Gabrielino Trail

This trail is good for biking but for a hike it wasn’t our cup of tea. Maybe it’s the drought but this hike seemed really dry, hot and plain ugly. The view of the huge parking lot as you’re hiking doesn’t really make you feel one with nature. There were some shady areas but they were deep into the hike. Too much paved road and overall unimpressive.

Very scenic and shady. It’s quite lovely with the streams and trees. It’s about 10 miles from the parking lot to the waterfall. It’s not terribly challenging as far as hills go. A pleasant change of pace.

Great trail for families with kids. Not strenuous and shady. Not much of a view but a pleasant walk to do on a hot day.

Loved this family friendly out and back trail!!! Loads of streams to cross, trees and amazing scenery. The trail ends at the debris dam and it is absolutely wonderful and refreshing.

Gabrielino Trail/​Arroyo Seco
JPL to Brown Canyon Debris Dam
Angeles National Forest
29Jan2015
We ended up hiking 10 miles (about 900 ft elevation gain) from JPL (NASA/​Jet Propulsion Laboratories) to Brown Canyon Debris Dam. This is a fairly flat trail that starts out paved and then divides into two dirt trails. The Gabrielino Trail veers LEFT (the trail sign reads Lower Brown Mtn Rd) and follows the Arroyo Seco River all the way to the dam. Arroyo Seco means dry river however this river was a bubbling, meandering creek this time of year. I suggest going in Winter on an overcast day just after a good rain. The trail is only partially shaded and can be hot and the riverbed dry in Spring/​Summer. There are 24 creek crossings if you go all the way to the dam and back! You will have wet feet. For a shorter hike with less creek crossings I recommend going to Gould Mesa Campground or a bit further to Nino Picnic Area and turning around. JPL to Nino PA (RT) is a little over 5 miles. Gould Mesa allows 14 day stays and has pit toilets, but no showers. A water fountain and spicket are located in front of the ranger station gate about ¾ mi S of Gould Mesa CG. If you continue past Nino PA you will come to Paul Little Picnic Area and enter Angeles National Forest. About a mile after Nino PA you will find a scenic stream perfect for lunch or continue another ¾ mile to the dam. The waterfall is about 50 ft. There is a slight sulfer smell as you get closer to the dam. The sulfer is from a natural source farther up in Red Box Canyon. Most of this hike was closed after the Station Fire and only recently reopened. The topographical map shows the Gabrielino Trail preceding all the way to Switzer Falls, but we were unable to find a trail. The dam is the turn around point. Retrace your path back to JPL. If you return in late afternoon you will be serenaded by bull frogs and crickets near the creek. There are also a lot of birds along this trail.
To get to JPL take the 210 to Altadena and get off at Windsor Ave and turn N. The small parking lot is on the left. You can see JPL across the watershed). There are only about 12 parking places and it was almost full on a TH afternoon. The trailhead starts perpendicular to the lot. Look for the yellow metal gate and trail sign to its left. There were hikers, joggers and mountain bikers on the trail. It is very busy on weekends! It you want to walk the perimeter of the Rose Bowl instead… park in/​near the same lot and take the trail left away from JPL. There is a map on the back of the trail sign near the lot. Enjoy!

A local mountain bikers’ hidden paradise and a pleasant trail for hikers.
The trail is next to a few blocks of residents, who for sure have put up with visitors over the years. The parking lot near the trail entrance holds about a little over a dozen cars so most visitors do have to get creative nearby. Regardless of the parking challenge, the trail is offers nice view and serenity while overseeing JPL on the west.
There are plenty of shades along the way (my favorite part). If you are wise, show up after the winter rain on a gorgeous sunny day, the music of the stream is very meditative.
Be careful with the mountain bikers as you go. The end of the flat trail is the beginning of a long, narrow, diverged biking trail along the hills. I don’t recommend taking your dogs and young kids from that point on. There are parts of the bikers’ trail that are about 2 to 3 feet wide only. Sharing these trails with sudden and speedy bikers is rather risky.

If your looking for some serious elevation changes and glute busting switchbacks, don’t hike here. A meandering, wooded trail that follows a creek and makes you happy to be outside, this is the spot for you. Previous Unilocal reviews will direct park you in a couple of places near the trail head. If you can see JPL, you’re in the right place. It is not hard to find. The only spot we were unsure about was at the first fork of the trail. To the right is the El Prieto trail. A favorite of mountain bikers. To the left you will find the Gabrielino trail. You know you’re headed the right way when you come upon a couple of houses and a trail marker.
The hike, like I said, is pretty mild. Well, at least to where we stopped and turned around. No real elevation changes. A couple of stream crossings. They are easy to get across, but there is a chance you could slip on a rock or fallen tree and submerge your foot. We watched a guy do it and I chuckled a little inside. It’s funny when it’s not you.
Worth an afternoon to check out. We did see one bobcat cross the trail near JPL. Watch out if you’re taking a tiny dog.

