Tag Archives: Big Dalton Canyon

Big Dalton Canyon Trail

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Crossing the creek in Big Dalton Canyon

Ascending the trail in Big Dalton Canyon

Big Dalton Canyon Trail

  • Location: Big Dalton Canyon park in Glendora.  From L.A. and Pasadena, take I-210 to the Grand Ave. north exit.  Head north on Grand Ave. for 1.9 miles to Sierra Madre.  Take a right on Sierra Madre and go 2 miles to Glendora Mountain Road. Take a left and go 0.6 miles to Big Dalton Canyon Road.  Turn right, go 0.5 miles and park in the dirt turnout on the right side of the road (by the Wren Meacham trailhead). From the Inland Empire and points east, take the Lone Hill exit from I-210 and head north for one mile.  Turn left on Foothill, go 0.5 miles and take a right on Valley Center.  Go 0.8 miles and make a left on Sierra Madre, and immediately make a right on Glendora Mountain Road.  Take Glendora Mountain 0.6 miles and turn right on Big Dalton Canyon.
  • Agency: City of Glendora
  • Distance: 2.8 miles
  • Elevation gain: 350 feet
  • Difficulty Rating: PG
  • Suggested time: 1.5 hours
  • Best season: Year-round
  • USGS topo map:  Glendora
  • More information: Park map here; Every Trail report here
  • Rating: 6

If the steep trails that run up the side of Big Dalton Canyon, such as the Upper Mystic and Wren Meacham trails, sound like they’re not for you, consider taking this pleasant stroll along the creek.  The Big Dalton Trail runs along the bottom of the canyon, paralleling the road that runs through the park.  However, it’s just far enough away that the sights and sounds of traffic are blocked out.

From the parking lot, cross the road and pick up the Big Dalton Trail.  Head northeast into the canyon, passing by the campground and a couple of bridges that connect with the paved road.  The scenery on the way up includes a pleasantly trickling (for most of the year) creek, tall oaks, and occasional views higher into the canyon, where the walls ascend steeply on both sides.

Following the second bridge, the terrain becomes a little trickier (although never too difficult).  The trail is not always obvious, but just keep in mind that it never strays too far from either the road or the stream (which it crosses a couple of times.)

At 1.1 miles from the start, the trail ends at the paved service road.  This concludes the most scenic part of the trip, but those who want to can continue another quarter mile up the road, before a large metal gate unceremoniously stops further progress.  On the return trip, you can either retrace your steps on the trail or follow the paved road back to the campground.  You can also easily extend your hike by visiting some of the other trails in the park, such as the Coulter Pine Loop or the Wren Meacham Trail.

Text and photography copyright 2012 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.  By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from hiking on this trail.  Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.

Coulter Pine Loop (Big Dalton Canyon)

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Turkey Vulture in Big Dalton Canyon

On the Coulter Pine Trail

Coulter Pine Loop (Big Dalton Canyon)

  • Location: Big Dalton Canyon park in Glendora.  From L.A. and Pasadena, take I-210 to the Grand Ave. north exit.  Head north on Grand Ave. for 1.9 miles to Sierra Madre.  Take a right on Sierra Madre and go 2 miles to Glendora Mountain Road. Take a left and go 0.6 miles to Big Dalton Canyon Road.  Turn right, go 0.8 miles and park in the dirt turnout on the left side of the road, by the footbridge leading across the canyon to the picnic area.  From the Inland Empire and points east, take the Lone Hill exit from I-210 and head north for one mile.  Turn left on Foothill, go 0.5 miles and take a right on Valley Center.  Go 0.8 miles and make a left on Sierra Madre, and immediately make a right on Glendora Mountain Road.  Take Glendora Mountain 0.6 miles and turn right on Big Dalton Canyon.
  • Agency: City of Glendora
  • Distance: 2.2 miles
  • Elevation gain: 550 feet
  • Difficulty Rating: PG
  • Suggested time: 1.25 hours
  • Best season: Year-round
  • USGS topo map:  Glendora
  • Recommended gear: hiking poles
  • More information: Park map here; Every Trail report here
  • Rating: 6

Like the nearby Wren Meacham and Upper Mystic Trails, the Coulter Pine Trail is a short but steep hike up the narrow walls of Big Dalton Canyon.  The loop described here visits some secluded pockets of the canyon and takes in some nice views of Mt. Baldy and the summits on the north side of the gorge.

From the parking area, follow the road up to the beginning of the Coulter Pine trail, which heads off to the right. The trail ascends quickly, switchbacking up the south side of the canyon. There are a few spots that are washed out, and the trail skirts the edge of the cliff a few times, so be careful.

After three quarters of a mile, the trail levels out. It follows the ridge for a while before beginning a steep descent into a wooded area. Soon, you reach an unmarked junction. Cross a seasonal stream and head uphill briefly (the downhill fork, to the left, is the Dunn Trail, which leads back to the road if you want to cut your hike short.)

The Coulter Pine trail continues, soon reaching an unsigned junction with the Keiser Trail. Head downhill to a T-junction, where you head right, pass some maintenance buildings and soon meet up with the paved road.

When you arrive at Big Dalton Canyon Road, head left (downhill) to return to the parking area. You can make the last part of the hike more pleasant by crossing a footbridge and following the Big Dalton Canyon Trail. This trail crosses the creek a total of three times before arriving back at the parking area.

