Mount Zion Trail

Beautiful forest hike! We went to the Mt Zion summit from Lower Creek and went back the same way so we didn’t do the loop. Total miles of 7.6 miles with a 2182 ft gain. The hike was mostly shaded and was extremely peaceful. Once you go down the fire road from the Chantry Flats parking lot (maybe 0.5 miles or so), the trail splits after you cross the wooden bridge. It seemed like most people went to Sturtevent Falls as I barely ran across anyone at the Lower Creek trail to Mt Zion. I saw about 3 to 4 groups on the way up and saw no one on the way back until I reached that trail split I mentioned above. I didn’t expect such a quiet and peaceful trail since the parking lot is so crowded! There are several creek crossings but nothing too big (my Shiba Inu was able to do it with no problem). There were multiple cabins on the way up but most of them looked abandoned… or maybe it’s just poorly maintaned? Not really sure. After a few miles going up, you reach Hoegee’s Campground. I did see a tent here so it looks like an active campground. Once you pass that, you will see a sign that tells you the way to upper winter creek and Mt Zion, I was initially going to go to the Upper Winter Creek trail to do the loop, but mountain summits always tend to seem more attractive to me so I decided to follow the Mt Zion trail. The forest hike does change once you go on the Mt Zion trail. You will be exposed to the sun and the path becomes a lot more narrow and the trail is not maintained as well. Brushes were overgrown but nothing too bad. There were a LOT of bees and I had a constant buzz sound near my ears. I’d probably not recommend it if you are allergic to bees. The summit was unfortunately not as amazing! There were so many brushes and trees around you, that it just didn’t really seem like a summit to me. And again… bees! Although the summit wasn’t as great, the trail to get there is actually really nice! I think the view on the way back at certain areas are actually better than the summit! Overall, I don’t think this is a difficult hike since the incline is not steep at all and it’s mostly shaded. Must do Mt Wilson next time!
Btw, I would not use the restrooms at the Chantry Flats parking lot… I’m not sure how often they are cleaned but it was by far one of the worst I have seen (I have hiked at least 30 different trails this year)…so bad that you can’t really get to the toilet without stepping on «accidents.» Word of advice, go to the restroom before you drive up Chantry Flats Rd!

Although this is not a trail in Zion National Park (I wish!), it is still a lovely hike through the San Gabriel Mountains.
Parking: The start of the trail is from the Chantry Flats parking lot. I googled the Chantry Flats parking lot and here was the address that came up: 2201 – 2299 Forest Route 2N40, Sierra Madre, CA 91 011. Parking is also available outside of the parking lot along the side of the mountains. Don’t forget to display your adventure pass. If you don’t have one, you can buy one at the parking lot for $ 5 or any sport shops such as REI, Big 5 Bass Pro Shop, Sport Chalet. There are three different parking lots (top, middle, bottom). To get a parking spot, I would definitely come early. My friend and I arrived at around 6:45am and the bottom parking lot was already full. We got a spot in the middle parking lot.
Direction: The trail is towards the entrance of the parking lot and starts out as asphalt-​paved. Restrooms are available at the beginning of the trail and there may be some throughout the trail but I would use the one at the start to be safe. Follow the directions to Spruce Grove Campground where you will pass a mini bridge, dams and cabins along this trail. At the campground, there are picnic benches to sit which is where we took our break. After you get here, follow the signs to Camp Sturtevant. You will go through the camp which has a cool swing that you can swing on :) There will be signs and arrows that said «Mt. Wilson and Mt. Zion this way», so you won’t get lost. When you are going through Camp Sturtevant, head left which will lead you out of the camp and make another left. If you make a right, you are heading towards Mt. Wilson. There is a trail sign towards the left which can be easily missed, but just remember when you get outside of the camp and the trail splits, head LEFT! You will then have to climb over this huge trunk which have handles to help you climb over it. Thank you to whoever did that! Continue onward and eventually you will see the Mt. Zion «plaque». Head left and you will arrive at an open area and that is it! YOU MADE IT! You will see the San Gabriel Mountains and the city behind it. The view isn’t like absolutely amazing but it’s still pretty. Kind of sucks that there were lots of bushes around which ruins the view a bit. There wasn’t anywhere to sit so my friend and I just sat in the shade in the dirt and relaxed.
Experience: The trail is mostly shady and narrow, but it’s wide enough to let people through if you need to. There were lots of annoying gnats throughout the trail, so I would recommend wearing a net to avoid getting them into your ears, mouth or eyes. I accidentally ate one… or maybe two. You can rent one of those mosquito head net gear from REI. The trail is approximately 9 miles roundtrip. It took about 5 hours roundtrip (2.5 hrs one way) to complete the hike. I’m sure you can do it faster if you don’t rest or take pictures which we did. It’s a relatively easy hike with a small amount of steepness here and there. Since it is fall, it was great to see yellow leaves on the trees and on the ground amongst the green trees. What made this hike enjoyable (despite the gnats), were the shade, the cool/​cute cabins, and Camp Sturtevant. The view isnt spectacular but still a nice hike. You can get to Mt. Wilson and Sturtevant Falls partially on this trail. We were going to stop by the waterfall when we were heading back but forgot haha. Next time!

