El Encanto Trail Hike - March 7, 2015

This short walk along the San Gabriel River in Azusa makes a pleasant venue for a causal saunter. It’s one of my nearby scrappy hikes that I can enjoy when I don’t have much time available and just need to get into the outdoors. The “trail” is actually the Old San Gabriel Canyon Road, which was a main artery into the mountains before Morris Dam was built upstream and occasioned the construction of Highway 39 high on the canyon’s west wall. The old canyon road starts at the El Encanto Azusa River Wilderness Park and follows the canyon wall above the winding river and ends in a mile just past an old gauging station at river level.

The park closed after the January 2014 Colby Fire because of landslides onto the old road. My objective today is fourfold: Enjoy the outdoors, survey the blooming plants, check out the route conditions, and gather data to build a trail guide on Dan’s Hiking Pages.

I pull into the large parking lot and am surprised to see about 20 cars. Typically I like to start hikes early in the morning, but today I decided on a midday hike so that I could capture the scene in full sunlight.

11:25 - Begin hike. The temperature is pleasant and the warm sun feels good. The chaparral and weedy grasses are greening up nicely after some recent rain. Leaves are returning to the sycamores and poison oak. There are still some puddles in the road, which I think are primarily from seeps. The berm along the outside edge of the road is evidence of heavy road grading. At the beginning, about the only things in bloom are weeds like oxalis, filaree, dandelion, mustard, tree tobacco, and caster bean. There is also periwinkle (Vinca spp.), which is an escaped landscape plant. But as I wander along, native blooms begin to appear too: wild cucumber, hollyleaf cherry, oak, ceanothus, elderberry, phacelia, sunflower, blue dicks, wild morning glory, miner's lettuce, and mule fat.

The rushing river below provides a pleasing soundtrack. The noisy voices of hikers behind me are not so pleasing. I stop and let them pass. I am thankful that the fire damage on this side of the ridge was minimal. The trail ascends gently for about a half mile, then it begins a gentle descent as it follows the bend of the river. I encounter several parties of trail users as they return. Some are pushing strollers. My pace is relaxed as I photograph plants and soak in the beauty of the canyon. Vehicle noise from Hwy 39 across the canyon is muffled aside from an occasional motorcycle.

12:06 - Gauging station. A concrete dam juts into the river forcing the water to flow through a narrow channel. A group of about a half dozen young adults clade in beachwear are basking in the sun and enjoying the river. The party of noisy voices is here too. After lingering for a few minutes, I continue past the gauging station about 150 yards to where the wide road ends and the route becomes a rustic path. It’s not bad at first but then it gets pretty rough. But the payoff is a beautiful natural river scene. Soon the narrow path climbs high on the bank crossing a landslide to circumvent obstacles at water’s edge.



The climb down is a little precarious but I press on. I then carefully negotiate a scree slide with large jagged rocks.

Just before reaching the riverbed, I encounter a lone occurrence of the rare Dudleya densiflora. According to the interpretive sign in Fish Canyon, this member of the Stonecrop family apparently grows only in three places in the front range canyons of the San Gabriels: Fish, Roberts, and San Gabriel. I’m delighted to find this plant here. I know there is a large population of the rare plant along the first portion of the road, but I did not notice it today.

I cross over to the wide flat area at the sharp bend of the river (where the river bends north). This is as far as I’ve gone on a previous outing and it’s where I’ll turn around today. I’ve contemplated the doability of continuing up river but it will take some planning, and it might not yield anything making it worthwhile.

12:40 - Head back. I retrace my steps and arrive back at the gauging station at 1:00. There is no one left here. I enjoy an easy-going saunter back and do not encounter anyone else. As I round the bend to the last quarter mile, I am carefully scanning the steep, rocky face looking for the Dudleya densiflora. And there it is. Most of it is above eye level, so one would need to be looking for it to spot it. There is quite a robust population of the rare plant between here and about 150 yards from the beginning of the trail. It really does live up to its Stonecrop family name as it grows right out of the sheer rock face.

1:34 - End hike. There are only two cars left in the lot, and those might be associated with the conservancy.

Epilog - What nice outing! Blue sky, warm sun, pleasant temperatures, a rushing river. I love the mountains as we emerge from winter into spring. There is a freshness of beauty as plants come to life. This is not a grand trail by any means, but it certainly provides a causal walk for nearby residents who want to get out and enjoy the outdoors and a riverside setting.

