The Altadena Foothills: Conservation Plan

A CONSERVATION PLAN
Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy

March 2005
(Revised)

Introduction

The Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy (AFC) was founded as a non-profit corporation to preserve and restore open, undeveloped lands and associated historic structures and trails located in the foothills of Altadena. The AFC exists to serve people of all ages, to protect wildlife habitat, and to enhance ecological, recreational, scenic, and cultural opportunities specifically in Altadena, but also in surrounding communities. AFC works with landowners who want their lands preserved and are willing to sell or donate their lands to a non-profit land conservancy.

Soon after its formation in 1999, the AFC identified its project areas. Since then, AFC has been working on educating its public and gaining support for conserving land in Altadena. Some AFC highlights include:

• Nomination and inclusion of four Altadena project areas in the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s Workprogram 2000;
• Nomination of the Altadena foothills as a Los Angeles County Significant Ecological Area 1 (SEA);
• Appointment of AFC’s Board President, Nancy L.C. Steele, by Supervisor Michael Antonovich to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s Advisory Board (2001-2002); and Dr. Heinz Ellersieck in 2003 for a two year term;
• Protection of 15 acres in the Chaney Trail Corridor through purchase by Trust for Public Land;
• Protection of 1.5 acres in the Chaney Trail Corridor through donations by AFC Friends and a matching grant from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy;
• Award of a Watershed Education grant from the Metropolitan Water District Community Partnering Program.

The AFC is a sponsor member of the Land Trust Alliance and Board members attend national and regional land trust conferences. The AFC is an all-volunteer organization, with no paid staff.

The Altadena Community

Altadena is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County. Altadena has a strong identity, with an elected Altadena Town Council that serves as an advisory body to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, its own library district, a Sheriff’s Department station, a senior center, three parks, and a community center. Active community organizations such as the Altadena Historical Society and Altadena Heritage help maintain the community identity. Every year, the Old Fashioned Days festival brings the community together to celebrate Altadena. The Altadena Historical Society commissioned a new book on the rich history of Altadena by Michele Zack, which was published in 2004. The last comprehensive history of Altadena was published in 1976. 2

With its beautiful location, Altadena a culturally and ethnically diverse community that has long attracted the artistic and the wealthy. At the same time, many scientists and engineers have settled in Altadena because of its proximity to the California Institute of Technology and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as well as a variety of engineering and technology companies.

Altadena is a proud multi-ethnic community. Over 100 years ago, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Abolitionist John Brown in 1900, Altadena was the site of a memorial processional to the grave of Owen Brown, John Brown’s son. Owen was the only surviving member of the famous raid on Harper’s Ferry Raid, an event some historians believe was the spark that ignited the Civil War. Owen fled to California and settled in the hills above Lincoln Avenue in 1884.3 Local residents still identify with the message of abolitionist son Owen Brown. In past years flowers would appear on the grave from time to time, especially on the anniversary of Owen Brown’s death and Independence Day.

According to the 2000 Census, Altadena has a population of 42,610, of which 52.1% are white (Caucasian, non-Hispanic), 33.7% are black (African-American), 20.4% are Hispanic or Latino, and 5.6% are Asian. The ratio between major ethnic groups various across Altadena. A majority of the residents on the east side are white, while a majority living on the west side are black. The greatest concentration of Hispanics or Latinos live in the southwest, adjacent to the Pasadena border. Highly mixed ethnicities on a single street are commonplace, a phenomenon valued by many residents. There are 14,780 occupied houses or apartments in Altadena, of which 74% are owner occupied. Fifty-eight percent of Altadena households have an income of $50,000 or more.

