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    Bear Divide Trail

    4.4 (7 reviews)

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    A very small portion of the face of the bear
    Ronna M.

    The face of "The Bear" is one of, if not the most, rewarding hikes in Santa Clarita. I have hiked it six times so far, and have yet to get bored with it. Once you start on the trail, after several hundred feet you will be given the option to go right for the switchbacks or to continue straight on the more direct and strenuous route. I personally like to do the full loop: go straight up, attack the bear, and run the switchbacks on the way back down. The incline is really tough and your muscles will probably get tight and even shakey at moments. However, you can stop for breaks and turn around to take in the beautiful views of the valley. Be encouraged by your progress and aim to reach that water tower at the very top. From there, you'll see the Nike missile launch sites, the fire station, and a side of Santa Clarita that you will love. If you decide to take the switchbacks on the way down, you're in for a treat. The trail is absolutely beautiful and shaded with trees looming over. Just note that it can be very very narrow in some parts. It's hard to say how long the hike is, maybe give yourself 1.5-2 hours. (Unless you run the way down and you'll make it in less time) Bring water. And enjoy a good workout!

    Gorgeous morning

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Whitney Canyon Park

    Whitney Canyon Park

    4.5(66 reviews)
    4.8 km

    A friend took me to Whitney Canyon Waterfall today, and wow what an adventure. The hike is…read moremoderate, about 3.5 miles, and parking is free. Reaching the waterfall is not for the faint of heart. You climb uphill, descend back down, reach a small waterfall, and then go through it to finally arrive at Whitney Waterfall. It's a bit sketchy, definitely thrilling, and absolutely worth it but only if you're prepared. Hiking shoes are a must. This trail is not recommended for kids or beginner hikers due to steep and slippery sections. It was 48 degrees and freezing cold today, so check the weather before you go and layer up. Also, there are no restrooms, so plan ahead. If you're looking for a raw, adventurous hike with a rewarding waterfall at the end, this one delivers.

    When you're ending the year 2025 with a hiking adventure. Let's begin this banger review…read more Whitney Canyon Park is a 442-acre park known for its diverse trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, featuring oak woodlands, chaparral, and riparian areas with seasonal waterfalls. It is located next to the freeway in Santa Clarita. I have been eyeing this trail/park for months and I am glad I crossed this on my All trails hiking list. I came on a late Monday morning and it was bloody windy (~45 mph) with a cool temp of 64 degrees. This park has multiple trials including Elsmere Trail. WCP has a wide track trail through a canyon that was known for oil drilling and ranching some of its remnants are still visible. Its trail has little to no tree shade but the trailhead was kept clear. I have seen some hikers (family and kids) and bikers along the way; most are friendly and nice. Parking lot is huge with no shades. Trash bins are available. Overall, it's a nice easy park to go hiking. I recommend it.

    Photos
    Whitney Canyon Park - Heart rock

    Heart rock

    Whitney Canyon Park
    Whitney Canyon Park - Wide view down some of the falls.

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    Wide view down some of the falls.

    Bouquet Canyon Abandoned Campgrounds - The Falls

    Bouquet Canyon Abandoned Campgrounds

    3.4(30 reviews)
    23.3 km

    Back in the 60's and 70's it was our party place of choice. There was no graffiti and everything…read morewas maintained. We spent a lot of weekends up there. Back then it was a 5 star kind of place. Loved the little beer and BBQ joint on the way up. It's a shame it isn't kept up.

    I find the lakes in this area so beautiful. There is something about how few people and few cabins…read moreor structures at all or any one in boats on the water so beautifully creepy. It always seems so eerily peaceful when I would drive by these places. Although the falls are not something you can drive by. If you follow directions easily found online and can do a basic hike you will be fine. I can see how someone might miss it thoughm . As with the near by lakes there wasn't anyone around almost all times ive gobe here. . The falls are a nice place to go to get a peaceful moment when I've been stressed. It's nice. If the bottles and debris is that upsetting to you, come with tools and clean up the area before you just complain and trash it as though it charged you an admission. You may think it's not your job although you are not a a professional reviewer either, you seem to be willing to complain about things without getting paid. Clean up the area and you can brag how you made it nicer, may not stay that way, but you improved something for only someone else's benefit, instead of complaining how nature had trash around and point fingers. Maybe you could work to get some funding to pay for regular clean up. Let me guess, you would rather complain and have others feel as negative as you. Try putting beauty back into the world instead of pointing at the bad stuff, understand that it shouldn't be that way, yet you just let it stay In. That way

    Photos
    Bouquet Canyon Abandoned Campgrounds - Picking up the trash cause people can't clean up after themselves like an untaught child

