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Summary: This wonderful shady hikes ascends up a deep cut canyon, through which Winter Creek flows on its way to merge with Santa Anita Creek. The floor of the canyon is covered with a lush ivy like ground cover, a multitude of trees, large rock faces, and a lovely burbling creek. The morning I did this hike, I heard a symphony of birds, with a large owl swooping down the stream and landing almost directly in front of me. Along Winter creek you will see a few cabins built in the 30's and a series of Lincoln Log like check dams. Follow the paved road down into Santa Anita canyon, across a bridge, and bear left on the marked Lower Winter Trail. About 1.5 miles up Winter creek you'll pass through Hoegee Camp. Just past the camp you will pass two trail junctions, the second of which will be the Upper Winter Creek trail, which will take back to a fire road just above the Chantry flat parking area. Note that the upper trail has some very steep drop-offs so watch your step. Trailhead: From the Foothill Freeway(210) in Arcadia, exit on Santa Anita Avenue and drive six miles north to its end at Chantry Flat. The trail begins across the road from the parking lot. (Lat:34.19589 Lon:-118.02285) Trail Guides for Winter Creek Loop: Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) Afoot & Afield In Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Trails of the Angles - 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Bikers Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest, (818) 790-1151 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted 104 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 8 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Anjali on 7/20/2010 Amazing hike! Lush greenary and gorgeous mountain range views. Easy to find, park and get onto the trail. The 1000ft gain in elevation was hardly noticeable. The cottages and dams were cool sites to explore. It's always fun to cross cross streams. It took us a little over two hours. It would be nice to bring lunch next time and eat at hoagie's camp at the half way point. They have fire pits too!
Reviewed by Sara on 6/19/2010 Great Hike! My husband and I finished in 3 hours. We started on the lower winter trail. Very shady trail. Definitely in my top 5! 
Reviewed by TP on 5/31/2010 This hike was awesome!!! SOOOOOOO beautiful, there's foliage everywhere, nice cut trail, a stream that runs alongside one of the trails. Avoid going on holidays though because it gets packed. And like the other reviewers say, just keep going up the mountain for about 6 miles and you will get there.
Reviewed by David N. on 2/28/2010 I just did it yesterday. It was raining the whole time but it wasnt hard enough to turn around. Considering the mediocre conditions I think we had a blast. We started at about 1030am/11am on the "upper" trail and looped through the camp ground, had lunch. It was great timing having the lunch benches around 130pm. The area had something that resebled restrooms too. then we took the lower part through the damns and 'cabin area' There are bathrooms and even an emergency phone before you head up the steep paved hill back to the cars. Out by 330pm and we didnt rush at all. There were some hard core bicyclists too- definatly a fun course for them.
Reviewed by Amie on 2/22/2010 This hike was absolutely beautiful! We started our trek going DOWN the steep paved road first. There weren't too many people out on Saturday as it was expected to rain and the clouds kept it the perfect temperature. The brush was lush and dense, and it was a really nice feel to be just OUT in the middle of the wild, but only a few miles from the hustle and bustle of LA. Birds were chirping and the stream was babbling, it was wonderful! Shortly after the campground the trail started to ascend up, where the trail hugged the side of the mountain. It was a great change of pace to be out above everything, and all of a sudden we popped out and could see the parking lot far below us - it was great! I will definitely come back here :)
Reviewed by Lily on 12/24/2009 Directions for OC commute: The place to park at is called Chantry Flat Address: 2201-2299 Forest Route 2N40 La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 -Take the exit onto I-605 N -Take the exit on the left onto Foothill Fwy/I-210 W toward Pasadena -Take exit 32 for Santa Anita Ave -Turn right at N Santa Anita Ave -Slight left at Forest Route 2N40/Santa Anita Canyon Rd -Continue onto Santa Anita Canyon Trail -Continue onto Forest Route 2N40/Santa Anita Canyon Ave -End at 2201-2299 Forest Route 2N40, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011‎ (keep going up Forest Route/Santa Anita Canyon Ave until you see CHANTRY FLATS. you WILL see it) Please note: Parking space is limited. $10 VIP parking. $5 for roadside and lot parking
Reviewed by Lily on 12/19/2009 Oh! For people who are coming from the OC area.... here are the info and directions on how to get there. It was difficult for me to find at first, but my girl friend Roseanna was able to find directions. Follow this instructions and you won't get lost. DRIVE UNTIL YOU SEE CHANTRY FLATS! do not give up! The parking and hike is really up there!! Purchase parking permit is required at the convience store up on chantry flats. $10 for vip parking and $5 for all around and ROADSIDES. yup!! ROADSIDE PARKING PERMIT IS REQUIRED!!
Reviewed by Lily on 12/19/2009 My first time hiking Winter Creek Loop! My friends and I did the Hermit Falls. This is one of the most relaxing trail I've ever been on with a reward at the end! A group of my friends and I was able to hike this trail on a beautiful day. We definitely enjoyed it and will most definitely come back for more. The trail was shady. There were lots of trees and active rivers. I was very pleased to see the waterfall was active too! That was our reward in the end :) I highly recommend this hike for everyone. Best first hike for beginners. Best hike for those who love taking pictures because the scenery is amazing! Great shading for those who don't want to hike in the sun too much. And best of all WATERFALL!!! :) Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||