We did the loop on 12/30/22. There were patches of ice and snow. I wore microspikes for about a 1/3…read moreof the hike. We did the loop and the total mileage was 7 miles. The 2 people I did the hike with didn't have microspikes and they were fine. A lot of this area has been affected by the fires over the previous couple years. Since it is such a long, winding drive along Hwy 2 this trail is not very busy. Make sure to display your Adventure Pass parking permit. Because of the recent storms the waterfall had a good amount of water.

This is a 3 mile (roundtrip) trail that takes you to a really cool waterfall that's located deep…read morewithin the San Gabriel Mountains. Tall trees provide shade throughout most of the trail. There are just the right amount of people on the trail where it is not too crowded and it's also not too secluded. What I wish I would have known before I went was that you can park right next to the trailhead. If you enter into Buckhorn Campgrounds you can drive right up to the trailhead parking lot. I didn't know this so I parked at the outer parking lot and had to walk a half a mile down the hill. The parking lot nearest the trailhead actually had less cars then the outer parking lot. The other thing is that the majority of the trail is really easy to follow. You just have to remember that when you get to the signage and junction that lists both Cooper Canyon Trail and Burkhart Trail be sure to keep going straight along the Burkhart Trail. The falls will be a little further down on your left. You will have to descend down to the canyon bottom, with the assistance of a rope, to reach the base of the falls. Kids can do it no problem. The waterfall empties into a pool of water that's about a foot deep. It's really cold and refreshing. The waterfall was really wide with a nice and strong flow. Be sure to bring your Adventure Pass. There's no cell service. There are bathroom but they were all locked probably due to Covid-related precautions.

One of my favorite trails of the Angeles. It's less crowded than Echo Mountain or Eton. It's longer…read morethan Millard or Monrovia. You can couple it with Millard falls to see water if you like, otherwise you are up on the ridge. It's single track and there are occasional mountain bikers to beware of. Otherwise, on a weekday it's solitude and beauty. I would say it's a moderate hike depending on how high you go up. Beware there is a lot of poison oak. In the spring and early summer there are a lot of gorgeous flowers. Enjoy!!!

Five stars for the view at the top!! So beautiful! You can see all off LA…read more The hike itself is pretty challenging. Most people would be able to do this, but it has quite a few steep uphill portions. Definitely wear hiking/trail shoes. We went in the morning, so most of the climb up was shaded, which was nice. Then we took the paved path back down to the start. You can spending 2+ hours out here, taking about an hour to get to the main peak area with a few picnic tables. Would be a great spot for have lunch or a snack! Then there is further spots you can continue on to. The trail is not heavily trafficked, but they were a number of mountain bikes. Keep you eyes open for them speeding down the mountain! I would absolutely hike here again, great workout & beautiful views. (And easy parking compared to many places in LA!)

Hiking is a passion and love affair with me. I love the outdoors and enjoying nature. This is a…read morespot that allows peace of mind and a true enjoyment of the natural area. The joys of walking, running as well as biking can be enjoyed at this spot. Bring your dogs as well and show them the outdoors as they will enjoy it.

Easy hike. Beginner trail. Parking in the street. Started 6am no one on trail. No shade, go early…read moreif you don't like hikes in the sun.

This was definitely a medium to hard trail in the summer because of the heat and some of the areas…read morethat require one's attention as there is a hillside next to you. We started at 9am ish and I would definitely start at 7am in the future because of the heat in august. The water fall was still there! People got in and the water was refreshing and cool. We found that tadpoles were transforming into frogs in the water so I recommend mindfulness to not step on them as they learn how to properly swim! Tips from our hike and waterfall visit: - we had sufficient water and first aid kit - we took various water breaks - we added mosquito repellent as are some - we had all trails gps to help us navigate trail first time - bring shoes with good ankle support - I would bring electrolytes next time - I would do 3-4-snacks vs. 1-2 next time