Altadena's Landscape and Wildlife Habitat

Altadena is in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, bounded on the west by the Arroyo Seco, on the north by the Angeles National Forest, on the east by Eaton Canyon, and by the city of Pasadena to the south. A wide spectrum of diverse core and common habitats from desert and chaparral to oak woodland and riparian canyon bottoms is found in the foothills. The canyons of Altadena include streams bordered by riparian woodland, usually a sycamore-alder plant community interspersed with big leaf maple and California bay laurel trees. Centuries-old heritage oaks, mostly coast and canyon live oak, flourish on upland shelves. A rich variety of warblers and other locally rare birds, reptiles, and amphibians find shelter in the canyons and hillsides.

Several rare, threatened, and endangered species have been recorded in the Altadena foothills by amateur observers, notably the endangered California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) in coastal sage scrub, the endangered Southwestern arroyo toad (Bufo microscaphus californicus) in moist canyon bottoms, and the rare San Diego coast horned lizard (Phrynosoma Coronatus blainvillii) in dry, gravelly chaparral habitat. Steep slopes and rugged ridges support more a more xeric (dry) landscape dominated by chaparral and coastal sage scrub, which transitions at higher elevations to mountain species.

Animal species move in the landscape vertically through these canyons in response to seasonal changes, sudden weather changes, and longer-term conditions such as drought. Species move between foraging habitat and breeding habitat at various elevations. Also critical to the preservation of species, however, is the presence of an east/west connection in the foothills, which allows movement between these north-south trending canyons to maintain genetic diversity in wildlife populations and replenish areas decimated by catastrophic events such as wildfire. The foothills provide this essential, albeit narrow, east/west wildlife access corridor between the steep mountain slopes and dense residential development at lower elevations. Most of the mid-elevation wildlife habitat is located on privately-owned land in the foothills.

Wildlife habitat is abruptly bounded on the south by houses and roads, most of which were built in the 1960s and earlier. This boundary ranges in altitude from about 1,000 to 1,200 feet. The northern habitable boundary for some species is determined roughly by the lowest winter snow elevation, typically 2,500 to 3,000 feet. In some locations, the north-to-south distance between these two elevations is very small, the result of the San Gabriel Mountains having an average slope greater than that of the Himalayan range.

Altadena’s climate is Mediterranean, along with most of Southern California. Regions of Mediterranean climate are characterized by dry, hot summers and warm, mild winters. Rainfall occurs primarily in the winter. Mediterranean climate zones are more rare than the rainforest, existing in only five limited areas around the world, including the tip of Southern Africa, extreme southwestern Australia, central Chile, the European Mediterranean, and coastal-influenced areas of southern California. The natural habitats of Mediterranean climate areas are endangered primarily because the climate is so attractive to humans, thus natural habitat is cleared away for urbanization.

Partnerships

All who appreciate Altadena, who live here, who walk our trails, govern for us, and who visit to take in the beauty of the mountains, are our partners. This conservation plan is AFC’s gift to all those who love Altadena. The challenge is to open the gift and use it wisely to conserve open spaces, build and restore trails, and educate people of all ages about our natural world and the rich human history of this area.

To achieve our goals, AFC is working actively with equestrian, hiking and trails groups in Altadena and surrounding areas, national, state, and local conservation organizations, Altadena Heritage and Altadena Historical Society, local homeowner associations and neighborhood group, and educational institutions and teachers at all levels.

The Challenge

The challenge for Altadena is great. If the AFC had unlimited money, it would still be difficult to purchase all of the open space lands identified for protection, with the many different owners and uses. AFC can only work with willing owners who want to see their properties preserved. As a small all-volunteer, non-profit, the AFC must rely on partnerships, broad-based support from individuals, and grants to achieve its objectives. We must use our resources wisely, and actively raise money. The AFC seeks its primary support from the general community, which will benefit substantially from preservation of open space. One purpose of this Conservation Plan is to educate the community about AFC’s objectives and to increase their support. In addition, AFC must obtain the support of business and corporate philanthropic foundations to enhance its ability to purchase and protect lands.

