In the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains, Henninger Flats is a moderate and relatively exposed hike. If you’re looking for some breathtaking views of Los Angeles, this is the hike for you.
We will start at the beginning of the trailhead and work our way up toward the Old Mount Wilson Toll Road. As we increase elevation, we’ll pass a few benches and lookout spots, before arriving at the flats. Your efforts will be rewarded with a beautiful array of towering pine trees that give some much needed shade. Because most of the hike will not have a lot of shade, it is wise to bring plenty of water and sunscreen!
PACKING LIST:
Water Bottle
Covered shoes (no sandals, slip-ons, etc)
Sunscreen
Snack (if needed)
WAIVERS
WE WILL PROVIDE:
Fun
PROFESSOR: CRAIG STANFORD
DEPARTMENT: DORNSIFE
RATE MY PROFESSOR: "AMAZING! This class almost made me quit public policy to go study chimpanzees and fossils… He worked under Jane Goodall... he's legit."
Craig Stanford is a biological anthropologist and professor of Anthropology and Biological Sciences at USC, and has conducted extensive field research on wild great apes, monkeys, and other animals. His work has often focused on the ecological relationships among the primate species sharing a tropical forest ecosystem. He has conducted field studies in East Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. In addition to 15 years research on chimpanzee behavioral ecology in East Africa, he has recently been collaborating in studies on endangered Asian primates and other animals. The author of more than a dozen books and 100 scholarly articles, he also holds a research appointment in vertebrate biology at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, and is involved in the biology and conservation of endangered tortoises in southeast Asia.
PEAK: HENNINGER FLATS TRAIL
DIFFICULTY: 2/5
SCENERY: Trail includes wild flowers and an amazing view of Los Angeles once you reach the flats!
FUN FACT: Normally, pine trees grow on north facing slopes or at relatively higher elevations, but the Henninger Flats are unusually covered in pine trees. This is because William Henninger had thousands of conifers planted on his small mining property in 1892 by a man named Theodore Lukens, and the project became one of California’s first conservations efforts!
TRIP LEAD: JOE JOCAS
As someone who perpetually wishes he were an orangutan, I’ll ensure this hike is full of primate-talk.
Contact Joe: jocas@usc.edu
Read Joe’s bio here.