Los Angeles, CA: East Fork to Bridge to Nowhere

East Fork to Bridge to Nowhere

Distance: 10.13 mi	Points: 1070	Calories: none
Total Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

EFT001

Location: 34.237179, -117.764801
Proceed north to a gate, and hike down the fire road marked NF 8W16.

EFT002

Location: 34.241821, -117.761253
Heaton Flat Picnic Area and Campground. At Y-junction, continue on the East Fork Trail as it follows the east bank of San Gabriel River.

EFT003

Location: 34.244885, -117.760399
Stay on the east side of the river, as the trail hits a solid rock wall. Boulder hop for about 30 feet and rejoin the trail.

EFT004

Location: 34.247986, -117.760323
Wade across the East Fork from east to west bank.

EFT005

Location: 34.248528, -117.760315
Cross the river again. Continue north on the trail as it rises above the river.

EFT006

Location: 34.251785, -117.759666
Cross river again.

EFT007

Location: 34.252235, -117.759666
The East Fork Trail splits into several trails; many are marked with cairns. Take whichever route looks the least overgrown and continue northeast.

EFT008

Location: 34.253429, -117.758484
The flood plain of the river becomes scattered with logs and other debris. Stay as close to the eastern canyon wall to avoid most of the obstacles. Keep the river to the left as the canyon makes a slight bend northwest.

EFT009

Location: 34.254677, -117.759438
Continue northeast on the East Fork Trail as the canyon makes a sharp turn. Look up at the western canyon wall to see evidence of the failed Shoemaker Canyon Road (a few tunnels blasted into the mountainside). Here, the East Fork Trail shows signs of its former status as a paved road. Asphalt and pavement dot the trail, which is overgrown and eroded by 50-plus years of California sun and wind.

EFT010

Location: 34.256035, -117.757729
Another river crossing.

EFT011

Location: 34.256798, -117.756638
Ford river again. For the next 0.6 mile, continue on the trail as it follows the river west through a narrow, more shaded section of canyon.

EFT012

Location: 34.257919, -117.751190
Ignore the thin use-trail worn into the rock wall (it doesn't go anywhere) and stay on the lower route, traveling east.

EFT013

Location: 34.257374, -117.750618
Make a short scramble down some boulders (about 10 feet).

EFT014

Location: 34.259056, -117.746727
Continue north in San Gabriel River Canyon on the East Fork Trail at the intersection with Laurel Gulch. This marks the boundary of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness Area.

EFT015

Location: 34.260174, -117.746437
Look at the western canyon wall. A prominent, twisted vein of quartz gives this formation its name--Swan Rock.

EFT016

Location: 34.260674, -117.747238
Ignore use-trails that ascend the ridge to the right; instead, stay along the river as the East Fork Trail curves northeast away from Swan Rock.

EFT017

Location: 34.262402, -117.746689
Cross the river as it bends north at Allison Gulch; the sandbar provides a shallow crossing.

EFT018

Location: 34.263069, -117.746399
Cross the river back to the east bank. Sidetrip: Veer right @ Y-junction with Allison Gulch for a 1.4-mile trip northeast to the ruins of Allison Mine.

EFT019

Location: 34.268955, -117.746971
At 3.5 miles, the river continues north around a small bend. Continue northwest for 0.1 mile along the edge of the river's eastern bank. Ignore the use-trail that leaves the riverbed to the north and climbs up onto this bend--this trail will leave you stranded above the actual route with no safe way down.

EFT020

Location: 34.269848, -117.747940
Cross the river twice. Continue in northeast direction for 0.1 mile. Note the old, severely eroded road grade on the southeast side of the canyon.

EFT021

Location: 34.271496, -117.746826
Cross the river yet again to the eastern bank. Scan this ridge for a prominent use-trail that leads to the old road grade.

EFT022

Location: 34.279163, -117.752167
Pass the sign marking 'Private Property.' Continue northeast on trail.

EFT023

Location: 34.283165, -117.747246
Reach the Bridge to Nowhere. From here, the bridge doesn't look very impressive. Cross the span and look back to a lone concrete bridge without any roads nearby.

EFT024

Location: 34.283093, -117.746002
Turn right onto one of the handful of use-trails that scramble down to the river, approximately 200 feet. There are several excellent swimming holes, and many perches to watch bungee jumpers leap off the bridge. When done, ascend back to the main trail and retrace steps back to the parking lot. Option: Continue 360 feet farther along the trail to the ruins of a small tunnel that was supposed to lead to the bridge.

Gate

Location: 34.236656, -117.765198
The gate at the trailhead.

River View

Location: 34.239620, -117.762619
A view of the East Fork of the San Gabriel River from the fire road.

Heaton Flats

Location: 34.242035, -117.761208
Trail sign at Heaton Flats Junction.

Trail to the ridge

Location: 34.248528, -117.760521
One of the use-trails to the actual trail on the ridge.

Old Pavement

Location: 34.254948, -117.759491
Some sections of the old East Fork Road still have asphalt on the ground.

River View

Location: 34.256542, -117.756912

Wilderness Boundary

Location: 34.259132, -117.746834
Sheep Mountain Wilderness sign.

Trailside Views

Location: 34.263886, -117.746834
Another view of the river and mountains to the north.

Stone Arrow

Location: 34.271580, -117.746361
This arrow points to the trail.

More Pavement

Location: 34.274311, -117.748375
More visible pavement on the last stretch of trail before the bridge.

Bridge to Nowhere

Location: 34.283360, -117.746445
The Bridge to Nowhere from the east side.