Tough hikes in the San Gabriels
I'm looking for some butt kicking hikes in the San Gabriel Mountains. My regular haunts are Baldy and the San Gorgonio Wilderness. But, with lots of snow in those areas, I'm looking for some alternatives that can keep me in great shape during the winter, when I'm not in the mood for lots of snow. I do have crampons and snowshoes, but sometimes I just want to hike hard and fast up a tough trail. I've hiked Mt. Wilson from Chantry Flat 3 times, and enjoyed it. Any other suggestions?
In general, the big hikes that avoid snow are located in the front range and the western part of the range (areas that get too hot to undertake big hikes during the summer).
A list of hikes I can think of off the top of my head...
- Mt. Wilson from Sierra Madre or Eaton Canyon
- Monrovia+Clamshell+Rankin
- Fox #2+Condor+Iron #2 (various combos available)
- Rabbit #1+Granite Mountain+Round Top+Iron #3
- Rattlesnake
- Iron #1 (late winter or early spring after the snow melts at 8000')
- Mt. Lowe/San Gabriel Peak from top of Lake Ave. (Sam Merrill Trail)
- Brown Mt.
- Mt. Lukens (lot's of different approaches - Stone Cyn, Haines Cyn, Deukmejian Park)
- Josephine, Strawberry and Lawlor from Colby Cyn
Strong winter storms can dump enough snow to make some of these problematic for a week or two afterwords so keep an eye on weather. For example, San Gabriel Peak near Wilson at 6100' is currently covered in snow on the north approach side.
Lot's of internet sources for info on these hikes including Sierra Club Hundred Peaks section. Search this board for any of the above peaks.
Good references I've used...
- http://www.ldphotography.net/eeHikes/
- http://www.snwburd.com/bob/index.html
- http://www.photographyontherun.com/default.aspx
- http://www.touton.info/
- http://www.gpsmountaineering.com/home
- http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/
- http://www.tchester.org/
A list of hikes I can think of off the top of my head...
- Mt. Wilson from Sierra Madre or Eaton Canyon
- Monrovia+Clamshell+Rankin
- Fox #2+Condor+Iron #2 (various combos available)
- Rabbit #1+Granite Mountain+Round Top+Iron #3
- Rattlesnake
- Iron #1 (late winter or early spring after the snow melts at 8000')
- Mt. Lowe/San Gabriel Peak from top of Lake Ave. (Sam Merrill Trail)
- Brown Mt.
- Mt. Lukens (lot's of different approaches - Stone Cyn, Haines Cyn, Deukmejian Park)
- Josephine, Strawberry and Lawlor from Colby Cyn
Strong winter storms can dump enough snow to make some of these problematic for a week or two afterwords so keep an eye on weather. For example, San Gabriel Peak near Wilson at 6100' is currently covered in snow on the north approach side.
Lot's of internet sources for info on these hikes including Sierra Club Hundred Peaks section. Search this board for any of the above peaks.
Good references I've used...
- http://www.ldphotography.net/eeHikes/
- http://www.snwburd.com/bob/index.html
- http://www.photographyontherun.com/default.aspx
- http://www.touton.info/
- http://www.gpsmountaineering.com/home
- http://www.simpsoncity.com/hiking/
- http://www.tchester.org/
depends on your preferences. how steep do you want? do you prefer trail or don't main ridges and some brush?
which way did you go up wilson from Chantry? you can do the Santa Anita ridge way (not the winter creek trail) which is a great workout.
you could do some combination of the trails i did Saturday and head up to wilson
http://socalhikes.com/2009/01/figure-8- ... -se-ridge/
I'm actually thinking of going up Monrovia peak saturday, but that is basically a ridge hike with some brush. really, really steep, but i don't think snow should be too much of an issue.
for Brown Mountain, if you hike up the Ken Burton trail and west ridge, you'll get a great workout. there may be a little snow still left on the ridge between Brown and Tom Sloan saddle though (did this 3 weeks ago).
mt lukens via Stone Canyon trail is good, 3200 ft in 4.4 miles one way. very consistent grade, though the trail is generally on the east and north faces so I'm not sure how much snow there is.
which way did you go up wilson from Chantry? you can do the Santa Anita ridge way (not the winter creek trail) which is a great workout.
