Great Outdoors OCLB
Day Hike
Hoagees Trail Camp Loop
via Upper & Lower Winter Creek Trail in Arcadia
Sunday December 15, 9:00 AM
Distance: 5.8 miles | Elevation gain: 1,247 Ft
Time: Allow about 3.5 to 4 hours depending on our pace and water/snack/lunch breaks.
This One Is Personal For Me
This one is personal for me as its where I developed my love of hiking in the early 1980s. I couldn’t begin to count all the times that I’ve hiked in Big Santa Anita Canyon.
It is a romantic place full of beautiful evergreen trees, Big Santa Anita Creek flowing through it, rustic old cabins and concrete check dams. It is beautiful year round and easily accessible from the city.
Event Details
Our destination is Hoagees Trail Camp named after Arie Hoagee, who built his resort near there in 1908. The resort operated until 1938 when it was destroyed by flood. The Forest Service opened a campground near the site of the old camp with 14 sites each with a picnic table and fire ring.
We will stop for lunch at the campground. Interesting fact about Hoagees. It held the record for 24-hour rainfall in Southern California for many years after 26 inches of rain fell there in January of 1942.
Where Do We Begin?
From the 210 freeway in Arcadia, take the Santa Anita Avenue exit and drive north to Chantry Flats, about 6 miles.
Weekend Parking: Although there is a lot of parking, all three lots typically fill up by 7am on weekends.
There may be parking down the hill but your car must be completely behind the white lines or it will be ticketed.
There is private parking for $25 per car at the Adams Pack Station. This parking fee helps support the Pack Station and the care and feeding of their donkeys.
An Adventure Pass is required for parking and they can be purchased at the Adams Pack Station. Carpooling is recommended. There are restrooms near the upper parking lot.
Link to Trailhead in Google Maps
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LcUkXedUE4jqGGWv8
The Hike
Most of the elevation gain is during the first half of the hike. We will cross the ankle deep Big Santa Anita Creek at least 7-8 times. Hiking poles are very helpful for crossing unless you have water shoes or don’t mind getting your shoes a little wet.
Elevation Chart
After our lunch break the trail is easy and pretty flat all the way back to the cars. There is plenty of shade along the hike. Be warned that it will be cooler in the morning and at the bottom of the canyon and then warmer as we climb out. Wear layered clothing.
What to Bring:
You should bring your ten essentials, a day pack, water (2 to 3 liters), trekking poles, sunscreen, hat and trail snacks.
BRING PLENTY OF WATER!
Option:
If there is any interest we can quench our thirst after the hike at the Adams Pack Station. This is the last donkey pack station operating in Southern California. For over 80 years they have been transporting supplies to the privately owned cabins in Big Santa Anita Canyon. Their business has really struggled because of the Covid closures and the devastating Bobcat fire closure from 2020 to just a few months ago. Let’s show them a little support now that they are back in business!
Any Questions:
If you have any questions about this hike, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, your trip leader:
Richard Norman.
Email: richard@richardnorman.net
If there are any last-minute day-of cancellations,
please let me know via text:
626-319- 4740.
Click here for the list of ten essentials.
Wear shoes with good tread - just good common sense.
Carpooling is recommended to help reduce gas, cost and the environment.
If you cannot attend, please cancel your registration, so the next person on the waiting list can have a chance to register.
