Adams’ Pack Station

I highly recommend a hike to Sturtevant Falls followed by (or preceded by) a stop at Adams’ Pack Station, for beers, veggie dogs and veggie burgers, and a visit with a very sweet goat.

So you decided to get off your duff and venture out into the ether known as «outside». For some inexplicable reason you end up at this place called Chantry Flats. Why it is so named doesn’t make a lot of sense when you realize you are quite literally on a small shelf on a mountainside with a drop on one side that is 100s of feet and the other side is mostly very steep forests clinging to the side of the mountain. However there is a small park, ranger station, and a couple of parking lots with a helicopter landing pad.
Nestled in against the side of the hill is a small joint called Adams Pack Station. No they don’t sell power packs or luggage. They do sell random things however like hiking supplies, food, hot food, and swag. From time to time they have some unique animals that are available to be bet or viewed as well.
Beware they have chickens roaming around and I don’t want you to be pecked to death hahaha
The pack station is also private property with a paid parking lot where you do not need an angeles forest parking pass. This is kinda handy to say the least if you don’t want to wait for a parking space.
The hot food here consists of simple to fix food or bbq. Hot dogs, corn dogs, burgers, pulled pork sammies, chips, fries, etc. So if you want a premium priced item to snack on before or after your trek through the wilds, they have got you covered here… So if you get the hankering for some grub well you now have an option while out beyond beyond in chantry flats…

Pros: Charming little pack station at Chantry Flats located at the end of road. Popular hiking location. Has a few hiking options which are good for different experience levels. Great place to stop for a cold water or refreshing beer after a nice long hike. Also have a little food hut so u can have a Canyon Hot Dog, burger, chilifries etc. instead of packing a lunch. Finally, they have local musicians playing every Sunday from 11 – 5. Picnic area is pretty clean so pls pick up after yourself! You need an adventure pass to park on the public parking area for free or can park in station’s lot for $ 10. (U can buy pass at station.)
Cons: PARKING SUCKS! People go up there early… so finding parking spaces in public lot is tough and many end up parking on side of road. I usually fork out the $ 10 and park in station’s lot but u may need to leave your keys since they do park cars behind one another. Been seeing a lot more visitors this summer.
Final Thought: Personally, I love this place. Local and nice escape from concrete jungle. Love hiking up to Sturtevant Falls, then hitting the Station for a cold drink while sitting on the patio under the cooling misters as I relax to some sweet music.

Help Save Sturtevant Camp. Visit
to donate.
Thank you Ms. Burgess for all that you do. Ms. Burgess has dedicated her life to the maintenance and care of Adams’ Pack Station. She ran the Pack station at mostly a loss and is just now turning a profit selling hot dogs, hamburgers, panini’s and chili at the pack station. Her prices are reasonable, $ 7 will get you a burger and fries. The hot food is appreciated as you emerge from the forest. There are goats donkeys and horses onsite. The whole place is quite inviting and charming.
Ms. Burgess next project is to raise money and help save the historic cabins at Sturtevant Camp. She sorely needs donations for her cause. If you would like to help visit
and donate.

Adams pack station is a fun family spot to get away from it all. Straight up Santa Anita drive in Arcadia, you’ll get there in 15 minutes. Parking can be crowded on weekends, as this is a launching point for many destinations in the San Gabriel mountains, but when you find a spot, make your way over to the pack station, south of the main parking lot. Cool drinks, shade, tables, and if your lucky its a BBQ weekend and they’re selling pulled pork sandwiches ! Have a drink and a sandwich and listen to some free local live music too! Don’t forget to tip!

Sweet spot at the top of the trailhead. Park your car for $ 10 in a private lot and have a righteous spicy sausage dog, fries and a beer after the hike. The people running the place were super nice and I’ll be going there next spring when the wildflowers are in bloom. Cheers to the people at Pack Station.
ps. Take the upper trail above the falls for an exciting walk along a steep cliff.

Don’t get me wrong, the hike to Sturtevant Falls is wonderful, but the people at the Adams’ Packing Station are just plain rude. From their behavior to their signs and even their website, they very clearly show two main themes: They have no interest in visitor education, they simply tell you to read the sign of visit the website. They are the only game in town, and will charge whatever they please and provide the lowest level of service possible. Their sarcastic and bitter demeanor reflects poorly on the residents of the cabins that they serve and the decisions of the national park service to continue renewing their permit.

Today I went with a few of my hiking buddies and enjoyed a beautiful day checking out the Sturtevant Falls trail. After the great workout we had coming back up a steep and seemingly never ending hill, we decided the sign for burgers and cold beer from Adam’s Pack Station strategically placed half way up the hill, was exactly what we needed to recover. I ordered a burger with fries and a budweiser which came to $ 10.50 and was made to order. The drinks were nice and cool and the burger and fries were fresh and hot off the grill. The grill/​pick up area had signs for Perfect Canyon Hot Dogs and Kick Ass Burgers which is right on the money! They have a simple menu selection but they cover all the bases from burgers to hot dogs to veggie burgers. My friends and I were pleasantly surprised at how great everything tasted and really enjoyed sitting on the deck with plenty of shade and a nice view of the cute goats and mules. They also offer ice cream bars, candy, muffins, hot chocolate, coffee and much more inside the general store. Credit cards are accepted.
Can’t beat a lovely day enjoying nature in good company and topping it off with a cold beer and a burger with fries!

This is a great place: about as close to a ma & pa business you can imagine. Five miles from town and you are in another world — in the forest. Park your car there and the friendly staff can direct you on the best hike for you. Come back and sit around the fire pit, have a beer and enjoy their BBQ.

I love this place! It was such an interesting discovery for my husband and I. The people working there were so helpful and nice. We’re going back for bbq and a concert, can’t wait!

This place is bullshit and I’ll tell you why. I went here to pay the stupid fee to park. The guy ahead of me want to buy a piece of fabric with the map of the trail on it hanging on the wall for $ 20. The guy wanted another one that was cleaner and the snot nosed kid that was running the joint was like «that’s our only one» he even had the other girl working put up the act to look for another one. The guy bought it and then the other girl asked «should I put another one up?» and the kid said «no wait a while». I would expect that behavior from ⁷⁄₁₁ workers but not from this place. It’s really ridiculous
Oh they have beer here in which I dunno if they have a liquor license to sell.

The most special and unique place in the forest — a pack station that offers many live music and family activities, moonlight hikes, and much more, including great food and merchandise.

Haulin’ Ass Since 1936!
This pack station is the last of its kind in southern California. Since 1936, they have faithfully delivered goods to cabins via donkeys and served the hikers and campers of Chantry Flats. They provide gear, food, and other general store stuff. But more than that, the friendly folks at the station can provide valuable advice on trails and terrain conditions.
Tips: Don’t have a parking permit aka «Adventure Pass?» Pick one up at the store. Check their website for events.