LENGTH

5.5 mi

ELEVATION GAIN

753 ft

DIFFICULTY

Difficult

TAGS:

Traversing a number of different environments — including rural roadways and chaparral hillsides — the Altadena Crest Trail is accessible from a number of different streets. The trail provides great views from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean, and is adjacent to the Angeles National Forest — which offers a number of additional hiking opportunities. Due to a fair amount of steep slopes, this trail is recommended for seasoned hikers.

Get Directions to Trailhead

TRAIL INFORMATION
ALLOWED USES:
  • Hiking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Dogs on Leash
CONTACT INFO:
County of Los Angeles
626-588-5364

trails@parks.lacounty.gov

LINKS:
LOCAL WEATHER:
Sunny
68° / 42°

Moderate

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TRAIL MAP
ELEVATION PROFILE

TAKE THE TRAIL WITH YOU

Get offline access to the most up-to-date information, including maps, photos, directions, and official trail guides.

NEARBY TRAILS
...
Altadena Crest Access Trail
...
Eaton Canyon Trail
...
Chaney Trail
...
Altadena Crest Trail Connector
...
Gould Canyon Trail
FLORA & FAUNA
California Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus beecheyi
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
American Kestrel
Falco sparverius
American Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Anna's Hummingbird
Calypte anna
Arroyo Toad
Anaxyrus californicus
Big Brown Bat
Eptesicus fuscus
Bigberry Manzanita
Arctostaphylos glauca
Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum
Black Mustard
Brassica nigra
Black Sage
Saliva mellifera
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Archilochus alexandri
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
California Black Bear
Ursus americana
California Black Walnut
Juglans californica
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
California Coffeeberry
Frangula californica
California Dodder
Cruscuta californica
California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
California Lilacs
Ceanothus spp.
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
California Quail
Callipepla californica
California Sagebrush
Artemisia californica
California Scrub Jay
Aphelocoma californica
California Sycamore
Platanus racemosa
California Tarantula
Aphonopelma sp.
California Towhee
Melozone crissalis
California Treefrog
Hyla cadaverina
Chamise
Adenostoma fasciculatum
Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia
Coast Range Newt
Taricha torosa
Common Poorwill
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
Cooper's Hawk
Accipiter cooperii
Coyote
Canis latrans
Coyote Brush
Baccharis pilularis
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Hollyleaf Cherry
Prunus ilicifolia
Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja gleasoni
Laurel Sumac
Malosma laurina
Lemonade Berry
Rhus integrifolia
Lupine
Lupinus albifrons
Monkey Flower
Mimulus aurantiacus
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
Mugwort
Artemisia douglasiana
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Narrow-leaved Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Picoides nuttallii
Pacific Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
Pine Goldenbush
Ericameria pinifolia
Plummer's Mariposa Lily
Calochortus plummerae
Poison Oak
Toxicodendron diverisloba
Purple Sage
Salvia leucophylla
Red Tail Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Silvery Blue
Glaucopsyche lygdamus
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
Sugar Bush
Rhus ovata
Summer Holly
Comarostaphylis diversifolia
Swainson's Thrush
Catharus ustulatus
Toyon
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
Western Grey Squirrel
Sciurus griseus
Western Toad
Bufo boreas
White Alder
Alnus rhombifolia
White Sage
Salvia apiana
White-throated Swift
Aeronautes saxatalis
ADD A REVIEW
Kevin a year ago

Is the trail open 24hrs?

Response

LA County Trails are generally open to the public from sunrise to sunset.  Trailheads and restrooms that are opened and closed daily are subject to the following hours:

March 1st to October 31st:

  • Trailheads:   Monday - Sunday 8:00 am to 7:30 pm
  • Restrooms:  Monday - Sunday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

November 1st to February 28th:

  • Trailheads:   Monday - Sunday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Restrooms:  Monday - Sunday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

 

pam allen 3 years ago

why is map oriented with west on the left and east on the right but the elevation provided is oriented the opposite with the east end of the trail on the left and the west end of the trail on the right

Robert 7 years ago

The ACT is one of my favorite trails due to its length, and the various topographies and views throughout the route. I usually start at the COBB Estate at the top of Lake Avenue in Pasadena and head east towards Eaton Canyon. Within the COBB Estate managed by the Forest Service there is a water fountain so hydrate here, as the route east on the ACT to Eaton Canyon is roughly seven miles, so bring plenty of water! I like this somewhat urban route as the this trail segment has many trail access points, including connectivity to Forest trails,so if you need to exit the trail you always have that option. Also, since your either adjacent to the Forest, there is generally plentiful wildlife. Just recently I spotted a mama bear with cub, mule deer and coyotes just before leaving the trail at sunset. Enjoy and be safe!

Natasha 7 years ago

Great trail!