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Los Angeles Hike Details

  Switzer Falls  
Trail - Switzer Falls
2012-09-02  
08:56 am
Past

Map | Aerial photos | Website | More details
Area Los Angeles
Address switzer truck trail and angeles crest highway @34.266154,-118.144231
Elevation 995.72 m ( 3212 ft )
Change 186.00 m ( 600 ft )
Distance 7.24 km ( 4.50 miles )
Difficulty Strenuous
Lat / Long 34.26738670354202, -118.1508116565703
Special instructions   Swim/Picnic! Wear your suit under your hiking garb for a quick swim in one of several water falls along the trail.

We will have a light picnic back at the picnic area next to the lower parking lot when we get done with the hike. This is POT LUCK so remember to bring something to share. There will be no grill, so everything should be pre-prepared. An ice chest in your trunk should keep anything cool till we get back from the hike.

This is a good hike to arrive early! Also remember to buy your PARKING PASS at the Clear Creek Information center about a half mile before the upper parking lot.

We will be starting early to avoid the heat and grab parking in the lower parking lot. If the lower parking lot is full there should be plenty of parking in the upper lot, but it does add some time.

We will start early to avoid much of the heat, it is also 5 to 10 degrees cooler here naturally. Much of the trail is shaded, but there is a half mile stretch on the ridge, so bring your sunscreen.

Directions  From Interstate 210 in La Canada, take Angeles Crest Highway 16km (10 miles) to the top. You will pass the ranger station (Clear Creek Information Center on the right) STOP in and buy a pass if you dont have one.

Continue past this about 200 meters to the top parking lot, go through the gate and descend down to the lower parking lot.

The start of the hike is a nicely designed small footbridge.

For the GPS addicted (like myself) enter this coordinate into your GPS @34.266154,-118.144231

Map: http://goo.gl/5FjJd

The Good  Amazing views! A real work out. Wonderfully diverse terrain.

The Bad  - It can be very cold either at the top or bottom, so bring layers of clothing.
- Pay parking: $5 for day pass, or $35 for a year pass, required. Passes can be obtained several ways: the Clear Creek Station, Big 5, Sports Chalet, REI, or on the park's website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/

Where  Bear Canyon - Angeles National Forest

Notes  This is great hike into one of the loveliest sections of the San Gabriel mountains. The hike meanders back and across the stream running down the spectacular Arroyo Seco Canyon.

The stream is lined with oaks and alder, with the water cascading over granite into mirror-like pools. The hike travels high above the 50 foot high Switzer falls, then drops back to the stream, where hikers can double back to stand at the base of the falls.

After seeing the falls, travel down stream to the intersection with Bear Canyon, and travel up this spectacularly wild, steep walled canyon for another half mile or so to enjoy its wonders.

You will need to purchase a parking pass in order to park anywhere near the trail.

The Clear Creek Station is located at the intersection of Angeles Crest Hwy and Angeles Forest.

Los Angeles River Ranger District: 818.899.1900.
Clear Creek Station: 626.821.6764 - It is not always open generally during the week. It is almost always open on the weekend.
More details
(Hikers have been notified by email)
 
Hike Dates
 
Past hikes
Sep 2nd, 2012        Jul 15th, 2012        Apr 19th, 2009   (5)Sep 7th, 2008        Sep 9th, 2007        
Jul 1st, 2007        Apr 22nd, 2007        Sep 11th, 2005        

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