SoCal: did Rincon Trail (near Azusa/La Canada)

[e9999]

Was driving back West from Pomona today on 210 and decided to do a little side trip.

Did the Rincon Trail. Started in San Gabriel Canyon, next to the OHV area. Ended up on 2 above La Canada.

Basically a rough dirt road. Nothing technically challenging. A few ruts up to 1ft deep, a few rocks 1ft high. Otherwise just rough.

Would have been great views from the ridge over to L.A. if it weren't for the smog...

26 miles of dirt, 3:30 hrs. 1/4 tank of gas including in and out roads. 100F. 4500 ft.

Started out typical SoCal brush. But on the other side of the ridge: pine forests and oak forests plus a big running creek. Nice. Take the kids there.

Only saw one other truck all day.

You need a permit and the gate combo. Free at USFS station next to the OHV area.


added: if you are short on time or energy, go in from the La Canada side. It's only about 5 or 6 miles to the creek, 1 hr vs 2.5 from the other side, the trail is a bit rougher and most of the trees are on that side. Plus the gate there was not locked yesterday... Note, the first couple of hundred yards on that side is very overgrown with some weird bushes but it's much better after that.

 

[philos1]

where is the entrance from the La Canada side? close to any of the old ski resorts? I remember there being a road near there that goes through buckhorn flats, but not too sure if it's the same one or not.

 

[eatmc55]

are there rocks? or just dirt road. would it be nice to camp there?

 

[e9999]

where is the entrance from the La Canada side? close to any of the old ski resorts? I remember there being a road near there that goes through buckhorn flats, but not too sure if it's the same one or not.

maybe 10 - 15 miles up from 210? not sure. It's just a bit up from the Mt Wilson road for sure. There are large parking lanes on the sides of the road at the entrance. Not too far from some sort of Ranger station IIRC.

 

[e9999]

are there rocks? or just dirt road. would it be nice to camp there?

mostly dirt with some rocks thrown in. But it ain't Moab. There are a couple of campgrounds but I didn't check them. The San Gabriel River is very nice though, at the bottom of Shortcut Canyon.


(note the road to Red Box is closed, only Shortcut Canyon is open I think.)

 

[Kofoed]

where is the entrance from the La Canada side? close to any of the old ski resorts? I remember there being a road near there that goes through buckhorn flats, but not too sure if it's the same one or not.

You would head up past Red Box, toward Newcomb's Ranch. THe turn-off is less than a mile(?) past the junction of Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road

 

[philos1]

You would head up past Red Box, toward Newcomb's Ranch. THe turn-off is less than a mile(?) past the junction of Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road

gotcha, thanks.

 

[fj40forlife]

is it arould going up to the canyon ?????

 

[philos1]

did it today. had a fun time, but it's not very technical saw some guys on bikes/quads, but that's about it. La Canada side was more fun (couple small ledges etc to traverse) and had better scenery as well. lots of terrain changes...


anyways, like e9999 said, it's a good place for a mellow trip with the fam/dog.