Have the Time of Your Life Exploring These Unique and Exciting Hiking Trails
If you’re someone who enjoys hiking their way through nature, you know just how vital a quality trail can be for the overall experience. Trails can make or break a hike, and being able to find paths that invigorate and inspire is becoming harder and harder every year. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck.
If you’ve never been to La Canada Flintridge in California, then you’re in for a treat. This one-of-a-kind area is ideal for nature lovers, campers, and anyone who enjoys disappearing into the environment around them. Take a look at these exceptional trails that can help you have the best hike of your life.
Gabrielino Trail
One of the highest-rated trails in the area, the Gabrielino Trail was designed for the city-dwelling hiker who needs a natural escape from their busy day-to-day lives. This beautiful trail was one of the first recreational trails in the United States and is comprised of mainly flat, accessible pathways. However, there is an abundant number of streams and other more challenging areas, which include having to cross over logs and larger rocks.
If you’re a beginner looking to start your hiking journey or someone who enjoys going out on something more than a casual stroll, this will be an ideal path for you. The total trail distance is approximately 10 miles, with many hikers making the renowned waterfall their goal marker. Also, if you’re interested in bringing along a four-legged friend, this trail is dog-friendly. Just make sure they are kept on an appropriate leash at all times.
Brown Mountain Dam Waterfall
Another easy and beloved trail for beginners is the Brown Mountain Dam Trail. This trail is a little over 8 miles, with most of the pathways having only a slight elevation. As this trail connects with the Gabrielino Trail, many hikers take the opportunity to visit the well-known waterfall. However, you could also head over to the federal dam itself—which is located nearby the Paul Little picnic area.
Keep in mind, this is one of the more popular trails in La Canada, and as a result, it can get pretty busy, especially on the weekends when families can visit together. If you’re looking for a quieter hike, you may want to try heading over during the week when there are likely to be fewer young children.
Switzer Falls
Switzer Falls is considered a moderate hike through La Canada with mildly challenging paths for hikers to explore. With a distance of nearly 8.5 miles, this trail is perfect for an active family or anyone looking to spend the day out in nature. The trail itself is renowned as a bird-watchers paradise and is also perfect for wildflower lovers in the springtime.
As this is considered a more advanced trail, there are fewer visitors on a day-to-day basis, which is ideal for anyone looking for a bit more isolation. It is also widely considered to be one of the best campsites in the area. So, if you’re thinking about sleeping out under the stars, this will be a perfect trail for you to explore.
La Canada Teepee
While this is still considered a moderate trail, La Canada Teepee is on the more challenging end of the scale and should be attempted by hikers with slightly more experience. While the trail itself is only about 2.5 miles, it is significantly steeper than many of the other trails in the area and has a 400-meter elevation. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that dogs are welcomed on this trail. However, they must always be kept on an appropriate leash, and it would be best if they had hiking and climbing experience themselves in order to safely navigate the steeper, rockier areas.
The trail itself is laden with beautiful wildlife and local flora and fauna. There are also numerous recreational activities in the area, including a bee farm and a lavender field. If you make it up to the top of the hike, you can also spend some time relaxing in the renowned Teepee while you catch your breath before the descent.
Gould Mesa
Another moderate trail, Gould Mesa has become the perfect path for runners looking to get a little bit more out of their workout. However, the trail is also extremely popular with bikers who enjoy the flat paths, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re on the lookout for them while you’re on the narrower parts of the trail.
While this isn’t one of the busiest trails in La Canada, it can still seem crowded, especially in the afternoons when schools let out. The mornings are almost always quieter and will allow hikers to catch an abundance of wildlife while enjoying their adventures.
Grizzly Flat
At slightly over 7 miles, the Grizzly Flat trail is the perfect way for hikers to disappear into nature and leave their worries and concerns behind them. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a whole other world on this trail, which crosses through some of the most beautiful terrains La Canada has to offer.
Grizzly Flat is considered a challenging moderate hike. There are numerous uphill areas that you’ll need to take your time on—and make sure you’re extra careful in some of the steeper, less stable pathways. However, the incredible views and connection with nature outweigh all of the difficulties, and many hikers leave thinking that this is undoubtedly one of the top hikes in all of California.
El Prieto Loop
Another trail with breathtaking views is the El Prieto Loop. Known for its stunning wooded areas, this 2.5-mile hike leaves many hikers feeling like they’ve stepped right into middle earth. With multiple river crossings and numerous viewing areas, spending a morning or afternoon on this hike will surely give you the boost of energy you need.
There are many inclines and downward slopes on this path, which makes for great running and jogging trails. However, these paths are also incredibly popular with bikers, so you’ll want to take extra care to keep your eyes and ears open while enjoying the area.
Cherry Canyon Park
Cherry Canyon Park is another beloved trail in La Canada that’s considered an easy trek. This particular trail is extremely popular with hikers, joggers, nature lovers, wildflower enthusiasts, and bird watchers. For the most part, the trail is relatively flat. However, there are some steeper inclines that you’ll need to look out for as you go. If you decide to walk the full 4.5 miles, you’ll be treated to a beautiful water fountain feature as your final trail destination, which many hikers find themselves appreciating.
Cherry Canyon is considered a dog-friendly park and hiking trail. However, the abundant wildlife in the area makes it necessary for all dogs to be kept on an appropriate leash at all times.
Earl Canyon Road
One of the most strenuous trails in La Canada Flintridge, Earl Canyon Road is considered to be a difficult level hike and best attempted by more experienced hikers. The trail itself is over 13.5 miles with very little coverage to protect hikers from the elements. However, if you feel up to the task, you surely won’t be disappointed. This trail has some of the most remarkable views in the area, and the view from the top of sunny Los Angeles is said to be one of the best in the city.
If you’re planning on embarking on this hike yourself, plan to set off early in the day. Temperatures can get extremely high throughout the day, and with little to protect you from the sun, you could end up in an unnecessarily difficult situation if you’re not prepared.
Descanso Gardens Inner Loop
If you’re more interested in clearing your head and wandering through some beautifully kept areas, then Descanso Gardens Inner Loop will be the perfect trail for you. More of a walking path than a hiking trail, this 1.5-mile trail will bring you through pristinely maintained gardens and wild areas.
The Descanso Gardens Guild is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of the area and goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone who visits this one-of-a-kind trail learns just how important it is to care for the environment around them. The trail is open year-round, so you’ll be able to enjoy its beauty whenever you’d like.
Having access to nature can be one of the most relaxing and healthy parts of a person’s life. La Canada Flintridge has numerous hiking and walking trails open for visitors to explore throughout the year, making it an ideal location for anyone who enjoys exploring through the wilds. If you’re considering making a move to any one of the beautiful neighborhoods close to these world-renowned trails, make sure you contact Vaccaro Nahle Group for real estate needs so that they can help you find the perfect property today.