Big Santa Anita Canyon, one of the most beautiful corners of Angeles National Forest and a cherished recreational destination that suffered extensive damage during the 2020 Bobcat Fire and subsequent winter storms, has reopened its trails after a four-year closure.
The historic Adams Pack Station and Sturtevant Camp, cornerstones of the canyon’s recreational heritage, are once again welcoming visitors to the Angeles National Forest area.
Sturtevant Camp, established in 1893 as the first trail resort in the canyon, represents a crucial piece of the area’s 130-year outdoor recreation history.
Local outdoor enthusiasts will gather at Eaton Canyon Nature Center at 1750 N. Altadena Drive in Pasadena on Wednesday, Nov. 6, to mark the milestone with presentations from key stakeholders.
Sturtevant Camp President Gary Keene and Adams Pack Station owner Maggie Moran will lead discussions about the canyon’s recovery and future at the evening event.
The reopening reveals significant environmental changes to the landscape, according to Sierra Club member William Joyce, who hasn’t personally visited but shared observations from others.
“Erik Peterson told me that he found the openness of the tree canopy to be noteworthy,” Joyce said, describing how the fire altered vegetation patterns throughout the area.
The Sierra Club emphasizes responsible recreation as visitors return to the modified landscape, where increased sunlight now reaches the canyon floor through the thinned canopy.
Environmental experts express growing concern about protecting the recovering wilderness from careless visitors while facing intensifying climate change threats in the region.
“It’s not enough to style oneself as an outdoorsman,” Joyce said. “We in the Sierra Club want all outdoorsmen to be nature lovers as well.”
The organization continues focusing on environmental education amid ongoing concerns about climate change impacts and the need to preserve natural spaces for future generations.
“We have to learn to use these spaces with care and concern when we go out to play,” Joyce said. “We will try and continue spreading the word.”
Visitors can access Adams Pack Station daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Sturtevant Camp requires a 4.2-mile hike to reach the historic site.
Wednesday’s program at Eaton Canyon Nature Center will begin with socials at 7 p.m., followed by the main presentation at 7:30 p.m.
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