Switzer Falls, Fall 2012

 Switzer Falls is one of my favorite places to hike, especially during the fall when the leaves start to change colors. It was a perfect day!

It was one of the most affected trails of the Station Fires from 2009. 

I'm so glad they've opened up the trail again.

Nestled in the Angeles mountains, and only about a 30 minute drive from the city, you'll need a $5 adventure pass which you can get at the ranger station just before the Switzer campground turnoff. 

This tree is one of the coolest trees I've seen in Los Angeles:

Most of the hike is spent under trees, crossing the creek, but you take the trail up (and back down) this mountain to see these majestic views. 

 

As we were parking we ran into some friends who happened to choose this hike the same day at the same time as well! So we joined them for most of the journey. As Disneyland's most popular ride leads you to believe, it is a small world after all!

Because I promised Sam I wouldn't do any more than 4 miles, we turned around at the junction at the top of the hill. But if you look for it, you can still see Switzer Falls from this section of the trail: 

Loved how the sun played through all the trees:

And the shot of the day:

You still have time to see the colors! Check it out this weekend if you can, but be sure to bring a jacket as the weather is cooling down quite a bit.