San Gabriel Mountains as a Historic Rose Bowl Backdrop

On television, the San Gabriel Mountains appear in purple silhouette, a dramatic backdrop to the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl game. But don’t leave all the pretty mountain views to the TV cameras. The mountains behind Pasadena that are so striking as background for pageantry and post cards also offer fine holiday-season hiking.

One of the most pleasant places for an easy family hike in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains--and a nice place to exercise those out-of-town guests--is Big Santa Anita Canyon. Cascades, a waterfall and giant woodwardia ferns are a few of the delights of this historic canyon, which has been popular with Southern Californians for nearly 100 years.

William Sturtevant, known to his friends as Sturde, pioneered many miles of San Gabriel Mountain trails.

Sturtevant’s trail is now a section of the 28-mile-long Gabrielino National Recreation Trail. The trail to Sturtevant Falls is very popular on weekends. The ambitious hiker may continue past the falls to Spruce Grove Camp and even as far as the top of Mt. Wilson.

Directions to trail head: From the Foothill Freeway in Arcadia, exit on Santa Anita and proceed 6 miles north to Chantry Flat. Park in the large lot. The signed trail head is located across the road from the parking lot.

The hike: Descend on the paved fire road, part of the Gabrielino Trail, into Big Santa Anita Canyon. At the bottom of the canyon you’ll cross a footbridge near the confluence of Big Santa Anita and Winter Creeks. Here a small sign commemorates Roberts Camp, founded in 1912. Owner Otto Lynn Roberts and other canyon boosters really “sold” the charms of the canyon to Southern Californians in need of a quiet weekend. As you follow the path up the canyon along the oak- and alder-shaded creek, you’ll soon determine that the canyon sells itself.

The only blemish on the pristine scene is a series of check dams constructed of giant concrete “Lincoln logs” by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and the Forest Service in the early 1960s. In their zeal to tame Big Santa Anita Creek, engineers apparently forgot that fast-moving water is supposed to erode canyon bottoms; floods are what originally sculpted this beautiful canyon. Today, thanks to the check dams, the creek flows in well-organized fashion, lingering in tranquil pools, then spilling over the dams in 15-foot cascades. Over the last quarter century, moss, ferns, alders and other creekside flora have softened the appearance of the dams and they now fit much better into the lovely surroundings.

The trail passes some private cabins and reaches a three-way trail junction. To reach Sturtevant Falls, continue straight ahead. You’ll cross Big Santa Anita Creek, then re-cross where the creek veers leftward. Pick your way along the boulder-strewn creek bank a final hundred yards to the falls. The falls drops in a silver stream 50 feet to a natural rock bowl. (Caution: Climbing the wet rocks near the falls can be extremely hazardous. Stay off.)

Return the same way and enjoy a picnic at the Forest Service picnic area at Chantry Flat.

Or, return to the trail junction and hike onward and upward to Spruce Grove Trail Camp.

A Fork in the Trail

Two signed trails lead toward Spruce Grove. The leftward one zigzags high up the canyon wall while the other passes above the falls. The left trail is easier hiking, while the right trail heads through the heart of the canyon and is prettier. Either trail is good walking, and they rejoin in a mile.

After the trails rejoin, you’ll continue along the spruce-shaded path to Cascade Picnic Area. You can call it a day here or ascend another mile to Spruce Grove Trail Camp. Both locales have plenty of tables and shade.

Still feeling frisky? Hikers in top condition may wish to charge up the trail to Mt. Wilson. Continue on the trail up canyon a short distance, cross the creek and you’ll find a trail junction. A left brings you to historic Sturtevant Camp, now owned by the Methodist church. The trail to Mt. Wilson soon departs Big Santa Anita Canyon and travels many a switchback through thick forest to Mt. Wilson Skyline Park. The strenuous hike from Chantry Flat to Mt. Wilson is an 8-mile (one way) journey, with a 4,000 foot gain in elevation.

Chantry Flat to Sturtevant Falls: 3 1/2 miles round trip, 500-foot elevation gain.

Chantry Flat to Spruce Grove Camp: 8 miles roundtrip, 1,400-foot elevation gain.