May 17, 2017 — A couple years ago, I hiked to Bear Canyon Campground with Switzer Falls along the way, and I remembered the canyon being gorgeous, so I was hoping to plan a big loop through this section of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Starting from the Switzer Picnic Area, follow the Gabrielino Trail down a paved or well-traveled route to some great views of the southern mountains of the San Gabriels. After passing Switzer Camp, you get to a junction with the Bear Canyon Trail (left) and the Gabrielino Trail (right). At the time of doing this hike, the Gabrielino Trail past this point was closed and I didn't see the sign since I did Bear Canyon first. Hopefully it reopens because it's a gorgeous trail. Anyway, follow the Bear Canyon Trail, stopping for a quick detour to Switzer Falls, before continuing to Bear Canyon Campground and then onward as the trail begins to deteriorate, but is still fairly easy to follow. I saw a bear in Bear Canyon, so that felt appropriate.
Eventually, you'll ascend to a junction with some other trails at the Mt. Lowe and Brown Mountain saddle. Head west along the ridge on a social trail to the Brown Mountain summit. I had some fog with occasional openings to see the views and it was stunning, even with the fog. From the summit, head down a social trail that turns into a wide and obvious trail that switchbacks to the Gabrielino Trail. It was at this point I learned the Gabrielino Trail was closed, but I didn't really have any other option than to follow it east up the Arroyo Seco. There were definitely some rough patches of overgrowth and fallen trees, but overall it was a great trail and led me back to complete the loop. A skunk was also following the trail and wouldn't leave it, and every time I got close, it would raise its tail and continue along its merry way on the same trail as me.
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