In addition to the challenge of protecting the land, AFC seeks to preserve trails. The Altadena Crest Trail is an uncompleted east-west trail that runs just above and through the present developed areas. The vision of creating a continuous trail from Eaton Canyon on the east to Millard Canyon and the Arroyo Seco on the west is ambitious. The AFC focuses on protection of parcels on which trails exist or could exist. A new Altadena organization, Save the Altadena Trails, was organized to focus on trail issues, and the Altadena Crest Trail Restoration Working Group was formed in 2003 to work with Los Angeles County to connect the gaps in the Altadena Crest Trail. The AFC will work with these groups and others to preserve and promote Altadena’s trails.

This is a conservation plan for the long haul. AFC expects that some of the currently open space land identified in this Conservation Plan will be developed. Some of the parcels may change hands several times before the AFC and its partners are able to conserve the land. Balancing the losses will be gains, and each success will generate momentum for future land protection. The AFC was founded to not only conserve lands and trails, but also educate Altadenans and others about the beauty and importance of this irreplaceable foothill habitat.

Summary of Project Areas

This conservation plan divides the open space proposed for conservation into six areas based on a human perspective of the landscape. In reality, most of the project areas are contiguous, with the exception of Rubio Canyon and Nightingale, which are divided from the other project areas by the Angeles National Forest. From west to east, the project areas are:

• Owen Brown Gravesite,
• Lower Millard Canyon,
• La Viña Open Space,
• Chaney Trail Corridor,
• Rubio Canyon.

The project areas encompass about 500 acres. All of the areas and specific parcels identified for preservation share the same characteristics: high recreation, scenic beauty, watershed and habitat values. In addition, the Owen Brown Gravesite and Rubio Canyon project areas are historically significant, and several project areas include sections of the Altadena Crest Trail.

Thus far, the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy, in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, has preserved 16.5 acres on the Chaney Trail Corridor. Two parcels, totaling 15 acres, were purchased by the Trust for Public Land at the end of 2001, for eventual turnover to the Angeles National Forest. The AFC purchased a 1.5 acre parcel in December 2002. Most AFC project areas are within the Congressional boundary of the Angeles National Forest, which makes the U.S. Forest Service an important partner. Four of these project areas are also on the Workprogram 2000 of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy: Lower Millard, La Viña Open Space, Chaney Trail Corridor, and Rubio Canyon. Lower Millard Canyon ranks higher in the Workprogram 2000 than any other Altadena project area. High ranking, however, does not guarantee success in preservation. On June 28, 2002, the SMMC lost a bid to purchase the major open space parcel in Lower Millard Canyon in a probate auction when a private party outbid the combined efforts of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the AFC.

I. Owen Brown Gravesite

History of the Owen Brown Gravesite

The Owen Brown Gravesite project takes its name from the grave of Owen Brown, located on Little Round Top Hill. Owen Brown was the son of abolitionist John Brown, and one of the participants in the raid at Harper’s Ferry. While John Brown and several others were captured and hanged for their role in the raid, Owen Brown escaped. Owen Brown eventually traveled west in the 1880’s to Pasadena with his brother Jason and his sister Ruth, neither of whom has participated in the raid, where they built a cabin overlooking El Prieto Canyon. The brothers were well known and respected in the area. Owen died of pneumonia in 1889 and was honored by a funeral procession of 2,000 people, who walked to his grave site on Little Round Top Hill. A permanent grave marker inscribed: “Owen Brown, son of John Brown, The Liberator, Died Jan. 9, 1889, Aged 64 yrs,” was placed on the grave in 1898. The cabin no longer exists, and two small houses have been built to the east of the grave.

Current History

Until recently, people traveled freely to the gravesite and visitors often left flowers or other mementos. An article on Owen Brown appeared in the Los Angeles Times (January 30, 2000), and the location of the gravesite was well-known to locals. The land changed hands on January 10, 2002, and the new owner soon began making changes, bringing possessions onto the property and posting no trespassing signs.

