San Gabriel Mountains Trail Guide
Angeles National Forest — Los Angeles’s Backyard Range
The San Gabriel Mountains rise abruptly from the LA basin, topping out above 10,000 feet and offering some of the most accessible serious hiking in California. From the palm trees at the trailhead to the snow-dusted ridgelines above — sometimes in the same afternoon — this range does not mess around.
This is where most LA-area hikers cut their teeth. It’s also where a lot of them get in trouble. The San Gabriels are deceptively rugged. Trails that look moderate on paper turn strenuous in the heat. Cell service disappears fast. Parking lots fill before 8am on weekends. We cover all of that here — not just the trail stats.
What to Expect in the San Gabriels
Expect exposed ridgelines, canyon hikes with creek crossings, and significant elevation gain on almost everything worth doing. The mountains are dry — water sources are seasonal and unreliable unless noted. Heat in summer is serious. The window for comfortable hiking is roughly October through June, with early morning starts mandatory from June through September.
The good news: the range is enormous and endlessly varied. You can do a 3-mile coastal-feeling canyon hike or a 14-mile summit push to Mount Baldy. You can find snow in January and 90-degree heat in October. Whatever you’re training for, the San Gabriels have a trail for it.
Adventure Pass
Most San Gabriel trailheads require a National Forest Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/annual) displayed on your dashboard. Bring cash or buy online in advance. Rangers do ticket. Don’t skip it.
Phase 1 Launch Trails
[San Gabriel trail reviews will appear here as they are published]
Featured: Whitney Training Hikes
The San Gabriels are the primary training ground for Andrew’s September 23 Whitney summit attempt. Follow the Whitney Journal to see which trails he’s using to build toward 14,505 feet.