So it would be fun they said. So it would be a workout they said. So it would be worth it, I thought… well yeah I got my azz kicked HARD!
Literally this trail turned me into a straining heavily breathing Neanderthal or wildebeest that would easily scare away any creature nearby. I didn’t take the normal loop for this trail, but I look forward to doing that in the future.
However the way I went may have been more difficult. I descended from Chantry Flats to the bottom of the hill and turned uphill towards Hoegees Loop. This is a good hike of its own accord. However just past Hoegee’s campground is a small trail split. One split goes up to the top of Mt Zion and the other continues uphill and finishes Hoegees Loop.
So this side spur if you will is a couple of miles and is uphill gaining a lot of altitude. The spur going up Mt Zion is about 50% shaded and that is its only saving grace. Definitely make sure you brought a good amount of water if it’s a warm or hot sunny day as you will be sweating up a storm in the sun.
Be careful and on the lookout for snakes as I did pass one on this section of the trail. The peak is in the second row of peaks along the Angeles crest and doesn’t rise above the front row, but offers an outstanding view down the canyon that chantry flats resides in. It also gives you a beautiful view of the SGV where the canyon broadens to the south. At the peak you can also see a few more rows of mountains trailing off into the distance which also provide a beautiful sight.
If you are going from Chantry Flats to Sturtevant Falls, there is upriver a place to turn off towards Mt Zion. I think that this may be an easier climb as it is on the shaded side of the mountain. Regardless it is a place that would be fun to check out and see where it leads. I will be doing that portion later on.
However Once I reached the peak, I backtracked down to Hoegees and continued up Hoegees past the Mt Wilson trail and then back to Chantry Flats. Definitely a nice long butt kicker of a hike.
It is well worth it and has a great view of nature and almost no modern noises penetrate most of the trail. Consequently, you are immersed in a world we don’t often get to experience. I suggest that you get into shape and then check this thing out. I also do not suggest that beginners hike this trail right away as it’s a long one and can be difficult with how much uphill work you have to handle.

The Mt Zion Loop begins at the Chantry Flats parking lot which requires a Forest Service Adventure Pass to park a vehicle.
The trail is approximately 9 miles roundtrip.
From the parking lot you head downhill on the paved road.
When you reach the junction for Stutevent Falls you take the middle trail. From the middle trail you will get a birds eye view of the falls. If you are looking for a selfie or photo shoot moment with the falls and would like to get up close; you can take the lower trail and backtrack to the middle trail, or illegally scramble up one of the worn routes (not recommended and bad juju’s on you if you choose this route) .
About 3.5 miles from the start you’ll hit Spruce Grove campground. It has picnic benches and is a nice spot for a snack break. You’ll want to save your longer meal break for when you reach the top of Zion Mountain. There will be no picnic benches at the summit and only a small clearing of space, but the open skies and the view of Mt Wilson are quite enjoyable.
After the summit, the rest of the trail is thankfully, down hill. There are many spots that are conducive to trail running and perfect if you want to use gravity to your advantage.
There are waterfalls and a lovely creek along with ferns, moss, oak trees and historic cabins. The trail is richly diverse in scenery and history.

