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 Reporter |
Summary: This hike traverses some of the loveliest areas of the San Gabriel Mountains. Throughout most of this hike you will travel adjacent to a densely wooded stream bed carved deep into the bedrock. Here and there you will see isolated cabins, remnants of the hiking resort boom in the 1930’s. Highlights included seeing 5 deer, reading about the history of Hoegees and Sturtevant camps, the ivy covered trail, and best of all the lovely series of pools and waterfalls just downstream from the Cascade picnic area. In a clockwise fashion the hike follows Winter Creek Trail, Mt Zion Trail, Sturtevant Trail, and finally the Gabrielino Trail. South of Spruce Camp the trail splits for mile then rejoins. Make sure to take the left branch the drops into the canyon (the best part of the hike!). As there are many junctions on this hike, make sure to take a guide book with a detailed map. 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 - Mt Zion Loop: Afoot & Afield In Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest, (818) 899-1900 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted 104 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Sam on 4/19/2010 Please be curtious to bikers, we will run you off the road. 
Reviewed by BK on 3/22/2010 It was a very good hike, we need to carry some supporting stick coz at times its difficult..... and its always better to start early and finish early i started at 11 45 AM and finished the hike at 5 PM
Reviewed by KK on 3/21/2010 I did this hike as an overnight trip on 3/19/10. The good part about this hike is that it is VERY close to town and easy to get to for most of the greater LA area. Unfortunately that is its biggest down fall as well. I had never seen a trail SO crowded. I spent the first night in Spruce Grove and was joined by approx 20 other people in the camp ground including a boy scout group that made it very hard to get my ZZZ's at night. On the way out I ran into 3 other boy scout groups that were looking to spend the night on Saturday night as well. I could only imagine what the campgrounds were going to be like that night. Overall the hike had a great variety of scenic views from waterfalls to peak tops and that was quite pleasant. 
Reviewed by AB on 2/15/2010 I loved this hike - my husband & I did this on Valentine's Day and could not have been happier. We parked at the Pack Station 'cos of the crowd, but once you pass the falls, you're pretty much the only ppl on the hike. Thank God for lazy people!
Reviewed by AJ on 11/20/2009 Fantastic trail!! I hiked this trail with my husband on 11/21/09. The parking situation is horrible because of so many people, but this particular trail had virtually no one on it. We only passed 2 couples and 1 ranger. From the parking lot follow the paved road going down, to the right of the bathrooms & near the road entrance (or ask the ranger for the Lower Winter Creek Trailhead). After the bridge, follow the trail sign to Hoegees Camp, which will be to the left and up. After a few minutes you're alone and it's quiet. You will follow the creek for the first half of the hike. The second half you hike above the creek and eventually descend to the parking lot. Took about 3.5 hours which includes lunch & breaks. Absolutely beautiful!!
Reviewed by A.D. on 7/4/2009 This was a very wonderful (and easy) hike. The trails are clearly marked, and there is plenty of shade. Very busy during weekends on the Winter Creek Trails but once you go up towards Mt. Zion you hardly see anyone.
Reviewed by Henry on 6/8/2009 WOW! did the clockwise loop through Upper Winter Creek, up to MT. Zion passing Sturtevant Camp back to Chantry Flat. Took my dog Rocky, an Au. Shep/lab mix, did we have a great time and workout. Take plenty of water, I went through 4 liters and the day was not hot, you can get faucet water if you go into Sturtevant Camp. Go right and over the check dam at the trail sign just as you approach Sturtevant Camp if you are heading back to Chantry Flat, the signage here is not that clear. whole trip took 4hrs flat going at a fast clip. See you out there next time!
Reviewed by MAYHEM on 6/2/2009 I give this one five stars for the scenery. Hiked this 5.31.09 started about 7am. I recommend taking the Upper Winter Creek Trail first, making the trip in a clockwise direction. This hike is beautiful and as the other reviews state, you feel like you have entered another world. The fog was dense adding to the effect of being far from home. Saw more hikers, trailrunners, and bikers than i normally care for, but because of the scenery, you quickly excuse that factor. Near the end of your hike you come to the junction to Sturtevant Falls. Short hike, and here is where you find the most traffic, but the pics you will take make it worth it. Enjoy! Oh, crawl inside the shallow cave off to the side of the trail. It makes for fun pics! 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||