you could do some combination of the trails i did Saturday and head up to wilson
http://socalhikes.com/2009/01/figure-8- ... -se-ridge/
I'm actually thinking of going up Monrovia peak saturday, but that is basically a ridge hike with some brush. really, really steep, but i don't think snow should be too much of an issue.
for Brown Mountain, if you hike up the Ken Burton trail and west ridge, you'll get a great workout. there may be a little snow still left on the ridge between Brown and Tom Sloan saddle though (did this 3 weeks ago).
mt lukens via Stone Canyon trail is good, 3200 ft in 4.4 miles one way. very consistent grade, though the trail is generally on the east and north faces so I'm not sure how much snow there is.
There are a number of trails that ascend Mt. Wilson:Zé wrote:which way did you go up wilson from Chantry? you can do the Santa Anita ridge way (not the winter creek trail) which is a great workout.
1. Mt. Wilson Toll Road. A bit boring since it's a road, but definitely high miles and I believe has the maximum net elevation gain. Starts at Eaton Canyon Park in Pasadena.
2. Mt. Wilson Trail. Starts in Sierra Madre.
3. Winter Creek Trail. Joins Mt. Wilson Trail. Starts at Chantry Flats.
4. Sturdevant Trail. Beautiful trail. Starts at Chantry Flats. Goes up Big Santa Anita Canyon to Sturdevant Camp and climbs Mt. Wilson on the E face from Sturdevant Camp. Portions are shady. There could be ice but I doubt it would be bad right now.
5. Rim Trail. Very airy. Trail in marginal condition. Extremely dangerous if ice. Starts at Newcomb Saddle which is accessible via the Gabrieleno Trail from Red Box, the Short Cut Trail from Angeles Crest Hwy, or the Gabrieleno Trail from Chantry Flats.
6. Keyon Devore Trail ("Rattlesnake Trail" on the USGS topo). Very shady and on N side of mtn. Perhaps not a good choice this time of year.
There are several trails to Mt. Lukens:Zé wrote:mt lukens via Stone Canyon trail is good, 3200 ft in 4.4 miles one way. very consistent grade, though the trail is generally on the east and north faces so I'm not sure how much snow there is.
1. Stone Canyon Trail. The best for steep, consistent gain. On N face and shady in parts. May be snow/ice? Starts in Big Tujunga Canyon
2. Sister Elsie Trail*. Woodsy and secluded. Some brush. Water available en route. Starts at the top of Haines Canyon Ave in Tujunga.
3. Fire road 2N76. Boring Fire road but could be used to do a loop. Starts at the top of Haines Canyon Ave in Tujunga. Alternative trailhead: Rim-of the-Valley trail which starts in Deukmejian Wilderness Park at the top of Dunsmore Ave in Glendale. Very steep in spots.
4. Crescenta View Trail. Starts in Deukmejian Wilderness Park at the top of Dunsmore Ave in Glendale.
5. Mt. Lukens Truck Trail. Boring fireroad, but pretty high miles. Starts at Angeles Crest Hwy.
*More comments on the Sister Elsie Trail on this thread: https://eispiraten.com/sutra11054.php
I think for the west end the best is Colby Ranch to Strawberry Potrero to Josephine Saddle to Josephine Peak & if conditions warrant adding Strawberry Peak.
http://www.dougwade.com/wordpress/?p=357
Second place would go to Trail Canyon to Iron Mountain and return via the Gold Creek road for a loop.
http://www.modernhiker.com/2007/02/06/h ... il-canyon/
For the front range +1 on San Gabriel Peak
Hwy39 - The West Fork road will sap all the energy you can put into it...its flat for the first 7 miles, but then gains until Redbox-Rincon road.
http://www.nearfield.com/~dan/sports/bi ... /index.htm
Another is Redbox-Rincon from West Fork station to Pine Mountain...winter only.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socalhikers/message/19561
Out of all of those, I would choose Colby Ranch first as if it snows again at a low elevation this hike could be under snow.
http://www.dougwade.com/wordpress/?p=357
Second place would go to Trail Canyon to Iron Mountain and return via the Gold Creek road for a loop.
http://www.modernhiker.com/2007/02/06/h ... il-canyon/
For the front range +1 on San Gabriel Peak
Hwy39 - The West Fork road will sap all the energy you can put into it...its flat for the first 7 miles, but then gains until Redbox-Rincon road.
http://www.nearfield.com/~dan/sports/bi ... /index.htm
Another is Redbox-Rincon from West Fork station to Pine Mountain...winter only.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socalhikers/message/19561
Out of all of those, I would choose Colby Ranch first as if it snows again at a low elevation this hike could be under snow.
