|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
         
 Reporter |
Summary: The hike to Henninger Flats is on a fire road with no shade. Therefore, hike very early during the summer. There are nice views of LA if you happen to hike after a rain storm or a windy day. Scenery is nice when you reach the Flat. There is a Nature center, a picnic area and public campground set amid trees. Trailhead: From the Foothill Freeway (210) in Pasadena, exit on Lake Avenue. Turn north and continue to Altadena Drive. Make a right, continue about ten blocks , and look closely to your left. Turn left on Pinecrest Drive and wind a few blocks through a residential area to the trial-head. The trailhead is found in 2200 block of Pinecrest. You'll spot a lock gate where the trail starts (Lat:34.19205 Lon:-118.10567) Trail Guides for Henninger Flats: Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) Trails of the Angeles by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Ranger Contact: Los Angeles County Fire Department, Forest Service 626-794-0675 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Sandy Westphal, who has posted 1 other hike on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 5 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Dan on 2/15/2010 Mt. Wilson Toll Road was reopened in August 2009, after four and a half years of closure...yahooo! Hiked it today, great weather, and everything green from recent rains. For a complete trail description, see Dan’s Hiking Pages: http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/henninger.html
Reviewed by girljo on 4/11/2009 Hiked this again today. From the Eaton Canyon nature center, head north across the creek and left. There is a sign at the fork to Henninger where you start going up, up, up. Not much shade on this hike. Wear a hat, sunscreen and bring water. Some steeper sections, but they are short. There are a couple benches to rest at along the way with nice views. The campground at the top is still closed for camping, but there are picnic tables under the shade of pine trees and water there. Be sure to check out the historic fire watch tower at the back.
Reviewed by Jon G. on 11/29/2007 I hiked to Henninger Flats two days ago. The Walnut Canyon "horse trail" had been freshly bulldozed up to the toll road. I'm not sure if they are going to widen it and use this point as a new access point for the toll road, or if this is just regular maintenance. Aside from the major slide area there are about a dozen other slide areas on the toll road making it impassable by vehicle, but hike-able. Most of the slide areas could probably be cleared fairly easily but in a few spots the road will need a good amount of reinforcement in order to get a truck through. Henninger Flats is still "closed", but I saw a man working in the nuseury area, and there was a LA Co. Fire vehicle there. So I assume the toll road to Mt Wilson is still open.
Reviewed by EC on 11/4/2007 Hiked this trail today for the first time in a year. Made it all the way to the Flats. Parked at Eaton Canyon nature center, then went up the "horse trail" (the trail after Coyote Canyon) to the Mt. Wilson Trail, then on to the flats. No warnings about trail being closed. But at Henniger Flats, there are signs that the flats are officially closed for camping, etc. The "horse trail" section is steep, but not very long. Good training hike. Not very many people today. There is almost no shade on this trail, so bring extra water, maybe a hat, and sunscreen if you burn easily.
Reviewed by Dwight on 5/10/2007 Solo hiked this hike for the first time today. Thanks to the comments below and the information on Dan's Hiking Pages (google him, he has great info), I took off from the Eaton Canyon Nature Center parking lot, crossed the wash, took a left on the trail on the north side of the wash, and went up the "horse trail" to connect to the Mount Wilson Toll Road. The "horse trail" is steep and strenuous but not long. The Toll Road trail is very passable going up to Henniger Flats. On the way down I decided to stay on the Toll Road and hike down to "the bridge" which is just before the Pinecrest gate. This was a little tricky because the landslide just above the bridge is very loose and not much of a trail exists. A novice should not try this
Reviewed by Nate on 5/6/2007 Just FYI - Wilson toll road entrance on Pinecrest is still closed (you can't even walk thru), follow Greg's directions to get to the trail.
Reviewed by HappyHiker on 4/8/2007 The blue line that this reviewer put on the Topo map doesn't seem to be right. When I go to my mapping software the flats are labeled in a different area. Not even close to that blue line. I would go with Greg's Review :-) There is a fair amount of elevation gain on this hike. Good for the heart Happy Hiking Kids
Reviewed by Greg on 4/8/2007 Part 2 Enter Yellow gate, hike streight past picnic tables 34.17944 -118.09680. a little Past Coyote Canyon Sign, is Walnut Canyon Sign 34.18552 -118.10007 Which says (Nut On) LOL, Go to the right of this sign up hill to the Flats. Left goes to Eaton Falls. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
