Oh Glory, another hike out there....this time I discovered Chantry Flats above Alta Dena in the Angeles Nat'l Forest. It was a very cool 50+ degree start but sunshine prevailed, that along with a strenous uphill begin and we warmed up enough to remove my jacket before long. Chantry Flats is a very popular hiking destination for the locals. It is just below Mt Wilson, which can be reached if you just continue climbing up and following the signs.
We chose Upper Winter Creek to begin our hike and followed through to Lower Winter Creek to return to parking.
The trail was a constant beauty. Winding up and over and down and around and up and down; I wondered; why did they name it Chantry FLAT? There was no flat to be found!
But I must rate this hike as the MOST BEAUTIFUL place I have traveled in my hiking shoes. The dappled sunlight provided gorgeous moments around the turns laid out with giant boulders and dramatic scenes of drop downs below; way down below. The creek winds around and down and through and over there again. We crossed over the creek 's stepping stones and big rocks at least a dozen times. The water was clear and at just the perfect height to enjoy it's sounds and not impede an easy crossing. Shoes stayed dried if you chose your stepping stones correctly!! The rock cliffs, the yellow and orange leaves, the fallen trees, the scent of earthy forest; we looked right, then left , then right to soak in the beauty at every turn.
There were intersections along the trail that direct the hiker to Mt Wilson, just a couple more miles thataway. Next time.
The 6 -7 mile hike took us 3 hours and included a few contemplative rest stops. My almond butter and grape jelly sandwiches I hiked in with never made it out. Nothing like a lunch under giant magic pine trees alongside a bubbling brook with a good friend.
The 6 -7 mile hike took us 3 hours and included a few contemplative rest stops. My almond butter and grape jelly sandwiches I hiked in with never made it out. Nothing like a lunch under giant magic pine trees alongside a bubbling brook with a good friend.
Mountain biking is allowed here but the single track would leave me scared silly. The width of the trail is very narrow in many spots and the penalty for a misstep or misplacement of a knobby tire is a looonnng way down into creek beds.
The trail had a steady flow of hikers on this Sunday morning. The parking lot was just about full when we arrived. Best to get there by 7am on those warmer days to grab a spot.
The final 1/2 mile out was an UP. I had wanted to investigate another 1 1/2 mile trail to a hikers lodge but was advised we'd try it next time. Smart advice. The paved UP, out, had us breathing hard, sweating more than the previous 3 hours and happy to see the parking area again.
