Hiking Trail Guide: Shoemaker Canyon Road, East Fork San Gabriel River

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Shoemaker Canyon Road, East Fork San Gabriel River

Distance
5 miles

Elevation
750 feet gain

Difficulty
3/10

City
Azusa ,CA (91702) 22.14 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From Interstate 210 in Azusa, take Azusa Avenue (Hwy 39) north about 12 miles to the junction at the East Fork Road (8.6 miles from the forest station at the mouth of the canyon) Turn right (east).

Cross the bridge and drive 3.3 miles to Shoemaker Road on the left. Turn left unto Shoemaker Road and drive 2 miles on paved road to the locked gate. Park in the parking area.

You will need a National Forest Adventure Pass ($5 a day or $30 annual), available at the forest entry station on weekends or from several businesses along Azusa Avenue.

Description

In the early days of the Cold War in the late 1950's, our government decided that L.A. needed an escape route in case of a nuclear attack. Building Shoemaker Canyon Road was the supposed solution. But they soon abandoned this ill-conceived project, leaving a "road to nowhere" and nasty scares in some of the most rugged and beautiful terrain in the San Gabriels.

Today, this well-graded dirt road penetrates several miles up the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, on the east-facing slope hundreds of feet above the water. And then it ends. No glamorous destination. The road just stops abruptly in the thick brush on a steep mountainside.

The hike begins at the locked gate and proceeds up the road about 2.5 miles, passing through two long road tunnels in route. At the end of the second tunnel is where the maintained road ends. Unless you're wearing long pants and prepared for bushwhacking for another half mile, this is where you'll want to turn around and head home.

Map / Directions: