The intersection of the 5 and the 110 Freeways marks the convergence of the Arroyo Seco and the Los Angeles River. The waters from the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Fernando Mountains mix near the 110 Freeway overpass.
The Arroyo Seco drains a watershed that covers the southwestern section of the San Gabriel Mountains, just northeast of Los Angeles. Many sections of the Arroyo through Pasadena are not channelized. These additional waters increase the demand on the carrying capacity of the Los Angeles River. Here the last few hundred feet of the now concrete arroyo as it ends its journey.
The intersection of the 5 and the 110 Freeways marks the convergence of the Arroyo Seco and the Los Angeles River. The waters from the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Fernando Mountains mix near the 110 Freeway overpass.
Several miles upriver in the Pasadena area, the arroyo is set in a more natural, rustic surrounding. Sections are being replanted with native trees and streams are being restored. "This is a rare commodity in all of Southern California. There is probably no place like the arroyo," says Richard Davis. 25 North East Trees, with the help of other organizations, is planting trees in four areas in an effort to create the "Arroyo Seco/Los Angeles River Greenbelt". During the early part of this century, between 1906 and 1937, Adolphus Busch created a 30 acre public park on both sides of the arroyo, near Orange Grove Boulevard, which contained "Magnificent stands of oak trees, 14 miles of pathways, moss-rimmed ponds, an old millhouse, waterfalls cascading into a lake ...". 26 Today more groups are interested in enhancing the Arroyo Seco as a debate develops over how to accommodate hiking trails, bike paths, equestrian trails and restoration in the rustic area south of the Colorado Street Bridge. 27
Dennis Crowley and the Arroyo Seco Bikeway Project have been involved in developing the Arroyo Seco Bikeway proposal which would connect downtown Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles, and will be part of a larger system of L.A. bike paths.
Major railroad lines have also run through Frogtown and this area. For more information and photos, see L.A. River Railroads.
Continue the tour here.So batten down your hard drives and cover your keyboards. The adventures of the urban river awaits you. Good Luck and remember, don't drink the water!
Yes! I like the Los Angeles River Virtual Tour, but my socks are wet and my feet are cold, so I would like to learn more about . . .
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