Gobblers Knob is a small mountain or large hill along the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Gabriel Mountain Range. It is a high point along the Upper Lytle Creek Ridgeline, bordering Lytle Creek on its' northern edge.

Gobblers Knob was given its name by USFS Administrative Officer Gertrude Becker. According to some, the mountain's shape resembles a turkey. The name was probably derived from the large amount of turkey that once lived in the area.

This peak offers excellent views of all the peaks north and east of Mount San Antonio, and makes a great photographic subject since snow stays on these north facing slopes longer into the year.

One could camp out in Stoddard Flats, and bushwhack their way to the summit of Gobblers Knob to make things more interesting.

Gobblers Knob's Sierra Club Hundred Peaks Section number is 16I, and was added in 1971.

Panorama from summit of Gobblers Knob

Getting There

Assuming you live in the greater Los Angeles area, take the 60, 10, or 210 freeway east, and jump onto the northbound 15 freeway.

You can exit Sierra Avenue, and head north through Lytle Canyon. Sierra becomes Lytle Creek Road. It may also be labelled as Stockton Flat Road, and further in, Baldy Road, and even further down the road, San Antonio Falls Road. The important name to remember is that this primary road is NF 3N06. This road is accessible by 2WD vehicles, as I made it just fine in my light truck, but it would be hazardous to cars, due to rocks on the road.

You will travel along 3N06 on the right/north side of the creekbed until it crosses the creek. At this point, 3N33 (road) is on your right hand side, to the west. You take this road to Gobblers Knob.

Since you have a good map of the area with you, note that when you reach the top of the ridge, you hang a left and continue west. Stay on this road until it basically terminates just northeast of Gobblers Knob. Park here, and walk west a few yards to the PCH trail marker. Turn left/south and head uphill for the 500ft+/- ascent of the peak.

-=GETTING OUT=-

Now that you have experienced the wonder that is Gobblers Knob, and are exhausted from the 1/4 mile of trecherous terrain, head back the way you came until the fork in the road with road 3N31. You can come back the way you came, if you wish, but making a left and heading north onto 3N31 drops you off onto Lone Pine Canyon Road. From this road, you can turn left and drive into Wrightwood, or turn right and meet up with the 138. Make a left on the 138 to reach Palmdale, Phelan, and the high desert, or a right to access the 15 freeway.

If you go into Wrightwood and wish to access the major roads leading out, turn right on Sheep Creek road. This leads to SR2. Left turn takes you as far as the locked gate at Vincent Gap (as of 2006-2007), right turn takes you to the 138 freeway.

-=The Fast Way=-

Overall, if you're just looking to add this HPS peak to your list, the fastest way would be to take the 15 north through Cajon Pass, exit onto the 138, head west, and turn left onto Lone Pine Canyon Road, which is on your left just after you cross the train tracks with Mormon Rocks on your right. Take this road and turn left onto 3N31. When 3N31 reaches the top of the ridgeline and a fork in the road, make a right, and the road terminates just northwest of Gobblers Knob (see first set of directions).

Red Tape

Gobblers Knob is in the San Bernardino National Forest, and an Adventure Pass is not required if parking in the area.

Camping

To my knowledge, camping is allowed on Gobblers Knob, and there is plenty of space on its flat summit for quite a large amount of people.

The nearest large camping area is Stoddard Flat, in Lytle Creek near Coldwater Canyon's entrace.

Fires are only to be set in designated areas. These areas are marked by a metal pole painted yellow with "Fire Site #__" marked on them. See the USFS Fire Restrictions Page.

Stoddard Flat also offers access to water. For the relaxed type, Lytle Creek itself is not always filled with water, but for those whom are more adventurous, I've found that Coldwater Canyon to the south has a more reliable source of water.

Coldwater Canyon from Gobblers Knob

External Links

Gobblers Knob HPS Page

HPS Summit Signatures; more information, etc.

NF Adventure Pass Information