Bridge to Nowhere

TRAIL NAME: East Fork Trail to the Bridge to Nowhere

HIKE PREREQUISITE: Must have completed at least a Level 5 or 6 LATH hike with no problem. Adventure Pass required to park.

HIKE DATE: Saturday, June 08, 2019

MEETING TIME: 6:00 am – 6:20 am
(Please be on time. We’ll wait about 20 mins and leave the meeting point at 6:20 am)
Return Approx: 3:00 pm

HIKE LEAD: Jason Bazalar

HIKE LEVEL:  Level 7 – (Moderate Strenuous) No First-Time Hikers/Beginners, No Kids, No Dogs, Heat Factor

WHAT IS A HIKING LEVEL?:
Find out more about hiking levels here:
http://latrailhikers.com/about/hike-levels/

HIKE RSVP:
https://www.facebook.com/latrailhikers/events

HIKE DURATION: 5 – 6 Hours (approx)

HIKE DISTANCE: 10 Miles (Round trip) + 12 stream crossings (6 each way)

MEETING POINT:
CVS Pharmacy Parking Lot
101 W. Foothill Blvd.
Azusa, CA 91702

Please note that CVS will be closed during the time we are meeting, so please arrive with your water and all necessary hiking gear all ready to go.

DIRECT LINK: https://goo.gl/maps/5oEiWTQQrrNB3SeH8

CARPOOL: Parking is very limited at the trailhead, as with other popular Angeles National Forest areas, so we highly urge carpooling prior to getting to the meeting point. We’ll try to consolidate cars just before we leave the meeting point, but we need all attending hikers to make an effort in keeping the number of vehicles to a minimum.

PARKING PERMIT (REQUIRED): You will need an Adventure Pass. You’ll need to purchase a $5/Day OR $30/Year Adventure Pass per car prior to the hike date. You will not be able to get one on the day of the hike. These permits can be bought at REI and other popular sports/outdoor retailers. You can also find a local vendor here:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5181410&width=full

TRAIL WALKTHROUGH: This hike about 10 miles round-trip so take enough water and snacks (trail mix, fruits etc.) with an elevation of 950-1400 ft. We will cross the river a total of 12 times and the river can be about 3 1/2 ft deep (slightly lower during drier seasons) and about 20ft wide, running fast and cold. There will be plenty of bolder hoping if the water is not to high. There wil be one technical area where you may need to slightly step down a small rock wall area, about 5-6 ft. Along the way, we will get to see the Swan Rock formation. The trail we follow throughout the hike is sun-exposed, so make sure you wear a good hat and sunscreen.  Our goal will be the Bridge to Nowhere, which was built in 1930 as a potential connector between the San Gabriel Valley and Wrightwood. Once we get to the other side of the bridge, there will be a narrow crossing that will then take us down below. Here, we’ll take our primary break and enjoy some time in the lower area of the river area after crossing the bridge. Most hikers tend to enjoy some time in the river at this point, and we’ll have plenty of time for this. We’ll return along the same trail route all the way back to the parking lot.

WATER REQUIRED. WATER CHECK WILL BE PERFORMED. If you do not take enough water or are not appropriately equipped for this hike, you will be turned away from doing this hike with us even if you show up. Please note, that we have expectations for Level 7 hikers.

REQUIRED: At least 3-4 liters of water (and any additional water you can carry) as most people run out along the way. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH WATER, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO THE HIKE WITH US.  If you can, bring electrolytes as part of one of your water sources or as tablets to add to one of your water bottles.
Sungear: A hat/cap to protect your head from the sun, sunscreen, (comfortable) light colored and lightweight,  fast drying clothes. Absolutely no jeans.  A good sized lunch (at the turn back point) and small snacks (while on the trail). Water/River footwear if you do not plan on getting your hiking shoes wet.

*** SPECIAL HIKE NOTE ***
The Bridge to Nowhere hike requires appropriate footwear, gear, nutrition and water preparation. If you’re not sure what this means, please make sure you ask us on hikes leading up this one and make sure you understand the requirements for this hike.

