Devil's Canyon Trail #11W07

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

The parking for Devil's Canyon Trail is on a wide turnout on the west side of Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2) a few hundred yards south of the entrance to Chilao Campground and Newcomb Ranch. There is a restroom, picnic table and signs.

Cross the highway to start on Devil's Canyon Trail, which quickly enters the wilderness then descends through a conifer forest of Jeffrey Pine and Big Cone Spruce. The trail gently switchbacks down through open chaparral of oak, manzanita, yucca and ceanothus offering views of Devil's Canyon and the west ridge of Twin Peaks.

At about 1.5 miles the trail enters a canyon and follows the seasonal stream to the confluence of Devil's Canyon. The canyon bottom is shaded by oaks, sycamore, maple and spruce trees. The trail reaches Devil's Canyon in three miles then turns south for a few hundred yards where it ends at a primitive campground.

Runners can rock hop down the canyon for another two miles where there is a waterfall; only experienced canyoneers should attempt descending past the waterfall.

There is abundant poison oak in the canyon bottom and stinging nettles are common along the stream.

Bears, deer, mountain lions and occasional Nelson Bighorn Sheep.