An article about the denial of access appeared in the Pasadena Star News (May 2, 2002). And then sometime in late June or early July, the grave marker, concrete pad that anchored the monument, and wooden fence disappeared. The controversy caused by the disappearance prompted three articles, in the Pasadena Star News (July 10, 2002), the Los Angeles Times (August 3, 2002), and the Pasadena Weekly (September 26, 2002).

In addition, access to Owen Brown’s grave was obstructed from the western side by the closure of El Prieto fire road by owners at the end of paved El Prieto. The closure occurred in 1999 when a gate was installed across the end of the paved road. Local hikers and residents sued to enforce the right of access, which was established by continuous public use for over 100 years, and won in court in 2004. The fire road was the road taken by mourners during the funeral procession for Owen Brown and today it provides an important gateway to the Angeles National Forest.

The Landscape

Ecologically, the land comprises chaparral and oak woodland. It is steep in places, and bisected by a power-line easement (Southern California Edison). The land falls away steeply on the west into El Prieto Canyon, a lovely stream-fed shady ravine with oaks, California sycamores, and white alder woodland. To the east lies Millard Canyon, similar to El Prieto floristically with year-round water and springs. Access is by a steep paved road to the top of the hill (Rising Hill Road) or by the dirt El Prieto Fire Road.

Historical and Recreational Values

The Owen Brown Gravesite project encompasses land that includes a historically significant site important to people nationwide because of the connection to John Brown, the raid on Harper’s Ferry, and the abolitionist movement that preceded the Civil War. In addition, the land includes hiking trails, and access points to the larger trail system important to equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers. Trail easements run through the northern-most parcel, which also has two houses on it. The trail connects to the Gabrielino, El Prieto, and Brown Mountain trails. As with so many trails in Altadena, one can travel to Mount Wilson and beyond from the trail heads located here.

II. Lower Millard Canyon

From below the border of the Angeles National Forest to its confluence with the Arroyo Seco, Millard Creek runs through a canyon that ranges in habitat quality from near-pristine riparian habitat north of Canyon Crest Road to land choked with invasive non-native vegetation below Canyon Crest Road. The near-pristine canyon parcels between Canyon Crest Road and the Angeles National Forest to the north, collectively termed “Lower Millard,” ranked 5th highest of all land acquisition projects within the Los Angeles River Watershed, and 25th overall, for projects that were evaluated by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and included in its Workprogram 2000.

The 13.61 acres comprising the canyon bottom north of Canyon Crest Road were sold June 28, 2002, in a probate auction to a private party who outbid the combined efforts of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy. The winning bid was well above the high appraised value certified by the State Department of General Services. The sale of this valuable land demonstrates how difficult it can be to acquire land for conservation in a market of rapidly rising land values. The current owner plans to build houses on the land adjacent to the creek and AFC will monitor the permitting process to ensure the integrity of the land and watershed.

Watershed, Habitat, and Recreational Value

Millard Canyon contains the year-round spring-fed “blue-line stream” that connects downstream with the Arroyo Seco and is one of the Arroyo Seco’s most important tributaries. Millard Canyon supports a mature closed-canopy riparian forest, contains important freshwater habitat, and a perennial water source for area wildlife and aquatic species. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board listed ten existing beneficial uses, including municipal and domestic water supply, groundwater recharge, warm freshwater habitat, and wetland for the creek.

Millard Canyon is potential habitat for the southwestern pond turtle and endangered arroyo Southwestern toad. In the riparian habitat, Cooper’s hawk, Swainson’s thrush, yellow warbler have been observed or heard in Lower Millard. These species are either California Species of Special Concern (Cooper’s hawk and yellow warbler) or identified by the U.S. Forest Service as a species to watch (Swainson’s thrush). A complete biological survey would undoubtedly identify more species resident, breeding, or migrating through this canyon.

The near-pristine riparian habitat above Canyon Crest Road includes white alder, coast live oak, willow, cottonwood, California sycamore, big leaf maple, California bay laurel, and Southern California walnut. These canopy trees are also found on the land below Canyon Crest Road, but the difference on this land is that the understory is dominated by invasive non-native creepers and vines, along with native understory plants such as poison oak. Non-native trees, including fig and citrus, have been planted below Canyon Crest Road. Springs are evident in the canyon as the creek runs intermittently dry and wet along its length.

