San Gabriel Mountains Hiking Guide
The San Gabriel Mountains are an outdoor playground that offers many hiking trails within easy striking distance of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. In 2014, a large portion of the mountains was set aside as the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by President Barack Obama and the monument was expanded in 2024 by President Joe Biden.
The area contains some of the greatest biodiversity in the country, including four wilderness areas – Magic Mountain, Pleasant View Ridge, San Gabriel, and Sheep Mountain – and unique geological features such as the San Andreas Fault.
The area hosts a variety of year-round recreational activities, including hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, nature viewing, picnicking, water activities and horseback riding and camping.
The monument, designated in 2014, is 346,177 acres in size and is managed by the National Forest Service. The monument includes 342,177 acres of the Angeles National Forest and 4,002 acres of San Bernardino National Forest.
San Gabriel Hiking Trails
Icehouse Canyon Trail
Icehouse Canyon Trail is a 7.2-mile out-and-back hike in the San Gabriel Mountains near Mt. Baldy Village, California. With a moderate difficulty rating, it offers hikers a serene journey through a shaded canyon with historic cabin ruins, and is the entrance trail for other routes in the area.
Cucamonga Peak Trail
Cucamonga Peak Trail is a challenging 11-mile hike (round trip) in the Angeles National Forest with an elevation gain of about 3,500 feet. This strenuous out-and-back trail rewards hikers with stunning panoramic views of the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding mountains.
Ontario Peak Trail
The hike to Ontario Peak is a rigorous 12-mile out-and-back trail in the San Gabriel Mountains north of the Angeles National Forest. Starting at the Ice Canyon Trailhead, near Mount Baldy, this challenging route climbs 3,884 feet to the 8,696-foot summit of Ontario Peak.
Switzer Falls Trail
Switzer Falls Trail, in the San Gabriel Mountains of Angeles National Forest, boasts not one but two different cascades, one of which is a two-tiered drop. As you travel the 5-mile trail, you will be treated to stunning vistas of the interior San Gabriel Mountains.
Burkhart Trail to Cooper Canyon Falls Guide
Cooper Canyon Falls is a small yet scenic waterfall nestled in a verdant ravine just off of the Burkart Trail in a fairly secluded area of the Angeles National Forest.
El Prieto Trail
El Prieto Trail is a strenuous 8.3-mile trek in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena. Hikers gain over 1,200 feet in elevation before depositing hikers atop a vista point, offering panoramic views of Pasadena and beyond.
Sunset Peak Trail
Sunset Peak Trail is a moderate 6.5-mile hike in the Angeles National Forest that offers terrific views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. This out-and-back trail features diverse terrain, including rocky paths and shaded forest areas, with an elevation gain of approximately 1,200 feet.
San Gabriel Mountains Campgrounds
Chilano Campground
Located less than an hour’s drive from Los Angeles up the Angeles Crest Highway, Chilao Campground is one of the closest available options for Angelenos looking to pitch a tent. Regardless of its easy access, Chilao retains its rustic, low-key charm, making it an excellent option for a quick overnight escape into the San Gabriel Mountains.
