Johnson's Pasture

Johnson's Pasture is a Hidden Gem located in the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park. The Johnson's Pasture portion of the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park has an overwhelming number of different types of plants, wildlife and terrain. There are rolling hills, steep hills, rock outcroppings, oaks, pine and grasslands. It has a lot to offer to visitors of all types. Johnson's Pasture is located at the northern end of Mountain Avenue at the top of the hill in Claremont, CA.

Features Of Johnson's Pasture

At first glance, you may think there is not much happening in Johnson's Pasture. But if you can clear your mind and focus more closely on the things around you, you are in for a real treat. Johnson's Pasture has an overwhelming number of different types of plants, wildlife and terrain. There are rolling hills, steep hills, rock outcroppings, oaks, pine and grasslands. In the spring to early summer there is a variety of wildflowers - Goldenstars, Poppies, Mariposa Lilies, Milkweed, Buckwheat, Farewell To Spring and many others. For much of the year, Red-Tailed Hawks, American Kestrels, Acorn Woodpeckers, Meadowlarks and Lark Sparrows can be seen. In the summer, watch for the different lizards and snakes. And these are just the regular visitors. There are also many seasonal visitors. Of all the places we visit, this is where we experience the greatest variety of nature observations. And in fact, the photos from Johnson's Pasture take up the most space on my computer's hard drive. For a list of more sightings in this area, you can view our Sightings and Observations Log and search on "Johnson's Pasture".

Activities

Johnson's Pasture has much to offer to visitors of all types. It's a great place for running, hiking and birding (or just nature watching in general as we do). Or just come up for an evening and watch the sunset. It also attracts mountain bikers as an added side-trip from a network of trails and dirt roads in Marshall Canyon in La Verne and Thompson Creek in Claremont. There is also a downhilling area to the west of Johnson's Pasture that comes out at the foothills above Webb School in Claremont. Occasionally, you will even see horseback riders in Johnson's Pasture. Another nice characteristic is that Johnson's Pasture recovers quickly after the rains, due to the sandstone that slowly absorbs the water like a sponge, so you can get back to the outdoors sooner.

Saving Johnson's Pasture

Obviously we really like Johnson's Pasture and we feel very fortunate that it even exists. At one point Johnson's Pasture was proposed to become another housing development. Fortunately, several organizations (More info about saving Johnson's Pasture) gathered together along with the Claremont community and were able to reveal Johnson's Pasture for the true gem it really is and voted to set it aside as a wilderness park. We are very very grateful. Many thanks!

Maps and Directions for Johnson's Pasture Trailhead

Johnson's Pasture is located at the northern end of Mountain Avenue, at the top of the hill, in Claremont, CA. View Google Map to Johnson's Pasture Trailhead. A note about parking (especially on Via Santa Caterina) - be sure to read the parking signs.

Updated: November, 2012