Conservation of Lower Millard would provide an integral environmental and recreational buffer to the La Viña development to the east. The area north of Canyon Crest Road would provide a convenient trailhead location. If access was assured, the existing Millard Canyon trail could be opened with a trailhead beginning on Canyon Crest Road. The trail is currently truncated and closed to all except residents of the development by two locked gates.

Below Canyon Crest Road, several parcels are still undeveloped. Along with west side of the canyon, a ledge provides an opportunity for the trail to continue southward to the Arroyo Seco. Easements from existing owners would have to be obtained, however, to build this trail. Development of this trail would provide a connection from trails in the Angeles National Forest to trails in La Cañada Flintridge via Hahamongna Watershed Park and the Flint Wash Bridge.

III. La Viña Development Open Space

The La Viña Specific Plan for Development

In 1989, the County of Los Angeles approved the La Viña Specific Plan for 272 single-family detached homes, and 108.1 acres of natural open space, to be built in the north west corner of Altadena. The development was termed “La Viña” because the site included the former La Viña Sanitarium. Legal challenges by the Friends of La Viña delayed construction until 1996, when grading began on the gated development.

During the years when the developer, Southwest Diversified, and its predecessor, Cantwell Anderson, were conducting outreach to the community, many statements were made promising that open space around the perimeter of the project would be donated to various entities: the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service, and Los Angeles County. During 1990, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy held hearings on the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor Master Plan. At the February 8, 1990, meeting held in La Cañada Flintridge, Andrew Oliver, representing Cantwell Anderson, proposed that the Conservancy accept the Millard Canyon open space associated with the project. This open space was added to the Conservancy’s Master Plan (June 28, 1990). When the Conservancy updated its master plan in 2000, this open space continued to be included (Workprogram 2000).

In a Cantwell Anderson publication entitled “Looking Forward,” and dated “Fall 1990,” the developer stated “Over 100 acres of pristine wilderness within the La Viña site is being dedicated to the Angeles National Forest and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy as open space.” The section goes on to make various promises about the hiking trail also mentioned in a 1992 flyer.

In 1992, the developer produced a flyer entitled “Commitment: The La Viña Plan,” which was distributed to residents.4 In that document, the developer committed itself to a dedicated hiking trail accessible to the public that would begin in Loma Alta Park and wind through Millard Canyon to the Millard Canyon Campground.

As recently as July 2000, Brookfield was still distributing drawings of the development with the Millard Canyon trail (“Wilderness Trail”), and a trail to the east designated “Desert Trail,” neither of which have been developed or opened to the public.

Los Angeles County Audit

On February 19, 2002, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed its Auditor-Controller to audit the La Viña development project and report back on the fulfillment (or lack thereof) of permit conditions. The audit identified 91 “Quality of Life” conditions in seven categories. Twenty-six of the conditions fell into the “Hiking and Equestrian Trails” category, only 4 (15%) of which were listed as completed. The first listed condition, identified as partially complete, is very broad:

“To create a public open space network that satisfies the active and passive needs of the future residents and to enhance it with hiking trails leading to Millard Canyon and equestrian trails leading to Sunset Ridge.”

The audit, however, did not directly address the open space identified in the Specific Plan. At the November 2002 meeting of the Altadena Town Council, County staff stated that the final tract map showed approximately 121 acres of open space as dedicated open space, some of which is in the interior of the development.

Instead of granting the open space to a land conservancy or the U.S. Forest Service, the development permit granted by the County required the developer to give the open space the Homeowner’s Association. Transfer of ownership of all of the open space parcels was completed in 2004. Many people are involved in working with the Homeowner’s Association and Los Angeles County to secure access and trail easements through the open space to provide for a connection with the Altadena Crest Trail.

Trails and Habitat Value

Ensuring public trails would provide a buffer and connection with the adjacent lands to the north that are part of the Angeles National Forest and private open lands to the east. Land to the east is included in the AFC’s Chaney Trail Corridor project area. AFC supports action by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to ensure public trails. In addition, AFC supports proper management of the land for its habitat values.

This land comprises steep ravines and ridges, with a variety of characteristic habitat – coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodland, and riparian habitat. During the 1992 “Spring Survey” for the environmental impact report, the field biologist observed a family of foxes playing in front of him, thus illustrating the richness of the wildlife which has been lost to development. Preservation of the open space lands surrounding the La Viña development would ensure that some of this prime habitat will remain.

IV. Chaney Trail Corridor

Conservation Begun

The Chaney Trail Corridor encompasses over 200 acres of open space lands held by seven major land owners and five additional owners of smaller parcels. Bounded on the west by the La Viña development, on the north and east by the Angeles National Forest, and on the south by housing, the Corridor serves as a gateway to the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains. Most people assume these parcels are already under federal protection. They are not, however, and development is an ever-present threat. Most of these parcels are within the Congressional boundary of the Angeles National Forest, yet they are not protected from development.

In 2000, the AFC identified two adjacent parcels totaling fifteen acres as high priority for protection. The owners had placed the property on the market, and its location, on Chaney Trail and Alzada Road, made it attractive for development. The land is also within the Congressional boundary of the Angeles National Forest and comprises the southeast corner of an 80-acre section otherwise owned by the National Forest. In 2001, the Trust for Public Land purchased the 15 acres from the owners, Werner Mueller and Bill West. Trust for Public Land plans to turn the land over to the Angeles National Forest for permanent protection. The acquisition and protection of this key parcel protects the scenic viewshed and a key section of the Altadena Crest Trail.

In 2002, AFC closed escrow on a 1.5-acre parcel on Chaney Trail, termed the “Andrea Wilson Triangle,” which is adjacent to the already-preserved 15-acres. This parcel, while small, is vital for preservation of viewshed and the Altadena Crest Trail. The community support for purchasing this parcel has been tremendous.

A Diverse Habitat with Scenic Vistas and Access to Recreation

As one moves north on Chaney Trail Road, the urban fringe is quickly left behind and one begins to experience the foothill chaparral environment. The landscape opens up, with magnificent views of the towering San Gabriel Mountains. Trails travel east-west and northwards to Mt. Lowe, and ultimately Mt. Wilson. The foothills in this section of Altadena rise from about 1500 feet to 2000 to 2500 feet before rising steeply into the mountains. The landscape of the Corridor includes five “blue-line” streams, flat bottom lands, and steep ridges and deep canyons. Named canyons include West Ravine and Chiquita Canyon, but there are three additional significant ravines in the Chaney Trail Corridor. The watershed empties to the Arroyo Seco, and from there to the Los Angeles River.

The vegetation communities in the Corridor include chaparral, coastal sage scrub, southern oak woodland, sycamore-alder riparian woodland, along with non-native grasslands. The variety of landscape and vegetation communities makes this a healthy ecological patchwork habitat for the many species that use the foothills. Known to be resident or to breed in the project area are California Department of Fish and Game Species of Special Concern, including the California legless lizard, San Diego coast horned toad, yellow warbler, and Cooper's hawk. Endangered California gnatcatchers have been observed, though nesting in the area has not been confirmed. Resident in the area are species that are characteristic of a healthy foothills community, such as California quail, Cooper’s and red-tailed hawk, band-tailed pigeon, acorn woodpecker, numerous warblers, roufus-sided and brown towhee, California thrasher, phainopepla, various hummingbird species, bobcat, mule deer, gray fox, raccoon, opossum, striped skunk, and coyote.

