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About this place
Enjoy an afternoon picnic and stroll through an old growth oak forest located in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest. Or for those feeling more adventurous, bring along a mountain bike or even attempt to summit Potato Mountain.
For this adventure you can choose to start in a multiple of places; for the easiest parking use Oak Mesa Park located next to Oak Mesa Elementary School. From the parking lot cross the soccer field towards the bridge on the north east end of the school. Once across the bridge follow Los Robles east for two blocks turn right onto Via de Mansion and take an immediate left onto Orangewood St., the entrance to the trail will be on your left. The first 0.2 miles do not seem like much, as it follows a drainage ditch, but once you enter the canyon tall oak trees will begin to surround you.
While on the trail be careful where you step, poison oak is abundant though out the area. Also be mindful that the lower canyon is very popular with mountain bikers and they come down the hill at high speeds.
The trail winds up Marshall Canyon for 1.6 miles, first passing a passing golf course on the left before eventually coming to a tunnel going under Golden Hills Road. Continue straight for 0.6 miles under the tunnel until you reach a clearing with a fork in the road. Both paths will take you in the correct direction; the path to the left is the more direct route, while the path to the right leads to other trails located in the area.
If you choose the path climbing up to the left, this will take you to a large open field aka the Stephens Ranch Parking Area. From this field you can take a break and enjoy the view of the LA Basin.
The path going right leads you to a 4-way intersection and a large water tower. If you find your self here, take a left to get to the Stephens Ranch Parking Area. Or continue straight going right of the water tower to find the trail through Live Oak Canyon.
For those that would like to continue into Upper Marshall Canyon, look for the trail on the Northeast end of Stephens Ranch Parking Area. Follow the trail for 0.7 miles staying to the left for the first 2 junctions followed by a hard right at the third. This trail will take you to the intersection with Cobal Canyon Mtwy.
At this point you have reached the far northern part of Marshall Canyon and outskirts of La Verne. From here the Cobal Canyon Trail will lead you into the Claremont Hills Wilderness connecting with the Claremont 5-mile Loop and where you can attempt to complete the 12.5 mile round trip to Potato Mountain.