Big Santa Anita Canyon

photo by Michael Pearlman

My vote for the best local outing is Big Santa Anita Canyon.

The trailhead is located at Chantry Flats, which is just a few minutes north of the Foothill Freeway (210) in Arcadia.

When the trail was renamed in 1970, the Forest Service announced that, 'This trail has been created for you - the city dweller - so that you might exchange, for a short time, the hectic scene of your urban life for the rugged beauty and freedom of adventure into the solitary wonderland of nature'. A wonderland it is! The trail follows Santa Anita Creek, which was so pleasant to listen to. When it's full of water be sure to bring your walking poles to steady yourself on the numerous stream crossings.

Follow the trail upstream along a series of cascades surrounded by giant ferns under a canopy of towering white alder trees. Along the way are Hansel and Gretel like cabins built over a hundred years ago when the U.S. Forest Service U.S. Forest Service promoted recreational residence throughout the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains. The place seems like something out of a fairy tale. Along the way note the sign that reads, 'Take care of the land, someday you'll be part of it!'

Listen for the Canyon Wren, whose beautiful and distinctive song is a musical descending cascade of liquid notes. Canyon Wrens are easy to hear but hard to see. Soon you will reach spectacular Sturtevant falls, dropping 50 feet into a lovely pool. A picture of the author at the falls is shown here.

From the falls, continue up the canyon to Spruce Grove campground and then climb out of the canyon into the chaparral and on to Mt. Zion a good place for lunch. Look for wildflowers along the trail such as baby blue eyes, purple nightshade, canterbury bells, wild sweet pea, california poppies, larkspur, indian paintbrush, mariposa lilies, and many others.

If you haven't yet hiked Santa Anita Canyon, take my advice: go!