Will Thrall Peak 12.5 miles 3400 elevation gain (with options)

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Optional Pleasant View Ridge adds 1.5 miles and 500 more gain.

Optional Pallet Mountain adds about 1 mile and 800 more gain.

An Adventure Pass is needed.

We meet down in Buckhorn Campground off Angeles Crest Highway, located at mile marker 58.3 The picture above is the sign to look for around mile marker 58.3 Depending which way you come on Angeles Crest Highway, you might see a very similar sign saying: Buckhorn Day Use Area...do not turn into that! That is not where the Burkhart Trailhead is located! We turn into the Buckhorn Campground entrance to get to Burkhart Trail.

The entrance here will take you down about a mile into the campground area. Follow the signs for Burkhart Trail that you will see as you drive through the campground. The parking lot is a decent size so we should all be able to find spots at the hour we get there. If for some reason it is full, we would have to go back up through the exit road and park up on the highway.

I scouted this out with Ray and it was a very enjoyable hike. The scenery was quite pretty, the trail had many trees, streams and great views on Will Thrall peak. The elevation gain was fairly gradual up to the 5 mile marker at Burkhart Saddle. The 1/2 mile or so from the saddle up to Will Thrall Peak is very steep though, so be prepared.

I don't know how the weather will be on the 15th, but when I did this today (October 6th) it was very cold. If it's supposed to be cold on the 15th, please bring a beanie and warm gloves for your hands. There are some trees on the trail that we'll have to climb over and a few are large. If it's very cold these larger trees can be icy and slippery! I want everyone to help one another getting over those trees.

Also, when we come back down Will Thrall Peak be careful. As I mentioned, it is steep and there are many dry pine needles on the trail. Today I slipped twice coming down from Will Thrall, and I had my hiking poles. Maybe I tried to get down too quickly.

Because of the hiking distance I'm recommending at least 3 liters of water/energy drinks, a lunch and snacks.

When we leave the parking area there is a different exit road that takes us back up to the highway, so we'll be about 0.8 miles north of the entrance road we originally went into. If you're headed back to the La Canada area just turn right onto the highway.