Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
3,584.00 ft (1,092.40 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
16.00 mi (25.75 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Indian Canyon to North Saddle Picnic Area is a 16-mile out-and-back located east of Santa Clarita, southeast of Agua Dulce and just an hour away from Los Angeles, California. This trek is a moderately challenging section of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) through a dry and hilly desert terrain. From Indian Canyon the trail heads south through Angeles National Forest. The trail traverses dry, hilly terrain east of Magic Mountain Wilderness, with chaparral, shrubs, and expansive views of unique rock formations. This multi-use trail is open to running, hiking, backpacking and horseback-riding.

COMMON VEGETATION

Most of the area consists of California chaparral and woodlands with scrub oak, juniper, yucca, manzanita, sagebrush, and buckwheat.

WATER

For information about the crowd sourced water report for the Pacific Crest Trail please visit https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/backcountry-basics/water/pct-water-report/

WHEN TO VISIT

The trail is open year round however, it does not provide much shade or water, so spring, fall, and winter are the best times to visit when the temperatures are cooler. 

TRAILHEAD AMENITIES

  • Large parking area.

  • Bathroom

CAMPING AND PERMITS

For information about regional and/or long distance permits please visit https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/permits/.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

US Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/angeles/recreation/recarea/?recid=82922&actid=93

Pacific Crest Trail Association: https://www.pcta.org/

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Adventure Pass required

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Unique Rock Formations. Scenic Views.

Cons

No Shade.

Trailhead Elevation

2,233.00 ft (680.62 m)

Highest point

4,186.00 ft (1,275.89 m)

Features

Vault toilet
Backcountry camping
Wildlife
Big vistas
Geologically significant

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Horseback

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

San Gabriel + San Bernardino Mountains, California
Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel Mountains
San Gabriel + San Bernardino Mountains, California

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