Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat

In This Guide	Video & Turn by Turn Directions How to Get to the Mt Zion Trailhead Everything You Need to Know To Prepare for the Hike
Total Distance (?)	9 miles (14.5 km)
Hike Time	4-5 Hours (Total)
Difficulty (?)	Hard
Total Ascent (?)	2,740 feet (835m)
Highest Elevation	3,575 feet (1090m)
Fees & Permits	Parking Permit
Dogs Allowed	Leashed
Alerts & Closures (?)	Angeles National Forest
Park Phone	747-322-6574

The Mt Zion loop hike is a great option for those that have hiked from Chantry Flat before, maybe to Mt Wilson, but want something a little more off the beaten path. On this loop, I’ll take you on the Upper Gabrielino Trail, then on the historic Mt Zion Trail, built in 1896 and once the main trail into the area, then up to Mt Zion for panoramic views, and finally back to the start on the Upper Winter Creek Trail. And while there might be crowds on the nearby trails, this loop route on Angeles National Forest’s secondary trails offers peace and tranquility.

How to Get to the Trailhead

This hike starts at the popular Chantry Flat Picnic Area. There are popular waterfalls nearby and the parking can get crazy. Do yourself a favor and get here at sunrise. The gate to Chantry Flat opens at 6am but sometimes is open earlier. Use this trailhead address:
Chantry Flat Recreation Area, Chantry Flats Rd, Arcadia, CA 91006

You need a parks pass or Adventure Pass to park here, even if you are parking in the street overflow.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 2 — You’ve probably been to Chantry Flat before if you’re doing this hike. Come early and avoid the crowds. There are primitive toilets here.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 47 — If the lot is full you can park on the street. Just not like this guy in the no-parking zone.

Gear for the Hike

This is longer hike in the backcountry, so you’re best served by using proper hiking gear. There are some stream hops and climbs, so proper footwear and trekking poles are handy. In the summer the bugs can be intense. This route is also generally snow-free (since it’s at a lower elevation).

Altra Lone Peak 5
For most people, the Altra Lone Peak is a solid choice that will leave your feet feeling great at the end of any hike. The feel is cushy and light, and if it had a car equivalent, this would be a Cadillac or Mercedes Sedan. The grip is great and they’re reasonably durable for this type of trail runner, which I think is better in most conditions than a hiking boot, and here’s why. The downside of this shoe is that it won’t last as long as something like the Moab 2 (see alternate footwear choices at the bottom of my gear page). I’ve been using mine for many miles and my feet always feel great. Watch my video explaining why they are a great shoe here.
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Latest Price on Women’s Shoe – REI | Amazon
Latest Price on Men’s Shoe – REI | Amazon

Stay Safe Out of Cell Phone Range
If you’re not familiar with the Garmin InReach technology, it allows you to send and receive text messages where you don’t have cell phone signals. You can also get weather reports and trigger an SOS to emergency responders. Even if you don’t have an emergency, sending a quick message telling a loved one that you’re okay or are running late is well worth the cost. The Garmin InReach Mini (REI | Amazon | My Review) fits in your palm and weighs next to nothing.

Gaia GPS Mapping App
Smartphones are not backcountry instruments, but almost everyone has one today. And they all have GPS onboard. So I recommend getting a good GPS hiking app like Gaia GPS that supports offline maps. Just make sure to put your phone in airplane mode so the battery doesn’t drain. GaiaGPS not only has smartphone and tablet apps, but also an online planning tool. You can drag the GPX hike tracks from my (or any) guides into the online map and they will sync to your phone. You can also check for wildfires, weather, snow, and choose from dozens of map types with a premium membership (HikingGuy readers get up to 40% off here). Note that I also carry a paper map with me in case the phone dies or gets smashed.

Here’s my complete gear list that I personally use, have tested, and recommend, updated July 2021.

My July 2021 Top Gear Picks

No company pays me to promote or push a product, all the gear you see here is gear I use and recommend. If you click an a link and buy gear, I get a small commission that helps keep the website ad and promotion free. There is no cost to you.

Mt Zion Loop Trail Maps

I’ve purposely routed this hike on some of the lesser-used trails in the area to give you a different experience. The first section on the Upper Gabrielino Trail offers some views of Mt Zion and distance from the crowds of people at the falls. And coming back, you’ll take the Upper Winter Creek Trail, which winds along a ridge, high above the lower trail and campsites.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

If you try to download the GPX file and your browser adds a “.txt” or “.xml” extension to it, simply rename it as a “.gpx” file.

How are you going to navigate this hike?
To start, you should always have a paper map and compass. And it helps to print this guide out or save it on your phone. I highly recommend a GPS as well. I use the Garmin Fenix 6 Smart GPS watch ( REI | Amazon | My Review) with maps (or the more affordable Garmin Instinct). The GPS smartwatch is nice because it’s rugged, works if your phone dies, and also has a billion other features like sleep tracking, workout recording, etc.

Mt Zion Loop Hike Directions

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Video Directions

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Turn by Turn Directions

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 3 — Hike down through the gate at the beginning of Chantry Flat.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 4 — We’re heading to Sturtevant Camp in 4.3 miles, and then up to Mt Zion.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 1 — Keep heading to the bottom of the paved road, passing the trail to Hermit Falls.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 5 — At the bottom of the hill, head to the right and over the bridge.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 6 — Once over the bridge, make the right through the big intersection. If you need to go to the bathroom, there’s one here.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 7 — Head up the Gabrielino Trail from the intersection.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 8 — Leave the crowds behind and hike up the Gabrielino.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 9 — You’ll hike through the area with all the cabins.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 10 — Make the hard left at the first junction (going straight heads to the falls).

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 12 — Okay, make the hard left to head on the Upper Gabrielino Trail.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 13 — The trail climbs about 400 feet in a half mile and is manageable.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 14 — As the trail winds around the ridge you’ll get some views of Mt Zion.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 15 — The trail has some level sections and is easy to follow.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 16 — At around 2.4 miles in you’ll rejoin the lower trail at the Falling Sign Junction. Go straight.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 17 — Here’s a closeup of the sign at Falling Sign Junction, which should be familiar if you’ve done the hike to Mt Wilson from Chantry Flat.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 18 — The Gabrielino Trail continues uphill through the shaded Angeles National Forest.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 19 — Hike through the Cascade Picnic Area.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 48 — If you’re wondering about these dams that you see all through this section of Angeles National Forest, here’s the deal. In 1954, the government laid out a program to protect the property and watershed (which served LA) here. They set up a series of check dams to ease flash flooding but also to help fight fires. In subsequent floods many of the dams blew out. That, combined with new schools of thought about fire and flood prevention, led to the abandonment of the project. Chris Kasten has an interesting article on the check dams here.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 20 — Cross over the creek and keep heading up the trail.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 21 — Hike through the Spruce Grove campsite.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 22 — After Spurce Grove you’ll leave the Gabrielino Trail by heading to the left.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 23 — Here’s a closeup of the sign at that junction. We’re heading up the Sturtevant to the Mt Zion trail in 1/8th of a mile.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 24 — Just past the last junction, make the left before the Sturtevant Camp sign. You can also go straight through the camp and then join the trail later if you like.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 25 — Head up the trail across the stream from Sturtevant Camp.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 26 — And here’s the important trail junction for Mt Zion. Look for the trail to the right up to Mt Zion.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 27 — Here’s the sign at the Upper Zion Trail junction. We’re going to Mt Zion summit and then onto (upper) Winter Creek.

Mt Zion Loop Hike From Chantry Flat 28 — While not a majorly popular trail, it’s still often well maintained. There might be a downed tree or branch, but they are generally cleared rather quickly.

This path was the original trail from Chantry Flat to Sturtevant Camp, built by Wilbur Sturtevant in 1896, allegedly by following the path that a bear took over the mountain to get to the camp. In the fire and subsequent landslides of 1953, most of the trail was destroyed. It was rebuilt by volunteers and reopened in 1985.