While waiting for photos to export and craving adventure I started Google searching local hikes in Los Angeles. I was in the middle of researching Inspiration Point in Pasadena when I stumbled upon a YouTube video featuring some abandoned gold mines in Alta Dena. The Dawn Mine hike looked promising. Plenty of trees, plants, maybe a stream (the drought is real in California,) and for the most part it’s not crowded. The bonus was that at the end of the “trail” there a mine which you can walk in and explore. Granted you’ll need flashlights for that.
Then I summoned a few of my fellow adventure seeking pals and off we went into the Pasadena mountains. Originally I thought this would also be a good opportunity to test out the Olympus OM-D E-M1 (I’m on a personal quest to find the perfect point and shoot,) but as it turns out this “trail” has been overtaken by nature and required a lot of crawling and climbing. I ended up making a GoPro video instead. I use the term “trail” very loosely for this hike. For the most part it is unmarked aside from a few neon orange markers or spray painted black arrows. My friends and I pointed at a few of them in the video.
Quick Facts
Length: 5-6 miles Roundtrip
Duration: 4 hours
Elevation: 1000 – 1600ft
Trailhead address: Chaney Trail, Angeles National Forest, Altadena, CA 91001
Trailhead coordinates: 34.216185, -118.146653 (34° 12′ 58.26″N 118° 08′ 47.95″W)
Trail condition: Off trail / Boulder climbing / 80% of trail shaded
Thanks for reading! I definitely recommend this hike for any weekend warrior! Just be sure you have a pair of good shoes, plenty of water, and flashlights.
Equipment Used:
OM-D E-M1 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera
M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens
HERO3+ Silver Edition Camera