Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cherry Canyon Park

    4.5 (24 reviews)

    Cherry Canyon Park Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Cherry Canyon Park

    Recommended Reviews - Cherry Canyon Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Isobel L.

    Cherry Canyon Park (which I am assuming was named after the native hollyleaf cherries that grow in the canyon) offers beautiful views and a great workout. The park preserves over 130 acres of green space near the city of La Canada and is accessible to all. Beautiful stands of oak and sycamore make the canyon a lovely place to hike all year long. Trails are well-marked and maintained. The trailhead parking lot only has enough space for three small cars; street parking is also available. Regarding the hollyleaf cherries, the fruit was reportedly fermented by the first residents of the US into an intoxicating drink. Cherry wine, anyone? Admission and parking are free.

    Ali K.

    I go mountain bike riding here maybe once a month. It is an insane cardio workout, without the treachery and dangers of actually being in the mountains/wilderness. They do have some technical parts as well, but I really just come for a great heart pump. Beware because I've seen a few snakes and I've heard of some mountain lions in the area, but it's usually very populated, so if you go during peak hours, I think you should be fine

    1/11/13. You can see the ocean up here today.
    Cydney M.

    Yes you can see the ocean on a clear day! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cherry-canyon-park-la-ca%C3%B1ada-flintridge?userid=o8Lo2pvM19nyYPBBycgSVg#M9fsVUAGwl7SJJNP9M9oZg It's cold and windy and that's the best time to get your hind end in gear and get up here to hike. Directions for newcomers: Exit Angeles Crest Hwy from 210 - Eastbound turn right at light and westbound turn left at light. Go down to Foothill Blvd. and turn right. Turn left on Chevy Chase Canyon and go about .75 miles to Hampstead Rd. and turn right. The entrance is about .9 miles up the street on the right. Walk up to the sign and head left on the Owl Trail. If you are a beginner just take the fire road on the right. In twenty minutes you'll be close to the top to soak up the gorgeous view. It's a new year so get out there and get moving!

    Monica M.

    This was a beautiful place to hike however the trails were very confusing to navigate. This park has many trails and you can get easily lost. We did the Forest Hill Road and Cherry Canyon Motorway trails, and we went in a loop. So it was fun, short, and quite an adventure.

    Joe E.

    This place is truly a hidden gem and is not what you'd expect. The park I tucked away in the seedy, run down area of La Canada. I mean some of the houses in the area are barely over a million dollars. Who would want to live near this park? The parking, as previously stated in previous reviews, is limited. And by limited, there is no parking lot for the park. You have to park on a nearby street. The residents of La Canada are smart people. If you don't provide sidewalks or curbs in front of your house, rif raf like me and my lady friend can't stop in front of your giant house. I see what you did there. We found a somewhat decent spot near the park entrance. Pretty sure it was parking ticket worthy, but we did not see that sweet little piece of paper tucked lovingly under our window upon return to the car. The hiking was good. The trail head markers offer up many hard to follow trails. I would like to say we took the Cerro Negro trail loop, but we did not loop. We ended up taking a side trail and walking through the dangerous side streets that took us back to our car. There are many forks to the trail that allow you to explore many parts of the area. There is some mild elevation climb, but it's good for leisurely hikers, kids, and animals. We were crunched for time so we only did 2 miles in about 40 minutes. Fun place to hike. Just be careful in the neighborhoods. Gangster.

    Looking from Cherry Canyon to the San Gabriel Mountains (I think)
    Adam P.

    If you're having trouble finding the entrance type the address 4171 Hampstead Road in instead of the one given here on Yelp. You can't park there but that's where the trails start. It looks like there's plenty of parking space but it's full of 'No Parking' signs and a big fire lane. The chances of a Parking Enforcement officer being up there is probably pretty slim but all it takes is one angry neighbor calling. We found street parking close by and walked. We took the Owl Trail. If you take this route I recommend going straight (right) when you get to the first split. It's much, much easier to walk on. It doesn't take long before you reach a peak with some decent views (around 1/2 a mile up). From there we went up just a little more to the highest peak where there are some satellites and generators. We also found a nice little memorial up there for someone. On the backside of the generators is a great place to sit and hangout, there are a few trees for shade and a constant breeze. To head down the mountain we took the Ultimate Destination Trail which eventually connected us back with the Owl Trail (how I know the other route up was better). Overall it's a nice area if you're looking for a quick hike without driving up the mountains. Our trip was 2.12 miles in 1 hour 12 minutes with an elevation gain of 489 feet.

