Marshall Canyon: On the Trail of a Little Secret

Marshall Canyon, a county park in the making, offers some fine hiking in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. This canyon and its neighbor, Live Oak Canyon, are shaded with oak, alder and sycamore. From atop the canyon walls there are great clear-day views of the mountains to the north and the San Gabriel Valley to the south.

For several years, this semi-wild area above San Dimas and Claremont has been something of a secret--frequented only by a few horseback riders and a very few hikers. Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation planners say their intention is to leave Marshall Canyon more or less alone--that is to say, undeveloped, with minimum facilities. In the parlance of land-use planners, Marshall Canyon will remain as “open space”--something to be thankful for in the fast-growing eastern edge of the metropolis.

A good network of equestrian hiking trails explores the brushy ridges and lush canyon bottoms of the park. Much of the network is fire roads, which may sometimes be closed during the dry summer months.

Depending on your time and inclination, you can fashion a number of loop trips ranging from 2 to 8 miles. Park trails and roads are unsigned, so expect to improvise a little.

Directions to the trailhead: Follow Interstate 210 to its end, continuing east as it turns into Highway 30, then into Foothill Boulevard. Turn left (north) on Wheeler Avenue, ascend to Golden Hills Road and turn right. You’ll see signs for Marshall Canyon Golf Course. Just before the road turns right toward Live Oak Reservoir, turn left into a dirt parking lot. On weekends, you’re likely to find a few horse trailers in the lot.

The hike: The trail begins at the east end of the lot and soon begins descending into Marshall Canyon. During winter, the snow-covered peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains framed by oaks are a picturesque sight.

Just before a creek crossing, the trail splits. Marshall Canyon is to the left, Live Oak Canyon to the right. (The canyon trails intersect again, so you may choose either.)

Marshall Canyon Trail crosses the creek a couple of times, then rises out of the canyon as a dirt road. You’ll pass a side road leading to the park’s nursery and a couple of side trails offering access to the canyon bottom.

Rather than traveling a northwest course through the canyon, it’s enjoyable to wind along in a half-circle toward a prominent water tower and partake of the fine ridge-top views.

Atop the ridgeline, the trail roller-coasters along. You turn left on signed Miller Road, then descend into Live Oak Canyon. You’ll reach a three-way junction and continue 100 yards along the main fire road to a picnic area. Enjoy this oak-shaded retreat, then double back and look sharply right for an unsigned footpath descending into Live Oak Canyon.

The canyon’s oaks are accompanied by sycamores, walnuts, cottonwoods, mosses and ferns. It’s a most delightful half-mile descent to the canyon bottom. You’ll continue your descent to an unsigned junction. The right fork follows Marshall Canyon back to the trailhead. Bear left and meander along Live Oak Canyon 1 1/2 miles back to the trailhead.

Marshall Canyon Trail

7-mile loop through canyon; 800-foot elevation gain .