Arroyo Seco Trail at Rose Bowl, La Canada

There’s not much that’s not in this week’s hike, except much gain.

This uber urban walk offers the Devil’s Gate Dam near the start, then a pedestrian underpass below the 210 through a forest of concrete pillars, cool graffiti, stream crossings, graceful arch bridges, equestrian ranches, beautiful mansions, an abandoned fire lookout, and, if you’re inclined to play, a Frisbee golf course. . . at a park with a name that you can’t say without a smile.

Ok this area was closed so we hiked Arroyo Seco lower trails by the Rose Bowl…. I’m keeping this info below about Cherry Cyn to do in the future…. All the above you still see if the trail is closed. After parking and walking to the Trail heads… the Flint Trail is before the big bridge and before the large rock you go under the fwy to enter.. if (and it was today) it is closed venture down the bridge and down to the lower Arroyo for a different hike, no steep climb just a jaunt around the wash and then up around the golf course.

We’ve done some of the trails at Cherry Canyon in the San Rafaels before; this time we’ll start from Hahamongna Watershed (aka Oak Grove) Park so we can take the lovely Flint Canyon Trail to and from Cherry Canyon. Once there, we’ll walk to the “Ultimate Destination,” with its gorgeous views of the Verdugos and San Gabriels, then move on to the fire lookout to take in the downtown Los Angeles skyline before returning via Flint Canyon.

For those who want to take in some more natural beauty without much more exertion, consider visiting nearby Descanso Gardens before heading home.

STATSLevel: Advanced Beginner/Moderate (for length)Gain: 1,000-1,400Distance: 8.5+ miles (for those short on time, the mostly-flat Flint Canyon Trail to Cherry Canyon and back is only about 6 miles, and could be done in ~ 2 hours)Time: ~3-1/2-to-4 hoursType: A little of everything: single track, wide trail, fire road and paved road. Flint Canyon is out-and-back and partially shaded; Cherry Canyon will be a loop and is exposed.Dogs: Permitted on leashWater: Available in the park; drinking fountains near the restroomsRestrooms: Available in the park; walk north from the parking lotParking: Free, in lower level of park near Frisbee Golf Course; no NFS permit required.Frisbee Golf: Available at trailhead; bring your own FrisbeesBring: Hat, sunscreen, at least three liters of water, snacks to share.

DIRECTIONSFor GPS purposes, an approximate address is Hahamongna Watershed Park, Oak Grove Drive and Foothill Boulevard, La Cañada Flintridge, CA

From the 210 in La Canada, exit on Berkshire and go east (L if you’re coming from the West; R if you’re coming from the East). Turn left at the light onto Oak Grove (La Canada High School will be on your left) and then continue to the light at Foothill. Turn right into Hahamongna Park. Continue in and at a junction, turn left (vs. continuing straight). Drive downhill and then turn right, and right again in to the large parking area for the Frisbee Golf Course. (The parking spots at the top of the park have a two-hour limit; the lower Frisbee Golf lot has no limit.). Good place to meet is here in the lot.