    Lauren S.

    Took a nice afternoon hike here over the weekend and was pleasantly surprised. Cherry Canyon is a hidden park in the La Canada Mountains; somewhat near Descanso Gardens. Personally, I found it hard to locate the park because it is surrounded by numerous houses and didn't quite stick out much. We entered the park on Chevy Chase and Hamstead Rd. as suggested by a fellow yelper. Parking There isn't much parking offered by the park but you can snag street parking if you look out for the right signs. We opted for parking right in front of a house that was just outside of the "No Parking" zone; not far at all. Trail The park offers up a few trails such as the Owl Trail, Cerro Negro Trail, and the Cherry Canyon Fire/Utility Road. The Owl Trail and the Cerro Negro Trail are pretty much intertwined together; the Owl Trail is the only trail that has a steep incline that can be difficult depending on you're hiking ability. We didn't make an effort to take the Cherry Canyon Fire/Utility Road because it didn't seems as appealing as the other trails however it does connect to the other trails down the line. The Crowd There wasn't too many hikers here which is a nice change compared to other local trails. I did notice that some people did bring their horses and dogs but that wasn't an issue because they looked after them. Overall Decent views of the city. Calm and relaxing with minimal distractions when it comes to others. Decently kept trails of different levels for all types of hikers. Parking can be tough.

    Inquiring minds in the park - these two ladies are all ears.
    Denny B.

    Found a couple of big-eared ladies without clothing, walking around the park. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/vOyG5S7bTdpIoABnVcwsTQ?select=REvzDvEwVAA65UNyA-8v5g#J5t4CMYepjInKfLGgyJ_Ng

    Owl Trail

    This is, most definitely, a secret gem of Los Angeles. The Owl Trail is great, and the views from the top are majestic. I was pleasantly surprised by this. FYI, parking is greatly limited, BUT there were only two other people on the trail. Check this place out!!! #

    Ursula N.

    The scenery here is truly gorgeous despite the very visible power lines.There are several different trails you can take and they vary in intensity. Another plus is that it never seems to get too crowded.There is also plenty of parking available since it's located in a residential area. Overall it's a lovely place to visit if you're looking for some peace, quiet time and beauty.

    Overcast morning hike
    Maria E.

    Nice hiking trail near Glendale area. I began the hike by starting at the brown gates. I've only been here once and hiked only one trail but did notice that there are many other trails to choose from once you reach the middle of the trail. Overall a nice, easy-moderate hike. Shaded when you begin the trail but no shade as you continue the trail. My personal preference are other trails one which either have more of a nature feel to them or with higher elevation gain. Parking is street parking - there was plenty when I arrived which was at 8 am.

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 1
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 26
    Thanks 0
    Love this 23
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 28
    Thanks 0
    Love this 22
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Monica M.
    11
    117
    429

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe E.
    966
    452
    1737

    11 years ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 0
    Love this 36
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Neil G.
    1216
    931
    2055

    13 years ago

    Helpful 19
    Thanks 0
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adam P.
    7
    12
    27

    11 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeng L.
    248
    198
    6415

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Schel H.
    628
    1844
    1622

    13 years ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 0
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Denny B.
    1
    1163
    1546

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Parth T.
    130
    11
    21

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brian U.
    0
    2129
    128

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ursula N.
    71
    179
    755

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maria E.
    46
    61
    52

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tiger M.
    150
    27
    21

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Meg P.
    65
    59
    20

    14 years ago

    great hike for beginners to advanced. Its a bike trail too. Great views of Los Angeles La Canada, Glendale and Montrose

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Cherry Canyon Park

    Review Highlights - Cherry Canyon Park

    Trail The park offers up a few trails such as the Owl Trail, Cerro Negro Trail, and the Cherry Canyon Fire/Utility Road.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Hiking 14,006 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    4.4(293 reviews)
    6.0 mi

    Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

    This place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

    Photos
    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - Lower Switzer Fall

    Lower Switzer Fall

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - The grand prize, Switzer falls.

    The grand prize, Switzer falls.

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    See all

    Descanso Trail - Trail entrance. #BnWphoto

    Descanso Trail

    4.4(18 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Quiet, easy hiking trail for the whole family. Baby stroller access may be a little tricky the…read morefirst 10-15 minutes. But after that it's smooth sailing. A very pleasant and peaceful walk. You may notice some freeway noise in some parts. HOW TO GET THERE: Set your GPS/Navigation to "Descanso Garden". You're going to park inside Descanso Garden anyways. Its free and its a 3 minute walk from the Trailhead. Do Not use the Yelp app's "Get Directions" on your smartphone. It'll take you to someone's house. I wish Yelp would correct this. PARKING: Don't tell anyone I told you this but I always park at Descanso Garden Parking Lot. It's free. I park my car right at the entrance to Descanso Garden so that I'm close to the entrance. There's always a gazillion empty parking spaces here. As soon as you park your car, walk back to the entrance (towards the main road, Descanso Drive) and then turn left onto the dirt sidewalk. You'll walk for a minute and find the 3 little yellow steel posts that other Yelpers described. That's your landmark for the entrance to the Trail. TRAILHEAD ACCESS: The trail begins about a 3 minute walk from the Descanso Garden parking lot. So when you exit the Descanso Garden parking lot, immediately turn left. Walk on the dirt sidewalk for less than a minute and on the left hand side you'll see 3 yellow steel posts (you know the kind that prevents people from driving over it). Walk through these 3 yellow posts and you'll find yourself walking on asphalt flanked by 8 feet tall brown colored fencing. You'll ask yourself "Am I at the right place?". Trust me, you are. Follow the signs and suddenly you'll find yourself at the trailhead. DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy. I went to Descanso Trail with my in-laws today. They're both in their mid-70's (very healthy) and they had no problems. The most difficult part of this trail comes about 5 minutes into the walk. You'll find yourself staring at an uphill climb consisting of several switchbacks. There's lots of loose rocks that someone can slip on. Especially small children and elderly. Climbing up is not bad. Even for my mid-70's in-laws they had no trouble. Did it without resting. Coming down these switch-backs is a little more challenging but definitely do-able for the healthy elderly. A walking/hiking stick will help. The rest of the hike is smooth sailing. Slight uphill and downhill walking here and there. Nothing challenging. The trail is made of compacted dirt, mainly about 5 feet to 10 feet wide. If you're a good hiker, if you've hiked Half Dome then this Descanso Trail hike will be a 'walk in the park'! BABY STROLLER: For about 99% of this trail, a stroller will have no problems whatsoever. However, within 5 minutes of starting this hike (read my "Difficulty Level" section above) you will find yourself at the bottom of an upward climb through some switchbacks. I think some healthy parent with a capable stroller probably could push the buggy uphill. But I believe for most parents, this will pose a challenge. You're better off holding the baby in your arms and having someone else carry the stroller uphill. Luckily, this uphill walk will take less than 5 minutes. After this, the rest of the trail is easy sailing for a stroller. Mainly compacted dirt. Keep in mind there are some gently upward and downward hills you need to navigate. CELLPHONE RECEPTION: I had 3 to 5 bars on my Verizon iPhone the whole time on the trail. No problems with reception at all.

    Hiking is a passion of mine which I truly enjoy. This is a trail that allows the flexibility of…read morebeginner to advanced workouts. For starters if you are into running, jogging or bike rides this trail is perfect. I enjoy the running aspect as I love a great workout. If you enjoy some chill time or a read this is a great spot as well. From enjoying a great sunrise or sunset this is a great spot.

    Photos
    Descanso Trail
    Descanso Trail - Beautiful pic

    Beautiful pic

    Descanso Trail - City scapes

    See all

    City scapes

    Gabrielino Trail - Playing in the dam

    Gabrielino Trail

    4.3(80 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    This is a beautiful trail that is well used by locals. You can start the trail at a parking lot by…read moreJPL. The parking lots is large so it can accommodate a lot of hikers. You should put out your adventure pass when parking at this lot. I am not sure if anybody is checking but its best to be safe, to avoid a ticket. From the parking lot to the dam its approximately 8.4 miles roundtrip. The hike has very limited elevation gain to the dam- and it follows along the river. You will have to cross the river multiple times to the dam. Some of the crossing will be on bridges while others will require to get your feet wet or hop rocks to get across. The trail is mostly cover by trees so provide some relief from the sun. The Gabrielino trail leads to many other trails and places beyond the dam- you actually start on this trail and go all the way to another waterfall- note this hike is approximately 19 miles and has over 2500 feet elevation. The trail is heavily used by bikers, hikers, walkers and horseback riders. On the weekend this trail gets very busy. If you want peace and quiet best to do this trail during the weekdays early in the morning. Currently (October 2025)- some construction is going on at the beginning of the trail. The start of the trail can be closed- so before heading out check to see if the trail is open.

    Beautiful trails. Feels like you're out of LA. Highly recommend. Dog friendly. Pretty easy parkingread more

    Photos
    Gabrielino Trail
    Gabrielino Trail
    Gabrielino Trail

    See all

    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon

    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon

    4.7(191 reviews)
    4.8 mi

    Updated review: I've been to Inspiration Point twice now, most recently after the great Los Angeles…read more"blizzard" of early 2023. And how super intense and cool (figuratively and literally) it was! Total about 10mi from the top of Lake - Echo Mountain - Castle Canyon trail - Inspiration Point - Sam Merrill trail - Echo Mountain and back down to Lake. DEFINITELY a strenuous hike and would highly recommend hiking poles, sunscreen, water, and snacks! The view is incredible, especially with tons of fresh snow everywhere. Hiked this early March 2023 and the Castle Canyon trail leading off from Echo Mountain (a decent hike in its own right) is pretty challenging, if not a bit brutal in some areas: slippery snow, downed trees and bushes blocking the path, and a heavy incline. Again, highly recommend poles. Once at Inspiration Point the view is phenomenal. The Pacific Ocean, Palos Verdes, Catalina Island, and even Anaheim and Irvine are all visible from the top, and downtown LA too of course. Lots of picnic benches and photo-op-worthy view finders for major Southern California sites. Gorgeous San Gabriel mountains in the background. The Sam Merrill trail leading down the backside of the mountain (and then curving back around to the south/west) is much more tame (but still a bit precarious with 2+ feet of snow) and very sun-exposed all the way back to Echo Mountain. All in all probably one of the more butt-kicking Los Angeles hike. Takes about 4-5hrs round trip depending on your pace.

    Long and difficult hike but worth the view! About 10 miles…read moreround trip from Cobb Estate. Bring a hat, lots of water, snacks, sunscreen, and BUG SPRAY. Me and my husband started around 7:30am and finished the whole hike around 1pm at a steady pace with about an hour break when we got to Inspiration Point. The hike from Cobb Estate to Echo Mountain was a breeze for us, but the hike from there to Inspiration was a whole other story. I recommend wearing long pants as the second half of the hiking path isn't as clear and pretty narrow on some parts. We took our time and treaded lightly but still got some minor scratches on our legs from all of the branches and leaves. My husband started getting irritated from walking into all of the spider webs lol. Not sure if the actual hike was 2 miles from Echo Mountain because it felt so much longer than that. We started getting really tired near the end from all the incline. We almost gave up until my husband saw the view of Inspiration Point. Once we got there, the views made it all worth it! Would we do it again? Maaaaaybe lol.

    Photos
    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon
    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon
    Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon

    See all

    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Found this tiny little spider on a beautiful yellow bloom - had to bust out my macro lens for this one! June 2025

    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike

    4.5(8 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Such a unique and beautiful hike!!!! We even got to see some very hard snow that was almost gone,…read moredue to the rain and winds. I would highly recommend that at least 50% of the group have the trail downloaded, and you carry extra phone chargers. A few people who were with us almost got lost. It is very easy to do so if you are not paying attention. There is also one portion that becomes very steep. Take your time and bring a stick or poles if you need to. Other than that, the views are breathtaking, so enjoy! I would 1000% do this trail again, but only in a larger group with more experienced hikers. Hoping they are able to locate Monica Reza!! Please, please, please, do not leave anyone behind on their own. This is not an easy trail to guide yourself. There was a lovely man we met on the trail who hikes this consistently, and he cautioned us against losing people.

