Tujunga Canyon

12/24/11  I had great plans for a 32 mile out-and-back route over Condor Peak to Mount Gleason in the Tujunga Canyon area of the San Gabriel Mountains. But my day didn't quite turn out as planned. But, I still managed to get in around 20 miles with some decent elevation gain.
DSC00806 After searching around for a while on Big Tujunga Road for the Condor Peak trailhead, I finally found it. And along with it, I found this sign. Trail closed?!...
After searching around for a while on Big Tujunga Road for the Condor Peak trailhead, I finally found it. And along with it, I found this sign. Trail closed?!…
DSC00808 Made it up to the ridge above the road. The trail was mildly overgrown, but not bad at all. My hopes were rising that my route could still be doable.
Made it up to the ridge above the road. The trail was mildly overgrown, but not bad at all. My hopes were rising that my route could still be doable.
DSC00811 A look over the other side of the ridge.
A look over the other side of the ridge.
DSC00812 As soon as the trail went over the ridge, conditions got considerably worse. This is the
As soon as the trail went over the ridge, conditions got considerably worse. This is the "trail". Completely overgrown in places, completely washed out in other…
DSC00830 On the way back down, I saw a steep little offshoot going up to a nearby peak. After debating about whether to see where it went, I figured
On the way back down, I saw a steep little offshoot going up to a nearby peak. After debating about whether to see where it went, I figured "what the heck, who…
DSC00817 The trail was steep to the point that there were steps cut into the hill and a makeshift guardrail. It didn't seem to be going anywhere interesting, and I...
The trail was steep to the point that there were steps cut into the hill and a makeshift guardrail. It didn't seem to be going anywhere interesting, and I…
DSC00824 The trail ended on the little peak with a jaw-dropping view. I probably scared the crap out of this guy. I was probably the only other person around for miles...
The trail ended on the little peak with a jaw-dropping view. I probably scared the crap out of this guy. I was probably the only other person around for miles…
DSC00823 Big Tujunga Canyon is actually pretty amazing. Little canyons running into bigger canyons running into the main canyon. Another one of those
Big Tujunga Canyon is actually pretty amazing. Little canyons running into bigger canyons running into the main canyon. Another one of those "who knew this…
DSC00827 Chiseled canyons as far as the eye can see.
Chiseled canyons as far as the eye can see.
MAH00828 360 video from the mini-summit.
360 video from the mini-summit.
DSC00831 Since I was denied on my first attempt, I dediced to try a secondary trailhead that would still get me to Mount Gleason. I managed to find the other trailhead,...
Since I was denied on my first attempt, I dediced to try a secondary trailhead that would still get me to Mount Gleason. I managed to find the other trailhead,…
DSC00851 Are you kidding me?? Denied again. Of course, I had to at least have a look...
Are you kidding me?? Denied again. Of course, I had to at least have a look...
DSC00833 The single-track trail begins at the end of Trail Canyon Road. Conditions are looking good so far.
The single-track trail begins at the end of Trail Canyon Road. Conditions are looking good so far.
DSC00839 It's clear this area was devasted by floods and fire. Here is what looks like the remains of a footbridge across the creek.
It's clear this area was devasted by floods and fire. Here is what looks like the remains of a footbridge across the creek.
DSC00843 As soon as the fireroad ends, so does any semblance of a passable trail. It's a beautiful canyon though.
As soon as the fireroad ends, so does any semblance of a passable trail. It's a beautiful canyon though.
DSC00847 I knew the trail followed the creek, so I just made my way up the creek bed hopping back and forth across it and finding a few feet of old trail here and there.
I knew the trail followed the creek, so I just made my way up the creek bed hopping back and forth across it and finding a few feet of old trail here and there.
DSC00848 Hopefully they restore the trail here eventually, because it's a great area. But it will require a ton of work, and with limited funding, who knows if it will...
Hopefully they restore the trail here eventually, because it's a great area. But it will require a ton of work, and with limited funding, who knows if it will…
DSC00850 To make matters worse, there is a lot of Poison Oak. After today, I'm sure I'll either be itching head to toe, or will find out once and for all that I'm...
To make matters worse, there is a lot of Poison Oak. After today, I'm sure I'll either be itching head to toe, or will find out once and for all that I'm…
DSC00852 So I drive to the trailhead of the Stone Canyon Trail, which is South of Big Tunjunga Road at the Wildwood picnic area. Denied yet again! At this point, it's...
So I drive to the trailhead of the Stone Canyon Trail, which is South of Big Tunjunga Road at the Wildwood picnic area. Denied yet again! At this point, it's…
DSC00853 It's a nice valley, and it must have really been nice before the fire burned through here.
It's a nice valley, and it must have really been nice before the fire burned through here.