GLS hikers on the shoulder of Mt. San Gabriel just below the peak, looking toward the radio towers and the old Nike missile site on the summit of adjacent Mt. Disappointment.
By Jennifer Dooley, photos Jeff Johnson
A butterfly on poodle dog bush, a plant that follows fire.
Five of us braved the 90-degree heat on August 16th to tackle the summit of Mt. San Gabriel. The original plan was the ever-popular Dawson’s Saddle to Mt. Baden-Powell hike; however, a brush fire had broken out in the Angeles National Forest north of the Glendora area. Since the fire had grown to over 2,500 acres by Saturday, it was decided that Baden-Powell would have to wait. Despite this setback, we five were still jonesing for a hike, even in the heat, so we met at the La Canada rideshare to hatch a plan. Several of the GLS leaders came armed with great alternate ideas. Leader Jeff’s plan to ascend Mt. San Gabriel and be back to the cars by noon won out. Piling into Gail’s Subaru, we zipped on up to the trailhead near the Red Box ranger station, the temperature already well over 80 degrees at 8 am.
Looking toward L.A. through trees killed in the 2009 Station Fire.
The first 1.5 miles or so were shaded by a variety of tree cover, and we all enjoyed the respite from the heat. Although we didn’t have heat to contend with at that point, we had bugs! Gnats and flies, oh my! Swatting our way up the trail, we emerged at the road below Mt. Disappointment. A short walk down this road led us to the exposed, winding, and steep trail that was to take us to the 6,161ft high peak of San Gabriel. The sun was warm but not stifling, and the views were gorgeous and clear. We could easily see all the way to Palos Verdes, even on such a warm day! After a brief snack and scenery break, we headed back down the way we came. Making great time on the now-warmer downhill, we logged a total 4.5 miles and made it back to the cars right at our estimated time of noon. Great planning, Jeff…you nailed it!
Brush was cleared on both sides of this section of trail below the radio towers on Mount Disappointment, apparently as a fire prevention measure.
A few of us had worked up an appetite and went to Cacao in Eagle Rock for lunch based on Gail’s suggestion. The food was delicious and the company delightful! Our Mt. San Gabriel outing turned out to be a great way to (almost) beat the heat.