    I bagged a peak this summer!! And the Waterman Mountain loop trail has become my number one fave…read morelocal trail here in SoCal. Getting up to Waterman peak isn't terribly technical - more of a straightforward moderate hike on well marked trails with tons of biodiversity and beautiful views. I hiked it towards the end of June and there were beautiful native SoCal blooms scattered along the trail - with so many native bees! The hike is through a burn scar (from the Peak Fire in 2021 I think) - so it can be a bit barren and burned up in places but it's heartening to see how well the area is recovering. I also ran into countless Pygmy Nuthatches (a lifer for me!!), White-headed Woodpeckers, squirrels, chipmunks, and even some cute tiny spiders! But this is Black Bear and Mountain Lion country so be vigilant and carry bear spray. All in all, I hiked around 6.4 miles with around 1380+ feet elevation gain. The trails are narrow in a lot of spots and mostly consists of rocks, loose dirt, and fine gravel. The first half of the trail is through forest and burn scar. The last half after the peak and old ski resort (long closed) is very exposed fire road with no shade and minimal views. On subsequent hikes I tend to skip that part and just turn around after the peak bc I like that part of the trail better lol. The peak of Waterman Mtn sits at 8030 feet. There's a great sign at the peak made by @peakart125 (on instagram) - it's lovely and makes for a fun way to celebrate making it all the way up! There's a sort of false peak right before the actual peak so I highly recommend making sure you've downloaded the trail map on AllTrails before heading out since cell signal is minimal to nonexistent on the trail. The views from the peak are a tad obstructed by rocks and trees - but you still get nice pocket views of Twin Peaks, the valley, and Mt Wilson observatory. It's also interesting to explore the old ski resort near the peak. There's tons of equipment and a chair lift but it doesn't look like it's been opened for years probably. AllTrails also shows a bathroom up there but I didn't find one so come prepared. There's a bathroom next to the paved parking area in a campground entrance at the trailhead. There's plenty of parking - almost all paved. You'll need an adventure pass to park bc it's in the Angeles National Forest - but they accept America the Beautiful passes too! I pretty much had the trail to myself on the weekday early morning. I only ran into two people - turned out it was search and rescue looking for missing hiker Monica Reza who went missing the weekend before my hike (I think she was last seen June 22nd, 2025). I helped a bit in the search on my way out but no luck. My understanding is she's still missing (I included a photo - they're still looking for volunteers to help search if you're interested!) - be aware and keep a lookout if you do the trail! They also have Instagram and FB pages for updates.

    Photos
    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Precious little chipmunks kept a close eye on me while I hiked lol!

    Precious little chipmunks kept a close eye on me while I hiked lol!

    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Views from the trail (June 2025) #getoutsideandexplore

    Views from the trail (June 2025) #getoutsideandexplore

    Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Lovely elderberry bloom along the trail (June 2025)

    See all

    Lovely elderberry bloom along the trail (June 2025)

    La Canada Teepee

    La Canada Teepee

    4.6(18 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    This was easily one of my favorite hikes around LA, mostly because it was such an unexpected…read moreadventure. My friend originally wanted to hike the Brown Dam hike, but last minute suggested this trail and I'm so glad she did. We parked near the Angeles Crest Highway and followed the trail up to the La Cañada Teepee. The hike itself was long but relatively easy, and we were lucky that the weather was slightly overcast that day which it made the trek much more comfortable. We knew we were close when we saw the mailbox along the trail with a chain blockading the road to the teepee. That's when we ran into two Kenyan women who gave us a quick heads-up about what was ahead: stunning lavender fields, a cool telescope (I thought it was a model of the Griffith Observatory--haha), and even a little maze hidden within the flora and bushes as you get closer to the teepee structure. The sisters also mentioned that the area is actually private property, but the owners generously allow people to visit. We didn't run into the owner's, but we were able to explore and enjoy the incredible views and the massive teepee structure at the top. It truly felt like stumbling upon a hidden gem right in Los Angeles--one of the best surprises in such a long time. Highly recommended if you are an avid hiker. Best, Lina C.

    This is a fun hiking destination! You can approach from the east or the south and you won't be…read moredisappointed.

    Photos
    La Canada Teepee
    La Canada Teepee
    La Canada Teepee

    See all

    Dawn Mine Hike

    Dawn Mine Hike

    4.4(69 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    This hike had a lot to offer. Pretty green mostly covered trails a lot of crossing water when it…read morehad rained before. About a 6-7mile hike round trip depending on your starting point we started around Altadena area by fair oaks street. Bring- a lot of water depending on how you handle hiking Adventure pass is needed to park I don't use them but some walking / trek sticks could be useful in some parts. I'm a large guy it took a lot out of me to get there it's a moderate to hard hike for me. With more exercise and a few more hikes under my belt to get back into shape I would hike it again. A lot of connecting places to hike through to as well. Echo mountain connection - inspiration point .

    One of my favorite hikes in LA. I would rate this as Moderate given the elevation change and rocky…read morepaths but it's possible for all ages and skill levels. You get to hike through many different zones including goat paths on the side of the mountain, paved roads at the beginning, and multiple creek crossings and some minor boulder climbing. Parking is at the top of where you turn left to go down toward Millard Falls and there are only 6 spaces available so that area fills up quickly. We arrived @ 7:30AM and didn't have any issues parking and didn't encounter anyone until our hike back out. It's easy to follow the path as it's marked well. The first landmark you'll see is a formerly used cabin as you descend down into the canyon and as you follow the canyon to the end you will see many old mining equipment and plumbing strewn near the creek you are walking parallel to. You have to cross the creek a few times but it's only a few inches deep and there are rocks already placed for crossing. There are portions with pools deep enough to dunk in and even a section with 3 small pools with water slides into each pool. Something worth checking out when the weather is warmer. The mine at the end is underwhelming because it's blocked off with steel bars and is very low to the ground and is flooded with water. I would say the walk to the mine is the best part not the destination. Overall a great hike with beautiful scenery and hiking with the sound of running water the whole time is a real treat.

    Photos
    Dawn Mine Hike
    Dawn Mine Hike
    Dawn Mine Hike

    See all

    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

    4.7(6 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    Definitely not for the faint of heart!…read more PARKING 2 dirt lots off of Highway 2 just past the Switzer Falls turnoff. Must display Adventure Pass. There is no trail sign or marker but take the obvious dirt path and stay on it (don't go up the rocks) COLBY TRAIL Clearly defined winding trail. It's certainly steep, but I didn't have any issues with it. After 2.2 miles (maybe 40 minutes-1 hour of hiking) you'll come to a water tower where the trail splits and is unmarked. Take the trail on the right and after a couple hundred feet is a small rock pile designating a smaller trail to the right. Take this if you're intent on the mountaineer route up to Strawberry. STRAWBERRY MOUNTAINEER TRAIL The steepness definitely increases as you continue up the ridge line. You'll come to the first rocky cragg where you'll need to use your hands and feet to climb. Be very careful as some of the rocks are loose and will crumble as you grab them. There is no defined trail just get to the top of the crag however you like. After that you'll continue on the ridge to the summit. The trail is very overgrown with Spanish Bayonets and Poodle Bush. Avoid touching the plants as much as possible but you WILL touch them. Although the trail is overgrown it's pretty obvious where you should be going. I unfortunately had to turn around before the last bouldering part because I started the hike too late in the day. Will have to come back! Happy hiking!

    Hiked up Strawberry Peak on April 14 and had a great experience. What I really liked about the…read moretrail were the two separate rock climbs near the peak of the mountain. Both rock climbs are located at an elevation between about 5000 to 6000 feet, so if you're planning to do the hike during the winter season, it's probably a good idea to check the snow level before heading out. No equipment is needed for the rock climbs, and there are markings on the rocks (arrows in a variety of colors) that point out the best route to take. It can be a little difficult at times to find the arrows or the correct route to take, but if you take your time you shouldn't have any problems. I have to admit though that there was a moment or two when I was hanging onto a rock (on the side of a mountain and without any equipment) where I thought to myself - uh, what am I doing? The trail is pretty steep, about a 2700 feet elevation gain during the 3 mile ascent up to the peak, so with the two rock climbs it provides a pretty good workout. Definitely a much better workout than a 5-6 mile run on relatively flat ground. Even though the hike is only 6 miles round trip, I would budget at least 4 to 5 hours to complete the hike. The two rock climbs take some time to navigate.

    Photos
    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon - It's not really scary, I just wanted it to look that way!

    It's not really scary, I just wanted it to look that way!

    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon
    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

    See all

    Cherry Canyon Park - hiking - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...