OverviewPeak 5495 is the second highest point along the north-south ridgeline that consists of Mt Islip at 8,250ft in the north, and terminates with Smith Mountain 5,111ft in the south.
It offers beautiful views into the clean and relatively untouched (about as good as Los Angeles County gets) San Gabriel Wilderness, surrounding beautiful Twin Peaks at the heart of the San Gabriel Mountain Range.
The peak has small outcroppings of granite on the ridge and in various areas.
Looking south at Smith Mountain |
There is a Geocaching tube atop the summit in a rockpile. A small summit register of sorts resides in the film-like bottle.
Geocache/summit register |
 Travel bug inside Geocache tube
In the summer and other dry periods, this peak is easy to bag, and is another method of reaching the Crystal Lake area while Route 39 is closed. In the winter, depending upon snowfall levels, it can provide a nice easy snow climb up the south ridge, and a relaxing walk to R39 and the Crystal Lake Area.Getting ThereOverall, one can access this mountain from either the north, traversing south along the ridge, or from the south, moving west along Bear Creek Trail and then north when they reach the saddle with Smith Mountain.
Reach the 210 freeway and head towards Azusa. Exit Azusa Avenue, and head north Azusa becomes San Gabriel Canyon road, and is also designated Route 39 (R39), as it will be referred to from now on. Take this until you reach the gate at mile marker 32.12.
Currently (as of 20070701), Route 39 is closed off at "Valley of the Moon", at mile marker 32.12. The most convenient method of reaching the peak is to hike up Bear Creek Trail, and ascend the firebreak north to the summit.
Blue shows north route; red is Bear Creek (south). |
Red TapeA National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park in the area.
 5495 center-left in the image, from near the summit of East Twin (7761) CampingThe ridgeline formed by Smith and 5495 is the literal eastern border of the SGW. There are some fitting places for a small camp along the eastern side of the peak.
 A broad summit provides a possible camping area External Links
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San Gabriel Mountains
