12/27/14
Sierra Madre, California
Another getaway hike for myself on a beautiful, breezy day. Mt. Zion has always been one of my more memorable hikes. The last time I hiked this trail, the craziest, thickest fog settled in obstructing my view of everything past 5 ft. Although the mist was refreshing, I wasn’t able to take in the sights, let alone take adequate pictures.
So….. my stupid self decided to come on a Saturday again. I guess the holidays and upcoming New Year’s Resolutions had people in the mood to hike. I parked almost twice as far as my last hike to Sturtevant Falls (#6). It took me 25 minutes to get to the entrance of the fire road. I damn near gave that trek a number and a blog entry because it was so long.
This hike is perfect for beginners looking for an uphill challenge. The trail begins at the fire road of the Gabrielino Trail. Continue on until you see a sign that points towards Upper or Lower Gabrielino Trail. You can take either one because they will eventually meet at the Falling Sign Junction. The hike up the Lower Trail will start with a harsh uphill battle that seems to never end. The trail eventually evens out leading you to Spruce Grove Campground (which makes for a great resting spot). The majority of the trail to the summit of Mt. Zion is shaded quite well. Hot or cold, this hike isn’t too bad at all!
The detailed trail loop goes as follow:
Elevation Gain: ~2,400 ft.
Final Elevation: 3,575 ft.
Directions to Chantry Flat Rd: Use the following coordinates in Google Maps to route your directions to Chantry Flat Rd.
34.171601,-118.032156
From Santa Anita Ave, drive north onto Chantry Flat Rd. until you reach a parking lot. You will need an Adventure Pass to park here. The trail starts below the parking lot on a fire road going downhill.
Sierra Madre, California
Another getaway hike for myself on a beautiful, breezy day. Mt. Zion has always been one of my more memorable hikes. The last time I hiked this trail, the craziest, thickest fog settled in obstructing my view of everything past 5 ft. Although the mist was refreshing, I wasn’t able to take in the sights, let alone take adequate pictures.
So….. my stupid self decided to come on a Saturday again. I guess the holidays and upcoming New Year’s Resolutions had people in the mood to hike. I parked almost twice as far as my last hike to Sturtevant Falls (#6). It took me 25 minutes to get to the entrance of the fire road. I damn near gave that trek a number and a blog entry because it was so long.
This hike is perfect for beginners looking for an uphill challenge. The trail begins at the fire road of the Gabrielino Trail. Continue on until you see a sign that points towards Upper or Lower Gabrielino Trail. You can take either one because they will eventually meet at the Falling Sign Junction. The hike up the Lower Trail will start with a harsh uphill battle that seems to never end. The trail eventually evens out leading you to Spruce Grove Campground (which makes for a great resting spot). The majority of the trail to the summit of Mt. Zion is shaded quite well. Hot or cold, this hike isn’t too bad at all!
The detailed trail loop goes as follow:
- Chantry Flat (parking lot)
- Fire road through Gabrielino Trail (otherwise known as Lower Winter Creek Trail)
- Upper or Lower Gabrielino Trail (I took Upper Trail)
- Falling Sign Junction (where Upper and Lower Gabrielino Trail meet)
- Spruce Grove Campground
- Sturtevant Trail
- Upper Zion Trail Junction
- Mt. Zion Junction
- Mt. Zion Trail
- Summit of Mt. Zion
- Mt. Zion Trail
- Mt. Zion Junction
- Lower Zion Trail Junction
- Edge of Hoegee’s Campground
- Upper Winter Creek Trail
- Chantry Flat (parking lot)
Elevation Gain: ~2,400 ft.
Final Elevation: 3,575 ft.
Directions to Chantry Flat Rd: Use the following coordinates in Google Maps to route your directions to Chantry Flat Rd.
34.171601,-118.032156
From Santa Anita Ave, drive north onto Chantry Flat Rd. until you reach a parking lot. You will need an Adventure Pass to park here. The trail starts below the parking lot on a fire road going downhill.
Fire road down Gabrielino Trail
There's running water again!
You can take the Upper or Lower Gabrielino Trail. (I took the upper trail)
What a beautiful day.
Falling Sign Junction (where the Upper and Lower Gabrielino Trail meet).
Continue on to Spruce Grove Campground.
Continue on to Spruce Grove Campground.
Continuing on...
Nice picnic area under the shade.
Shade!
Spruce Grove Campground
Great resting spot. Fire pits and benches! There are shovels and water/sand buckets near the restroom. Camping is free and on a first come, first serve basis. Camped here several times and it is so refreshing sleeping next to the running river.
Continuing on...
Sturtevant Cabins.
Upper Zion Trail Junction. A lot of uphill here....
Almost there!
Mt. Zion Junction (keep left).
Trail gets really uncomfortable...
Made it!
#7.
Final Thoughts:
I won’t go too in-depth on the last half of the loop because it is relatively simple. Just hike back to the Zion Trail Junction, make a sharp left at the map towards Lower Zion Trail Junction (which meets the edge of Hoegee’s Campground). Follow the signs for Upper Winter Creek Trail to Chantry Flat and it’ll lead you back to the parking lot. Unfortunately, the last half of the loop is very exposed to the sun.
Sun T.T
I won’t go too in-depth on the last half of the loop because it is relatively simple. Just hike back to the Zion Trail Junction, make a sharp left at the map towards Lower Zion Trail Junction (which meets the edge of Hoegee’s Campground). Follow the signs for Upper Winter Creek Trail to Chantry Flat and it’ll lead you back to the parking lot. Unfortunately, the last half of the loop is very exposed to the sun.
Sun T.T
Take the Upper Winter Creek Trail to Chantry Flat.
Continuing on...
Awesome sunset on the walk back to my car.
Chris's Difficulty Scale - 5/10
Chris's Difficulty Scale - 5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment