Hiking Trail Guide: Devils Canyon Trail

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Devils Canyon Trail

Distance
7 miles

Elevation
1500 feet gain

Difficulty
5/10

City
Altadena ,CA (91001) 16 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From La Canada, drive 27 miles up Angeles Crest Highway (2), to just past the entrance to Upper Chilao Campground. You will see a parking area on the left side of the road and a very obvious signed trail marker on the right side of the road.

Description

This hike drops you 1500 foot down into the lush and remote Devil's canyon. For the first couple of miles, the trail works its way down a series of switchbacks to a seasonal stream. The trail then meanders back and forth across this stream as it runs through a densely wooded, deep canyon. At about the 3.5 mile mark the official trail ends at a trail camp. Adventuresome hikers can continue further downstream boulder hopping and bushwhacking, while enjoying cascades and a 20 foot waterfall 2 miles down from trails end.

I did this hike in the midst of a drought (June 2002), and there was no water in the stream. I did speak to some backpackers who said it was stunning when they did the hike in the spring with lots of water flowing. Water or not, I enjoyed the sense of remoteness that this hike provided. Note that the trail is quite narrow, with steep drop offs, so watch your step.

Map / Directions: