Mount Zion Loop via Sturtevant trail and Lower Winter Creek Trail
8.4 mi
Distance
3 hrs 40 min
Time
terrain
1,762 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult loop trail to Mount Zion in Angeles National Forest.
This trail goes by Sturtevant Falls and Hoegee's camp.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
One of the better hikes in the area! We first hiked to Sturtevant Falls, then backtracked to hike up to Mount Zion. There are some cool historic cabins at the Sturtevant campsite and a swing! The trail wasn’t very crowded and mostly shaded although on the way down there were some exposed areas. I’d say this was moderately difficult.
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For starters, both my trip tracking devices had this at 10 miles! Not 8.4. Did it counter clockwise. The trail from Mt Zion down has a few sketchy sections,under a few fallen trees, and some very narrow sections that you must pay full attention too.
Great hike, close to the city, and, some wonderful scenery.
Get there early, or early afternoon for a parking spot.
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Public Tracks
Mt. Zion Loop
I've hiked to Mt.Wilson a couple of times via the Sturtevant trail, and passed a trail to "Mt. Zion" on the way there, so I was curious to see what was up there. I hiked up the trail to Spruce Grove Campground, then instead of continuing on the trail up to Mt. Wilson just past there, I followed the trail to the top of Mt. Zion. It was kind of a "meh" hike, the view would have been pretty nice if not for the heavy layer of smog hanging over LA. There is not much there at the Mt. Zion summit, it's just a small clearing, nowhere to sit and no shade. All the peaks surrounding are taller so it's kind of an underwhelming view. Mt. Wilson is visible a few peaks over, with a couple of the telescope buildings visible from Mt. Zion. I did the loop, so instead of heading back down the way I came up, I followed the trail down the other side. It was hot because of the mountain is completely exposed to the sun with little to no shade from the summit to the junction with Winter Creek Trail. I enjoy most of the hiking out of Chantry Flats, but the Mt. Zion trail is probably one I won't feel the need to do again, especially with so many other good trails to hike out there.
