Switzer Falls and Bear Canyon

Looking for a cool area on a hot day.


The hikes along the southern edge of the Angeles National Forest are not so far as to make for an uncomfortable day trip, but usually give interesting views with a bit of respite from the craziness of the sea of humanity just south of them.

This time, we drove via La Cañada to the Switzer Falls parking lot, which was very full. Fortunately, we managed to snag the last parking spot. Unfortunately, the other car in our group had to park at the overflow lot.

Lots of wildflowers blooming ... in February?

There were a fair number of people on the trail, but as this was a much longer outing than our previous one to Monrovia Falls, we did have some solitude at times.

Not sure where the wood for this stove comes from ...

The trail mostly follows the Arroyo Seco (dry stream) for the first half, which on this day was actually flowing, probably due to the snow and precipitation we've been getting this ... "winter" ... At one point, it even shoots up above the canyon and gives glimpses of some interesting rock faces nearby.

I can't believe this is a scene out of February

Once the trail drops back down into the canyon, it breaks off from the stream and meanders its way through Bear Canyon until it hits a campground, which on this day was occupied entirely by a group of middle aged Koreans.

The sound of flowing water makes everything feel more serene

We took a short break at the campground before heading back and doing a small side trip to Switzer Falls itself.

The view from above Switzer Falls

The hike back to the car was a bit busier, with many families out on what felt like the first day of summer.

https://www.endomondo.com/users/3101909/workouts/671751028