This is the shorter of the two Pine Mountains in the San Gabriel Mountain range. It is accessed via a dirt road that travels from east-west, with acess to Pine Mountain, Monrovia Peak, Rankin Peak, Clamshell Peak, and Mt Bliss.

There are very nice views to the north, looking into the San Gabriel Wilderness, and towards Twin Peaks. The majority of this area is pristine for the area, and thankfully free of graffiti.

There is no level of technical difficulty in this route or any to my knowledge, and it makes for a nice 16-mile round trip walk for a day, or a good run.

Mile Marker 1.8 miles from the top

Getting There

-R39 (Azusa Avenue)-

Take R39 north. Do not cross the bridge on the right/west side. The entrance to the dirt road is on the southwest/left side of the road as you head north, located .83 miles (from Google Earth) from the first bridge, and .45 miles before the second and last bridge. It is only a few hundred feet beyond the OHV area parking lot.

The gateway is located at 34°14'16.86"N 117°51'48.04"W

An alternate parking location is further up R39, on the left/west side of the road, immediately after crossing the bridge over the West Fork. This area is a bit safer at night for parked cars, as there are lights that seem to turn on when I yell or jump up and down (this was at night). I suggest parking here, as I previously parked at the end of the road, and had my vehicle's windows all knocked out with large rocks, which is rather un-cool.

R39 dead ends near Smith Mountain.

The last .8 miles to the summit are behind a locked gate. There is an electronics site atop the peak.

Electronics Site

Red Tape

A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking of any vehicle on National Forest land.

One must acquire a permit (free) from the following addresses in order to use the road that runs along the ridge from Pine Mountain to near Mt Wilson.

Arroyo Seco District Office
Oak Grove Park
Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 790-1151

Mt Baldy District Office
110 North Wabash Ave
Glendora CA 91740
(818) 335-1251

San Gabriel Canyon
Off Highway Vehicle Area
Entrance Station
Highway 39

Chilao Visitor Center
Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy2)
(818) 796-5541

Obviously, the Off Highway Vehicle Area is the best location to get the permit, as it's within yelling distance of the locked gate.

Here are images of the sign at the front gate:

Camping

To my knowledge, camping is allowed anywhere on the mountain, with the exception obviously being on the road itself, or inside the gated off electronics site on the summit.

Sunset

External Links

Images