May 30, 2005

Hiking or biking in Azusa considered unaesthetic

Earlier today I bagged Azusa Peak. Unfortunately, said Peak is mainly a weed covered bump that's only at an elevation of 2081'. I decided to do this based on the description here of the Garcia Trail that leads to near the summit:

This great little trail starts at the fire station on Sierra Madre Avenue between Azusa and Glendora and climbs 1,040 feet in 1.2 miles! Once you arrive at the Glendora Ridge Motorway, a dirt service road that runs along the ridge, you can hike east to several summits with splendid views of Azusa, Glendora, and the valleys beyond. And there are great views up the San Gabriel Canyon and to the back ranges beyond.

Garcia Trail is steep, climbing some 866 vertical feet per mile... A typical trail in the San Gabriels gains 400 to 600 vertical feet per mile, so Garcia Trail not only gives the legs and lungs a workout, but it also provides a reference mark in evaluating other trails...

It is steep, but not as steep as I would have liked. Despite carrying a 32 lb. pack and it being hot out, it was only a moderate hike, mostly because of the short distance over which that steepness plays itself out and also because of the low altitude. If you're in the area and you want a short workout, the trail itself is not that bad. For a slightly less steep hike that's much more difficult, try Mt. Baldy's Ski Hut trail.

On the plus side, there was no one else around during the middle half of the hike and there were a fair number more flowers and interesting vegetation trail-side than other nearby hikes. And, because the trail is steep you're quickly looking down on Azusa.

Unfortunately, looking down on Azusa isn't exactly the treat for the senses that it would have been 50 or 100 years ago. Nowadays there's that catchment basin. And, the large bare area which used to be a nursery but which is now being prepared for a housing development.

And, lo!, off in the distance, what are those hammering sounds? Why, that's the folks at the local gun range. You mostly only hear that when you get to the motorway, but, together with the traffic sounds, it's still annoying. When you get to the motorway, keep walking a bit and you will get a good bird's eye view of the West Fork of the San Gabriel River. You will also, however, get a view of and the sound from Highway 39 (aka "Diaper Alley").

In a way this trail is similar to the new Fish Canyon Trail, which I hiked part of a few years ago. When I got to the fence I couldn't find exactly where the trail continued, so I turned around. That part of the trail is also steep and sun-exposed, and it affords a similar view. You can, however, hear the gun club much better.

And, some months ago I biked up the San Gabriel River bike path past the quarries, scoop loaders, possible Superfund sites, etc. etc. and that goes within half a mile or so of the gun club, so you can be serenaded even closer than both of the hikes can get.

My advice is to avoid front range hiking in the Azusa area.

Posted to OutdoorSports at May 30, 2005 05:59 PM

Comments

Try the Mt Whitney day hike, if you haven't already.

Posted by: eh at May 31, 2005 03:28 AM