A short trip description in the back pages of a 1930s a hiking magazine described of a place in the San Gabriels I had never heard of before:
This description was written in Trails Magazine, Spring 1938 edition by Arthur N. Carter (mountain pioneer associated with the early San Gabriels).
East Fork of Alder Creek rests quietly in modern day Charlton-Chilao Recreation area. The Silver Moccasin Trail follows its creek briefly before continuing up towards Chilao
Overgrown road leading to a forest service pump house
Pines, chaparral, boulders in East Fork
Just a short distance down, the canyon walls close in and instantly the feeling of remoteness is felt. Car-sized boulders stack up against a small stream. Pines dotted the canyon edges and smooth rock-walls appeared. Our turn around point was at a section that felt too exposed for down-climbing. The stream cascades down to a narrow defile with pools and the lower western range of Big Tujunga forms the backdrop. Eventually the stream joins Alder Creek, a major tributary to Big Tujunga Creek. In the recesses of theses mountains lies an esoteric world.
Sergio in the gorge looking out towards Big Tujunga region
The cool shaded canyon provides relief from the summer heat. Photo by Sergio
In the same issue of Trail Magazine, Arthur Carter recounts a longer memory of the backcountry and the East Fork of Alder Creek:
Nice find! Beautiful shots.
There’s small trad climbing area if you bushwhack down the creek. Lots of rattlesnakes, so beware.