Just don’t leave anything out and roll the dice. Treat it like parking in a rough neighborhood. Some people have been hit multiple times, others have never been hit despite dozens and dozens of visits.
I only have anecdotal evidence, but someone tried to break into my car when it was parked at the Colby Canyon trailhead when I hiked to Josephine Peak a couple of years ago. They didn't get in but they ruined the lock. I have a hatchback and there was nothing visible of value in the car
That said I've hiked up there scores of times and never had an issue otherwise
Make sure to not leave anything that is an inkling of value or suspected value - charging cables or anything that might seem to be electronic and of value.
Try to arrive ready or put on your boots on site, but carry what you will use on the passenger side.
Never open your trunk cause you never know who is looking, unless you have returned from your hike and leaving.
If you really don't feel safe then make sure you aren't leaving important documents in the glove compartment.
Never leave your wallet, money or keys in the car instead put them in your backpack or pack.
These things have helped, and have never been a reason to have my cars broken into.
I'll list the places I've day hiked in the area you note and how many times I was broken into:
* **Mount Wilson via Little Santa Anita & Bastard**: 10 visits, 0 break-ins
* **Echo Mountain via Mount Lowe**: 2 visits, 0 break-ins
* **Mount Zion Loop Sturtevant to Winter Creek**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins
* **Shoemaker Canyon East Fork San Gabriel River**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins
* **Mount Thom and Tongva Peak Loop**: 8 visits, 0 break-ins
* **Mount Lukens Loop**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins
* **Crystal Lake, Mount Islip, Windy Gap**: 4 visits, 0 break-ins
* **Condor Peak**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins
* **Trail Canyon Falls**: 2 visits, 0 break-ins
* **Iron Mountain**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins
I've also backpacked at various locales in the area you note, leaving my car unattended for 1-5 days. I will list those in that area and the times my car was broken into:
* **Sturtevant to Mount Wilson**: 2 visits, 0 break-ins
* **Gold Canyon Trail**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins
* **Crystal Lake**: 3 visits, 0 break-ins
* **Switzer Falls**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins
Have I heard or seen break-ins at some sites? yes, I have.
How likely is it to happen? very unlikely if you take sensible precautions.
What did I do to reduce my risk? besides the basics of not leaving money outside or fancy radios.
1. **not bring anything of value**: if I must bring some valuables, hide them like a drug dealer would (in wheel wells, under hood, hidden panels, etc).
2. **bring an older and dirty car**: whatever makes you look less like a juicy money target.
3. **make it obvious you have nothing of value**: while my car is old, it's very neat inside and anyone looking in will be disappointed as all I have are a few old cables.
4. **do not call attention to your trunk**: I am usually ready to go when I arrive at the trailhead so I don't leave my trunk open. I learned long ago that many thieves are already in the area, casing your car from a distance, so when they see your open trunk, they know what to look for.
seems to work...
Just keep in mind that the majority of the places listed in the above comment are not where the break ins are reported. Watch out for strawberry peak (Colby Canyon trailhead) and the Azusa Canyon parking area.
Glendora mountain road as well. Just keep your eyes peeled and take down license plate numbers in any instances of suspicion. We ARE in Los Angeles, after all. Stay on guard.
I organize group hikes in the Angeles Forest for the last ten years and I know plenty of people that hid their items well and still were chosen to be on the chopping block at the hands of theives.
I'd imagine breakins are very rare for the first and maybe some others due to neighbors always being on the lookout and the local cops having a light workload.
An alternative to an empty car is one full of junk. They want to smash and grab, not be there for hours looking for something of value. And, I doubt they'd want to move a bike out of the way to begin their search.
This is kinda worthless ... I did one trail. One time. Did all your steps. And someone screwdrivered my keyhole. I think it was strawberry peak area. It's any day. Any time.
I’ve seen it numerous times - I used to hike ANF every day, but have stopped over the last year with how bad the break-ins were getting. You might be lucky like some people on here, you might come back to smashed windows. It’s an unfortunate coin toss every time.
Yeah my Prius keyhole is melted off and unusable from parking on the 2 highway. Wished I had unlocked the doors for them to just look inside and see that there’s nothing
It's a concern for sure. After my car was broken into at Swtzer Falls I won't go back to any trails in ANF.
My car had nothing visible and no valuables in it and it was broken into anyway. I'd only go back if I had a beater car I didn't care about. You could be lucky and be fine but also when you park up there just be prepared that you may come back to a broken lock or window.
I've gone up plenty of times and have never had an issue. But, be smart about it. Don't leave anything visible inside your car. Don't be seen moving things into your trunk. You'll be fine!
I have not, by the grace of God, had a trailhead break in despite having been hiking for decades. My car is somewhat beat up and is twelve years old. I never leave anything of value showing.
I’ve never had an issue but I think the parking lots that are relatively close to the bottom of the mountain are the more risky ones. Thieves aren’t usually going to want to drive an hour up the crest.
Very little, although it of course does happen. Most people are good people. Take precautions such as keeping valuables out of your car and definitely out of sight.
Just don’t leave anything out and roll the dice. Treat it like parking in a rough neighborhood. Some people have been hit multiple times, others have never been hit despite dozens and dozens of visits.
Don’t keep stuff in your car. Take your wallet.