Beautiful place!
Pack out what you pack in, and enjoy!

The hike to the peak from Chantry Flats is about 9.5 miles.
This is a very pleasant trail. It does have some steep climbs, but there is much more balance of downhill and flat also. The trail is almost all shaded and takes you through a heavily wooded area with lots of trees, some streams, and a couple of waterfalls. It’s very peaceful and serene. However, the temperature can get fairly cold in the shade, so you may want to wear layers in the winter or even spring months. Views from the peak are not very picturesque.
parking — requires an adventure pass. Go early in the AM if you want to find parking in the lot or close by on the road, as it fills up quickly.

This is a pretty great trail off the Chantry Flatts trailhead.
The Mount Zion Trail is actually an out-​and-​back trail that you can add on to the Lower Winter Creek Trail/​Santa Anita Canyon loop etc. This particular piece of the trail is pretty steep and very dry if it’s in the summer. However, this is where you get great views! (I mean, minus the usual smog, ha)
Great Trail!

Hiked here yesterday and it was cold but very nice! Lots of shade, squirrels, and autumn leaves everywhere.
The route I took started at Chantry Flats, and took me 4.5 hours to hike the 9.5 mile loop.
I followed this route:
1) Lower Gabrielino Trail to Spruce Grove Camp
2) Upper Zion Trail — between Spruce Grove and Mt. Zion
3) Lower Zion Trail — between Hoegees Camp and Mt. Zion
4) Lower Winter Creek Trail to Hoegees Camp
The Lower Gabrielino Trail follows the waterfall source uphill and is absolutely gorgeous! Upper Zion Trail is nice and shaded, Lower Zion Trail not as much.
On a clear day, the view from Zion summit was a bit disappointing, but that’s OK because the journey alone was more then worth it.
I hiked solo and it was pretty deserted the whole way. A can of mace strapped to my right hand is what saved me from paranoid fears of mountain lions and bears :)
Bring enough snacks and at least 2 liters of water.
And maybe hiking poles to help your feet on the way down.

Lots of fun different trails… just great to be able to get out of the City and get in a great hike. Best thing is it isnt too far away for most people.

A local ride/​hike for me. Been doing this for years and love the almost 11 mile loop from car to car. In the passed few months, someone has been working on Zion trail. They might think they’re doing good trail work but in actuality, they are ruining a perfectly good trail. Removing embedded rocks from trails does not improve the trail. It only weakens the soil, which will create ruts and run offs. No one who hikes or rides here is looking for paved trails. We like it rocky and natural. Brush work and re-​enforcement of trail where there’s potential for slides or wash outs are good and appreciated but not removing and destroying embedded rocks. Who ever is doing this, please stop immedietely!

Date of Visitation: 7÷15÷12
Weather: high 70’s, mid 80’s
Length of Hike: 11 miles
Departure/​Arrival: 830‑1330
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Parking: Small lot, street parking, park pass required
Type of Trail: dirt, rocky, steady & steep incline and decline, shady (80% of the trail), loop
Usage: Mainly hiking, few multi-​use (horses and bike)
Snacks: protein bar, beef jerky
Memorable Moments: 2 snake sightings, bottomless child sighting (uuuuummm, yeah)
Trail Features: nature, several water/​stream locations to take rest, walking alongside the water/​stream, sufficient natural canopy, waterfall, good elevation gain
Side Note: Arrive early for close parking, parking pass required and a day pass can be obtained at the ranger office for $ 5 at entrance, do not stand still in one spot for long, bugs will start to form around you. Pack enough water and/​or snacks if taking the long route, trail was not overly crowded

