Altadena Crest Trail Connector

The Altadena Crest Trail Connector is a short, out-and-back, half-a-mile trail in Altadena, California that provides access to the Altadena Crest Trail from the staging area at W. Loma Alta Drive. This trail is dog-friendly as long as you keep your dog on a leash. If you give this trail a chance and walk just a few minutes in, you will notice the landscape transform from chaparral and coastal sage scrub into the flora common at the edge of the Angeles National Forest. Along the way, you and your tail-wagger will walk through small gullies and up some ridges.

To gain access to the Altadena Crest Trail Connector, first get to the Altadena neighborhood and look for clear signs of the trail connector posted on Zane Gray Terrace, a small residential street in the hillsides of Altadena. This street is the first driveway on your left as you travel north on E. Loma Alta Drive. From there, you can easily follow the directions to the trailhead.

As you walk along the trail, you will find a lot on offer, including a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some animals you may come across include the Great Horned Owl, Red Tail Hawk, Mountain Lion, Mule Deer, Pacific Rattlesnake, Striped Skunk and Western Toad. Some of these animals are poisonous or harmful, so stay aware and keep Fido close by for their safety and the safety of the wildlife.

For those that love to observe varieties of plants including wildflowers, there is a lot to see including Hollyleaf Cherry, Indian Paintbrush, Laurel Sumac, and Lemonade Berry. You and your pup should specifically be wary of Poison Oak for obvious reasons.

Some of the things that you should carry include water and snacks for you and your pup, waste bags for your pup, and insect repellant. The Altadena Crest Trail Connector is short and relatively easy to hike for most people and their doggies, but offers increasingly challenging opportunities to explore further into the Altadena Crest Trail.