Post by Bill on Apr 18, 2005 10:36:50 GMT -8
I enjoyed this hike very much. It's true, it' an amazingly beautiful hike through lush shady trees topped off by a 3-tier water fall... and it's next door to us in Mountain Cove. The hike will be open for the next 4 Saturdays, starting a 7am. Don't miss it! Be sure also to let your City Council know you would like to see this hike have regular public access.
-Bill
SGVTribune.com
Article Published: Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 7:33:22 PM PST
Fish Canyon lures hikers
Once-a- year trek pays off with view of forest hideaway
By Gene Maddaus , Staff Writer
DUARTE -- At least 300 hikers streamed into Fish Canyon on Saturday, enjoying a rare chance to hike up to an 80-foot, three-tiered waterfall known as one of the most spectacular in the Angeles National Forest.
For the past six years, the trail has opened for a single day in the spring.
The Vulcan Materials Co. operates the Azusa Rock Quarry, which blocks the trailhead. Once a year, the company allows hikers to take city shuttles across the gravel mining area to the Fish Canyon Trail.
"We look forward to this time every year,' said Steve Cortner, vice president of resources for Vulcan's western division. "Everybody seems to like the event.'
Though the city shuttles operate only once a year, a Vulcan foreman said he would be taking hikers to the trailhead each of the next four Saturdays. Jason Talley said that those who wish to take the 3.2-mile walk should arrive at the quarry between 7 a.m. and noon on April 23, April 30, May 7 or May 14.
Hikers can also access the falls from a more precarious trail that bypasses the quarry. That trail, which starts from the Van Tassel Fire Road, is considered too steep for the average hiker.
"It's a killer,' said Mark Rodriguez, 36, of Azusa. "It's very steep and difficult.'
Rodriguez said he wished the Fish Canyon Trail was open more often so that hikers of all ages and abilities could see the falls more frequently.
"I think if more Azusans knew about this, something could be done to open it up more,' he said.
At the falls, children waded into a pool while parents and hiking guides watched from rocky perches, cooled by the billowing mist.
"I kinda fell in a little bit,' said Julia Tapelband, 10, of Chino, displaying her soggy jeans. "It's really neat.'
The heavy rains this winter made the falls more spectacular than usual. Julia and her family were there to celebrate her grandmother's birthday.
"It's unbelievable,' said Esther Tapelband, an octogenarian who often goes on hikes with the Glendale Women's Athletic Club. "Some people came up here and said that of all the falls in the Angeles National Forest, it's the most beautiful.'
Downstream, city recreation guides helped children pan for tiny flecks of gold, which had been mined out of a nearby hillside and placed in piles of sand for the children to use.
"They're really psyched about it,' said Larry Breceda, an 18- year-old recreation leader. "They keep coming back again and again.'
Gene Maddaus can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4444, or by e-mail at gene.maddaus@sgvn.com.
-Bill
SGVTribune.com
Article Published: Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 7:33:22 PM PST
Fish Canyon lures hikers
Once-a- year trek pays off with view of forest hideaway
By Gene Maddaus , Staff Writer
DUARTE -- At least 300 hikers streamed into Fish Canyon on Saturday, enjoying a rare chance to hike up to an 80-foot, three-tiered waterfall known as one of the most spectacular in the Angeles National Forest.
For the past six years, the trail has opened for a single day in the spring.
The Vulcan Materials Co. operates the Azusa Rock Quarry, which blocks the trailhead. Once a year, the company allows hikers to take city shuttles across the gravel mining area to the Fish Canyon Trail.
"We look forward to this time every year,' said Steve Cortner, vice president of resources for Vulcan's western division. "Everybody seems to like the event.'
Though the city shuttles operate only once a year, a Vulcan foreman said he would be taking hikers to the trailhead each of the next four Saturdays. Jason Talley said that those who wish to take the 3.2-mile walk should arrive at the quarry between 7 a.m. and noon on April 23, April 30, May 7 or May 14.
Hikers can also access the falls from a more precarious trail that bypasses the quarry. That trail, which starts from the Van Tassel Fire Road, is considered too steep for the average hiker.
"It's a killer,' said Mark Rodriguez, 36, of Azusa. "It's very steep and difficult.'
Rodriguez said he wished the Fish Canyon Trail was open more often so that hikers of all ages and abilities could see the falls more frequently.
"I think if more Azusans knew about this, something could be done to open it up more,' he said.
At the falls, children waded into a pool while parents and hiking guides watched from rocky perches, cooled by the billowing mist.
"I kinda fell in a little bit,' said Julia Tapelband, 10, of Chino, displaying her soggy jeans. "It's really neat.'
The heavy rains this winter made the falls more spectacular than usual. Julia and her family were there to celebrate her grandmother's birthday.
"It's unbelievable,' said Esther Tapelband, an octogenarian who often goes on hikes with the Glendale Women's Athletic Club. "Some people came up here and said that of all the falls in the Angeles National Forest, it's the most beautiful.'
Downstream, city recreation guides helped children pan for tiny flecks of gold, which had been mined out of a nearby hillside and placed in piles of sand for the children to use.
"They're really psyched about it,' said Larry Breceda, an 18- year-old recreation leader. "They keep coming back again and again.'
Gene Maddaus can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4444, or by e-mail at gene.maddaus@sgvn.com.