PREVIOUS > El Encanto Trail Hike - June 12, 2011 - Featuring plant photos

Other El Encanto Hikes:

• Black Friday Walk on El Encanto Trail - Facebook photo album, November 27, 2015
• El Encanto Azusa River Wilderness Park at Dan's Hiking Pages - Photo gallery, July 15, 2007

 

Summit 2843 via San Gabriel Canyon Hike - February 21, 2015

See Summit 2843 hike description on Dan’s Hiking Pages

Summit 2843 stands predominantly over Azusa near the mouth of the San Gabriel Canyon. Most valley dwellers have probably never thought about the peak as it appears to be just another welt among the undulating sprawl of the San Gabriel Mountains. And it eludes most hikers since there is no formal trail to the unnamed summit, and if one is driving up Highway 39 to go hiking, there are many more high-profile destinations from which to choose. But I love this little pinnacle and enjoy the solitude of its trails. It is my peak.

With the trailhead being only 10 minutes from my home in Azusa, Summit 2843 and the routes leading to it have become some of my favorite “scrappy hikes”—that is, a hike done on scrap of carved-out time when my schedule is full. But on this occasion, I was able to give it primetime billing on a Saturday. It’s been three years, almost to the day, since I last hiked it, and I have been looking for an opportunity to hike with my friend Tom. This hike was ideal. The route starts just past Morris Dam and offers several options for climbing 1,543 in elevation gain, in the range of 4 to 4.5 miles round trip.

7:20 AM - Begin hike. Tom and I skirt the locked vehicle gate for 2N28 and begin our saunter up the old Silver Fish Fire Road. It’s cloudy and cool with a rainstorm forecast for tomorrow. While the deciduous trees and shrubs are mostly leafless, winter rain has greened the grasses and is bringing life back to the chaparral. The morning dew adds freshness to everything. Starting at the trailhead with the carpet of weedy oxalis and its little yellow flowers, I immediately begin to take pictures of each species in bloom. Tom becomes curious about the names of the various plants and I enjoy introducing him to them. He’s an eager learner and practices his nearly acquired plant names as we encounter multiple occurrences of them along the trail. The mountain lilac shrubs and other ceanothus are covered with lavender and white blossoms and create a distinctive hue to the richly textured chaparral. The tender green branches of wild cucumber vines are climbing to life and are covered with tiny white flowers. We stroll along thoroughly enjoying the beauty of nature. Low clouds cloak the immediate ridgelines to the east. The steely blue surface of Morris Reservoir is low because of meager rainfall.

7:53 - Junction with ridge route. It’s been a slow but pleasant half mile. One route heads straight up the ridge following an old fire break, but we choose to stay on the abandoned fire road as it traverses into Water Canyon. It’s been more than five years since I’ve been in Water Canyon, so I’m eager to check the route conditions. The heavy rain of 2005 caused some significant damage, and since then there’s been issues of fallen trees, poison oak, and other obstructions. A salamander crawls through the green grass. We stop occasionally to flick off ticks. We encounter more newts on several occasions, usually in pairs. Tom and I thought salamanders were usually near streams, so we are a little surprised to find them here, a good 100 vertical feet above the creek. Some of the poison oak is sprouting its tender leaves after its winter hiatus. Tom keeps practicing plant names as we continue adding new ones.

9:08 - Reach the western end of the road before it switches back. I’m pleasantly surprised to find that the thorny-tree forest that had been obstructing the path is gone. And around the corner, the huge poison oak patch that had blocked the route is gone too. It looks like a dozer has worked on this section of the old road in the last year or two, but I don’t know how it would have gotten here. The abandon fire road between here and the trailhead has many years of being reclaimed by nature. Heavy equipment would have had to come from the other direction.

So far this morning the blooming plants we have encountered include oxalis, mulefat, white and lavender ceanothus, wild cucumber, hollyleaf cherry, wishbone bush, sugar bush, canyon sweet pea, a purple weed, two-tone everlasting, felt-leaf everlasting, California poppy, and lupine (just one lone bud). We’re having a great time. And there is such serenity here. It blows my mind that we have the whole mountain to ourselves.

9:51 - Ridge junction. The grade up to this point has been very pleasant. Now comes the fun part in climbing the steep ridge. We take a twenty-minute break and enjoy good conversation and splendid scenery. As we climb west up the exposed ridge, we are thankful for cool temps and cloudy skies. Chirping birds provide a pleasant soundtrack. We encounter our first new blossom of California buckwheat.

10:46 - Upper occurrence of the fire road. Dozer tracks leave me wondering how the heavy equipment got up here. I know of no access point from the south. We continue to climb the ascending/descending ridge.

