Hike #1457
Powder Canyon
September 29, 2021
Hike Leader: Sam Prum
Meet at 8:00 am for start at 8:30 am
Please print your own hike descriptions and maps. This will save the hike leader the inconvenience and cost of providing descriptions/maps to you all.
Description of the Hike: There are a number of variations for this hike. The terrain is rolling hills going through trails and fire roads. You will see Oak and Black Walnut Woodlands, native scrub brush and hopefully great views of the San Gabriel Mountains. We start at a wooded and shaded park area and climb gently to over 1300’, where views can be stunning on clear days.
Directions to Schabarum Trailhead: Go east on the Pomona Freeway (60). Exit at Azusa Ave. (exit #18) and go south to Colima; left on Colima; right into Schabarum Park. Drive straight past the guard booth and continue on the main park road (don't turn right). After about 0.6 mi. you will come to a "T" intersection. Turn left and follow the signs to the Equestrian Area. In another 0.2 mi. you will arrive at the equestrian area. Park on the right. Bathrooms and picnic tables are available at the park.
Basic Hike: 6.3 miles, about 1300 feet total elevation gain – From the Schabarum Trailhead, head south (past the horse corrals) on Powder Canyon Trail for 0.8 miles to the junction with the Black Walnut Trail on the left. Follow Black Walnut Trail 1.0 miles to turnoff to Nogales Trail (on the right). Take Nogales Trail a short .12 miles to join Powder Canyon Trail, which is a dirt road at this point. Go right on Powder Canyon and continue for 0.8 miles to the junction (on the left) with the Purple Sage Trail.
Go left and follow Purple Sage Trail for 1.4 miles, past some antenna stations on your right, to a clump of eucalyptus trees on the left. This may be a good place for a break with shade and a nice view of the OC. As you depart, turn north following the trail wrapping around the antenna hill and you will reach the intersection with the Schabarum trail. Turn right and follow this trail for 2.1 miles to return to the starting point. (Use caution after 0.7 miles on the Schabarum Trail to make sure you stay on it as you round an area with transmission towers). When you descend back to the edge of the park, be sure to veer right to stay on the Schabarum trail, which will bring you back to the equestrian area. (Yellow line in Google Earth Photo)
Variations on the Basic Hike:
a) Shorter Hike 1: 5.4 miles, about 1,200 feet total elevation gain – Follow Basic Hike above until you reach the junction of Purple Sage Trail and Buena Vista Trail (just before the first antenna tower cluster). Proceed straight ahead on the Buena Vista Trail to join the Schabarum Trail without going around the transmitter hill.
b) Shorter Hike 2: 3.4 miles, about 550 feet total elevation gain – Follow the Basic Hike above on its first loop: Powder Canyon, Black Walnut Trail, Nogales Trail and Powder Canyon. At the junction with Purple Sage Trail, continue on Powder Canyon to return to the start.
c) Longer Hike: 8.5 miles, about 1,500 feet total elevation gain – Start along Powder Canyon south as on the basic hike. About 0.2 miles turn left onto Schabarum Trail Extension trail. Follow trail for 2.7 miles to Fullerton Road. Proceed a short distance along Fullerton Road to the start of the Black Walnut Trail. Reenter the Park and continue on Black Walnut Trail until you end at Powder Canyon Trail. Turn right and go 0.2 miles to junction with Purple Sage Trail. Turn left and follow instructions as in Basic Hike, above. (Blue Line in Google Earth Photo).
Google Earth Photo - Powder Canyon/Schabarum Park
Updated: 2022-01-05