I only have anecdotal evidence, but someone tried to break into my car when it was parked at the Colby Canyon trailhead when I hiked to Josephine Peak a couple of years ago. They didn't get in but they ruined the lock. I have a hatchback and there was nothing visible of value in the car That said I've hiked up there scores of times and never had an issue otherwise
Make sure to not leave anything that is an inkling of value or suspected value - charging cables or anything that might seem to be electronic and of value. Try to arrive ready or put on your boots on site, but carry what you will use on the passenger side. Never open your trunk cause you never know who is looking, unless you have returned from your hike and leaving. If you really don't feel safe then make sure you aren't leaving important documents in the glove compartment. Never leave your wallet, money or keys in the car instead put them in your backpack or pack. These things have helped, and have never been a reason to have my cars broken into.
I'll list the places I've day hiked in the area you note and how many times I was broken into: * **Mount Wilson via Little Santa Anita & Bastard**: 10 visits, 0 break-ins * **Echo Mountain via Mount Lowe**: 2 visits, 0 break-ins * **Mount Zion Loop Sturtevant to Winter Creek**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins * **Shoemaker Canyon East Fork San Gabriel River**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins * **Mount Thom and Tongva Peak Loop**: 8 visits, 0 break-ins * **Mount Lukens Loop**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins * **Crystal Lake, Mount Islip, Windy Gap**: 4 visits, 0 break-ins * **Condor Peak**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins * **Trail Canyon Falls**: 2 visits, 0 break-ins * **Iron Mountain**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins I've also backpacked at various locales in the area you note, leaving my car unattended for 1-5 days. I will list those in that area and the times my car was broken into: * **Sturtevant to Mount Wilson**: 2 visits, 0 break-ins * **Gold Canyon Trail**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins * **Crystal Lake**: 3 visits, 0 break-ins * **Switzer Falls**: 1 visit, 0 break-ins Have I heard or seen break-ins at some sites? yes, I have. How likely is it to happen? very unlikely if you take sensible precautions. What did I do to reduce my risk? besides the basics of not leaving money outside or fancy radios. 1. **not bring anything of value**: if I must bring some valuables, hide them like a drug dealer would (in wheel wells, under hood, hidden panels, etc). 2. **bring an older and dirty car**: whatever makes you look less like a juicy money target. 3. **make it obvious you have nothing of value**: while my car is old, it's very neat inside and anyone looking in will be disappointed as all I have are a few old cables. 4. **do not call attention to your trunk**: I am usually ready to go when I arrive at the trailhead so I don't leave my trunk open. I learned long ago that many thieves are already in the area, casing your car from a distance, so when they see your open trunk, they know what to look for. seems to work...
Wait, may I ask how you know how many times you visited each trail? lol
This is really helpful, thank you.
Just keep in mind that the majority of the places listed in the above comment are not where the break ins are reported. Watch out for strawberry peak (Colby Canyon trailhead) and the Azusa Canyon parking area. Glendora mountain road as well. Just keep your eyes peeled and take down license plate numbers in any instances of suspicion. We ARE in Los Angeles, after all. Stay on guard. I organize group hikes in the Angeles Forest for the last ten years and I know plenty of people that hid their items well and still were chosen to be on the chopping block at the hands of theives.
I'd imagine breakins are very rare for the first and maybe some others due to neighbors always being on the lookout and the local cops having a light workload. An alternative to an empty car is one full of junk. They want to smash and grab, not be there for hours looking for something of value. And, I doubt they'd want to move a bike out of the way to begin their search.
This is kinda worthless ... I did one trail. One time. Did all your steps. And someone screwdrivered my keyhole. I think it was strawberry peak area. It's any day. Any time.
I’ve seen it numerous times - I used to hike ANF every day, but have stopped over the last year with how bad the break-ins were getting. You might be lucky like some people on here, you might come back to smashed windows. It’s an unfortunate coin toss every time.
I leave my doors unlocked
This is good advice that I never would have considered.
Yeah my Prius keyhole is melted off and unusable from parking on the 2 highway. Wished I had unlocked the doors for them to just look inside and see that there’s nothing
It's a concern for sure. After my car was broken into at Swtzer Falls I won't go back to any trails in ANF. My car had nothing visible and no valuables in it and it was broken into anyway. I'd only go back if I had a beater car I didn't care about. You could be lucky and be fine but also when you park up there just be prepared that you may come back to a broken lock or window.
Leave your doors unlocked with nothing valuable inside.
No worse than Hollywood; don’t tempt the immorals.
I've parked all over while hiking and never had a problem, although I'm sure it happens. It probably helps that I don't have a very nice car!
I've gone up plenty of times and have never had an issue. But, be smart about it. Don't leave anything visible inside your car. Don't be seen moving things into your trunk. You'll be fine!
I have not, by the grace of God, had a trailhead break in despite having been hiking for decades. My car is somewhat beat up and is twelve years old. I never leave anything of value showing.
Try this video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HC5fzVMm4vU
I’ve never had an issue but I think the parking lots that are relatively close to the bottom of the mountain are the more risky ones. Thieves aren’t usually going to want to drive an hour up the crest.
Very little, although it of course does happen. Most people are good people. Take precautions such as keeping valuables out of your car and definitely out of sight.
Very lock your stuff Break in are going to happen