11:18 - Upper Ridge. The broad green-grass-covered crest offers a splendid panorama, howbeit, muted by haze. The sun has finally broken through clouds. The highpoint looming to our immediate south has Tom thinking we are almost there. I have to break the news to him that we still have another 0.4 mile to go. We climb south to the highpoint and continue along the undulating ridge. It’s peaceful up here. The Baldy high country to the east finally breaks through the clouds. It’s been a mild winter and there is hardly any snow up there. We round the crescent, make our final steep climb of 100 vertical feet, and make our approach to our destination.

12:05 - Summit 2843. Wow, we’ve made it! Nearly five hours to hike 2.5 miles…that’s truly the definition of a saunter. This is my sixth visit to this peak, and every outing has been unique. My first visit was with my buddy Drew 10 years ago May. The views from here can be great but today it’s pretty hazy. We sit and have some lunch. The view west toward Vulcan’s mining activity on Van Tassel Ridge is a good discussion starter. Before leaving, I give Tom a guided tour of the couple dozen peaks within view.

1:20 - Leave summit. We retrace our steps down the ridge. The sun feels good. At 1:50 we transition from the upper ridge to our eastward descent. Our steps are careful in the steep sections. We cross the upper occurrence of the fire road at 2:05 and continue down the ridge. We reach the lower occurrence of the fire road at 2:25 and continue down the ridge rather than turning left and retracing our steps through Water Canyon. This is new territory for us today. The descent is comfortable. We enjoy good conversation and rugged scenery.

2:40 - Reach the beginning of the steep section. Here the path down the old firebreak gets crazy steep and slippery. Tom leads the way as we carefully negotiate each step. Trekking poles would really be helpful about now. Midway down we are treated to a patch of golden poppies that beg to be photographed. A pair of morning glories stand nearby. We sigh of relief as we complete the precarious section unscathed.

2:56 - Back on Silver Fish Fire Road. Now for a comfortable stroll for our last half mile. A young mustard sports its yellow flowers. I am happy to find a couple bright orange blossoms of bush monkeyflower as the vanguard of many more to come. We wind in and out of the sun and shade. As we near the highway, trash and graffiti remind us that some humans don’t belong on this planet.

3:20 - End hike, exactly 8 hours from the start.

Epilog - What a thoroughly enjoyable outing! Splendid scenery, rugged beauty, wonderful serenity, pleasant weather, green grass, lovely wildflowers, a beloved peak, and great company. God is good. Life is good.

See Summit 2843 hike description on Dan’s Hiking Pages

NEXT > Summit 2843 via East Ridge, San Gabriel Canyon - Jan. 1, 2016
PREVIOUS > Summit 2843 via San Gabriel Canyon Hike - Feb. 24, 2013
 

Summit 2843 via San Gabriel Canyon Hike - February 24, 2013

See Summit 2843 hike description on Dan's Hiking Pages

The prominent, unnamed peak standing guard over the mouth of San Gabriel Canyon always calls to me. Work and household responsibilities have hindered me from being on the trail much in recent months, but beautiful weather compelled me to find time for hiking this weekend. A “scrappy hike” was in order—that is, a hike done on a scrap of time carved out of a full schedule, usually one close to home, and one which I’ve done multiple times before. A scrappy hike gets me out on the trail when I don’t have time for a prime-time, feature hike.

Living in Azusa, I have plenty of scrappy hikes to choose from: Garcia Trail, Colby Trail, Van Tassel fire road, Fish Canyon, Monrovia Canyon, Big Dalton Canyon, etc. One is 2N28 in the San Gabriel Canyon, about 10 minutes from home. The route starts just past Morris Dam and meanders west into the small canyons and up chaparral-covered slopes. I like it because it’s close to home and offers varying possibilities, from a short saunter into Water Canyon, to climbing Silver Mountain or Summit 2843. Today I figured if I’m on the trail by 2 p.m. I can hit Summit 2843 and back before sunset. It’s 4 miles round trip with 1,543 in elevation gain.

2:02 PM - I pass by the locked vehicle gate and begin hiking up the long-abandoned Silver Fish fire road (2N28). A narrow footpath furrows through the fresh green grass of winter. I wind in and out of patches of cool shade and warm sun. Cars pass along Hwy 39 below me. The mature chaparral that surrounds me is a patchwork of rich textures. As I climb higher the sparkling blue water of Morris Reservoir dominates the foreground to the east while Glendora Mountain dominates the skyline to the northeast. It’s still a month to the beginning of spring, and about the only thing in bloom are the clusters of white and lavender flowers on ceanothus, a large bush that typifies the chaparral.

