13.7 hr
Overview
From near JPL (on Windsor Ave.), 1.25 miles of paved trail leads to another ~3 miles of nice dirt single and doubletrack following the Arroyo Secco, with only a modest vertical gain. It climbs up and around a debris filled dam and continues to follow the stream to the junction with the Ken Burton Trail, about 5 miles. From there, the trail continues up past Oakwilde Camp then climbs steeply to a junction with the Bear Canyon Trail 12W08 and further on to Switzer Picnic Area. Thanks to the work of CORBA and MWBA with support from REI, the trail is open all the way to Switzers as of August 2018. <br><br>The trail can be accessed again at Switzer Picnic Area. Going west downstream, the trail follows an old road through a shaded canyon for 1 mile then briefly ascends and contours on singletrack around Switzer Falls. It comes to a junction with the Bear Canyon Trail 12W08 which drops down into the canyon. The trail contours west, then drops into a side canyon rejoining the Arroyo Seco above Oakwilde Camp. <br><br>Heading east parallels Hwy. 2 to Red Box. This section goes upstream then begins a series of switchbacks through open chaparral to Red Box. It can be used as a connector loop around Strawberry Peak.<br><br>East from Red Box, the trail follows the West Fork of the San Gabriel River through shaded, mostly downhill terrain to Valley Forge Campground then contours and drops to West Fork Trail Camp in 5 miles. The Valley Forge Trail #12W09 and Kenyon DeVore Trail #11W13 both connect with the trail and go south towards Mt. Wilson. It is possible to loop back on the other side of the river along a fire road.<br><br>From West Fork Camp, the trail follows the river down a very pleasant mile to Devore Trail Camp then climbs through a mostly shaded forest to Newcomb Pass where there is a junction with the Rim Trail #11W28. It then descends into Santa Anita Canyon and in 3 miles there is a junction with the Sturtevant Trail which goes upstream. It continues down passing through Spruce Grove Trail Camp and Cascade Picn
Trail Stats
44.2 km
1621 m
1410 m
352 m
—
Photos
Intersection of Gabrielleno Trail (straight) and Fern Truck Trail/El Prieto (right).
Intersection of Gabrielleno Trail (straight) and Fern Truck Trail/El Prieto (right).
Decisions, decisions.
Decisions, decisions.
Gabrielino Trail at crossing of Red Box/Rincon Road.
Gabrielino Trail at crossing of Red Box/Rincon Road.
Creek crossing
Creek crossing
There are a few cabins along the trail.
There are a few cabins along the trail.
Junction of Gabrielino and Sturtevent Trails
Junction of Gabrielino and Sturtevent Trails
Nice views
Nice views
Shady West Fork Trail camp next to river.
Shady West Fork Trail camp next to river.
Foot bridge at Robert's Camp. Cross the bridge or head through the creek and start the climb up the paved fireroad to the Chantry Flat parking lot.
Foot bridge at Robert's Camp. Cross the bridge or head through the creek and start the climb up the paved fireroad to the Chantry Flat parking lot.
Beautiful canopy on the Gabrielino Trail heading towards the Arroyo.
Beautiful canopy on the Gabrielino Trail heading towards the Arroyo.
Arroyo Seco
Arroyo Seco
Cheerful volunteers working on Gabrielino Trail.
Cheerful volunteers working on Gabrielino Trail.
Gabrielino Trail near Newcomb Pass. Shady with abundant poison oak.
Gabrielino Trail near Newcomb Pass. Shady with abundant poison oak.
Maple in fall along Gabrielino Trail above Switzer Falls
Maple in fall along Gabrielino Trail above Switzer Falls
Devore Trail Camp
Devore Trail Camp
Switzer Falls in the summer
Switzer Falls in the summer
Waterfall along West Fork.
Waterfall along West Fork.
Sturdevant Falls- December 2019- Hooray- WATER!
Sturdevant Falls- December 2019- Hooray- WATER!
Lush forest around the falls.
Lush forest around the falls.
Crossing Rincon Red Box Road
Crossing Rincon Red Box Road
The Santa Anita Wash after some much needed rain.
The Santa Anita Wash after some much needed rain.
Sturtevant Falls with just a trickle of water
Sturtevant Falls with just a trickle of water
Looking towards Sturtevant Falls.
Looking towards Sturtevant Falls.
Lots of water after the rain!
Lots of water after the rain!
Volunteers clearing a 60" bigcone spruce near Devore Trail Camp.
Volunteers clearing a 60" bigcone spruce near Devore Trail Camp.
Sturtevant Falls Trail.
Sturtevant Falls Trail.
It's all about balance...
It's all about balance...