San Gabriels Sojourn

Hike to an Overnight Cabin at Sturtevant Camp

To overnight at Sturtevant Camp is to relive Southern California’s “Great Hiking Era”—the 1880s to late 1930s—when millions flocked to the San Gabriel Mountains to hike, fish, and picnic. Of the era’s several hostelries, only Sturtevant remains. This hike-in cabin cluster tucked deep in Big Santa Anita Canyon at 3,200 feet is open to the public for nightly rentals.

Honeymoon Cottage—a single-room shack with a double bed—is perfect for couples or solo trekkers, while other cabins sleep six or eight people. There’s even a pack-mule service, as there was a century ago. Adams’ Pack Station can haul your gear by donkey from the trailhead at Chantry Flat.

The 3.5-mile path to camp traverses Big Santa Anita Canyon, one of the loveliest, most well-watered canyons in the San Gabriels, gradually ascending 1,400 feet to its upper reaches beyond 50-foot Sturtevant Falls. You’ll be in deep shade most the way, sheltered under a canopy of alder, maple, and towering bigcone Douglas firs in a riparian passage lush with ferns and vines. The camp offers plenty to do, including zip-lining and archery, but more satisfying is simply to build a campfire at dusk and listen to it crackle as birdsong echoes through the wooded glen. Nice note: There’s no wifi or cell service available. The camp’s rustic dining hall, dating to 1897, is a real treat too. Wooden tables and benches line the interior and the pitched roof is decorated with colorful hand-painted horseshoe plaques. A large kitchen, equipped with stoves, utensils, and cookware, makes it easy to prepare even lavish meals. You’re only limited by what food you (or an Adams donkey) haul in.

In the morning, consider a jaunt up to Mount Wilson to visit the famous observatory, which is celebrating the 150th birthday of its founder with a free open house on June 30 and July 1. The steep trail climbs 2,400 feet in under 3 miles.

Take the I-210 to Arcadia, exit at Santa Anita Ave., and drive north for 5 miles to reach Chantry Flat. You will need to display an Adventure Pass to park at the trailhead.. Passes are available just a short walk away at Adams’ Pack Station. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Hiker taking a photo of sunset at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

    Sunshine and Skyline

    Head to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve for a 4-mile out-and-back hike on the Bay Area Ridge Trail that offers a front-row seat to spectacular sunsets.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View