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Hillside Wilderness Preserve Trail

5.0 (5 reviews)

Hillside Wilderness Preserve Trail Hiking Photos

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Views of DTLA on a clear day! :-o
Hannah S.

This hidden gem of a trail has been a fantastic alternative since the Monrovia Canyon Falls Trail has been closed. It's part of the Lower Clamshell peak that looms over Monrovia and the reward at the end of this lovely trail is dramatic, sweeping views of the entire San Gabriel Valley! It's a great trail anytime - but sunsets are especially magnificent here! The trial is across the neighborhood from Monrovia Canyon Park entrance. The trail itself is just over 2.5 miles out and back with just over 450 feet elevation gain. The incline is a decent workout and gradual so not a terrible butt burner lol. That being said - there's no parking at the trailhead. You have to park about a half mile down the hill OUTSIDE of the Oak Woods neighborhood along the street or you'll get a ticket. So this will add on 1/2 mile and over 220 feet elevation gain one way - for a total of 1 mile extra so be aware. It's all gravel and dirt once you get to the trailhead so it gets pretty muddy in any kind of rain. My last hike here was the day after all those crazy atmospheric river storms passed through and there were quite a few eroded areas and some places with landslide activity but nothing too crazy and the trail held up surprisingly well! The trail stays pretty busy but can still be peaceful at times and has tons of birding opportunities. A whole flock of gorgeous Cedar Waxwings were all over the trail last time bc the Toyon Trees are producing their berries right now which is one of their fave foods! Dogs are allowed and they provide doggie poop bags at the trailhead. Bikes are also allowed and the trails are fairly wide in most places so plenty of room for everyone. The trail is well marked with lots of signs and there's a bench at the top to enjoy the view and catch your breath. There's also a detailed sign and map at the trailhead. The trailhead can be misleading - it will look like you're walking up someone's private driveway at first but it's just a small local road and hikers are allowed. This is a neighborhood and residential area though so keep that in mind and be respectful bc you are walking right past people's houses.

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Hoegee's Loop Trail

Hoegee's Loop Trail

4.8(20 reviews)
2.0 mi

Worked on this trail recently with Bear Canyon Trail Crew and had a blast…read more The trail isn't that difficult with a few stream crossings with shallow water lines in February 2026. The trail has some decent shade in some areas, but a lot of exposed areas as well. This trail is secluded from the outside world compared to Chantry Flats and is a perfect day hike to get away from people. Highly recommend coming early to beat the heat and find parking. A day pass or an adventure pass is needed for parking. Beware of poison oak. There's a lot in this area. Would come back!

During a recent weekend backpacking trip with my son and his Boy Scout troop, I enjoyed our first…read morenight of camping at Hoegee's Camp on the Loop Trail. As posted in my other Chantry-esque reviews, I've hiked this area hundreds of times, but always with young kids or inexperienced hikers... thus, we end up at Sturtevant Falls instead of venturing into connected trails. This time, we arrived at the Chantry lot around 6 P.M., hung our Forest Adventure Passes on the rearview mirrors, and backpacked with headlamps into the local hills. At the bottom of the asphalt-paved trail from the parking lot-- just as soon as you cross the footbridge, the trail to Hoegee's branches off to your left. A slow but steady uphill climb saw us arrive at Hoegee's camp in the dark of night. Just a few other folks were availing themselves of campsites, so our group of about 15 made camp, and enjoyed a sack dinner. All trash and food was secured in bear cans (which we brought) and a bear box that was found in the middle of camp near the trail. Plenty of bears in the area at all times, so be bear aware. No, actually, you probably aren't very good at creating a bear hang, and you're doing it wrong. Use the bear box! Plenty of water rushing over the nearby spillway for late winter/early spring was a delightful sound as I fell asleep on my not-entirely flat camp spot selected in the dark. In the morning, we awoke with the morning light to a beautiful canopy of oak trees. After breakfast, we tore down camp quickly, and continued up the loop for Spruce Grove. This hike can be completed in a single day, to be sure... but if you want to stretch it into an overnighter, camping here is free for first-come, first-served folks. Do note that there are no restroom facilities at Hoegee's camp-- so you're going nature potty and/or digging a latrine. Please be sure to move far away from Winter Creek before digging your little hole... everyone downstream thanks you :) If you're doing the day loop, there is a restroom at Spruce Grove, but no running water.

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Hoegee's Loop Trail
Hoegee's Loop Trail
Hoegee's Loop Trail

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Crystal Lake - Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake

4.1(62 reviews)
5.0 mi

Very beautiful place. Just an hour's drive from La Crescenta, much closer than Big Bear…read more There's still snow there, the road is clear, and along the way, there's a mountain stream and a reservoir where you can stop. Download a map in advance, as there's no signal there. There's a small lake where you can take a walk, and a forest with a cozy family café where you can grab a snack.

Plenty hiking opportunities, refreshing air, and a nice scenic drive in. Be sure to have a full…read moretank, as there is no gas services. There is a cafe/ convenience store across from the campground where you can also purchase your day use park pass for $5. I experienced a foggy day, which gave a cooling effect to my hiking. Restrooms are vault toilets, so unpleasant smells and a mess are a given. The lake has lots of swampy algae, therefore not appropriate for swimming or water sports. However, they do allow fishing with permit. I am a nature enthusiast and it was saddening to see the lack of humans respect for nature, with graffiti and trash in some areas of the park. Crystal lake definitely could use more funding to preserve its natural beauty. The loveliest part is listening to woodpeckers as they work, watching an eagle fly above with a fish in its talons, and treading quietly not to startle the squirrel who is crossing my path. I suggest picking up a map with hiking trails from the rangers post or convenience store, before planning your day!

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Crystal Lake - My Cheeseburger from the Crystal lake cafe.

My Cheeseburger from the Crystal lake cafe.

Crystal Lake - Steps to/from Crystal Lake to the parking lot

Steps to/from Crystal Lake to the parking lot

Crystal Lake

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Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon

Inspiration Point via Castle Canyon

4.7(191 reviews)
7.7 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.

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

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Hillside Wilderness Preserve Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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