Patch Blog: How to Hike the Eagle Rock Canyon Trail
Our neighborhood is named after the giant stone formation dubbed Eagle Rock by the Tongva natives who were here well before any residents who spoke a language any of us might understand.
We talk about it, reference it, drive by it, admire it—but have you ever actually hiked the Eagle Rock Canyon Trail, a four-and-a-half-acre open space adjacent to the Eagle Rock?
That we can do so is because of the heroic efforts by many community activists, nature lovers and elected officials who worked together to save the land around the rock from developers and created the Eagle Rock Historic Park. There are still private residential properties—and a large apartment complex exclusively for renters—by The Rock.
This blog is about hiking the trail, but first credit must be given to Kaye Beckham and Shirley Minser, who led efforts to preserve the roughly four acres of land.
Props as well to local community group Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful and its late founder John Stillion, who teamed with CERB Co-Chair Esther Monk to start the “Save The Rock” campaign.
Peter Schaller eventually designed the trail. It is due to the tireless and dedicated work of these individuals and many more that we Eagle Rockers are able to enjoy this last piece of open space between Eagle Rock and Pasadena.
Again, this is a capsule history—if you have more historical facts and anecdotes (and kudos), please feel free to contribute them in the comments section below.
Cut to present day and the decision by this blogger to get a workout and hike The Rock.
I took the easiest route to the Eagle Rock:
1. Drive east on Colorado Boulevard toward Pasadena.
2. After Figueroa, take a left on Patrician Way.
3. After you cross the bridge over the 134 freeway, take an immediate left on Eagle Rock View Drive.
4. Park in the cul de sac and start your walk at the trail entrance to the left of the private driveway where Eagle Rock View Drive ends.
The hike is just under a mile—and relatively easy. I hiked the trail in my worn-out Shaq high tops and did fine, although I would have been more at ease in my hiking boots. Bring water (which I didn’t) and maybe some trail mix to enjoy at the top of the trail when you take in the view (again, I did not). And remember—trash in, trash out! (There’s a trash bin at the beginning of the trail.)
I did, however, bring along my trusty flip cam, so enjoy the short video and appreciate nature from the comfort of your laptop.
Happy Trails!
Pat Griffith
11:14 pm on Monday, August 29, 2011
Thanks, Peter!
din
10:29 am on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Excellent post.
Cherryl Weaver
10:55 am on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thank you for highlighting this amazing trail that so many have worked hard for Eagle Rockers to enjoy. I hope more people hike the trail.
Carmen Castillo
11:24 am on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Spread the word!!! The land is privately held by CERB. We need help paying it off so that it will become a permanent part of the community. If everyone in Eagle Rock donated just $5.00 we would have the trail paid off!!!
Peter Choi
12:06 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
@Pat, @din, @Cherryl -
Thanks!
It was a fun excursion that I encourage others to experience.
Peter Choi
12:09 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
@Carmen-
Thanks for the alert. Readers wanting to help can go to the CERB website:
http://www.cerb.us/How_To_Help.html
CERB rocks!
Tim Ryder
1:32 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
I recommend taking the trail route to the left as it is less steep then the right side. Unless you want a good workout of course. I have seen all sorts of wildlife up there, rabbits, squirrels, birds, and the occasional rattlesnake (well it is outdoors).
Cheryl Leutjen
3:29 pm on Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thank you, Peter, for the beautiful tribute to the Eagle Rock Canyon Tail! While the trail is just under a mile in length, please note that there are steep and narrow places ~ and, yes, wildlife ~ so please do use caution and hold the hands of your little ones. The property is held by the Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful for the benefit of all. We are still fundraising to pay for the property, however, and we do appreciate your contributions to help pay it off. See our website at cerb.us or call Ursula Brown at 323-255-9400 for information about how to donate. Also, we LOVE volunteers willing to help maintain the trail, usually on the first Saturday of each month. For updates on all of our events, email us at volunteer@cerb.us or "Like" our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ERBeautiful. Thanks for the support, community!
Cheryl Leutjen
CERB, Vice-President
Peter Choi
11:30 am on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
@Tim
Thanks for the tips Tim!
Peter Choi
11:37 am on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
@Cheryl-
At the risk of sounding like a classic Sammy-Maudlin/Bobby-Bittman SCTV sketch, thank YOU for your efforts to improve Eagle Rock and for the great work CERB does. Your information is exactly what readers would like to know.
Donna Rocks
7:44 pm on Thursday, September 1, 2011
Cool video! It really shows gorgeous Eagle Rock.
Peter Choi
11:53 am on Friday, September 2, 2011
Thanks to Curbed (www.la.curbed.com) here is a link to an old LA Times article on how Eagle Rock fought to preserve the Eagle Rock:
http://articles.latimes.com/1988-06-16/news/gl-6825_1_eagle-rock
Ursula Brown
10:20 am on Monday, September 5, 2011
Thank you for this video, it's beautiful. CERB is working on creating a memorial garden with benches, on top of the trail.
QW
9:41 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
why did someone remove all the keychains from the fence?
A.T.
11:55 am on Sunday, April 8, 2012
I've lived in the nearby apartments for decades, trekked up and down Patrician Way ~3000 times, hiked trails and climbed mountains around the world, and only now (as in today) accidentally discovered this trail a few feet from my door!? Opened in 2008?! Is my face red.
Only knew the area as a private residence, with no reasons to go that way since moving here.
It's a wonderful trail with many moments of beauty and unanswered questions; some ancient cement foundations appear to protrude at points. What in the world used to be there and what happened to it? What are the various nearby buildings (some pretty scraggly)? How was the trail built and did it follow a pre-existing path? Looks like an enormous amount of work was done, the story of the decisons would be most interesting.
Cheryl Leutjen
2:04 pm on Sunday, April 8, 2012
Hello, A.T., thanks for your comments on the Eagle Rock Canyon Trail! The property was acquired by The Collaborative Eagle Rock Beautiful, a local non-profit organization of which I am the vice-president. The trail is privately owned, but open for public enjoyment. It was designed by master trail builder Peter Schaller and built with all-volunteer efforts. It is currently maintained by local residents Harry Chamberlain, Trever Jones, and the members and volunteers of the Collaborative. All of the nearby buildings are on privately owned property, and hikers are urged to stay on the trail. We are still raising funds to pay off the trail, and we invite you to check out our website for more information about the trail, as well as our upcoming fundraising events. www.cerb.us Thanks again for your interest in the Eagle Rock Canyon Trail.