At the trailhead: 6:15 AM.
Hiking time at 6:30 AM
Early start as limited parking at the trailhead, avoiding the summer heat and the crowd of Bungee Jumpers. This bridge is famous for that dangerous activity!

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST HIKE WITH THE GROUP, please answer questions for us to have a chance knowing each other better. Thanks

Stats
Highlights : San Gabriel River - East Fork
Scenery: Lovely stream, cascades, shear granite walls, mysterious Bridge to Nowhere
Near: Azusa, CA
Distance: 9.7 miles round trip, adding the Devil's Gulch, it is 10+ miles
Elevation Gain: 1200+ ft

DIFFICULTY/GENERAL RATING: GREAT FOR FIT INTERMEDIATE HIKERS (lots water crossings)
Level 2+. You can check the RATING TABLE for more info about the hiking levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

About the trail : This trip 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. There are some small trails that lead 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. Route finding was a bit challenging with many day use trails mixed in with the main trail, washed out sections of trail, and over a half dozen stream crossings (bring waterproof boots even when the water is low) I had hiking sandals for the past trips and it was lovely refresh every time crossing the river.
More info: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/los-angeles-hikes/bridge-to-nowhere-hike/
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/east-fork-trail-bridge-to-nowhere

Necessities: Adequate water (1 to 2 liters), hat, sunscreen, snacks , layered clothing to adjust to climate change.

What to bring : extra socks and clothes if you like to change after the hike. We will get wet dozen of times, and won't stop to change socks, so wear shoes you don't mind to get wet. Sturdy hiking shoes or comfortable walking shoes are recommended else your feet may get injury. Swim suits if you like to swim. Bring a light lunch, plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen and a hat. 10 Hiking Essentials: https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234

Directions: From Interstate 10 or the 210 freeway, exit on Azusa and head north 10 miles or so, paralleling the San Gabriel Dam on your right. Turn right on East Fork Road and continue 8 more miles to the East Fork Station, where the road dead ends. Note that if you go around a hairpin 180 degree turn on East Fork Road, you missed the road into the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. The trail head is short distance down an obvious service road. (Lat:34.2372 Lon:-117.76546)
Adventure Pass : Required at the trailhead, National Parks Pass/Senior American Beauty Pass (National Parks/Forests). THE PASS CAN PURCHASE ONLINE OR ANY SPORT STORE NEAR YOU ($5/DAY OR $30/YEAR)

Weather: Extreme Heat or Heavy Rain on the day of the hike will cancel the hike. So please check weather conditions and be prepared for a last minute cancellation if the weather is not cooperating.

Photos from last time events, back from 2011, 2012, 2020:
https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/photos/2549181/
https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/1043029/ https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/1016001/

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