We hiked all the way to Gould Mesa Campground. Very Popular hike and depending how far you are willing to go, its a great hike. The Forrest Service just recently opened it up all the way to Paul Little campground. This is a great trail and you can do all the 28.5 miles where it ends at Chantry Flat Picnic Area. It passes many campgrounds some I have not been to yet. I Believe most people go to Gould Mesa Campground and turn around for just a afternoon stroll in the park. I put up a short video of this little trek and Subscribe for more of my adventure videos.
Distance: 10 miles round trip (If Oakwilde is open)
Elevation Gain: 900 ft
Hike Time: 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Condition: OK, but a few difficult spots
Hike Type: Out and Back
Animals: Dog Friendly
Activities: Hiking Running & Mountain Biking

Great trail with a heart-​pumping incline and plenty of shade. There are lots of mountain bikers, so keep your eyes off the ground. Parking is free and usually plentiful. Other Unilocalers have posted driving directions which will get you there safe and sound.

My friends and I arrived to this trail around 7:00AM and it was packed with people due to different cross country/​track and field people running on the path. But it wasn’t too bad having that many people running by since my friend’s and I were having a bit of trouble figuring out which path to take since there are a couple of forks in the road that would lead us astray from the path. Make sure to watch out for bikers too.
So you start on a paved road for awhile and eventually pass the JPL on your left. The path splits into a curved road leading down to a parking lot to the left and the other path goes up. Take the right path and keep going on the paved road passing over a few bridges. Eventually there is a fork in the road with a sign. if you want to stick to the Gabrielino Trail, go to the left.
Keep walking through dirt roads that very from wide to narrow and some of the path is a bit rocky so make sure to watch your step! There are parts when you do have to pass over water via rocks and logs.
When you pass the big campsite there (a bit further down from a sign saying that you are entering the Angeles National Forest) you may be greeted some nice volunteers that will offer assistance with first aid and provide you with free water.
If you decide to keep walking pass the site, you will be about 2 miles or so from reaching the waterfall at the end of the trail. Again you will be facing paths that are narrow, crossing over water, and rocky areas, but eventually there will be a part where it’s sort of like a fork in the road since there is a rocky wall in the middle. Go to the right of that wall and keep going cause you are almost there!
When my friends and I eventually got to the end, there was definietly water coming down. We each decided to get under the waterfall for pictures and it was definietely fun, so make sure to bring extra shirts or a towel at least.
The path in total was about 7.50 miles round trip and I enjoyed the sights and sounds of being one with nature. Definitely think we will try out another path next time!

If you want a straight forward hike with almost no UP, this is a nice shaded area. Hiking is simply walking on dirt. I took my daughter on this one and she was able to walk much of the hike herself, she is 2. This is one of the hikes we take new hikers on to get them used to hiking before we take them up big peaks. Watch for Mountain Bikes from Brown Mountain, don’t wear headphones, be aware of your surroundings. Optional longer hikes from this point are available.
5 miles rt, 250′ elevation gain/​loss
Meeting Location: 2748 N Windsor Ave, La Canada Flintridge
There is a small parking lot (~25 cars) as well as street parking available on Mountain View Street and Sterling Place

We used the beginning of this trail to head up to Brown Mountain. Gabrielino is flat and easy, so continue on if you want an easy or beginner hike.
About a mile or so into the hike, you will see a sign (for El Prieto, Brown Mountain trails) and an option to take the trail to the right. Take it if you want a more strenuous workout!. The hike is mostly uphill but not a severe incline. It’s also not shaded. However, it’s a nice dirt path without many loose rocks hindering your way.
You will arrive at a flat landing area with options for different trails and another sign to your left. Facing the sign, take the Ken Burton trail to the right of the sign and go 2.6 miles more. This part of the hike is easier but is more rocky.
At the end of the hike, you will be atop the mountain and there are very nice views. All in all, I figure it’s about 6+ miles each way.
tip — go early to avoid the heat since most of the hike is not shaded and wear sunscreen.

