Hike #1320
May 24, 2017
Santa Anita Ridge from Chantry Flat

Norm MacLean, Hike Leader

Summary:  There are numerous options for this hike that was previously led by Mike Gessner (hike #157, 12/09/1992) and Norm MacLean (hike #990, 4/28/2010).

Directions to Trailhead:  Exit the 210 Foothill Freeway at Santa Anita Avenue.  Turn north on the Santa Anita Avenue and proceed up Anita Canyon Road for 6 miles to the Chantry Flat upper parking lot.  Bring your NPS parking pass.  Tables and restrooms are available.  A store will serve hot food and ice cream if you wait for the weekend.

Hike Options:

1. Santa Anita Ridge (Main Hike): This hike will start at Chantry Flats and, instead of going down into the canyon, we will hike up the road past the picnic area in the direction of the Helipad to the top of the Santa Anita Ridge. The road services a police radio antenna farm for the communities below. Bring plenty of water.  1250 ft gain and 7 miles RT.

2. Winter Creek Trail: The rabbits and others with extra energy may continue up the ridge along an unmaintained trail to the Winter Creek Trail and follow it to Chantry Flat, for approximately 2000 ft total gain and 9 miles. 

3. Hermit Falls: Take the paved road down into the canyon and at 0.3 miles take a dirt trail to the right to the very pretty falls, about 700 ft. drop and 3 miles RT. Try to refrain from diving into the pool above the falls as several people have lost their lives doing that.

4. Sturtevant Falls: Take the paved road down into the canyon to the bottom past the Hogees trail then up the canyon to the falls. About 350 ft drop followed by 350 ft rise, then return, about 3.5 miles RT.

5. Hogees Camp Loop: Take the paved road down into the canyon 0.6 miles to the Hogee trail, up the trail 1.8 miles to Hogee Camp, join the Winter Creek trail just above Hogee Camp and turn left.  About 0.2 miles later take the left fork which returns to Chantry Flat (about 2.2 miles on trail, then 0.4 miles on the paved road).  Profile: down 300 ft, up 1000 ft, down 700 ft, about 5 miles total.

6. Spruce Grove Trail Camp Loop: Only for the truly ambitious.  Down into the canyon past Strutevant Falls, up to the Spruce Grove Trail Camp, on to the Zion trail (climb Mt Zion if you like) then continue on the loop back to Chantry Flats.  Previously led by Larry Savell, hike #621 on 17 July 2002.

Map of Santa Anita Ridge from Chantry Flat

2017-05-11