Hiking Mount Lowe Fire Road to San Gabriel Peak

Mount Markham as seen from the Mt. Lowe Fire Road

This route up San Gabriel Peak leaves from the Eaton Saddle trailhead along Mt. Wilson Red Box Road. Start up the fire road and you will be greeted immediately by a view of Mount Markham. The dirt road turns toward San Gabriel Peak and continues gradually uphill until it reaches Mueller Tunnel.

Rocks have fallen across the trail from the steep eastern face of San Gabriel Peak

Currently, a rock slide on the far side of the tunnel has "closed" this trail. Signs have been posted, but there are plenty of boot prints crossing the rocks. It may be prudent to consider taking the trail from Mount Disappointment Fire Road to reach San Gabriel Peak until the rocks are cleared.

A short distance beyond the tunnel, you will come to Markham Saddle. To the right, there is a cement water tower and a single-track trail. After half a mile on Mount Lower Fire Road, leave it for this new track headed west. The next 3/4 of a mile are spent weaving up the slope of San Gabriel Peak. The trail carves around several outcroppings that provide a feeling of adventure. You will also get to enjoy views to the south and west, where the mountains give way to the city.

The trail Ts at a saddle a half mile from the top. To the left is Mount Disappointment, whose summit offers a great view of San Gabriel Peak and surrounding Mountains. To the right, is San Gabriel Peak, the second tallest mountain in the front range of the San Gabriels (Strawberry Peak is three feet taller). Turn right and press on. The trail switches steeply through chaparral before summiting at 6,161 feet.

The brush obscures some of the panoramic view, but you are treated to a nice look at Mounts Baldy, Wilson, and Lowe.  For a less obscured view, the adjacent Mount Disappointment offers a clearer summit (because it was leveled in the 50s to serve as host to a military satellite installation).

Check out this slideshow of photos from the summit and hike

Mt. Baldy as seen from the summit of San Gabriel Peak

The round-trip distance of this hike to San Gabriel Peak is 3.2 Miles (3.7 if you visit Mt. Disappointment). There is an alternate route to the summit from the Mt. Disappointment Fire Road that starts further down Mt. Wilson Road. This is a slightly longer hike with more elevation gain (1,400 feet vs. 1,000 feet). If you are interested, read the other San Gabriel Peak hike article.

This route from Eaton Saddle would be my preference of the two. The trail offers better views and packs more into a shorter excursion than the longer and steeper route. I can see why a friend and fellow hiker considers this to be one of his favorite treks in the Angeles.

To get to the trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in Altadena, take the Angeles Crest Highway (CA 2) northwest for 14 miles (4 miles past the turnoff for Switzer Picnic Area). Turn Right on to Mt Wilson Road Box Road (After mile marker 38). Drive 2.3 miles to Eaton Saddle. Display your adventure pass and park in one of spaces on either side of the road.

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	You might also enjoy:
	Switzer Falls This 4.5-mile round-trip hike heads downstream toward popular pools beneath Switzer Falls. From there the 50-foot waterfall can be reached with a bit of scrambling.
	Mount Waterman This 5.5-mile round-trip trail gradually ascends 1,300 feet, passing through a sylvan mixed forest of Incense Cedars and Jeffrey Pines to take in the vast views provided by the round 8,038 foot summit.
	Mount Baldy There are two popular trails to the 10,064-foot summit of Mount Baldy. The Baldy Bowl Trail and the Devil's Backbone Trail can be combined for a scenic 11.3-mile loop.
	Hikes in Los Angeles This list of trails explores the peaks and waterfalls of the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains.