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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a fun hike with quite a bit of diversity. The hike starts out on Sunset Ridge, with great views of Millard Canyon and a 50 foot waterfall. The trail then drops sharply into a dark and heavily wooded canyon with an abandoned gold mine to add an interesting twist to the trek. The hike through the canyon has many lovely spots with gentle pools and small cascades. Bring along a camera. Note that the route show in the topo map was from the hike outlined in 101 Hikes in Southern California. Route finding was a little challenging, so hikers should make sure to have a map when hitting the trail. Trailhead: From Loma Alta Drive in Altadena, drive up the Chaney Trail (past a locked gate that opens at 6am) to the top of sunset ridge, where there's parking by the roadside. The trail starts east on the gated paved sunset Ridge fire road. (Lat:34.2148 Lon:-118.1477) Trail Guides for Millard Canyon - Dawn Mine: 101 Hikes in Southern California by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) Hike Los Angeles Volume 2 by Dennis Gagnon (Western Tanager Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring User Groups: Hikers, Dogs Ranger Contact: US Forest Service, 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 11 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by REA on 1/2/2010 Chaney Trail is closed until the Forest Service decides otherwise. They threaten a $5,000 fine for those in the area. Lower Sam Merrill Trail is open to Echo Mnt. and points further up.
Reviewed by Viewer on 11/28/2009 Went yesterday 11/27/2009. Sign read "closed until September 2010" 
Reviewed by Dk on 9/6/2009 Went today and they were blocking cheny trail. Call fist to make sure they are open. Even ice house cnyn is closed. Damn fires!
Reviewed by wvn on 8/15/2009 Hiked it 14 Aug 2009. Very dry, but still very nice. You could also start the hike from the big parking lot at Millard Campground/Picnic area, follow switchbacks up to Sunset Ridge. Also: I believe there's a path from the bottom of the falls to the top. Hike through the Campground to the Falls Trail, and then continue to the mine. Has anyone found the Upper Entrance to Dawn Mine? I know it's there, somewhere. Looks like it will take some rock climbing to reach it. The trail between the mine and Dawn Station is nice, but steep and crumbly. The trail will lead directly to the mine, if you follow the right-hand branch at the fork near the river. 
Reviewed by Digi dna on 7/8/2009 I love this hike ,I have however been accosted by the grim campground keeper who lives in a trailer with his barking ill taken care of Chow Chow . He threatened me on one occasion . I called the Parks headquarters and they said he has gotten many complaints . I think he still resides there . So be careful and have your dog on a leash .On another occasion My friend and his son and his many friends from Arts school were camping there and the curmudgeonly Grounds keeper pretended to be on an old cell phone with the police . Saying yes and now there at the top of the falls loudly so we could hear him.He doesnt get out much I take it . He is really the only down side to the hike .I have often just scurry past him with no interaction .
Reviewed by Heidi on 6/30/2009 Went today- mine was there! Awesome!
Reviewed by mb on 6/28/2009 did the dawn mine hike for the 3rd time on thursay 6-25, but this time i couldnt find the mine. Found where i remembered it to be(next to the beams sticking out of the rock and engine block), but no mine. I went further and found a small shaft, but not the mine that i had gone into in the past. Just wondering if anyone else had recently had the same experience.
Reviewed by zero on 6/21/2009 I also would have been lost without the detailed instructions from SS. Every time I thought I was completely lost I stumbled across one of his landmarks. The hike was pretty challenging in parts, and I was afraid my dog wouldn't be able to make it over some of the boulders-but apparently he is part mountain goat. The creek is about ankle deep, with a few deeper pools. Chaney Trail Rd closes at 8pm, so if you get a late start, your car may get locked in until 6am! If you bring small children to the waterfall (trickling, but beautiful!), please don't let them pick up, squish, or throw the docile salamanders =( 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||