I really enjoyed this hike alot! We went on a Sunday morning around 10am and found parking right away. I think that was a fluke though because there were a lot of cars circling around waiting for spots so I suggest you get there early.
The scenery is great, it was nice to look at trees and hills instead of the cityscape. The whole hike round trip took about 4 hrs., I’m not sure of the total miles though. There were parts that were a bit scary for me since I’m afraid of heights and the trails are on the edge of a cliff with a straight drop but I seemed to be the only one that minded.
The hike up to the summit was pretty challenging and overall it was a great workout, not leisurely by any means but there are other trails that are a bit easier. Have fun!

These are my favorite local mountains to hike, so I was naturally excited to cross another trail off my list. However, I was a bit disappointed.
Some background:
I hiked this with Marlon E. one smoky morning. Little did I know the day we picked to hike Mount Zion, would mark the largest fire in the Los Angeles County. We didn’t realize the enormity the Angeles Crest fire would have on neighbors, animals, and the environment. Marlon, and I completed it… so we think. It was about a 3:30 hour hike for us.
We got to the summit and I have to say, it’s nothing special but the views were chilling that morning. Marlon got serious shots in during the a. m hours right as the fires took place. The summit doesn’t really feel like a peak. You can’t even enjoy yourself on the top and have a quick meal. I’ve seen much better views on other trails, which leads back to the disappointment I mentioned earlier.
Though the peak wasn’t exciting, I have to say that the bushes, trees, and rock formations did not disappoint. It was lush for part of the way until we got closer to the peak. There isn’t much overhead near the top, therefore, this part of the hike doesn’t offer much shade. Be sure to wear a hat, sunscreen, and be very careful with your dogs on the trail. Water is key.
Warning: For those of you who have never hiked here before, be warned. The pavement leading back to the parking lot can be grueling, especially during summer. Hey, at least there is a view of beautiful trees that accompany you along the way. It sure beats a wall you’d be facing at the gym.*
Back to my hike. After a couple of hours of meandering, we decided to check out Sturtevant Falls, which at the time was dry. I’ve seen it with much more life during winter and spring. Still very serene. This part of the trail also adds a historic element I enjoy.
I base my stars much more heavily of the actual view from the peak from Mount Zion rather than the waterfall side trail we decided to take last minute. The fire was a terrible event that took place and my review is not based on that either. Just the view. If you’re ever so inclined (a hiking joke), go and rate it yourself.
Through time, our mountains will be filled with life again, but now, we must wait and contribute what we can. There are opportunities to help maintain and build new trails. Check out:
.
Be safe.

I guess I should go here during spring or fall cause summer sucks, the trails are full of dog poop the streams got crappy water its just not too pleasant in my opinion. I can say its a n easy trail just a long loop its around 10 miles or so not bad you can do this in 3 hours if you decide to jog most of it. I’m glad i went here with a friend cause i have no idea about this trail.
We hike this place and took us around 4.5 hours i think and we did side trips to the falls too which is kinda dry cause of the season. If you guys are hiking these trails watch out for snakes too. The summit of this loop is blah. i was kinda disappointed. Will i go back here? maybe to do some trail running but i’m not sure if i can run all parts of it but i can try…

This is an awesome hike! Never boring, always changing, and a GREAT workout! From the parking lot, it’s an 11 mile round-​trip hike that will take anywhere from 3 – 5 hours depending on if you jog/​run on the trail or just walk.
I much prefer it to Mt. Wilson. It’s about 2 miles shorter each way, but I feel you get a better workout and experience because there are fewer rocks to worry about and my feet didn’t ache after the hike like they do when I climb Wilson.
Also, when you get to the top, it’s incredible… i’ve never been on top of an area like that before. It was like being in a cloud!
Great views, enjoyable terrain, and all-​around loved it! If you like a challenge, peaceful waterfalls, pretty plants, and a trail you can run on at times (with agile footing, of course)…try Mt. Zion!
xo–
andrea