Devil’s Punchbowl Nature Walks

Join us on a guided walk  at the Devil’s Punchbowl along the Loop Trail at 10 AM, or the Devil’s Chair Trail at 12:15 PM.. or both!  We’ll be guided by Regional Parks Superintendent Jonathan Numer. This area features the fascinating beauty of the Punchbowl geologic formation, a result of the collision between two tectonic plates, lying along an ecotone – the transition between the Mojave Desert and San Bernadino Forest. Having been affected by the Bobcat fire in 2020, poodledog bush and scorched trees stand amongst pines, oaks, and cheerful sprouting plants, providing a unique, beautiful display of the fragility and resiliency of the lands we are so lucky to cherish. Register HERE. More details in the Eventbrite description.

10 am – 12 pm: Loop Trail
12:15 – 5 pm:  Devil’s Chair Trail
Attendance: Please register HERE.

Difficulty: We’ve alotted enough time to move at a naturalist pace, but both trails are considered moderately challenging. Feel free to stick with us for your preferred section of either or both trails! -See the trail descriptions below.

Preparation: Please come with layers, sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses), plenty of water, lunch to enjoy along the trail, and sturdy close-toed shoes. There are bathrooms with vault toilets at the main parking lot.

Meeting Area: We will be meeting in front of the Nature center (large buiding immediately East of the restrooms with an enclosed raven habitat attached). -Circled in map photo added to this description.

Loop Trail: 10 – 12:00 AM, 1 mile, 305 ft elevation change. Provides views from the Western edge of the Punchbowl formation while descending along packed sandy paths, some rocks, boulders and streams, then ascending back to the parking lot.

Devil’s Chair Trail: 12:15 – 5 PM, 7.5 miles, 557 ft elevation change. This out-and-back trail has a gravel section towards the starting point which transitions to hard packed dirt as the incline begins. The main slope of this trail occurs during the first mile as it rises about 550 feet before some relatively mild variations and a 300 ft dip over about 0.4 mile at the very end of the trail (*if we reach that point). It provides varied perspectives of the Punchbowl formation, views of the of the surrounding Mojave Desert stretching out along the horizon, and views of the sloping foothills of the Angeles National Forest which surround the Punchbowl formation to the South.
*We might not reach the end of this one, but there are lovely plants, critters and geologic features to appreciate along the way