Sunset in Upper Marshall Canyon

Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.

Upper Marshall Canyon

• Location: North of La Verne in the San Gabriel foothills.  From the 210 freeway, take the Fruit Avenue exit, go north (right if you are coming from the east, left if you are coming from the west) and in 0.1 miles, take a left on Baseline.  Go 0.3 miles and take a right on Esperanza.  Go 3 miles, take a right on Stephens Ranch Road.  After a mile, looked for the signed Equestrian Assembly Area and park in the dirt lot on the right side of the road.
• Agency: Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation
• Distance: 4.5 miles
• Elevation gain: 750 feet
• Difficulty Rating: PG
• Suggested time: 2 hours
• Best season:  October – June
• USGS topo map: “Mt. Baldy”
• More information: here
• Rating: 7

If you enjoyed the trip to Middle Marshall Canyon and are up for a challenge, try this longer hike  starting from the same trail-head, especially now that the weather is starting to get cooler.  (Much of the route is on shadeless fire road, so bring extra water, sunblock and a hat even if the temperature seems low.)

From the parking lot, follow the paved road (or the trail along side it), past the equestrian center, to a yellow gate.  Here, head left (right is the return route from the middle loop).  You climb up on the ridge above Marshall Canyon, staying right at a junction with another fire road.  Shortly after, you can bypass a section of the dirt road by bearing right on a single-track that enters a thick forest and rejoins the main road.

Soon after, you come to a picnic table.  The trail splits three ways.  The far right single-track is your return route; the middle can be used as a short-cut to access the fire road farther up the hill, and the left is the continuation of the fire road, the route for this hike.

After passing another picnic area, you reach the upper terminus of the short cut trail (signed as Marshall Canyon).  Your route continues to the Claremont Hills Wilderness Area and will share about 0.4 miles with that loop.  Take a right on the Johnson Motorway, pass the shade structure.  After enjoying some great views of Ontario and Cucamonga Peaks, and on clear days San Gorgonio, San Jacinto and Old Saddleback,  you take a hard right on another fire road, signed as the Miller Motorway (look for a yellow pole).

This route takes you back into Marshall Canyon.  After about half a mile, look for a signed single-track branching off to the right; this trail negotiates a few switchbacks and deposits you back at the picnic area, where you can head left on the fire road and descend a mile back to the trailhead.

If the route described above seems a little complicated, keep in mind that your route will usually be whatever is the most obvious one.  You also don’t have to follow this trip to the letter to enjoy the scenic variety of Marshall Canyon.