Mount Lowe Fire Road to San Gabriel Peak
in the San Gabriel Mountains
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One of the routes to San Gabriel Peak begins on Mount Lowe Fire Road, creating a 3.2-mile round trip hike that climbs 1,000 feet. This trek leaves from a trailhead at Eaton Saddle along Mount Wilson Road and delivers great views the entire way to the summit.
Start hiking up Mount Lowe Fire Road where you will be greeted immediately by a view of Mount Markham. The dirt road turns toward San Gabriel Peak and continues gradually uphill to Mueller Tunnel. A rock slide on the far side of the tunnel closed this trail even before the Station Fire, making the trail from Mount Disappointment Fire Road the prudent route to the summit. Update: While both trails have reopened following the Station Fire, the trail to the summit sustained significant damage and is not recommended for casual hikers.
A view of Mount Markhan from the trail to San Gabriel Peak
A short distance beyond the tunnel, and half a mile from the start, the trail arrives at Markham Saddle. To the right, there is a cement water tower and a single-track heading west to San Gabriel Peak. Turn right here. The next 3/4 of a mile are spent weaving up the slope of San Gabriel Peak. The trail carves around several adventurous outcroppings with great views to the south and west where the mountains give way to the city below.
The trail Ts at a saddle half a 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 Gabriel Mountains (Strawberry Peak is three feet taller).
Turn right and press on for San Gabriel Peak. The trail switches steeply through chaparral before reaching the summit at 6,161 feet, which offers fine views of the lower San Gabriel Mountains. One can see Mounts Baldy, Wilson, and Lowe, and legend has it, Catalina Island is visible on a clear day (though you probably won’t see much beyond Pasadena).
Looking down on Mount Lowe Fire Road
The adjacent Mount Disappointment has clearer views because the mountaintop was leveled and cleared during the Cold War to host a military satellite installation. Mount Disappointment served as an air-defense Nike Missile site. Radio towers and other military installation still stand on the summit. Over a hundred years ago, surveyors gave Mount Disappointment its name. After reaching the top, they realized that the high peak they sought was actually San Gabriel Peak, which is two hundred feet taller.
To get to Mount Disappointment, descend to the saddle at the T in the trail and continue straight to a clearing filled with cement slabs. Follow the paved Mount Disappointment Fire Road up to the summit. This adds about half a mile (round trip) to the hike, and yes the views are different enough to warrant the extra effort.
Mount Disappointment from San Gabriel Peak
The round-trip distance of this hike to San Gabriel Peak is 3.2 Miles (3.7 if you visit Mount Disappointment). There is an alternate route to the summit from Mount Disappointment Fire Road that starts further down Mount Wilson Road. This is a slightly longer hike with more elevation gain (1,400 feet vs. 1,000 feet). Subjectively, the route from Eaton Saddle is the more enjoyable of the two. The trail offers better views and packs more into a shorter excursion than the longer and steeper alternative.
To get to the trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in Altadena, take Angeles Crest Highway (CA 2) northwest for 14 miles (4 miles past the turnoff for Switzer Picnic Area). Turn right on Mount Wilson Road Box Road (After mile marker 38). Drive 2.3 miles to Eaton Saddle and pull into the parking area on the right. Display your adventure pass before setting out on the trail.
Use the map below to create your own directions to the trailhead:
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Photos
The trail from Mount Lowe Fire Road
Views from San Gabriel Peak and Mount Disappointment
The trail from Mount Disappointment Fire Road
Nearby Trails
 | San Gabriel Peak from Mount Disappointment Fire Road This 6,161 foot peak is reachable via a 4-mile round-trip trail from Mount Disappointment Fire Road. |
 | Switzer Falls This 4.5-mile hike starts out above and finishes below a 50-foot tall waterfall. |
 | More trails in the San Gabriel Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
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