IT WILL BE A SEMI-HOT DAY:
It will be a hot day in about the mid 80’s. Bring more water than you think you should bring. Hikers have run out of water because they underestimate their water intake. 2 liters of water is NOT enough (which is about 2 of the larger water bottles). So make sure you try to bring 3 liters and up. We’ll be exposed to the sun. Things to consider bringing:

• Light-colored clothing to reflect sunlight and keep you cool
• Hiking pants/shorts are light-weight, keep you cool, and dry quick (if wet).
• Sunscreen to protect against UVA/UVB rays. It should be applied at least 1 hour before the hike (and again at the turn-back point)
• Hat (round-brim) or cap to keep the sun out of your face (and back of neck)
• River sandals (known to some as water socks, but they are not socks) which have straps that will wrap around your ankles. No beach sandals, which can easily slide off your feet (plus are not intended for hiking). No flat soled shoes like Vans, Converse or other non-hiking footwear.
• Hiking shoes that may be waterproof. There’s a good chance you can cross the, currently low, river crossings without getting wet by using the rocks that stick out of the water. Do not wear jeans, they are heavy (especially if wet) and insulate heat.
• (Wool/Bamboo) Hiking socks are helpful in keeping your feet cool and comfortable while hiking footwear. You may want to keep an extra pair of socks to wear after any water play.

PACK SNACKS
Take snacks to have along the way and at the turn back point.

• Pack fruits such as oranges, apples, peaches, and bananas. These tend to be juicy and will keep you cool too.
• Pack some nuts or trail mix.
• In the past, hikers may have also taken hard-boiled eggs (halved-whites), hummus, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, dried fruit, granola mixes, berries, string cheese, and small cut veggies (carrots, celery) in small baggies or containers.

PREVENTATIVE ITEMS

• If your knee or ankles act up on bigger hikers, you may want to bring a knee or ankle brace just in case. Some hikers claim that this trail does cause such impact even though it there isn’t a big elevation gain on the rolling hill trail.
• Prevent inner thigh leg chafing. Some people may apply vaseline, others may use baby powder. Make sure you know this may happen as your legs rub against each other because of distance, or simply because they get wet causing a bad friction in the area. Some hikers forget this.
• Blisters on feet can sometimes be an issue because of distance. Make sure that you carry some cloth tape or cloth band-aids/bandages that you can apply should they start to develop.

RECOMMENDED: Tough/Sport shoes (bring an extra change of shoes and clothes for the way back home), backpack or camelpak, a towel, and a water pump/filter if you have one. Keep important items dry by storing them in ziplock bags.  Carb up and keep hydrated the night before. Wear light-colored clothing to keep cool in hot, sun-exposed areas (there will be plenty).

DOG-FRIENDLY?: No. Although allowed by the Park, we would rather not have dogs come along on this level/heat intensive hike with the group on this hike.

SPECIAL NOTE: There is a restroom on the parking lot to change after the Hike.  You will get your shoes wet so be ready to hike with wet shoes and be ready to have fun!  PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU BRING A BAG/CAMELBAK/ETC to put your carry items, you will need to keep your hands free for safety! HEAT WILL BE A FACTOR FOR THIS HIKE, PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND.

ONLINE RESOURCES:

• http://www.yelp.com/biz/bridge-to-nowhere-azusa
• http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/EastFork_4472.asp
• http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/bridge.html

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE WITH THE GROUP ON THIS HIKE?
1. Read the Hike’s Details we link at the very top of this page.
2. Make sure that the Hike Level accommodates your hiking experience.
3. If, and only if it suits you, then RSVP for this event and show up the day of the hike with all necessary gear and water (we mention everything you need on the details page for this hike).

MY FRIEND SAID I CAN DO THIS HIKE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT, RIGHT?
We take your safety quite seriously, and would not like for you to attend a hike you’re not ready for.  You know your body and hiking experience better than your friends. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced hiker, please read our hike details page as the hike may not suit your experience level. We have a better experience if every hike has hikers of the intended level.

DISCLAIMER: LA Trail Hikers and its Leads/Organizers/Participants do not take responsibility for any harm, bodily injury, accidents, or damage to personal property. By clicking “Attending,” or attending the hike, you confirming that you understand that all outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, and trekking have an associated danger, and will not hold any hike lead/organizer, participant, LA Trail Hikers, or any group associated pet responsible for any hazard to your well being. Additionally, you will not be allowed to participate with the group if you are not adequately prepared with enough water and the right gear/equipment/nutrition essential to complete the hike. You are fully responsible for yourself.

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