Great starter hike in the LA area! Gradual incline, distinct dirt path, little streams, shady and hard to get lost on. :) If you are a beginner this is a great spot to start, or to start the kids on. Never too soon to get them on the trails! :)
Our group got to the hike from the residential Altadena road. Not a bad start, overlooking the JPL compound. If you park on Altadena, getting to the start of the trail means that you have to walk through some asphalt roads and bridges to get to the base, but it’s a nice walk and plenty of nature around. It’s not on a loop, so you will walk up and down the same way.
Plenty of other hikers, runners, bikers, dog walkers, and campers on this trail so you are barely ever alone. Watch out for the runners and bikers, they go pretty fast and might clip you on their way down.
There are streams that are maybe 6 to 8 feet wide with barely 4 inches of water running through. Unless you have waterproof shoes, you should cross on the logs cause you don’t want wet feet for the rest of the trail!
Also, a great hike to break in some new boots! I took my new Keens on this hike and really started to get a good feel for them. Stomped over the logs and the little streams with no problem.

****Nice trail for beginners****
Our lil hiking group «Wolfpack» came here for one of our weekend hikes. Gabrielino Trail is a nice shady trail, great for the summer when it gets super hot. It was a pretty easy hike behind JPL with some serene views.
There are a few stream crossings so if you have a hard time walking on logs I suggest u bring poles or if you don’t mind getting wet you can walk right through the streams. Our group of 8 breezed right through this trail. We only stopped a couple times to take some quick pics.
If you need to use the potty there are some outhouse style restrooms about two miles in at the Gould Mesa Campground. Beware the smell is pretty bad.
All in all this is a great trail for beginners being a pretty straight trail with minimal incline.

Nice Shaddy low elevation hike. Not strenuous at all due to straight hiking path with little incline or steep hike at the very beginning. Great for beginners… Got lots of shades, the Angeles forest mountain view looking up, streams and sound of water, bird chirping of early spring, little squirrels, and lizards along the way. If u are lucky may run into a deer.
No view of city unless u hike further up higher to the peak, but didn’t go that far in so not sure. We went for about 1.5 hours in and turn around after the campsite.
You will cross one small stream over a log or logs and hardly anything that tennis shoe can’t handle. Wear water proof hiking boots if u are afraid of accidentally stepping into the water .
Watch for mountain bikers on weekends.
Street parking off end of Altadena ave.

We chose this hike because we were working with a limited amount of time and needed something close and short. We also selected this hiking trail due to the birding aspect.
Before even parking, we spotted a lost baby coyote wandering around near the residential neighborhood. The parking lot was full, lots of cyclists so we parked on the street.
We spent a couple hours out here and stuck to the path closest to the stream. We spotted a few blue jays, hawks and woodpeckers. I didn’t have my new bird book with me and I’m a total newbee and being a birding nerd so I won’t bother even attempting to classify the others we saw. I’m actually waiting for Spring when I’m sure there will be plenty more.
We did pass over the stream a couple times but it was not a challenging hike at all.
We passed a couple picnic and campground areas, one of which had two restrooms.
I’m sure I’ll be back to spot more birds in the future.
In the meantime, this is a fine hike for all with (like most hikes) options for shorter or longer trails.
I’ll have to hit that 8mile 16 roundtriper Cyd M. mentions.

So painful. There are some amazing spots to go backpacking on the Gabrielino trails. The view is beautiful with such clear skies and wonderful birds flying around. It is long and painful I will have to say but so worth it if you have the time to explore. The trail is long and some parts can also be dangerous so take a walking stick and do not go alone. The trails lead you a lot of soft sand on the side of the mountain so take your time and pace yourself. Some of the trails have no shade so you will have tons of sun on you. Don’t forget your sunscreen and bring lots of water, there is no place to get water. Unless you have some water tabs which you can use if you’re planning to drink river water.
There some great spots to camp and you will meet some very cool campers. There are camping spots, I would say about every 2 ½ miles. These are not the luxurious camp grounds many of us are use to seeing. There aren’t any showers, but there is an outhouse (if you’re scared of spiders bring your bug spray) and there are fire grills.
When the sun goes down it can get so dark you will not see anything around you without a flashlight or until the moon peaks its light over the mountain. Yes, this is bear country so do not keep food packed up anywhere around you. You are only asking for trouble. It is a beautiful place away from the city and the sounds of any motor vehicles.
thanks for reading.

Nice easy trail for the first 2 miles until the picnic area. As you get into the Angeles forest, its gets a bit tougher. I don’t think the station fire damage is really that bad. The trail still has a lot of beauty to offer.
Free parking, but can be limited.

