Where the trail gets a little iffy.

Monday, January 27, 2014--Switzer Falls in the San Gabriel Mountains: Today represented our first venture into the San Gabriels. It had been about a month since we hit the trail, so we decided to re-enter slowly by picking an "easy" hike as listed in John W. Robinson's Trails of the Angeles: 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels. We chose Hike No. 17, Switzer's Picnic Area to Commodore Switzer Trail Camp, Switzer Falls, Arroyo Seco Cascades. The book billed it as a 4-mile round trip (in and back), with a 600-foot elevation gain and loss, and that was our experience of it, as well. I recommend the book. His directions were perfect!

You need an Adventure Pass for National Forest destinations, and we bought ours at REI in Arcadia. You can get a one-day pass for $5 for one vehicle; or for $30 you can get an annual pass that you can share with another car; or for $35 you can get an annual pass and two separate placards. The placards affix to the rearview mirror much as a handicapped placard does. We chose the $35 setup. The pass is good for one year from the month of purchase.

The falls. Remember, we're in a drought.

It was 1:30 p.m. before we were on the trail. That was after a leisurely morning and a lunch in Pasadena. Were I to do this again I would definitely get on the trail much earlier. We got back to the car in daylight, but evening was at hand.

It was a beautiful hike that essentially follows a creek bed that we had to cross eight times (or 16, if you count the return trip!). With California officially in a drought let it be said that the creek was never very wide or vigorous.Nonetheless, some of the crossings required surefootedness. I was grateful for my trekking poles to steady me.

While I agree overall with the "easy" rating for this hike, I do so with one caveat. Eventually the trail left the canyon floor to climb up a bit (only to climb back down again as we near the area of the falls.) In a few of those higher places, the hiking path was narrow, sometimes slightly slanted toward a pretty good drop-off. Sometimes the trail bed in these locations contained loose gravel/soil. I don't believe any of this changes the "easy" ranking, but I offer this information as a good head's up to be watchful in those areas.

Overall, the hike was quite delightful. We saw no wildlife except for a few quite chubby gray squirrels. The temperature was great. The trail was not overly crowded. In our four-hour round trip we saw maybe 6 to 8 people.

Next time we plan another hike from Robinson's book. No. 58, Chilao to Horse Flats, Hillyer. This one's rated "moderate," is listed as a 6-mile round trip with a 1,000-foot elevation gain. I'll be checking in after that. Until then...