Hike Mt. Disappointment with enthusiasm!

August 3

Mt. Disappointment and San Gabriel Peak

Mt. Disappointment got it’s unusual name from a survey team in the late 1890’s, who thought they had trekked to the highest peak in the area. Upon summiting, they looked to the south and viewed a mountain (San Gabriel Peak) that was over a hundred feet higher and therefore were disappointed that their efforts were for naught. (Mt. Disappointment is directly across from another peak called Alimony Peak, so there has been lots of discourse about how these two peaks were named)http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/8/3/e/event_261270782.jpeg

The trail head starts at a dirt parking lot at about 4,500’ elevation and switchbacks go up through a lovely oak/manzanita woodland. Approaching the top, the trail goes through a pine studded forest and merges with an old road constructed by the US Army for the Nike Missile radar base on the 6,000’ summit. It’s approximately 1.75 miles to the summit, with about a 1,500 elevation gain. The trail is narrow and there are very steep drop-offs in places, so dogs are not recommended. The Station Fire did not burn in this area, so the forests and woodlands are pretty pristine. There are spectacular views from the top of the entire LA Basin, all the way out to Catalina Island.

An option after reaching the top, is to continue along the ridge line and summit San Gabriel Peak, about another ¾ mile and 400 elevation gain. Since there is a lot of Poodle Dog Bush on this trail, long sleeves and long pants are a necessity. The entire hike, including San Gabriel Peak, can be done in about 4 hours at a leisurely pace.

Total mileage, round trip, is about 3.5 for just Mt Disappointment and back and about 1500 elevation gain. Add San Gabriel peak to the trip and the totals would be about 4.25 & 1700. ft

Bring 2 liters of water (minimum), lunch, snacks, poles if you have them, and a camera for the great views! Be sure to wear boots with good gripping soles! BRING AN ADVENTURE PASS IF YOU ARE DRIVING.

We will meet at Towsley Cyn outside the gate at 8:00 AM or at the trail head at 9:00 AM.

Directions to Towsley from Valencia: Take the I-5 South to the Calgrove exit, turn right. Go through the signal and make an immediate right into the first driveway. This is Towsley Canyon. Park OUTSIDE the gate. Look for your leader with an American flag.

Directions (from Towsley, if you wish to meet at the Trail head instead): Take I-5 south to I-210 East. In about 20 miles, exit at CA-2, Angeles Crest Highway, Turn left onto Angeles Crest Hwy and go 14 miles to Mt Wilson Road, turn right, go .4 mile and turn hard right onto Mt Disappointment Road. Park in the dirt parking lot adjacent to locked gate. Do NOT block the gate.

Rated: Moderate due to elevation gain

Leader: Ron