Trailhead: Switzer Picnic Area

View toward bridge at the west trailhead for the Gabrieleno Tail at the Switzer Picnic Area

Trail: Switzer Picnic Area to Switzer Falls and the Bear Canyon Trail along the Arroyo Seco to the mouth of Bear Canyon.

Description: From the trailhead at the west end of the lower parking lot, cross the bridge and follow the Gabrieleno trail down along the Arroyo Seco. Cross the Arroyo Seco at an obvious spot near Commodore Switzer Trailcamp and continue uphill to a junction with the Bear Canyon Trail (note: as of this writing the Gabrieleno Trail is closed at this junction). Follow the Bear Canyon Trail down to the Arroyo Seco and at the junction at the Arroyo Seco follow the trail north along the Arroyo Seco a short distance to Switzer Falls. Return to the junction and follow the trail south along the Arroyo Seco until the trail meets the mouth of Bear Canyon and overlooks the Arroyo Seco. Follow the Bear Canyon Trail up to Bear Canyon Campground. Return the same way.

Stats: 7.5 miles, 1860′ of gain and loss.

Track Map for Switzer Picnic Area to Bear Canyon Campground and Switzer Falls from January 2018 using Backcountry Navigator (US Forest Service-2013 map) from my phone.

Last Hiked: 1-15-2018

View along the Bear Canyon Trail between the Arroyo Seco and Bear Canyon Campground (1-15-2018).