Pomona Valley Audubon - Southern California Local Birding Locations! Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, Thompson's Creek, Sycamore Canyon, etc.

This group of birding locales in the north of Claremont revolve around the waters of Thompson's Creek as they rise in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest, are caught by Thompson Creek Reservoir and are channaled (thankfully with walking trails and series of mini-parks) thru Claremont. ...to Pomona where they lose all people and wildlife uses until briefly offering water in Ganesha Park where it becomes San Jose Creek. It's course then borders South Campus Dr. before parralleling the railroad tracks thru the length of City of Industry (parralleling the 60 Frwy) to join the San Gabriel River just above Whittier Narrows at the 605 and 60 Freeway interchange. Wouldn't it be nice if someday we could expand it's wildlife and recreational usages through out it's length?

Claremont Hills Wilderness Park - Gravel and dirt fire roads leading thru cool creek and steep brush hill terrain. Connecting trails to Thompson Creek Trail, Marshal Canyon County Park, Palmer Canyon, and Evey Canyon off the Mount Baldy Road. Beware the mountain bikers ---worse than the lions. Located at the top of Mills Ave. (from the 10 Frwy, exit north on Indian Hill Blvd. Go about 4 miles, turn east on Baseline for about 1/2 mile then north on Mills.)

Thompson Creek Trail - This mile long paved bike, horse and walking trail follows the concreted channel of Thompson's Creek. The water runoff draws birds from the east side residential development and the west side natural scrub hills. It is accessible from Mills Ave. just south of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, at the top of N. Foothill Blvd. and the La Puenta Sports Park, thru Higgenbotham Park (access to Sycamore Canyon Park) north of Baseline via Villa Maria Rd. and Mt. Carmel Dr.

Sycamore Canyon Park - This small unimproved canyon has an unmaintained foot path up the center along whatever water there might be. Reach it thru Higgenbotham Park (see above), across Thompson's Creek Trail and the foot bridge spanning the flood control channel.

NOTE: Johnson's Pasture (just west and north of Thompson Creek and Sycamore Canyon), grass savannah mesa with birds such as Shrike, Savannah sparrow, and an occational Prairie Falcon, is now proposed for DEVELOPMENT.

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Pomona Valley Audubon Society
Southern California