Liz,
Here is a sleeper butt-kicker of a hike. This hike is near Wrightwood, off the 138 west of interstate 15. Take the 138 west off of the 15 at the Lake Silverwood/hwy 138 exit. Head west on the 138 1 mile to Lonepine canyon road, and turn left. Follow Lonepine 1 mile past a few switchbacks and a final sweeping turn to the right and make a left onto a dirt road Swarthout Canyon. Be careful making the turn as you have oncoming traffic from the uphill side(usually traveling light speed
) Park here. The trail sets off on the North side of Lonepine (a little tough to find) The trail basically follows the rift zone of the San Andreas fault, with a series of straight up hills which tops out at Circle Mountain. From here you have a couple options. 1. Horse Canyon to the North which leads to Hwy 2 a couple miles in from the 138. 2. A steep trail which ends on a turn out/dirt road at the top of Lonepine canyon. I recommend gators as the first section is full of yuccas. I am pretty sure the ice is melted or soon will be at least along the south facing exposure. You might need some crampons and such for the area shaded from sun. Bring plenty of water, and a camera. Views of the Mountains and Desert are spectacular. I tried to attach a map, but unfortunately my attaching skills are lacking. 
Here is a sleeper butt-kicker of a hike. This hike is near Wrightwood, off the 138 west of interstate 15. Take the 138 west off of the 15 at the Lake Silverwood/hwy 138 exit. Head west on the 138 1 mile to Lonepine canyon road, and turn left. Follow Lonepine 1 mile past a few switchbacks and a final sweeping turn to the right and make a left onto a dirt road Swarthout Canyon. Be careful making the turn as you have oncoming traffic from the uphill side(usually traveling light speed
) Park here. The trail sets off on the North side of Lonepine (a little tough to find) The trail basically follows the rift zone of the San Andreas fault, with a series of straight up hills which tops out at Circle Mountain. From here you have a couple options. 1. Horse Canyon to the North which leads to Hwy 2 a couple miles in from the 138. 2. A steep trail which ends on a turn out/dirt road at the top of Lonepine canyon. I recommend gators as the first section is full of yuccas. I am pretty sure the ice is melted or soon will be at least along the south facing exposure. You might need some crampons and such for the area shaded from sun. Bring plenty of water, and a camera. Views of the Mountains and Desert are spectacular. I tried to attach a map, but unfortunately my attaching skills are lacking. Be careful in the trees on N facing slopes near Wrightwood. That's where my dad slipped on some ice and died in 2004. Things can look clear from down below, but there can be ice under the trees. My dad didn't think that crampons would be needed based on what he could see from below. Regrettably, that was not the case.
Jim,Hikin_Jim wrote:Be careful in the trees on N facing slopes near Wrightwood. That's where my dad slipped on some ice and died in 2004. Things can look clear from down below, but there can be ice under the trees. My dad didn't think that crampons would be needed based on what he could see from below. Regrettably, that was not the case.
I am very sorry to here about your dad!
I believe I remember hearing about that. That had to be a difficult time for you and your family.
Yes! Good advise on the crampons! Always good to be prepared for the unexpected.
I went up the PCT from the McDonalds at the truck scales to Lone Pine today. No snow on that section, but there is snow at the top of Lone Pine in spots. I suspect the North aspects on the other side of Circle Mountain are still icy. I would use caution as Jim suggests, on any northern exposure until Spring or until temps go up.
Liz,
I realize you're looking for tough snow-free hikes right now, but for future reference see the link below to a list that I compiled of toughest one-day hikes in the San Gabriels.
http://www.summitpost.org/list/315860/T ... tains.html
I realize you're looking for tough snow-free hikes right now, but for future reference see the link below to a list that I compiled of toughest one-day hikes in the San Gabriels.
http://www.summitpost.org/list/315860/T ... tains.html
