Adventure: 008, Hike 130 - Gabrielino Trail

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 008, Hike 130 - Gabrielino Trail

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  October 5, 2012

Location: Arcadia, CA

Hike Info:

Trail: Gabrielino Trail to Sturtevant Falls

Distance: 4.3 miles

Duration: 2:42

Elevation Rise: 971'

Description:

Thing One and Thing Two went down to Southern California to celebrate their youngest daughter’s birthday. She took her Mom and Dad on a trail in the Big Santa Anita Canyon. After a short drive from Pasadena we came to the trailhead. We had to pay an Adventure Pass fee to park and then we were on our way. It was a very interesting trail with yucca plants then within a few steps, we saw pine trees. It reminded us of going from dessert to mountains. From 1912 to 1936 this area had lodging and rental cabins. There are now quite few private rustic cabins. Sometimes along a trail you will see a great sign. This one said: Take Care of the Land, Someday Youl'l Be Part of It. Then, as if to put an emphasis on it, we saw a dead owl in the middle of the trail.

Earlier in the season we would have seen number of waterfalls as well as wildflowers. We did hike to Sturtevant Falls and enjoyed lunch together. We returned on the same trail except for one minor detour when we took the horse trail to try to make it a loop. From many points along the trail you could see up or down the canyon and get some pretty good views. This minor detail afforded us some of the best views from this trail. Also on the way out, we got into a conversation with John, who owns one of the cabins in the canyon. He talked a bit about having to repair a door which a bear had gotten in through. It sounded like he was taking it as a matter of fact, even though this was not the first time a bear had gotten into the cabin.

This was a good hike. But what ever trail you are on, it is great to hike with your family. And today it was wonderful being lead by our youngest daughter.

Trail listed in California Waterfalls by Ann Marie Brown-“Gabrielino Trail meanders under the shade of oaks and alders along Big Santa Anita Creek. The stream is tamed somewhat by a series of small check dams, forming oddly pretty artificial waterfalls and glassy pools.” Page 434