A steep ascent under cover of oaks and pines to a peak with broad views of Los Angeles and surrounding mountains.
Location: Angeles
National Forest, Arroyo Seco District (near La Canada) Region: Angeles National Forest Distance: 4.2 mi. Difficulty: Moderate with steep climbs When to go: Year-round Hours: None Phone: 626-574-5200 Elevation Gain: 1,700 ft. Are dogs allowed: Yes, on a leash. Restrooms: At Red Box Station, not at the trailhead. Parking: To park anywhere in Angeles National Forest, you must
display an Adventure Pass permit, which you can buy at any open ranger
station. Cost per car is $5 a day or $30 a year.
Trail Information
Full Review: In a city where the word
"trail" usually means a recently groomed fire road, it's refreshing to be
able to walk a few miles on narrow, rough singletrack that twists up a steep
grade on rocky switchbacks that just barely emerge from the surrounding
manzanita. The San Gabrielino Peak Trail feels like genuine wilderness, and
if not for the occasional power line and the expansive city view from the
top, you might forget that you're so close to the real world.
This trailhead is hard to spot from the parking area. What you don't want to
do is start hiking up the service road. Instead, turn around, walk down
toward the main road, and look to your right for a narrow path that zig-zags
up along a rocky ledge. This is the San Gabriel Peak Trail.
Follow the switchbacks for a mile and a half, at which point the trail
intersects the service road. Turn left and walk along the road until just
before it curves to the right toward Mt. Disappointment. Take the split to
the left, where you'll see the foundation of a nonexistent building. If you
keep to the left side of this lot, you'll spot the continuation of the trail
straight ahead. It dips down, then climbs up to a junction. Take the path on
the left, which leads you all the way up to the peak.
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