Etiwanda Ridge, Joe Elliot Campground, Deer Canyon Loop
Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:50 pm
"When we can't hike, the terrorists win"
Supposing someone was hell-bent on getting some peace in their beloved San Gabriel Mountains without hazarding the closed Angeles; what could they do?
My hike up the Etiwanda Ridge picked up ~ 3,500 feet in 3.8 steep, unpleasant miles of often-indistinct trail and copious ceanothus. It aint no Big Horn Ridge, but I was twice at the edge of panic, unable to find my trail and rueful at the thought of retreating. Once reaching San Sevaine/Big Tree/1N34 road, all was well with the world. The isolation of the Joe Elliot campground, in the shadow of Cucamonga Peak is delightful. I spotted a Mule Deer hopping up a hillside as I walked in to the camp; couldn't get the camera out fast enough. After a brief rest and some Clif Bars, I spent some time studying the map. I could go back the way I came (NOT), continue along 1N34 west until it returns to civilization at Cucamonga Creek and have a really long walk back to the Jeep, or bail out via one of the canyons along the way. In anticipation of a long, hot, dry day I started with five liters. Regardless, finding water was becoming important. The West Cucamonga Truck Trail is really nifty. In spots it's wide and stable enough to actually hold a vehicle. These spots are few and far between. There were no less than a dozen slides and washouts between Elliot and Deer Canyon, where I bailed. The trail apparently sees SOME foot traffic due to the trampled Buckthorn in some overgrown spots. The remaining trail ranged from usable road, to overgrown, to single track, to hundred-plus-foot wide washouts requiring some careful climbing to regain. One of the streams that feeds Day Canyon was flowing beautifully just above the road/trail, so I was set for water for the rest of the day. As I continued around Smith Ridge I spotted a large Gopher Snake; also too fast to photograph. Soon the service road up Deer Canyon (1N44) was visible and confirmed the gently-sloped terrain observed on the Harrison map. There are some interesting structures, artifacts of its watershed use in the Canyon. Aside from a stupid meander around a subdivision trying to respect a misread "no trespassing" sign, the rest of the hike was uneventful; just a three-mile walk on a dirt service road back to the car.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1285W.jpg)
Gate at the top of Etiwanda Avenue.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1288W.jpg)
One of the attractive pavilions in the Etiwanda Preserve.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1308W.jpg)
Smith Ridge, across Day Canyon.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1309W.jpg)
Cucamonga Peak and Smith Ridge, with Etiwanda Ridge in the foreground.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1312W.jpg)
The view up Day Canyon toward Cucamonga Peak.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1320W.jpg)
Partial view of Etiwanda Ridge, looking south.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1325W.jpg)
Definitive answer as to whether the bear goes in the woods; sometimes.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1330W.jpg)
Marker at 5,600 ft elevation.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1340W.jpg)
Finally made it to Big Tree Road (1N34).
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1351W.jpg)
View down the South Fork, Lytle Creek, from Buck Point.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1363W.jpg)
Joe Elliot, AKA Big Tree Memorial campground.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1366W.jpg)
Remnants of the campground namesake?
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1367W.jpg)
This burned section of trunk is at least 48 inches in diameter.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1369W.jpg)
That's the continuation of 1N43 to the right, which becomes the (closed) West Cucamonga Truck Trail.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1379W.jpg)
1N34 as it follows the head of Day Canyon.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1397W.jpg)
VERY welcome stream just above the road, elevation 5760 feet.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1419W.jpg)
Interesting weather to the West.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1425W.jpg)
More interesting weather to the west.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1441W.jpg)
One of several washouts interrupting 1N34.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1446W.jpg)
Another larger washout cutting 1N34.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1457W.jpg)
Intersection of 1N34 and Deer Canyon.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1476W.jpg)
A good-sized cat print on Deer Canyon access road.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1479W.jpg)
Looking up Deer Canyon from just above the dam.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1489W.jpg)
Smoke from the Station disaster starting to move west.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1498W.jpg)
Back to "civilization".
