LA Hiking – Spruce Grove Campground Trail 🏞️🥾

Round trip: 8.2 miles Elevation gain: ~1800 ft Duration: ~3 hours 20 minutes 📍 Navigate to Chantry Flat Parking Lot. There are plenty of spots, but it gets crowded—usually full by 7 AM. You might need to loop around and wait for a space. The first part of this trail shares the same route as Sturtevant Falls, so it can get busy early on. At the midway junction, you’ll find three paths: • Left: clockwise loop • Middle: counterclockwise loop (recommended!) • Right: leads to the waterfall I personally recommend taking the middle trail (counterclockwise). It’s a bit hidden and easy to miss—I went the wrong way at first! 🧭 Use AllTrails for real-time navigation. If you go counterclockwise like I did, you’ll pass the top of the waterfall, cross several streams, and walk through peaceful woods. The crowd thins out quickly past the junction. The straight section leading to the campground is very exposed ☀️, so start early! I began around 8 AM after struggling to park, and even though I paced quickly, the heat was intense. At the end, the campground has a small kitchen area, benches, and drinking water 🪑💧. Note: The actual turnaround point is about 0.5 miles farther than AllTrails shows. Overall, the trail has balanced uphill and downhill sections, but the return to the parking lot is uphill—challenging but manageable. ⚠️ Although it’s a great summer hike, bugs are EVERYWHERE 🦟😵. I was swatting nonstop—one even flew into my mouth! Wear a bug net and bring strong repellent. ⚠️ Also, I came across a rattlesnake 🐍 on the way back. It was calm, but right on the trail—stay alert and watch your step! #LAHiking #HikingTrails #SoCalHiking #NatureAdventure #OutdoorLA #TrailTips #SpruceGroveTrail #SummerHikes #SafetyFirst