Arroyo Seco Canyon to Oakwilde

Hike from the outskirts of Pasadena's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on fire roads and trails into a scenic canyon with shade trees and a creek with running water even during a dry summer. Moderate elevation gain (about 1,000 feet) and difficulty with only one stretch of steep trail to get behind a dam and into the upper canyon campground and picnic area. Ten miles roundtrip.

Bring water and a light lunch. Parts of the trail are shaded but sections are exposed to the sun. Wearing sunscreen and/or a hat is strongly recommended. There are no bathroom facilities at the trailhead; there are rudimentary but functional restrooms at two campgrounds along the trail.

Take the Windsor/Arroyo exit from I-210 as it passes through La Canada and drive one mile north on Windsor Ave. to where the road turns sharply right (east) and becomes Ventura Street. The marked Gabrielino Trail going up the Arroyo starts at this road juncture. Limited parking is available in a narrow lot along the west side of Windsor Ave. just before it reaches Ventura Street. Parking also is available on adjacent residential streets. Plan to arrive a few minutes early in order to find parking and join the group at the trailhead by 8 am. Carpooling is recommended.

Those coming from the LA Basin, or points south and east, are welcome to meet me at the parking lot for the tennis courts and soccer field near the southeast corner of Griffith Park -– on Riverside Drive 100 yards south of the intersection of Riverside and Los Feliz Blvd. To get there, exit from the I-5 at Los Feliz, proceed west to the first stop light, turn left (south) onto Riverside, and then left at the first driveway into the parking lot. Do NOT turn north from Los Feliz into Griffith Park. (If you cannot see the tennis courts and the soccer field immediately after you turn onto Riverside, you are going the wrong way.) The carpool point meeting time is 7:20 to 7:25 am. Don't be late. We will leave without you at 7:30 to meet the rest of the group at the Arroyo Seco trailhead by 8 am.

My mobile number is [masked].

Since I limit the number of participants please do not RSVP "Yes" unless you mean it. There is no "Maybe" option.

If you want to bring more than one person with you, please contact me. My dogs are familiar with this trail. Dogs are welcome IF they are friendly and well behaved around people and other dogs. You will be instructed to keep dogs on a leash if they interfere with other hikers on narrow trails or stream crossings.

Joining this hike is entirely voluntary and participants assume the full risks associated with the activities. It is each hiker's responsibility to ensure that s/he is in sufficient fitness and health to participate, with appropriate provisions and equipment. The Los Angeles Hiking Meetup group and the hike organizer make no warranties about the safety or supervision of these activities.