    Picking up the trash cause people can't clean up after themselves like an untaught child

    Bouquet Canyon Abandoned Campgrounds - Bouquet falls

    Bouquet falls

    Bouquet Canyon Abandoned Campgrounds - Also noticed some strange witch craft like nonsense

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    Also noticed some strange witch craft like nonsense

    Fish Canyon Narrows

    Fish Canyon Narrows

    4.3(9 reviews)
    26.2 km

    The hike to Fish Canyon Narrows, named the #1 Intense Hike by Los Angeles Magazine, blew my mind…read more Accompanying two twenty-something botanists on a native plant field survey, I knew nothing about this trail prior to our trip. I wasn't prepared for the stunning beauty and challenging hiking conditions in early June 2023. An incredible adventure but not for the faint of heart! Parking: Follow Templin Highway to the east to a locked gate. You will be in the Angeles National Forest; an Adventure Pass is required to park in this location. The Trail: It's probably best to go with someone who's been here before (I was lucky in this regard.) Otherwise, make sure you map out directions ahead of time because there are virtually no trail signs to guide you. It's not too steep; the challenge is more finding the trail and the unique condition it's in at the moment. Due to the recent winter and spring storms, much of the trail is in shambles, with fallen trees and landslides and debris in your path. Then, there are the river crossings (or creek crossings, in less rainy years.) This can be treacherous; the water was at least shin-high in some places, not to mention the slippery algae, the rapid current, and obstacles under the water. We ended our hike after dark; a flashlight and/or headlamp highly recommended. Safety: There is no cell phone service in this location. A personal safety beacon is highly recommended, plus letting folks know where you are going and when you are expected to return. Take a first aid kit, enough water, food, and everything needed for a wilderness expedition. Wildlife: Bear have been reported here. Snakes are around; one of my hiking companions spotted a non-venemous snake in the dark and actually picked it up. I would *not* recommend touching any wildlife unless you are a trained biologist! Be alert. Scenery: The narrows are spectacular. There are springs, ferns, flowers, and the high canyon walls above you once you arrive at the canyon. This is one of the most beautiful destination hikes in Southern California and I feel lucky to have been able to visit. Free admission (but again, parking requires an Adventure Pass.) Highly recommended but be prepared!

    OUR PATH: Go LEFT twice at the first and second forks-in-the-road…read more This trail allowed us to walk as far and as long as we wanted. Ryan, Duke (great hike for a dog) and I trekked four hours through the canyon and up the mountains. This is a desolate trail, which is what we enjoy. We only passed a group of three other hikers. Along the was we crossed creeks, brushed through a forrest-like area and climbed (I really mean "walked") up a mountain with a moderate incline. It was a nice cool day in January, and the trail offered several shady areas. The next time we go, we'll go RIGHT at the first fork to explore the trail near the lake.

    Photos
    Fish Canyon Narrows
    Fish Canyon Narrows
    Fish Canyon Narrows

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    Elsmere Canyon

    Elsmere Canyon

    4.6(10 reviews)
    5.0 km

    Elsmere Canyon offers a wide variety try of trails covering 3 miles of lush green and stunning…read moreviews. Moreover, these trails have various skill hiking levels for hikers. Most of my hike were relatively flat with a few elevation gains. I hiked past the waterfall creek and into the waterfalls. There were gorgeous oak trees along the trail which can look and sound magical especially if you close your eyes and listen to the surrounding. It took me a lil over an hour round trip to the trailhead and into the parking lot. Furthermore, fellow hikers were friendly. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit chilly and very windy due to Santa Ana winds. I didn't expected it. Overall, it's an nice canyon trail. I recommend it.

    Take the 14 FWY and exit on Sierra Hwy, then head over to the park-and- ride lot. On the left side…read moreis the trailhead for Whitney Canyon Falls, and on the right is Elsmere Canyon. Take your pick, you can't go wrong! The last couple weeks our group decided to go with Elsmere into Eagle Pass. During the evening there is plenty of parking, though if you were to come at busier times there is the overflow lot. Night hiking around here is pretty special with plenty of night sky viewing from being far enough away from neighboring city lights. Structures left behind from decades past, such as rusty engines, wooden beams, and dried up water tanks hide in plain sight. There are a handful of areas with inclines but nothing too strenuous. During the daytime several years ago, our group was able to climb up one of the isolated peaks overlooking the freeway. If I remember correctly, the road there felt more like an animal trail but enough hikers have attempted it. Overall, great local hike worth revisiting.

    Photos
    Elsmere Canyon - California Buckwheat seed heads.

    California Buckwheat seed heads.

    Elsmere Canyon
    Elsmere Canyon

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    Bear Divide Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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