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/Etiwanda.jpg)
GPS track and elevation profile.
Supposing someone was hell-bent on getting some peace in their beloved San Gabriel Mountains without hazarding the closed Angeles; what could they do?
My hike up the Etiwanda Ridge picked up ~ 3,500 feet in 3.8 steep, unpleasant miles of often-indistinct trail and copious ceanothus. It aint no Big Horn Ridge, but I was twice at the edge of panic, unable to find my trail and rueful at the thought of retreating. Once reaching San Sevaine/Big Tree/1N34 road, all was well with the world. The isolation of the Joe Elliot campground, in the shadow of Cucamonga Peak is delightful. I spotted a Mule Deer hopping up a hillside as I walked in to the camp; couldn't get the camera out fast enough. After a brief rest and some Clif Bars, I spent some time studying the map. I could go back the way I came (NOT), continue along 1N34 west until it returns to civilization at Cucamonga Creek and have a really long walk back to the Jeep, or bail out via one of the canyons along the way. In anticipation of a long, hot, dry day I started with five liters. Regardless, finding water was becoming important. The West Cucamonga Truck Trail is really nifty. In spots it's wide and stable enough to actually hold a vehicle. These spots are few and far between. There were no less than a dozen slides and washouts between Elliot and Deer Canyon, where I bailed. The trail apparently sees SOME foot traffic due to the trampled Buckthorn in some overgrown spots. The remaining trail ranged from usable road, to overgrown, to single track, to hundred-plus-foot wide washouts requiring some careful climbing to regain. One of the streams that feeds Day Canyon was flowing beautifully just above the road/trail, so I was set for water for the rest of the day. As I continued around Smith Ridge I spotted a large Gopher Snake; also too fast to photograph. Soon the service road up Deer Canyon (1N44) was visible and confirmed the gently-sloped terrain observed on the Harrison map. There are some interesting structures, artifacts of its watershed use in the Canyon. Aside from a stupid meander around a subdivision trying to respect a misread "no trespassing" sign, the rest of the hike was uneventful; just a three-mile walk on a dirt service road back to the car.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1285W.jpg)
Gate at the top of Etiwanda Avenue.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1288W.jpg)
One of the attractive pavilions in the Etiwanda Preserve.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1308W.jpg)
Smith Ridge, across Day Canyon.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1309W.jpg)
Cucamonga Peak and Smith Ridge, with Etiwanda Ridge in the foreground.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1312W.jpg)
The view up Day Canyon toward Cucamonga Peak.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1320W.jpg)
Partial view of Etiwanda Ridge, looking south.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1325W.jpg)
Definitive answer as to whether the bear goes in the woods; sometimes.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1330W.jpg)
Marker at 5,600 ft elevation.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1340W.jpg)
Finally made it to Big Tree Road (1N34).
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1351W.jpg)
View down the South Fork, Lytle Creek, from Buck Point.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1363W.jpg)
Joe Elliot, AKA Big Tree Memorial campground.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1366W.jpg)
Remnants of the campground namesake?
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1367W.jpg)
This burned section of trunk is at least 48 inches in diameter.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1369W.jpg)
That's the continuation of 1N43 to the right, which becomes the (closed) West Cucamonga Truck Trail.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1379W.jpg)
1N34 as it follows the head of Day Canyon.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1397W.jpg)
VERY welcome stream just above the road, elevation 5760 feet.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1419W.jpg)
Interesting weather to the West.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1425W.jpg)
More interesting weather to the west.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1441W.jpg)
One of several washouts interrupting 1N34.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1446W.jpg)
Another larger washout cutting 1N34.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1457W.jpg)
Intersection of 1N34 and Deer Canyon.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1476W.jpg)
A good-sized cat print on Deer Canyon access road.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1479W.jpg)
Looking up Deer Canyon from just above the dam.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1489W.jpg)
Smoke from the Station disaster starting to move west.
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/IMG_1498W.jpg)
Back to "civilization".
![Image](https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/www.electricskates.com/Pix/Other/Etiwanda.jpg)
GPS track and elevation profile.