Pomona Valley Audubon - Southern California Local Birding Locations! Mt. Baldy Road and Vicinity

Mt. Baldy road is our closest and easiest access to elevational habitates on the coastal side of our San Gabriel Mountain range and to the higher elevation birds of the Pomona Valley. (To observe the differences in flora and fauna on the inland or desert side of the range try the Grassy Hollow run.)

Please note:

• An Adventure Pass (that maybe obtained from ranger stations and other locals) is required to park in the National Forest.
• Locations may be crowded on weekends and holidays.

A. EVEY CANYON - Just above dam, park in wide turn out at road and walk in along fire road. Quiet, damp under oak & bay trees beside trickling stream. birdlist & more

B. BARRET CANYON & OLD ROAD - Park below road in dirt area near Barrett Canyon Rd. intersection. Walk back along Old Baldy Road (big rocks prevent driving). Rock and canyon wren, dipper, western blue bird, swallows, etc.

C. COW CANYON SADDLE - Park at top of steep grade above Village in wide parking area. Easy 1/4 mile walk along closed road (birding all the way in scrub habitat - 4,500' E) to old prison camp flats--- now pretty much gone.

D. BEAR CANYON - Park at church if more than one car and hike road uphill (1/4 mile?) to trail. Most birds can be found before trail starts. Dark and cool in canyon along the creek bottem among oak, bay, sycamore and pine. Sapsuckers, acorn woodpeckers, wrens, etc.

E. ICEHOUSE CANYON - Parking lot at end of right turn 1.6 miles past post office in Baldy Village. Trail follows a stream for 3.6 miles to the saddle. At 1.0 mile there is a spur to Columbine Springs which can be very active in spring. Look for American dipper along stream and enjoy the immense incense cedars.

F. MANKER FLATS CAMPGROUND - 2.0 miles beyond Ice House Canyon along the main road and most of the switchbacks. Jeffrey pines and incense cedars are home to expected mountain birds. A good place for white-headed woodpecker.

G. SAN ANTONIO FALLS ROAD - Just beyond the campground on the left is a gentle fire road that leads to picturesque San Antonio Falls (about a 3/4 mile stroll to the waterfalls with the road continuing at a sharp incline all the way to the saddle). Olive-sided flycatcher, western tananger, mountain quail, woodpeckers and expected mountain birds.

H. SKI LIFT TO BALDY SADDLE - The view is spectacular from the saddle ---the ocean on the west and out acrross the desert to the east --- an worth the price of the ride IF it is a CLEAR, warm sunny day. Birds are not particularly plentyful as the vegetation is sparce but the silence is welcome indeed. Watch for soaring golden eagle and other higher elevation birds.

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Pomona Valley Audubon Society
Southern California