Yippeee!!! I finally made it to the Gabrielino Trail/​aka JPL Trail for the first time!
Thank goodness my friend and awesome Unilocaler Mel D. likes to hike new trails and dine at new restaurants, so we’ve been taking turns selecting places we want to go hiking that aren’t too far from our respective homes. Then we usually find a new place to go grab lunch that isn’t too far from where we’ve just gone hiking. Mel lives close to Griffith Park and the Hollywood Hills, so every other week we tackle a trail over in her neck of the woods. I live right next to the Angeles National Forest, so I have been choosing among the thousands of trails nearby. A good book to buy is called «Trails of the Angeles». It lists all the trails and campgrounds with a lot of historical facts which is really interesting.
Today, Mel met me at my house and we carpooled the four miles to the trail in Altadena with great directions I obtained online from Dan’s Hiking Pages at:
Personally, I love Dan’s tips and directions, but my sister-​in-​law, who is an avid hiker, tweaked Dan’s instructions a bit. Dan recommends parking by the intersection of Windsor and Ventura, but then you have to walk about about a half mile with very little shade in the Arroyo Seco wash next to JPL and their huge eastern parking lot. Please follow my instructions if you want to stay in the shade.
Directions to Trail:
* From the I-​210 Foothill freeway exit at Windsor Avenue/​Arroyo Blvd.
* Drive north on Windsor about .75 miles to where the road curves to the right.
* Turn right on Ventura. Go down Ventura a couple blocks.
* Turn left on Casitas — Go north up the street until you see slow zone signs on the road.
* Turn left on Altadena Drive — Drive to the end of the street and park.
* Take trail to the right — You will go down a steep, rocky hill so poles come in handy.
Print out Dan’s tips from the website above for more directions on where to turn at various forks in the trail. You won’t see the Gabrielino Trailhead sign unless you follow his instructions completely and park by the Ventura/​Windsor intersection. We entered the trail about a quarter mile past the marker, so we did not see the sign.
Trail Highlights:
* Lots of shade, so even on a 80 degree day you’ll stay comfortable.
* Lots of water if you like the sound of running water and crossing it using logs and rocks.
* Well travelled by JPL workers, joggers, hikers, dog walkers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Yes, you will see horse droppings on occasion. Get a grip people. It’s not the end of the world.
* Campgrounds with outhouses, picnic benches and shade. The Gould Mesa Campground was a nice little spot to take a break if you so choose. More up the trail.
Important Notes:
* A good way to keep track of how far you’ve gone is a ap called Map My Hike. It will also give you details on elevation gains and losses as well as time elapsed and calories burned. It told me I burned 1,000 calories, so I splurged on a burger and fries for lunch. After stepping on the scale the next day I gained ½ pound which totally blows. Note to self: Just order a salad next time.
* You can go all the way up to Oakwilde Campground, but that will be a 9 mile hike roundtrip.
* If you want to go all the way up to Switzer’s it will be 8 miles to get there or a 16 mile roundtrip. You can always park a car a the top if you and your hiking buddy both bring your car. A lot of the mountain bikers do this. Park on the top at Switzer’s and leave a car down by JPL or Hahamongna Watershed Park. I rode down this way on a mountain bike years ago and that’s a lot easier than going up. There are a lot of stream crossings. See my photos.
* Bring lots of water, a picnic lunch for all the nice picnic areas and poles to aid you with stream crossings.
* There were bugs, so bring some bug spray or use your poles to beat them off. That seemed to do the trick for us.
* There is a nice little restaurant a couple miles away in Altadena called Fair Oaks Burger if you didn’t have time to pack a lunch. I got a delicious avocado burger, fries and a drink for $ 6.50. They also have Mexican food and Chinese food.

I’ve been hiking here for a few years. Unfortunately I started hiking here just before the huge Station Fire so that and the storms destroyed most of it. It has since been reopened but only until you reach the remains of the Paul Little Picnic area. The trail is closed from there forward where it used to go over and up the mountain to reach Switzers Campground at the top of the Angeles Forest.
The main campground Gould Mesa is still open and in great shape it is maybe a couple miles from the parking lot on Windsor Street. Pack a lunch it is about a two hour hike to the Paul Little picnic area where the trail is still closed. You must be in somewhat decent physical shape because you have to cross the stream several times walking over logs. Watch out for Rattlesnakes I saw two of them just the other day.
I started this review because i’m hoping more people means the trail will continue to be restored. If anyone is interested in hiking with me contact me here on Unilocal i’m also interested in doing Forest Volunteer work repairing trails. Access from parking lot above JPL on Windsor or at the end of Altadena Drive. I’m giving the trail four stars because of the damage that has been done to it.