2:14 - Reach the outward bend where the trail begins to contour into Water Canyon. But for today’s hike I turn left (west) and begin to climb the hogback ridge which goes straight up the mountainside. The first 150 yards are quite steep so I plod along slowly until the route mellows out some. Soon the snow-capped summit of Mt. Baldy pokes above the northeast ridgeline as the first fruit of the entire high country from Ontario Peak to Hawkins Ridge which will shortly follow. Brushy plants hug the narrow path and I’m thankful for long pants.

2:34 - Cross the first switchback of the old fire road coming up from Water Canyon. I continue climbing the ridge. A lone pair of tennis shoe prints indicates that someone has descended this route recently. Aside from the noise of an occasional motorcycle on the highway far below, there is a real peacefulness here. Silver Mountain looms above me to the north. I’m working up a mild sweat in the warm sun. At 2:56 I reach the second switchback of the old fire road and continue up the ridge. Now the high country panorama to the east stretches from Ontario Peak to Iron Mountain.

3:10 - Reach the upper ridge, greeted by a stiff breeze from the west. I turn left (south) and continue my climb on the ridge that divides the San Gabriel Canyon on the east and Roberts Canyon on the west. Shortly I get my first view of the ocean reflecting the late afternoon sun on the distant southwest horizon. Soon I achieve a knob on the ridge with a view toward my destination. The route gently drops to a saddle and bends around to the west. I take careful steps on the soft, uneven earth that has been excavated by gofers. In the summer and fall, weedy, dead grass would menace unprotected socks with foxtails and burs. I climb the final pitch to a knob where I see the summit 100 yards ahead.

3:34 - Summit 2843. This is my fifth time on this peak. It’s a special place for me since it predominantly occupies the mountain scenery that rises to the north of my home in Azusa. Most valley dwellers probably have never given the peak a thought as it would appear to be just another welt among the undulating sprawl of the San Gabriel Mountains. But for me, I’ve always had the curiosity of an explorer. When I see a summit, I wonder if it has a name and if there is trail to it. What’s it story? For years, this peak had beckoned me up.

So finally, after a couple exploratory excursions on 2N28, with topo map in hand, I set out with my friend Drew to conquer this pinnacle on May 22, 2004. It’s always fulfilling to stand on a peak, particularly one that I have scouted and set out to conquer without any guidebook or formal trail. At an elevation of a mere 2,843 feet, this peak is not a grand summit, but it’s my summit, and I enjoy an occasional visit.

Today I am rewarded with good visibility as I scan the 360-degree panorama. Vast human sprawl dominates the south, and the rugged Angeles National Forest dominates the north. Dozens of familiar peaks in view bring memories of many satisfying ascents. Snow-capped mountains rising to 10,000 feet speak of winter, and the warm sun and sparking Pacific Ocean speak of Southern California. And I have this summit all to myself. I love it!



3:55 - Say goodbye to Summit 2843 and retrace my steps back. As the photographer’s “golden hour” sets in, I am eager to capture the scenery in a different light. A pair of red-trail hawks soar and swoop.

4:12 - Reach the ascending/descending ridge junction. As I turn east, I leave the direct sun and begin my descent into the mountain shadows. There is still some sun on the ridge well below me, but it will be gone by the time I’m there. I savor the beauty and peacefulness of the rugged scenery. The downhill climb is comfortable. I ponder the phenomenon that on a gorgeous day in SoCal, swarms of hikers will crowd the popular trails and I’ll have a splendid setting like this all to myself.

At 4:20 I cross the upper occurrence of the fire road and at 4:36 the second. I pause to photograph a lone occurrence of everlasting in bloom, about the only herbaceous plant I’ve seen in bloom all day. I take intermittent pics of Mt. Baldy and Morris Dam in the warm light of the setting sun as I try to capture the perfect shot. At 4:50 I begin my climb down the steep section. I admit that I’ve had a little angst in anticipating the pain-inflicting possibilities of feet sliding from under me. Thankfully I negotiate the slippery slope without incident and arrive back at the fire road in nine minutes.

I relax now as I saunter along the gentle, grassy path. It’s cool in the canyon shade as the orange glow of the setting sun lingers on the adjacent ridgeline to the east. The dead stalks of fennel standing taller than I show new growth at their base. Cars winding along Hwy 39 below welcome me back to a mechanized world.

5:17 - End Hike. The car thermometer reads 52 degrees.

Epilog - I am always indeed thankful for the gift of living so close to such a wonderful recreational treasure and having the wherewithal to hike. There are folks in parts of our country today being hammered by snow storms, but I get to wear a short-sleeve shirt and venture into the rugged mountains under sunny skies. What a blessing!

See Summit 2843 hike description on Dan's Hiking Pages

NEXT > Summit 2843 via San Gabriel Canyon Hike - February 21, 2015