Angeles National Forest

Angeles National Forest is a national forest in Southern California.

Understand
The Angeles National Forest borders the San Bernardino National Forest. Some areas of each are only really accessible by travelling through the other. Sometimes this means that the forests are referenced interchangeably and it is often hard to discern in which national forest some locations are.

Climate
The Angeles National Forest is in Southern California, and the weather acts accordingly. For much of the year the forest has warnings posted regarding fires. Even at some of the higher elevations it can stay a bit warm. During the winter, however, it can get cold. From the months of December through March there is often snow on the ground to be enjoyed by those up for some skiing, innertubing, or general snowplay.

By car

 * On the Eastern side

Heading West on the 210 Freeway Exit Campus Ave., in Upland. Make a right at the light and a left at the stop sign shortly ahead. This road will take you passed the rock quarry and curve up to being northbound. A right at the first stop will lead you to Euclid Ave. Make a right and head North on Euclid to the fire station. Follow directions for "From I-10" from this point. Exit Monte Vista/Padua/Baseline on the eastern border of Claremont. This exit has been known to change names at times. When you exit you will end up at a stoplight facing north towards the mountains. A Left turn here will take you West where you will see the light for Monte Vista to the south and Padua to the north. Turn right up Padua and continue all the way up to the light at Mt Baldy Rd. Take a right at the light and follow it all the way up. On Euclid Ave in Upland, head north, towards the mountains. Follow Euclid all the way to the top. When you reach the firestation at the top of Euclid the street will no longer be divided. You will need to make a left at the stop sign and then a right at a split stop sign in order to continue up Euclid on the left side of the firestation. Continue following the road up the mountain. The road will come to a T at Baldy Road. A left will head you down to Padua Hills. There are some hiking trails at the turnouts on the way down the hill in this direction. Continuing to head this way can lead you straight down Padua and Monte Vista to the Montclair Plaza. A right at the stop will take you up to Baldy Village, Manker Flats, Icehouse, or the Mount Baldy skiing area.
 * Heading East on the 210 Freeway
 * From I-10

By foot
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a well known trail that extends along the West coast of the United States, from Mexico to Canada. It passes through California, Oregon, and Washington State.

Fees and permits
Parking permits can be purchased at the ranger's station in Mount Baldy Village. On some days permits are not required. If you are cited the fee is usually just the amount of a parking pass.

Generally, most areas of the Angeles National Forest will require parked vehicles to show either a $5 day pass, or an Adventure Pass ($30; valid for one year). The latter, which is also valid at three other National Forests in Southern California, can be purchased at local sporting goods stores. The ANF website provides a list of local vendors. 

Get around
By car A good portion of the forest can be seen without having to get out of your car. Mount Baldy road can take you to the parking lot of the ski lift at Mt Baldy. From Mount Baldy Village it is possible to take Glendora Ridge Road. This road can take you out in Glendora, or continue on all the way to the top of highway 39. Make sure you have enough gas, there are no stops along the way. And check beforehand on road conditions as this route is frequently closed during the winter due to snow and during the summer due to fire hazards. By bicycle If you're of the more athletic sort, the climb up Mount Baldy Road has been used by many. There is normally plenty of space for bicyclists with only a coupld tunnels to worry about sharing some tight space with passing cars. Staying on the lower roads from Euclid to Padua can also provide a nice little loop with some good elevation changes. By foot Much of the forest can be enjoyed on foot. Many paths are well-marked and make for some pleasant hiking. The ski lift at Mount Baldy runs throughout much of skiing's off-season in order to help some with the climb to the hiking trails found a little higher up.

Suggested day hikes

 * Follow the track after the first switch back when you are over the trailhead. A single-track path veers up to the left. Follow this one. The light-green ski hut is approximately at 8200 feet. Please take a break there! After that it is a fairly rapid climb to the 10064 feet of Mount Baldy (San Antonio) summit. There are hazardous drops along the trail, although it doesn't get much worse than the Devil's Backbone section, which you will see immediately. Not recommended with young children or during precipitation (which is unusual during most of the year anyway).
 * Descend eastwards along the Devil's Backbone ridge and watch out especially in snowy/icy/rainy conditions, as the path has partially been covered by landslides in some spots. Back at the Baldy Notch Skihut at 7800 feet, take the ski lift down for $15 or if you haven't had enough walking for one day descend by the dirt track back to Manker Flats (approximately 1 hour).
 * Descend eastwards along the Devil's Backbone ridge and watch out especially in snowy/icy/rainy conditions, as the path has partially been covered by landslides in some spots. Back at the Baldy Notch Skihut at 7800 feet, take the ski lift down for $15 or if you haven't had enough walking for one day descend by the dirt track back to Manker Flats (approximately 1 hour).

Lodging
Mount Baldy Lodge has 6 cabins to stay at. A bit farther up the hill is Snow Crest Lodge.

Camping
Manker Flats has several sites for overnight camping.

Backcountry
There are places along the trails where camping is permitted, such as Kelly's Camp on the trail to Ontario Peak. Permits can be acquired at the ranger's station.

Stay safe
While most of the area is fairly frequently traveled and patrolled by hikers as well as the county sheriff's department, caution should be used when traveling through the forest. Some of the trails can be more strenuous than you may first suspect and leaving the trails can be dangerous. During the winter months there can be a good deal of snow and ice on the paths. Spend some time to research the trails, talk to the rangers, and make your time here as enjoyable as it should be. Also, the forest has seen its share of wildlife including bear and mountain lion. Take all necessary precautions when hiking, camping, or just wandering through.

Go next
On the west of the forest is Hwy 2 which requires just a short jaunt to Pasadena or Glendale. Heading East can take you through the San Bernardino National forest to Wrightwood. A more south-east departure will pass you on into Ontario.