Angeles National Forest - Chilao Campground

Our first post!!!!!!

This weekend Sarah and I decided we wanted to check out a local campground and some hikes.  I have always been apprehensive to go the the Angeles National Forrest as I have heard a few negative things about the rowdy campers, but I figured we would give it a whirl.  We packed up the car Thursday night, then Friday I took the bus to work with a plan of leaving straight from Burbank.  The drive from Burbank takes you up the winding Hwy 2 and drops you off an the campsite in about an hour, which is where you completely lose all cell phone service. (Including some crappy LA traffic).  We stopped at the only restaurant/ shop in between La Canada and Palmdale to see if they had any batteries for sale and learned that you need to pack EVERYTHING you will need on your trip before driving up the 2.  Some really nice guy gave us some batteries and told us that the campground we were originally going to stay at (Buckhorn) was full and that we should check out Chilao Campground, Manzanita loop.  We were fortunate as you don't get service anywhere up here.  We headed the campground where Sarah scooped out a few spots and picked the perfect one.

A view from our campsite

Chilao campground, Manzanita loop is full of single, double and quad camping spots.  They all have a fire ring, picnic table and tent area.  There are a bunch of faucets with potable water and even one in our campsite (26).  The bathrooms are vault toilets and can get pretty stinky and full of flies. That is, unless you are lucky enough to have someone place incense inside them, like we were.  There are no showers but plenty of places to hang a portable shower.  Some of the campers sounded like they were having somedrinks and lots of fun, but it wasn't anything too rowdy.  We both agreed that the best sites were on the upper loop because of the views.  We were able to see amazing wildflowers and sunsets over the mountains.

HIKING DAY 1:

Well, we were going to start off with a nice Mt. Bike ride but I rolled right into a huge angry bush 2 minutes into the ride and popped my tire.  With no spare tubes (dummies), we looked into a local hike and decided to hike  the Burkhart Trail from Buckhorn Campground.  There is a small parking lot for day hikers near the trail head along with a single bathroom.  The hike follows the mountain down to a creek then follows the creek to a small waterfall with a pool.  After that you will contine to follow the creek until you meet up with the Pacific Crest Trail.  Past this point the hike becomes more desert like and continues to Devils Punch Bowl.  We turned around at about 7.5 miles into the hike and came out doing 15 miles.  While on the last portion of the hike we met a trail blazer and his two horses.  His horse conveniently named Rascal had his bags stuck on a part of the mountain, and refused to move any further. So I helped take them off and became a pack horse myself by carrying them for a quarter mile up the road.  All in all it was a really pretty hike but I think next time we will turn around at the PCT.

After a long hike it was nice to get back to the campsite, take a shower (from our portable shower with our neighboring campers peering in) and relax.  We popped open a bottle  of wine since it happened to be our 6 month anniversary of dating, and took some photos while watching the sunset. Beware of the beautiful, but poisonous, poodle dog bush! Later that night we munched down some fajitas and some s'mores for dessert.

Checking out the sunset

HIKING DAY 2:
After a slow morning we were packed and heading to our second hike, Mt. Waterman Loop.  The entrance is on the right hand side right before the Buckhorn Campground.  Park in the lot across the road (there are no bathrooms here)  You will see a big silver sign but nothing is really legible on it.  From the sign you continue left and follow the trail through beautiful views, trees and rock gardens to a trail crossing.  If you head right, go 3/4 and stay right you will head up a steep incline to the top of Mt. Waterman.  This is an amazing lunch break spot.  You can head back down to the sign and continue the hike but we decided to head back down the way we came as we didn't have a map.

Climbing some of the granite

Funny shaped rock

Scotty and Sarah

This was such an awesome trip for something thats so close.  We can't wait to go back!

Some things to think about before you go:

No cell service (bring maps and backup campground info)

Sites are $12, bring cash

No stores for miles, make sure you bring enough food and batteries :)

No ranger stations are open nearby, bring hiking maps

If your going Mt. Biking the plants are angry, bring spare tubes
Watch out for Poodle-dog Bush

- Scotty and Sarah