The Chaney Trail Corridor is also an important recreational resource. The Altadena Crest Trail runs from east to west and north through the project area, connecting in the north with the Sunset Ridge Trail and extending through private and Los Angeles County-owned property to the west. One can hike, ride, or bike to Mt. Wilson via the Altadena Crest Trail, Sunset Ridge, and Mt. Lowe trails. The ACT is a popular heavily used trail by equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers.

Also in the Chaney Trail Corridor, the Nightingale property has historic significance, having been owned by Frank B. Nightingale, who was a prominent lighting designer in the 1920’s and 30’s. F.B. Nightingale developed many of the landscape lighting techniques in use today and established Kim Manufacturing Company in 1933. Nightingale purchased 44+ acres of the Rubio Ranch from Henry Huntington after it had passed from the ownership of the Mount Lowe Railway Corporation.

V. Lower Rubio Canyon

The Rubio Canyon project area comprises several parcels with historic and recreational significance. The large parcel to the north is largely undisturbed with historic and current trails. The property contains artifacts of the Mount Lowe Railway, including about half of the remaining right-of-way of the line's Rubio Division and numerous trestle abutments. Trailheads leading to the historic Rubio Pavilion and Great Cable Incline sites, along with several other historic trails, are still in use and maintained today by volunteers. The land north of the project area is owned by the Angeles National Forest or the County of Los Angeles. Rubio Canyon was nominated by AFC for inclusion in the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy’s Workprogram 2000 and the project ranked 38th overall and ninth in the East Rim of the Valley.

History of the Land

In 1867, Jesus Rubio began farming in the mouth of what later came to be named Rubio Canyon. The ranch he established was later sold to the Altadena pioneers, brothers John and Fred Woodbury, in 1880. When Professor Thaddeus S. C. Lowe began to build the Mount Lowe Railway he purchased his right-of-way and the ranch from the Woodburys. Professor Lowe used the land to grow produce for the resort hotels at Rubio Pavilion, Echo Mountain and Crystal Springs. Henry Huntington acquired the property as a part of his company, Pacific Electric in 1902.

The improved portion of the property was used as a Boy Scout Camp for a number of years, and then subdivided in the early 1960’s. The unimproved portion of the land, comprising 32.27 acres, remained in Henry Huntington’s possession and passed into his trust at his death. In 1997, preservationists and Mount Lowe volunteers attempted to have the Huntington heirs donate this large parcel to the Big Santa Anita Historical Society. For various reasons, the effort was unsuccessful. In 1998, the parcel was purchased by the owner of the two adjacent parcels. The owner subsequently put all three parcels on the market, and after unsuccessful attempts again by preservationists and the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy to have the land donated, it was sold in 2001 to its current owner.
Scenic Beauty, Historical Significance, and Recreational Hiking Values

Rubio Canyon is one of the most beautiful and historically significant areas in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains. Most years history enthusiasts schedule an annual celebration at either Echo Mountain or the Alpine Tavern, destination points on the Mount Lowe Railway, to celebrate the colorful history of the Railway.5 Hikers, too, travel via one of the many trails up to Mount Lowe. The major open space trails of lower Rubio Canyon include the Rubio Right-of-Way Trail (1892), Camp Huntington Trail (1942), the Lone Tree Trail (1888), and the Lone Tree-Rubio Pavilion Trail (1893). The more modern Altadena Crest Trail also runs through the parcels.

Rubio Creek, a year-round “blue line” stream, is a major tributary of the Rio Hondo, which delivers water to the Los Angeles River below the spreading grounds. The State of California Water Quality Control Board Los Angeles Region has established four existing, one potential, and three intermittent beneficial uses. The natural biotic communities of Rubio Canyon include southern oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian woodland, and warm freshwater wetlands.

Final Words

This conservation plan is a living document that will be updated periodically to reflect the changing conditions of the conservation landscape. If you have any questions about the information in this document, or you would like to help the AFC further its goals through making a donation or volunteering, please contact us. Following is our contact information:

Mailing Address:
Nancy L.C. Steele, President
Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy
P.O. Box 3
Altadena, California 91003-0003

Website: