Opened in 1977, the Duarte Bike/Multi-Purpose Trail is a crown jewel among Duarte's beautiful parks and facilities. At 1.6 miles in length, the trail runs from Buena Vista Avenue to Royal Oaks Park at Vineyard Avenue and includes a dirt jogging/equestrian path and asphalt paved cycling path. This beautiful trail with gentle slopes and shady oak trees is located on the actual historic Pacific Electric Railway path and you will even see a beautifully arched old bridge that once spanned over the famous Red Trolley Cars as they traveled along the tracks to Los Angeles and beyond. This trail is a perfect place to ride your bike, walk your dog, jog and exercise, or just enjoy an early morning or late evening stroll with friends or family.

• Parking available all along the trail or at Royal Oaks Park, 2627 Royal Oaks Drive.
• Restrooms available at Royal Oaks Park.
• 1.6 miles paved and dirt path.
• Drinking fountains located at the mid-way point and at Royal Oaks Park.
• Open dawn to dusk.
• Bike repair station and pump at Vineyard Avenue.

Constructed through a Rivers and Trails Conservancy grant and in cooperation with Los Angeles County, the Encanto River Trail includes a dirt trail that borders the San Gabriel River and runs along the top of the embankment beginning at the old Puente Largo Bridge that was part of the Pacific Electric Railway and allowed trains to cross the wide and at that time wild San Gabriel River. From there the trail travels north, parallel to the river and Duarte's Encanto Park where it ends near the Royal Oaks Drive/Encanto Parkway intersection. Continue your journey by walking around the perimeter of Encanto Park where a beautiful riparian natural creek setting has been created with a dirt trail that includes interpretive signage. During rainy days and storms, the creek acts as a bioswale that filters storm runoff into a collection pond at the south end of the park that empties into the river.

• Located at 751 Encanto Parkway.
• The Puente Largo Bridge connects to the San Gabriel River Bike Trail.
• The Duarte Historical Museum is located in Encanto Park.
• The river trail and Encanto Park trail are both popular for birding.

The trail/falls is currently closed until further notice.

The devastating Fires and floods that struck the mountains above Duarte has unfortunately damaged many portions of the Duarte Fish Canyon Falls Trail and it is now closed.

The City is doing everything possible in conjunction with the Angeles National Forest Service to reopen the trail as soon as possible. The fire destroyed trees, brush, slopes and root systems throughout a major portion of the canyon. Once the vegetation was destroyed, the roots gave way and landslides occurred throughout the trail. The steep hillsides and cliffs continue to erode and slide and with the onset of rain, many more slides will continue to occur. However, there are natural forces including erosion and the regrowth of vegetation and trees that will take time. Eventually, the hillsides will stabilize and vegetation will return. This process could take a couple of years or longer, however, the City will work closely with the Angeles National Forest to make reopening the trail a top priority.

Historic Duarte Fish Canyon

During the “Great Hiking Era” of the early 1900’s, Fish Canyon was one of the premiere outdoor recreation destinations in the San Gabriel Valley. At one time over 50 cabins dotted the canyon, along with several miles of trails, and a dance hall at the mouth of the canyon. During the fire of 1958 and the subsequent flooding of 1959, most of the cabins were destroyed. Only four cabins remained until the mid 1970’s when they were torn down. Today, there is one trail left in Fish Canyon and remnants of the cabins can be found along the trail. Access to this superb natural and historic attraction was severely curtailed when Azusa Rock expanded its quarrying operation in the mid 1980’s and in the 1990’s a 9-mile long access trail was built by the City of Duarte to circumvent the mining operations and connect to the Duarte Fish Canyon Falls Trail.

9-Mile Trail Now Closed

The 9-mile round trip 1990’s trail built to access the Duarte Fish Canyon Falls is now closed. Please do not attempt to enter the wilderness through this area. Vulcan Materials Company has blocked access and you will be trespassing if you enter this area.

Trailhead: Azusa-Vulcan Access Trail

Falls currently closed until further notice.

The Duarte Fish Canyon Falls Trail can now be accessed through the newly constructed Azusa-Vulcan access trail that travels through the mining and quarry operation before reaching the “Old” trail. The new access trail is located on Vulcan Materials Company's Azusa Rock Quarry property. The Access Trail and parking lot is located in Azusa at 3901 Fish Canyon Road and is open daily year round.

• Daily Hours: April-September 7 AM to 7 PM & October-March 7 AM to 5 PM
• Trail gates will close when hours end, including the gates from the parking lot.
• Hikers must be sure to return to your cars before the gates close. Cars left in the lot after hours will be towed at car owner's expense.
• After hours phone calls for assistance must be directed to the Azusa Police Department at (626) 812-3200. For emergencies call 911.
• The trail may be closed temporarily for safety, emergencies or maintenance activities.

Directions: From Foothill Boulevard, take Encanto Parkway until it turns into Fish Canyon Road. Continue on Fish Canyon Road until it ends. Quarry is on the left. Enter through the Access Trail Gate.

Duarte Fish Canyon Falls Trail Summer 2015

After years of limited accessibility and maintenance, the Duarte Fish Canyon Falls Trail was in a neglected state but after much hard work by the Duarte Trail Crew the trail is now safer, wider and more accessible. Hikers and visitors are still warned to enter at their own risk and hazardous and dangerous conditions exist and severe drought conditions exist in the canyon creating high fire danger. Even in the best of conditions, portions of the Duarte Fish Canyon Falls Trail are steep, rocky and narrow with very high cliffs and loose rocks. Ticks and poison oak are currently prevalent. Hiking boots are strongly recommended. Hikers are warned to read and obey all trail signs.

Duarte Fish Canyon Falls Trail Future Plans

The City of Duarte was recently awarded grant funds from the LA County 5th Supervisorial District Excess Funds Program and will continue to partner with the Angeles National Forest Service and the San Gabriel Mountains Trail Builders to restore the trail to a safer and more beautiful state. Work will continue this fall and winter. Hikers will find a beautiful 3.2 mile round trip trail that climbs high above scenic Fish Canyon before several descents take you to the clear flowing water of Fish Creek. As you descend into Fish Canyon, hikers should beware the poison oak – it’s abundant at all times of the year. Learn to identify it! The trail through the canyon is an easy to moderate hike along a sometimes-narrow trail and great caution must be taken along some of the steep cliffs that provide a spectacular view but that can be dangerous to an unattended child or inattentive hiker. Hikers should try to spot cabin foundations and remnants of those who previously lived in the canyon and enjoy the soothing stream and the diverse plant and animal life. Near the end of the trail, hikers will cross to the other side of the stream and after about 1/3 mile they will be rewarded with the spectacular site of Fish Canyon Falls. This is a great place to rest before heading back. Visitors to the falls are strongly cautioned to not swim or dive into any pools nor climb on any rocks and heed the end of trail sign. These areas are treacherous and a fall or a dive into a pool may be fatal.

From the Angeles National Forest

• Take into account your time available.
• Have a good knowledge of the area (maps help!).
• Check out the weather for the area you will be hiking in and dress appropriately. Take extra clothing and necessary equipment. The time of year will help determine your needs for your trip.
• Consider what the terrain is like where you're going.
• Check with a local Forest Service office for information concerning trail conditions and fire restrictions.
• Please leave the Forest clean! Dispose of your trash in trash receptacles or bring it back with you.
• Keep the wildlife "wild." Please never feed the wildlife. Watch and enjoy from a distance.
• Let family or friends know where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Always keep your dog leashed, except when inside a vehicle, tent, dog crate, or portable kennel. Do not allow your dog to wander freely, pursuant to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 36, Chapter II, Sec. 261.8 (d).
• While on a trail or in and around campgrounds and picnic areas, dogs must be kept on a leash (unless caged or crated) no longer than six feet, pursuant to CFR, Title 36, Chapter II, Sec. 261.16 (j).
• In addition, your dog must wear a collar with current tags at all times, as state and county laws apply on National Forest System lands.