Potato Mountain via Claremont Hills Wilderness Park
Details
CONTINUING THE POPULAR FOOD THEME FROM LAST WEEK, WE’RE GOING FROM POTLUCK TO POTATO to get a head start on our 2018 fitness resolutions. This solid post-holiday workout is mostly on solid ground, which allows for heads up and on the horizon vs. eyes on the ground watching our footing.
We’ll start from a free parking area near Thompson Creek and take that trail about 1-1/2 miles to the trailhead at beautiful Claremont Wilderness Park. We’ll ascend Cobol Canyon, sharing the road with many other hikers on this popular trail. At a junction, we’ll head northeast on Cobol Canyon Fire Trail to Palmer Evey Motorway for another few miles to a rest stop. Then we’ll split off southeast on the final leg – the steep-ish but super-scenic Potato Mountain Motorway for 7/10ths of a mile to the summit (3,422 ft.). The panorama from Potato’s water tank (aka our snack banquet table) at the top is stunning, with views of San Gorgonio and San Jacinto, among others. When we’re done ooh-ing and ahh-ing and eating our potato snacks, we’ll head back down to the rest area and return the way we came.
Here’s a map of our route. https://www.dropbox.com/s/8gw2xw8c4rrmxj9/Potato%20Mountain%20from%20Claremont%20Hills%20Wilderness%20Park.pdf?dl=0
One minor caveat: Claremont Hills Wilderness Park is automatically closed during any Red Flag warning, and we’ve had a number of those recently. http://www.ci.claremont.ca.us/government/departments-divisions/human-services/parks/claremont-hills-wilderness-park-chwp/wildernesss-park-closures
If we learn there’s a strong possibility of the Park being closed Sat., we’ll stay in the ‘hood and still summit Potato, probably from the Mt. Baldy Road/Evey Canyon trailhead. Will post and email everyone confirmed if we go to Plan B.
While you’re in the ‘hood, consider visiting any of the myriad nearby attractions, from the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, the Sam Maloof Studio, American Museum of Ceramic Arts, dA Center for the Arts , Millard Sheets Art Center, Pitzer College Art Galleries, Pomona College Museum of Art and/or Scripps College Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery.
STATS
Level: Moderate+
Gain: ~ 2,100 ft.
Distance: ~11 miles
Time: ~5 hours
Type: Paved street and dirt fire road, mostly exposed trail, out and back
Dogs: Permitted on leash
Water: Available at trailhead
Restrooms: Porta potties available at Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, about 1.5 miles into the hike
Parking: Secret free parking (thanks, John C!) near the Thompson Creek Trail in a lot at approx. 2599 North Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711.
Bring: 2-to-3 liters of water, hat, sunscreen, potato-inspired or other snacks to share, layered clothing (it’ll be a little cooler when we start; high is forecast to be in the low-70s). Since the trail is hard-packed fire road, trail runners are fine.
DIRECTIONS
An approximate address for GPS purposes is 2599 N Indian Hill Blvd, Claremont, CA 91711
From the 210 Fwy. in Claremont, exit at Baseline and head west on Baseline about 1.4 miles to N. Indian Hill Blvd. Turn R/north on N. Indian Hill and continue to the end of the road (north of Mt. Carmel Dr. and just south of Armstrong) and turn L into the parking lot. Here’s a map. https://goo.gl/maps/6tEZXkAypB82
If anyone wants to carpool from the Park & Ride @ 1553 E. Wilson in Glendale, http://goo.gl/maps/D82gw post here or email Shawn. We’ll leave at ~ 6:45 am.
Shawn’s mobile: 213/308-7372
The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity.