Dan's Hiking Pages: Hikes in the San Gabriels and Beyond
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El Encanto Azusa River Wilderness Park
Azusa, San Gabriel Canyon, Calif.
San Gabriel River
July 15, 2007, Sunday - A hike up San Gabriel Canyon

7:35 a.m. - Begin hike.

For years I had thought about strolling up the old road that starts by the historic El Encanto Restaurant, but I always heeded the no trespassing sign. In recent years the restaurant was sold and the property is now owned by the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. Officials have said that the road is open for public use, regardless of what the sign says. So I decided to check it out.
San Gabriel River
On the road

The road begins heading east before it rounds a bend to head north.

Gate

Around the bend and just past the entrance to the Buddhist facility stands this locked gate. Just moments before, I saw a coyote, but it disappeared before I could snap a pic.
San Gabriel River
Looking north

Descending the road and looking ahead where the river bends to the east.
San Gabriel River
The mighty San Gabriel River

Actually, it's not really mighty, but it's our river, so we love it.
San Gabriel River
Gagging station

8:55
San Gabriel River
End of the road

About 50 yards beyond the gagging station. From here a narrow use path proceeds another few minutes, then the route turns into crawing over rocks and pressing through brush.
Quaking Aspen
The route gets rougher

A quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) enjoys the morning sun.

San Gabriel River
Quaking Aspen
Looking north around the bend

Quaking Aspen
End of the line

8:48 - This is as far as I go for today. The next time long pants and gaiters would be in order.
San Gabriel River
Looking back

8:56 - After going as far up the river as I wanted for this outing, I climbed about half way up a rock slide on the east canyon wall. This picture is looking back down canyon from where I came.
San Gabriel River
Water hazard

I had to pass by this pool by climbing along the rocks on the left, both coming and going. The water is deep here and running swiftly, so a fall could be serious.
San Gabriel River
Hwy 39 high above

Another look at the gagging station, below.
San Gabriel River
Hwy 39

Heading back, a bridge for Hwy 39 sits high on the west canyon wall. Parts of the road I'm walking on still have pavement.

San Gabriel River
Heading south

Up ahead is the ridge along which the Glendora Moterway runs. I've been up there many times on the trips up Garcia Trail.
San Gabriel River
Nearing the end

Looking west today the El Encanto Park in the middle and the equestrian facilities on the right.
San Gabriel River
Looking back north toward 2843'

I've often contemplated climbing that ridge to Summit 2843'. I've climbed that peak from two other directions, but this ridge from the south has always called to me.
San Gabriel River
The end is in sight

The mobile homes on the left will be leaving as part of the park development.

9:55 - I finished the hike. It was only about 3 miles round trip, but a fun way to spend an early Sunday morning. I've driven up Hwy 39 many times, but this was the first time I experienced the canyon from the bottom.
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This page was last updated July 15, 2007.

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