Text and photography copyright 2011 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.  By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from hiking on this trail.  Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.

Wren Meacham Trail

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Mt. Baldy at dusk from the Wren Meacham Trail

Ascending the Wren Meacham Trail

Text and photography copyright 2011 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.

Wren Meacham Trail

  • Location: Big Dalton Canyon park in Glendora.  From L.A. and Pasadena, take I-210 to the Grand Ave. north exit.  Head north on Grand Ave. for 1.9 miles to Sierra Madre.  Take a right on Sierra Madre and go 2 miles to Glendora Mountain Road. Take a left and go 0.6 miles to Big Dalton Canyon Road.  Turn right, go 0.5 miles and park in the dirt turnout by the Wren Meacham trail and pick up the Mystic Canyon Trail across the street.  From the Inland Empire and points east, take the Lone Hill exit from I-210 and head north for one mile.  Turn left on Foothill, go 0.5 miles and take a right on Valley Center.  Go 0.8 miles and make a left on Sierra Madre, and immediately make a right on Glendora Mountain Road.  Take Glendora Mountain 0.6 miles and turn right on Big Dalton Canyon.
  • Agency: City of Glendora
  • Distance: 2 miles
  • Elevation gain: 850 feet
  • Difficulty Rating: PG
  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Best season: Year-round
  • USGS topo map:  Glendora
  • Recommended gear: hiking poles
  • More information: here;  park map here
  • Rating: 5

This short, but challenging hike starts across the street from the Upper Mystic Canyon Trail in Glendora’s Big Dalton Canyon Park.  About the same distance as its neighbor, it packs in even more elevation gain, with a big ascent and descent in both directions.

From the parking area, follow the signs for the Wren Meacham trail.  The trail does two creek crossings that may be a little tricky if the water is flowing.  After the second, the trail takes a sharp left and almost immediately makes a third crossing.  (Remember this turn on the way back, it’s easy to miss).

Now, the work begins.  After the third creek crossing, you will see a staircase in front of you.  The trail climbs the stairs and continues a short, but very steep ascent.  You arrive at a ridge where you can see the higher peaks of the San Gabriels on the left (east) and the San Gabriel Valley (and perhaps downtown L.A.) on the right.

Soon after, you begin a steep descent through a wooded area, before arriving at the equestrian center.  The terrain can be erosion-prone and tricky to navigate following heavy rains; this is where you will be glad to have your hiking poles.

The trail can also be accessed from the equestrian center’s parking lot, and if you don’t want to repeat the steep ascent and descent, you can convert the hike into a loop.  Do this by heading left and walking along the channel, through the center, and taking a right on Glendora Mountain Road, walking a quarter mile and turning right into Big Dalton Canyon Park.  In half a mile you will come back  to the parking lot.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the area, including how the trail got its name, check out this article.

Upper Mystic Canyon Trail (Big Dalton Canyon)

Posted on by dlockeretz

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On the Upper Mystic Canyon Trail

Mountains above Big Dalton 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 Mystic Canyon Trail (Big Dalton Canyon)

  • Location: Big Dalton Canyon park in Glendora.  From L.A. and Pasadena, take I-210 to the Grand Ave. north exit.  Head north on Grand Ave. for 1.9 miles to Sierra Madre.  Take a right on Sierra Madre and go 2 miles to Glendora Mountain Road. Take a left and go 0.6 miles to Big Dalton Canyon Road.  Turn right, go 0.5 miles and park in the dirt turnout by the Wren Meacham trail and pick up the Mystic Canyon Trail across the street.  From the Inland Empire and points east, take the Lone Hill exit from I-210 and head north for one mile.  Turn left on Foothill, go 0.5 miles and take a right on Valley Center.  Go 0.8 miles and make a left on Sierra Madre, and immediately make a right on Glendora Mountain Road.  Take Glendora Mountain 0.6 miles and turn right on Big Dalton Canyon.
  • Agency: City of Glendora
  • Distance: 2 miles
  • Elevation gain: 650 feet
  • Difficulty Rating: PG
  • Suggested time: 1 hour
  • Best season: October  - May
  • USGS topo map:  Glendora
  • More information: here; park map here; topo map here
  • Rating: 6

I’m surprised that not many more hikers know of Big Dalton Canyon.  It’s very accessible to the San Gabriel Valley but still manages to have a pretty isolated feel.  The steep walls of the canyon make for some great hiking trails, such as Upper Mystic Canyon.

The trail ascends steeply right out of the chutes, and continues to switchback up the canyon’s north wall.  The grade mellow out somewhat, but still remains steady all the way up to the fire road.  Your efforts are rewarded with views of the San Gabriel Valley, the Puente Hills, the Santa Anas, and if you’re lucky, the ocean and the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Keep following the trail until you reach the Monroe Fire Road.  Here, you can relax and enjoy the views before heading down.  You can extend your trip by heading right on the fire road toward two higher peaks (known as Summit 2760 and Summit 3397).  By the way, if you think that the Mystic Canyon Trail was steep, look to your left at the Poop Out Trail (a fire break), which climbs a bigger distance (from Glendora Mountain Road) in 0.7 miles.