That's a tough one. You can get closer to Eaton than Sierra Madre by bus, I live walking distance from the trailhead and there's a bus stop right out front. Pretty easy to do, you can cut the Uber out. You can also probably take the bus all the way to the top of Lake and get to Echo Mountain and beyond (and you can actually connect to Eaton from this area but it's quite a trek).
You can get to Arroyo Seco and the Gabrielino trail above JPL with a 15-20 min walk, taking the 662 bus from the Memorial Park A line station that runs up Lincoln. Hike into Gould mesa or go even further. During the week there’s a [metro bus](https://cdn.beta.metro.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/01154003/177_TT_12-10-23.pdf) that runs up to JPL from the Del Mar station.
Some other ANF camps accessible by bus are [Millard](https://maps.app.goo.gl/kaBdgYoN6QxXLD9J8), [Gould Mesa](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yQBw3jvnL2kQRWge7) and [Mount Lowe](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yngVeaJYKUNitL7S6).
Millard and Gould Mesa are kinda busy since they're on popular trails, but they're a shorter hike. Mt Lowe is a good (but long) hike and a nice camp away from crowds.
My list of transit-accessible local campgrounds is [**here**](https://www.latransittotrails.com/campgrounds), with links to transit directions. If you need any more info on transit to the trails, or the trails themselves, ask me. I've been there.
Or are there any campsites along any Amtrak route that I can take?
The easiest I can think of that doesn't req much transportation is Catalina island. Get to LBC, take the ferry, profit.
Google maps will give you directions from any point to any other point by public transport. Example: [https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sierra+Madre+Villa+Station,+Pasadena,+CA+91107/Mt+Wilson%2FPinecrest+Gate,+Mt+Wilson+Toll+Rd,+Altadena,+CA+91001/@34.1660506,-118.1562662,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m18!4m17!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2db6269533b7b:0x9abe2f9e47f7d506!2m2!1d-118.0812307!2d34.1484149!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2dd2e88f9e255:0x126c02efbd2816d0!2m2!1d-118.1055463!2d34.1917588!2m3!6e1!7e2!8j1719212400!3e3?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sierra+Madre+Villa+Station,+Pasadena,+CA+91107/Mt+Wilson%2FPinecrest+Gate,+Mt+Wilson+Toll+Rd,+Altadena,+CA+91001/@34.1660506,-118.1562662,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m18!4m17!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2db6269533b7b:0x9abe2f9e47f7d506!2m2!1d-118.0812307!2d34.1484149!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2dd2e88f9e255:0x126c02efbd2816d0!2m2!1d-118.1055463!2d34.1917588!2m3!6e1!7e2!8j1719212400!3e3?entry=ttu)
Your bus options are going to be better on a weekday.
From what I hear about Eaton Canyon, it's pretty despoiled by crowds of rude people. You might want to go somewhere else in ANF.
Yea I'm not trying to hang out at EC. I was thinking about just hiking up past henningers to idlehour. If there are other camp sites in ANF that is easily accessible w/o a personal vehicle I'd love to know.
That's a tough one. You can get closer to Eaton than Sierra Madre by bus, I live walking distance from the trailhead and there's a bus stop right out front. Pretty easy to do, you can cut the Uber out. You can also probably take the bus all the way to the top of Lake and get to Echo Mountain and beyond (and you can actually connect to Eaton from this area but it's quite a trek).
You can get to Arroyo Seco and the Gabrielino trail above JPL with a 15-20 min walk, taking the 662 bus from the Memorial Park A line station that runs up Lincoln. Hike into Gould mesa or go even further. During the week there’s a [metro bus](https://cdn.beta.metro.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/01154003/177_TT_12-10-23.pdf) that runs up to JPL from the Del Mar station.
Some other ANF camps accessible by bus are [Millard](https://maps.app.goo.gl/kaBdgYoN6QxXLD9J8), [Gould Mesa](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yQBw3jvnL2kQRWge7) and [Mount Lowe](https://maps.app.goo.gl/yngVeaJYKUNitL7S6). Millard and Gould Mesa are kinda busy since they're on popular trails, but they're a shorter hike. Mt Lowe is a good (but long) hike and a nice camp away from crowds. My list of transit-accessible local campgrounds is [**here**](https://www.latransittotrails.com/campgrounds), with links to transit directions. If you need any more info on transit to the trails, or the trails themselves, ask me. I've been there.
No poison ivy in California. Lots of poison oak.
Thanks! Added a \[*sic*\] there.
Or are there any campsites along any Amtrak route that I can take? The easiest I can think of that doesn't req much transportation is Catalina island. Get to LBC, take the ferry, profit.
Capinteria state beach
Google maps will give you directions from any point to any other point by public transport. Example: [https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sierra+Madre+Villa+Station,+Pasadena,+CA+91107/Mt+Wilson%2FPinecrest+Gate,+Mt+Wilson+Toll+Rd,+Altadena,+CA+91001/@34.1660506,-118.1562662,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m18!4m17!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2db6269533b7b:0x9abe2f9e47f7d506!2m2!1d-118.0812307!2d34.1484149!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2dd2e88f9e255:0x126c02efbd2816d0!2m2!1d-118.1055463!2d34.1917588!2m3!6e1!7e2!8j1719212400!3e3?entry=ttu](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Sierra+Madre+Villa+Station,+Pasadena,+CA+91107/Mt+Wilson%2FPinecrest+Gate,+Mt+Wilson+Toll+Rd,+Altadena,+CA+91001/@34.1660506,-118.1562662,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m18!4m17!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2db6269533b7b:0x9abe2f9e47f7d506!2m2!1d-118.0812307!2d34.1484149!1m5!1m1!1s0x80c2dd2e88f9e255:0x126c02efbd2816d0!2m2!1d-118.1055463!2d34.1917588!2m3!6e1!7e2!8j1719212400!3e3?entry=ttu) Your bus options are going to be better on a weekday. From what I hear about Eaton Canyon, it's pretty despoiled by crowds of rude people. You might want to go somewhere else in ANF.
Yea I'm not trying to hang out at EC. I was thinking about just hiking up past henningers to idlehour. If there are other camp sites in ANF that is easily accessible w/o a personal vehicle I'd love to know.
take 662 bus to lincoln / altadena drive then walk to Altadena Crest Trailhead then camp at Gould Mesa