Hiding just on the fringes of a bustling metropolis is a place enveloped with mystery and intrigue. It is a secluded place that is said to be guarded by the profile of a horned creature. Where the rushing of water as it passes through, resembles that of laughter. And a place where children have vanished off the face of the earth. This place is Devil’s Gate.
HOW DO YOU GET to the devil’s gate?
We only heard about this place recently and with it being so close by, decided to visit.
We pulled in at the Oak Grove Park, which is also a frisbee golf course. It is incredibly beautiful and peaceful. Here you can walk on the equestrian trail over to Devil’s Gate.
However, they are doing a lot of work in the area. Part of the trailhead was closed, so we had to walk along the street before safely rejoining the path.
Once you come up to flint wash bridge that traverses a small canyon, you will notice a path going underneath the overpass. It doesn’t go where we are planning to visit, so stay straight. Once across the footbridge, you can barely see the Dam in the distance. There is a small seat under a tree on the left edge of the watershed to sit and take in some lovely views.
Devil’s Gate Dam Slide show
After taking in the scenery, we continued across the Dam and took some pictures overlooking both sides until we saw another pathway on our right. This one travels under the overpass and is the correct way to go. Also, there is a trail marker notating the directions of different trails.
WHAT IS DEVIL’S GATE?
Built for flood control in 1921, the Devil’s Gate Dam in the Arroyo Seco Canyon got its name from the natural rock formations around the water overflow tunnel. As you approach through the dry stream area, you can easily see a profile of a horned beast.
Some lore began with Natives. Their legends accuse it of being a gateway into the afterlife. The Tongva believed that the water running through the gorge sounded like laughter, which they attributed to the coyote spirit.
The rapids of the Arroyo Seco are positioned so that the falls make a beating or laughing sound.
THEN THE STORIES BEGAN TO GROW
During the late 1930s and into the 1940s, Jack Parsons, one of the principal co-founders of JPL and a pioneer rocket scientist, was a passionate occultist. He was also the leader of the Thelema movement in Southern California. Parsons believed the area just in front of the JPL labs to have mystical significance, so he performed his occult rituals there. Some say that those actions may have opened a portal into Hell.
Then there are the mysterious disappearances of children. Between 1956 to 1960, four children in three separate incidents mysteriously vanished around Devil’s Gate Reservoir.
Is the gateway to Hades the reason behind these disappearances?
DESCENDING TO THE MOUTH OF HELL
Directly beyond the dark corridor, the worn pathway curves left and begins its descent down the hillside. This rocky, uneven and fairly steep incline may be a warning to turn back. Still, the beauty around beckons us to continue.
On the other side of the chainlink fence, you can see stairs zig-zagging down for maintenance workers. It is very inviting to climb around the locked gate and head down here instead, but fines and jail time sound like Hell itself to me!
One of the biggest eye-catchers is the tall wooden structure at the bottom.
Is it a type of diabolical torture device?
Maybe, but it’s for specialised training and not for the use of the general public.
DO YOU HEAR THAT?
If you have chosen to scoff in the face of danger as we did at the hairpin turn, there is a gorgeous tree just waiting to have its picture taken.
Once you have safely navigated the treacherous terrain to the bottom, stop and listen. Do you hear that? Is that devious laughter pouring from the waters? Are the Demons of the underworld harmoniously relishing in our impending plight? Or is that our final foe in the way the mighty River Styx?
No, it’s the soft sounds of a slow meandering stream. Despite all the gremlins and fiendish ghouls feverishly trying to pull us under, we made it across this gently flowing brook and follow it back to the source from which it comes.
HELLO THERE HELL
Through the twisted clusters of tree limbs, boulders and driftwood, a small clearing appears.
All becomes incredibly silent as we gaze upon Devil’s Gate itself.
Let’s drop all the dramatisations now for a moment because there is something unique about this area. You can make out the horned figure and a few others in the rock formation, but also the trees and lushness around do give this place a charming yet surreal feel.
The deep still water that separated us from the edge of the tunnel added to the moody feel. That also keeps us or anyone else from getting in there, even though the gates were wide open.
Is it a little creepy? Yes, of course it is, because if you were here while the flood gates opened, you would be in a hellish environment! That should always be kept in mind when visiting places like this. They can ultimately be dangerous.
warning
Exploring this tunnel can be dangerous. This next clip shows you what happens when the flood gates open.
WHAT DO WE THINK about devil’s gate?
We both thoroughly enjoyed this little hike. The only real strenuous portion is climbing back up the slippery rocky hill to the top of the Dam. Other than that the dry river bed below is very peaceful to walk around, and you can even pick up the Rose Bowl trail. All the tagging is quite disappointing and takes away from the natural beauty of the location, but everything else was splendid.
To end the day we had a lovely picnic in Oak Grove Park and watched a few frisbee golfers. The serene surroundings are just gorgeous and well worth a visit.
in a nutshell
- Park your car at Oak Grove Park/Hahamongna Park 440 Oak Grove Drive
- Walk the trail through the park to the Dam (Do not park on the road in the residential areas – there are strict parking restrictions)
- Approximately 1-mile from the carpark to the Gates of Hell!
- Keep to the path which is easy to follow, although quite steep
- Please do not attempt to climb the chainlink fence for your safety and it is trespassing
- As always, Pack it in – pack it out. There is far too much graffiti and rubbish left – Don’t add to it!
- Be sensible and stay safe
location map
DISCLAIMER
It wasn’t until after we visited Devil’s Gate, and doing in-depth research that we discovered the horrific events which took place regarding the disappearance of the four children. We mean no disrespect to the families and have, therefore, not added the details to this blog.
- There is so much to see in and around the Pasadena area. Click the link below to discover more hikes, historical buildings, beautiful gardens and filming locations.
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