The Reopening of Chantry Flat

I am excited to report that after a long four years, Chantry Flat Recreation Area in the San Gabriel Mountains has finally reopened. To be fair, the recreation area in the Angeles National Forest reopened back in October 2024, after work on the road heading up to the parking area and trails was completed following the 2020 Bobcat Fire.

It had been literally years since I last hiked in Chantry Flat. The last time I was up there, sometime in 2020 in between the time when Los Angeles County opened the trails back up in and the Bobcat Fire ripping through the San Gabriels in September of that fateful year. I was younger, though feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders as the pandemic dragged on, and my kids were younger. I would have had hiking buddy Owen with us on leash, hiking both the Upper and Lower Winter Creek Trails on a route known as Hoegee’s Loop. For a couple hours, we would have escaped the despair that was compounded by the Covid and recalled the happier times of hiking seasons past as we trekked the very same paths through the old oaks.

Life is different now, nearly five years later. I carry weight in different ways- both physically and mentally. My kids are now mostly grown and learning how to live as adults. Owen is no longer with us, gone across the rainbow bridge to the land of infinite treats and tennis balls. And with that passage of time- of trauma and burns, both literal and metaphorical- the trails too have changed, even as the mountains still stand as they have over millennia.

We headed up to Chantry Flat for our first hike of the new year. On hearing from a friend that the first several weekends after reopening were relatively quiet, I was hoping that this would bode well for our outing on the first Saturday in January. Well, that was my first mistake. After about two months, it seemed like all of the San Gabriel Valley, as well as a few out-of-staters, had the same idea. Though large in comparison to many other trailheads we frequent, the parking area was already full, and we had to park three-quarters of a mile down the road to squeeze the car along the side of a cliff. After trudging uphill back to the trailhead, we were able to officially begin our hike. Though I did have Strava tracking my mileage from the time I exited the car.

After a quick stop at the vault toilet, we descended into Big Santa Anita Canyon. The path now was dirt. The old blacktop was gone, which I imagine would be friendlier on paws. After just over a half-mile, we crossed the makeshift bridge over the first water crossing. The old bridge was to the side, downstream. This new bridge felt a bit wobbly, but it was sturdy enough to hold my weight. It also wasn’t very high.

After crossing the bridge, there are several routes to choose your own adventure. In past years, our typical route was up to Hoegee’s Camp. Today, however, we took a trail that I had not gone on since about 2018: the trail to Sturtevant Falls. This 1.25 mile trail follows the Santa Anita Wash, taking hikers past historic cabins, up to the popular 60-foot waterfall. The trail has a slight uphill, and many areas that are relatively flat. While the trail was what I remembered as far as route, the scenery looked a bit different. Something I did notice was that while the vegetation was verdant, it was not as thick as in past years. It was not quite as lush as in my memory of hikes past.

We soon arrived at the rocky crags leading to the waterfall. There were a number of hikers enjoying the water, but it wasn’t as busy as it typically was on a Saturday before Covid. It was easy to find a place for a snack break, and the time was very pleasant. After taking some photos and enjoying our trail snacks, we began the hike back to the car. The first 1.25 miles on this out-and-back trail was an easy effort, in spite of a low-flying sheriffs helicopter kicking up dust, leaves, and debris.

The last 0.6 mile, however, was a different story. We had crossed the plank bridge and had returned to what is lovingly known as ‘Cardiac Hill.’ This portion of the trail is a steep, uphill torture trek to get back to the trailhead and parking area. It is especially arduous when the weather is hot, and can pose a danger if caught underprepared. On this Saturday, though, the weather was nice and cool, if a little windy. Nevertheless, I still had to take frequent drinks from my water bottle to make sure I stayed hydrated. We made it to the top, and after another brief stop at the toilets and the ranger table at trailhead, we hiked the three-quarters of a mile back to the car. At least it was downhill.

It was a nice hike, and other than the parking fiasco, the morning went very quickly. It was great to be back in a familiar place, even though much has changed in over four years.

Some things to consider:

The parking area fills very quickly, especially on weekends. There are some areas along the road where hikers can park; just be aware of no parking signs.

An adventure pass is required to park within the national forest. These can be picked up at retailers such as REI. The annual pass is $30. Daily passes are available for $5. If your plans for this year include visits to national parks, I recommend the America the Beautiful National Parks pass. This covers entry to America’s national parks, as well as other federal lands. At just $80 per year, this is a great deal for many adventures.

While the Chantry Flat Recreation Area is open, there are still areas that are closed. The spur to Mt. Zion is still off-limits, as is the trail to Newcomb Pass. These closure are subject to change. Be sure to follow all posted signage for your safety.

Many of the Chantry Flat trails, including the trail to Sturtevant Falls, are rated moderate, likely for elevation gain. The trail to Mt. Wilson is rated hard. Many areas are shaded as it is in the canyon, but there are areas that are more exposed. Sun protection and plenty of water are a must.

Dogs are welcome on the trail as long as they are on leash. Be sure to check weather conditions and have supplies as needed for your trekking buddy.

The historic cabins along the trail are owned by families or are rented out. As these are private property, there is signage reminding adventurers to respect their privacy.

I’m glad we choose Chantry Flat for our first hike of the new year. While I feel a bit nostalgic for times gone by and the happy ghosts of hiking past, I can only move forward. No matter where life’s trails may take me. Cheers, and may 2025 bring you joy and many adventures.