Sturtevant Camp

Sturtevant Camp is located in Big Santa Anita Canyon, Angeles National Forest.

Geo:
3,250 ft. elevation
34° 13' 19" N
118° 02' 5.5" W

Only a four mile hike from Chantry Flat. Parking is available at Adam's Pack Station.

We are open to the public and cabins are available from 1 to 40 people. The camp can be made exclusive to your group with a reservation of 20 or more.

Cabins are $40 – $45 per person, per night. For your trip to this historic location, the friendly donkeys of Adams’ Pack Station will take your personal items and food for a mere 50 cents per pound. Just indicate that you want packing when filling out the reservation form.

Lodging consists of four bunkhouse style cabins, each sleeping eight, a Honeymoon Cottage, and the Retreat Cabin with its own kitchen and bathroom which sleeps 2 to 6. All cabins have electric lights in the evening and propane wall heaters. The bath house, separated for men and women, has flush toilets and hot showers.

Common facilities include a spacious dining hall and two fireplace rooms, one with a piano and the other the converted log ranger cabin. The industrial kitchen is at your disposal and offers three refrigerators, two Wolf ovens, one with 6-burner top and one griddle top, and all the plates, cups, silverware, knives and utensils you could possibly need. You supply your own food. Barbecues are available for outdoor cooking, plus there is a fire pit for outdoor recreation. We also have an outdoor chapel which can also be used for presentations and entertainment.

Keep in mind that the Camp is a step back in time. Although there are electric lights in the evening, the Camp is otherwise unwired. No electric outlets, no wi-fi, no cell phone access. Please be prepared to be off the grid for the weekend. You will find that it is quite relaxing.

Recreation at camp includes volleyball, badminton, ping-pong, tether ball, horseshoes, croquet, zip line, big swing, games, & self-guided nature walk.

The natural surroundings provide many sightseeing opportunities: the big spruce trees, ferns, chapparal and wildflowers. There are dozens of bird species to spot and vistas to enjoy by hiking to Mt. Wilson or Newcomb Saddle.

Trail to Camp

To get to Sturtevant Camp, follow the Gabrielino Trail from Chantry Flat.

Five things every person needs to bring when staying in the guest cabins:

Change of clothes, matched to the season and predicted weather.
Towel and toiletries, including shampoo and soap.
Flashlight.
Bug spray (spring and summer.)
Water bottle (for the trail.)

What your group needs to bring:

Food and drinks besides water.
Depending on your menu, you might need stuff for preparing your food like aluminum foil, vegetable oil.

The Camp often has left over staples such as condiments, syrup, oil, coffee, etc. Check with the Camp before you shop.
What the Camp provides for you:

The cabins include covered mattresses, sheets, blankets, pillows, and wall heaters.
The bathhouse has hot showers and sinks, flush toilets and toilet paper.
The main kitchen is commercial-style with everything needed to serve groups up to 60, including table-service, silverware, drinking glasses and hot beverage mugs.
The main kitchen also has salt & pepper, most common spices, paper towels, hand towels, hot mitts, dish soap and trash-bags/containers.
Weber grill.
Drinking water.
Electricity—in the evenings, and carefully monitored to sustain the limited supply.
Fire Wood
Trash removal – Your trash will be packed out by the friendly donkeys.

About Water:

Tap-water in Camp is treated weekly to match the standards for potable water according to L.A. County, but it is not certified by the County because we do not have the automated treatment system required by the County. Bottled Water is also provided for those that are uncomfortable with the standards.

What you DON’T need to bring:

Your cell or smart phone, because it won’t work (Verizon sometimes from the heliport.)*
Anything related to your job.
Firearms and/or anything that plugs in.
* Check with your host about emergency communications.

What’s available in Camp:

The Big Swing, a small zip-line, badminton / volleyball, shuffleboard and horseshoes; ping pong, various board games, and of course, unlimited hiking.
Also: the outdoor chapel, and the nature trail out to the canyon overlook (good for night-time stargazing.)

Dogs:

Dogs are welcome in Camp.
However, you are fully responsible for your pet. Cleanup outside activity, any inside accidents, no digging, and you need to control barking. Please only bring you best friend if they get along with others (four-legged and two-legged). You are sharing the camp with others.

What YOU do:

Sturtevant Camp operates like a hostel: you do your own cooking and kitchen clean-up, and you’re asked to clean-up your cabin prior to check-out.
Check-in & out: Friday check-in starts 4pm; on Saturday and other days by arrangement with your host; Sunday check-outs start by 10am and are final by noon.

Group leaders and parents: the Camp is located in true wilderness, and operates under special conditions. Therefore the host will meet with you on arrival, and set a time for a brief orientation with your group or family. The purpose is insure a safe, positive experience that sends you home healthy and happy, and leaves the Camp in good condition for the next group.

Packing In / Out of Your Items:

Consider having Adams’ Pack Station pack in your food and personal items. Think about how great your stay will be if you can eat things besides backpacking food or drink your favorite beverage. Plus you do not need to carry your personal items up. The cost is a mere 50 cents a pound.

Adams’ Pack Station only packs to Sturtevant Camp on Fridays. You need to have your items to the pack station by 7:30 am the Friday of your weekend stay. You are welcome to bring the items up during the week or the weekend before. The Pack Station can store everything and refrigerate any perishable items.
Items you want packed out come out the following Friday.

Find out the details at www.AdamsPackStation.com

Check-in at Adams’ Pack Station prior to hiking in. This means that your group must check-in prior to 5 pm. Plan for at least a two hour hike.
Parking is at a premium. If you arrive on Friday, you should not have a problem parking. Purchase an adventure pass for $5/day from the pack station (one for each day of your trip). If you arrive on Saturday, you have two choices: 1) purchase an adventure pass for both Saturday and Sunday ($10 total) and park in the parking lot or along the road; 2) Park at Adams’ Pack Station for $30.
Each group is assigned a volunteer-host who will be with you at Camp, ready to help you have a memorable mountain experience.

Tips are welcome.

More questions? Email dburgess@sturtevantcamp.com