Birthday Shaynanigans at Tujunga Falls !!…read more Decided to go on a little adventure on my birthday and got out of San Diego to explore Tujunga Falls. Don't forget to get an adventure pass if you plan to park alongside the road or you'll get a ticket ! It's October so the falls were DRY. Boo. I would love to go back when we get a bit more rainfall, because the waterfalls were non-existent at this time. We ended up calling it 'invisible' falls. Other than that, the hike was great ! It's about 6 miles round trip and took us about 3 hours including taking pictures and testing out a friend's drone ! He's sooo cool ! LOL. Plenty of breathtaking views and the trails were wide enough for a group of hikers. Things to note: Start early so you can avoid the heat ! This will determine how long the hike will take you ! The sun was unforgiving so be prepared ! 'Trail' and 'waterfall' signs will help guide your way ! You'll also notice cabins at the beginning of the trail. After about a mile, you'll experience more of an incline so make sure to stay hydrated. There's barely any shade on this trail so bring a hat and sunscreen as well ! Poison ivy everywhere ! I had a traumatic experience in 6th grade camp when I got poison ivy. I made sure to cover my arms and legs this time just to take precaution. Rattlesnakes !!! We spotted one !!! Eek !! Be cautious of your surroundings. Unstable log bridges !! There was barely any water so hopping on the logs was an option, but do be careful because some are barely stable. Good to have some proper hiking shoes for this. Overall, most of the crossings and lack of water made it easy to traverse. As we got closer to the falls, we found a major descent and a climbing rope which guided us towards the waterfall (or invisible fall). The rope helped aid us up and down the mountain which was great ! Once you reach the waterfall (invisible falls) you'll enjoy the much needed shade and it was a perfect spot to take a fruit break ! We packed some oranges and apples with us ! There's plenty of spots to sit, relax, and enjoy nature ! Overall, it was a pretty good workout for moderate and advanced hikers ! We definitely made a few stops to take pictures and videos of our surroundings ! It was so calm and peaceful ! Perfect time to enjoy mother nature ! We will definitely come back to experience the REAL DEAL of the waterfalls ! Go out there and hike friends !!

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.

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!

Whiting Woods Motorway offers spectacular views of the Crescenta Valley as it ascends the Verdugo…read moreMountains. It's a well-maintained trail and is pretty much uphill out, downhill back. It's definitely on the urban/nature border and you'll never feel that you're out in the countryside but it's a great outdoor workout. If you hike all the way to the top and back, it's almost six miles round trip. Whiting Woods itself has an interesting history, including having been home to a brothel, a speakeasy and an opium farm. You just never know what goes on in the suburbs. Parking is free at the end of Whiting Woods Road. Park hours are more generous than some (closed between 10 pm and 4 am.)

Verdugo Mountain Range trail with views of DTLA and Burbank. Came here on a Saturday morning and…read morethere were only a few other people hiking, so there was a peaceful atmosphere. The trail was exposed so be sure to wear sunscreen! It's a wide track made of compact dirt - sneakers are fine to wear. There are quite a few bikers however so be mindful of them. Dogs are allowed. There are no bathrooms or water stations. Parking is free and available along the street, although it's limited since it's in a residential neighborhood. The trek is a steady upward ascent and there are various trails that branch off once you get to the top (denoted by the power station). It's a good workout but the trail is still family-friendly. There was even a bench at the top facing the mountain in case you needed to sit. I really liked the views you can see of LA. It did get chilly towards the top (probably because it was a windy day when we went) but it's a great SoCal hike for those looking to get a solid workout in.

I wanted to find a trail that was secluded and didn't have mass crowds following me my entire hike…read more This trail is not too much further than most of the other "popular" tourist hikes available in the surrounding area, however, it is very isolated. My buddy and I hiked over 4 hours and never saw or heard a single soul. This fact alone makes the hike worth the small drive. As far as difficulty, the original hike down is pretty straight forward. There are some steep cliffs with very little room for error at certain points. While this isn't immediately frightening for the average hiker, I wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart. Just be sure to watch your step! It will seem easy at first because you are going down the whole time. Remember, the way back up isn't your run-of-the-mill trek. . You must make your way back up the same route you originally came down. Keep this in mind and be sure your in good enough shape to complete the hike. Bring lots of water and stay hydrated. Most importantly, be sure to buy a day pass for parking or you will be fined. You can pick one up for $5 at Big 5 and other participating locations. I how you enjoy it as much as did!

Lovely place to hike. Not many people hiking there and many paths to choose. My dog and I had a…read moregreat time

Spending time in nature soothes one's mind and soul. Now, let's begin this adventure peak review…read more Tongva Peak is one of two prominent peaks in the Verdugo Mt located near La Cresenta/Glendale. It has an elevation of 2,656 feet with spectacular view. To reach the summit, you have to take the Beaudry Loop trail and once you reached the radio tower proceed to the back fence all the way to the left and you'll see the trail. Finding it can be a bit tricky but without difficulty. The summit is considered moderate level for experienced hikers, it took me ~1.5 hours to reach it (normal walk, a hop and a skip hop from beaudry trail entrance). Once at the summit, I spent my birthday lunch and spend a copious amt of time resting my knackered feet. I cleared my mind and soul while my lungs absorbed the cool, crisp December air. The view was heavenly. :D Overall, this summit-peak is worth your visit and I highly recommend it.

This hiking spot is great IF you have the right hiking shoes…read more For those that don't frequently hike-- definitely buy a pair of trail shoes with a lot of tread to avoid slipping, sliding, or falling down the mountain. I made the mistake of not taking my best pair and avoided some cool spots out of my fear of falling. I'm going to buy the right shoes and try again. Other than that, a beautiful place with a great view.