Malkit's Blog

This saturday, I participated in a very scenic hike in a group of 16 hikers. This was about 9 mile and mostly downhill hike. Using car pooling and splitting cars at start and end point, this hike was done as one-way. After parking our cars at Switzer’s Falls Starting Point (exit on 210 and drive approx 9 miles on Angeles Crest Hwy), we packed into few cars and moved up to the start point of the hike at Eton Saddle fire road gate (approx 6.5 Miles - keep going north on Angles Crest and take Mt. Wilson Red Box road at approx 4.1 miles and drive 2.4 miles on Mt Wilson Red Box road) to hike back down to Switzer’s Falls Starting Point car parking.

The hike started by going around south side of San Gabriel Peak (6,161') and entering Mueller Tunnel. Surrounded by number of nearby Peaks – Mt. Lowe (5,603'), Mt. Wilson (5,710') and Mt. Disappointment (5,960'), you keep moving on to the fire road to reach the Bear Canyon trail head. At the trail head you find a halipad which offer breathtaking view of greater Los Angeles. It was a clear day and we could see ocean and as far as Catalina Island (approx 60+ miles away!). Hiking through bear canyon you pass though number of water streams and pools with plenty of places to sit and relax. At this time of the year, the water level was low and you could do stream crossing without getting your feet wet. But, during rainy season, the hike is closed as the water level would make it impossible to cross the streams. After approx 3.2 miles, you reach Bear Canyon Campgound, where we stopped for lunch. Further around 2 miles of hiking along streamside, you reach 50 ft high Switzer’s falls. From Switzer Falls, around 2.2 miles and approx 600 ft of elevation you reach the Switzer lower parking area.

Don’t forget to take plenty of water and food. Good hiking shoes are must due to loose gravel, as there is real risk of slip and fall. We had one little accident wherein one hiker fell and got some bruises. But, the injuries were not bad, and he was able to finish the hike. Overall, the hike was easy as there are not much elevation gains, but it is still strenuous as it was long. I really enjoyed the spectacular canyon and plenty of scenic points all along.

Here is hike log (Dec 6, 08)

9:30 am       Start (Eaton Saddle – 5,120’)
10:30 am     Bear Canyon Trail Head
12:00 pm     Bear Canyon Camp (stopped for lunch – approx 40 mins)
1:45 pm       Switzer’s Falls
3:00 pm       Return – Switzer Falls Start Point – Lower parking lot

Though famous for its observatory, Mt. Wilson houses number of radio and television antennas and is famous landmark and conspicuously visible to anyone driving in San Gabriel valley and beyond. At around 5,700 ft, this is one of the highest peaks in San Gabriel Mountains. You can in-fact drive up to Mt. Wilson following Angeles Crest Highway (around one hour drive from LA downtown).

Day after thanksgiving, along with 4 other very experienced hikers; we started this hike from City of Sierra Madre at intersection of E. Mira Monte and Mt. Wilson Trail. It is long and strenuous hike through wilderness with steep elevations and passing through some shade and lot of sun. Make sure that you carry plenty of water (at lest 2 liters) and food as there is no source of drinking water on this long hike. We were maintaining quite brisk pace. Having never experienced a long hike this one, it was really tough for me and was getting slower and slower progressing through the hike and had virtually no energy left at around 3/4 of the onward hike. I had to stop and break away from the group. Fortunately, making slow and continued progress, I was able to join the group at Manzanita Ridge point. It took us approx 4 1/2 hours to reach the top. After resting for approx 30 - 40 mins at Mt. Wilson we made our way back and with few short stops made down in approx 3 hours. The total hike was around 15 miles (round trip) with approx 4500 ft. of total elevation gain.

Here is the hike log:

8:25 am      Start (89 E. Mira Monte Ave., Sierra Madre, CA)
9 am          First Water - 1.5 Mile (break 10 mins)
10 am        Orchard Camp (2,960') - 3.5 Mile (stopped for lunch approx 15 mins)
11:30 am    Manzanita Ridge - 5 miles (break 10 mins)
                  Mt. Wilson Toll Road (5.5 Miles)
1 pm          Mt. Wilson Summit (5,710') - 7.5 Miles
4:30 pm     Return -  15 Miles