Big Dalton Canyon Hiking Guide
Big Dalton Canyon cuts through the San Gabriel foothills just above Glendora, offering one of the more rewarding and accessible canyon hikes in the eastern Los Angeles foothills. The trail winds past a seasonal creek, dense oak woodland, and open chaparral slopes that burst with wildflowers in late winter and spring. At approximately 5 miles out and back with around 800 feet of elevation gain, it hits a sweet spot for hikers looking for genuine terrain without a brutal climb.
Trail Overview and Character
Big Dalton Canyon sits within the Angeles National Forest foothills managed by the San Gabriel Valley's open space network. The canyon trail follows Big Dalton Creek upstream through a shaded corridor of coast live oak, sycamore, and willow before opening onto drier chaparral slopes higher up. The route feels surprisingly secluded given how close it sits to the Glendora city limits. Expect a mix of packed dirt, some rocky stretches near creek crossings, and occasional exposed sections where the canyon walls open up and deliver views back down toward the San Gabriel Valley.
Elevation and Terrain Details
The trail gains approximately 800 feet over roughly 2.5 miles one way, making the ascent steady but never punishing. The lower canyon section is nearly flat and creek-adjacent, which is ideal for warming up. The climb becomes more pronounced in the upper half as the trail moves away from the creek bed and gains the canyon's drier eastern slopes. Footing is generally reliable, but loose gravel and embedded rocks appear on steeper segments, so trail runners or sturdy hiking shoes are a better choice than casual sneakers. Trekking poles help on the descent when the slope becomes more exposed.
Seasonal Conditions and Best Times to Visit.
Fall, winter, and spring are the prime windows for Big Dalton Canyon. Cooler temperatures keep the shaded lower canyon comfortable from October through May, and the seasonal creek runs most reliably after winter rains, adding real character to the lower half of the route. Wildflowers, including lupine and Chinese houses, appear along the chaparral margins from February through April. Summer hiking is possible early in the morning but the upper exposed sections become uncomfortably hot by midday and the creek typically dries out, reducing much of the trail's appeal. Check for fire restrictions before any summer visit.
Wildlife and Flora
The canyon's mix of riparian woodland and chaparral supports a notable variety of wildlife for a frontcountry trail. Mule deer are frequently seen in the lower canyon at dawn and dusk. Coyotes move through regularly, and western fence lizards are ubiquitous on sunny rocks. Birdwatchers will find the riparian corridor productive, with spotted towhees, Nuttall's woodpeckers, and various warblers during spring migration. The oak woodland hosts acorn woodpeckers year-round. On the botanical side, look for toyon, sugar bush, and black sage on the upper slopes, while creek-side vegetation includes mugwort and horsetail fern where moisture persists late into spring.
Trailhead Access and Parking
The Big Dalton Canyon trailhead is accessed via Big Dalton Canyon Road north of Glendora. A small dirt pullout near the canyon entrance provides limited parking, and a larger staging area is available a short distance down the road. No Adventure Pass or parking fee is required at the main trailhead, though this can change seasonally, so confirm current requirements with the Angeles National Forest before your visit. The road itself is paved but narrow in sections, and weekend mornings fill the limited parking quickly. Arriving before 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays is strongly recommended. There are no restroom facilities at the trailhead.
Safety and Group Hiking Considerations.
Big Dalton Canyon is well-suited to group hiking but a few practical points apply. Cell coverage is spotty once you move a half mile or more up the canyon, so download offline maps before you go. The creek crossings, while minor, can become slippery after heavy rain and require careful footing. Rattlesnakes are present throughout the chaparral sections, particularly on warm days in spring and fall — stay on the trail and watch where you place your hands on rocks. Poison oak lines parts of the lower creek corridor, so stay centered on the path. Hiking with others adds a meaningful safety margin on any trail where communication with the outside is unreliable.
Hiking tips for Big Dalton Canyon
- Start before 8 a.m. on weekends to secure parking and avoid the heat buildup on the upper exposed slopes.
- Wear long pants or gaiters in the lower canyon during spring and fall to protect against poison oak along the creek margins.
- Bring at least 2 liters of water per person; the seasonal creek is not reliably safe to drink without filtration.
- Download an offline map of the San Gabriel foothills before you leave home since cell service drops out in the canyon.
- Dogs are welcome but must be on leash; the rocky creek crossings can be slick, so check your dog's paw pads after the hike.
Nearby trails to explore
- Glendora Mountain Road Trail
- Covina Hills Trail
- Marshall Canyon Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Planning a trip to Big Dalton Canyon? Use TrailMates to find hikers near Glendora who match your pace, organize a group meetup that meets the app's 3-person safety minimum, or join a permit-access event in the San Gabriel foothills. Download the TrailMates app or download TrailMates from the App Store.