Cherry on Top

Hike to the Ultimate Destination in Cherry Creek Canyon Park LA County

07.08.2020
Hike Cherry Canyon Park

The Ultimate Destination in LA County? It’s easier to reach than you may think. Nestled in the San Rafael Hills in La Cañada Flintridge, Cherry Canyon Park has a 2.5-mile out-and-back hike up to an old fire tower with an incredible panorama. There’s also a vista point called, well, the Ultimate Destination! Sounds pretty great. Ready?

Hiker at Cherry Creek Canyon Park in Los Angeles

When you start the hike, ignore the descending singletrack and head up the wide fire road to the Cherry Canyon Motorway. The climb brings beautiful views of the San Gabriels (behind you to the north) as well as into the canyon below to the east, where deer are especially active during sunset.

Hiker on the trail at Cherry Creek Canyon Park in LA.

Hiker heading up the hill at Cherry Creek Canyon Park in Los Angeles

Hiker with outstretched arms to welcome the mountain scenery at Cherry Creek Canyon Park in LA

After nearly half a mile of consistent ascent, you’ll reach the Five Points junction. Different motorways are available to explore here, including one that heads north to Descanso Gardens. Opt for the Ridge Motorway fire road on your left and get views to the east of Glendale and the Verdugo Mountains. Ignore spur trails for now and head straight toward the inactive Cerro Negro fire tower (now with antennas) and to the summit for even more expansive views.

Hiker at Cherry Creek Canyon Park in LA

Hiker at a bench overlooking the mountain scenery at Cherry Creek Canyon Park in Los Angeles

Head back and don’t miss an opportunity for an incredible photo at a perfectly placed lone bench overlooking the San Gabriel Valley. Pro Tip: Just below the bench, find a trail (and sign) for the “Ultimate Destination.” Wend under the oaks and along the yellow blooms of resident mustard plants, and keep an eye on the trail for scurrying quail and basking western alligator lizards.

At the Ultimate Destination find a picnic table and savor the scenery of the San Gabriel Valley: La Cañada, Pasadena, and points beyond sprawl in front of you with the peaks of the San Gabriels looming, including Mount Wilson, the easiest to identify. Reconnect with the fire road to return the way you came.

SPIRITED TIP: Stop by the excellent micro-distillery Stark Spirits.

Cherry Canyon Trail in La Canada (approximate address: 4168 Hampstead Rd., La Canada). Park in the small lot or on Hampstead Rd. to begin your adventure into Cherry Canyon Park. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories

  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay

    Good Heavens

    The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View

  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View

  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View