Mount Lukens is also known as sister Elsie. This mountain is the highest mountain in the San Fernando Valley, In a city called Sunland. From anywhere in the Valley if you look due East, you will see a mountain with antennas and a radio station on it. That is mount lukens. It is 09/13/2005, and I am very shocked that no one has posted this mountain yet.

Getting There

There are three ways to get there:

CONTEMPLATION TRAIL. About 8 miles roundtrip.
A steep trail that runs up a ridge below Mount Lukens from Big Tujunga. The trail is unmarked, but starts on Big Tujunga Canyon Road, crosses Sunset Trail and then starts climbing a drainage towards the ridge. The trail is steep but well used and in good shape. When it reaches the ridge line, the popular route is a short spur north to a cross. The less used trail continues to climb the steep ridge up to the Mount Lukens Ridge Route. This is easy to follow but it is a strenuous climb.
Trailhead: There are two unmarked trailheads along Big Tujunga Canyon Road before the road enters the canyon proper. Alternative, take Alpine Way off of Mount Gleason Ave to the end. There is an entrance to Sunset trail here. Take Sunset Trail north and look for a good trail up a drainage.

DUNSMORE RIDGE ROUTE. About 10 miles roundtrip
A steep little used trail working up a ridge from Dunsmore Canyon in the City of Glendale Deukmejian Wilderness Park to a spur road off of Mount Lukens Road. This trail passes some rugged terrain. The lower end of the trail is not obvious, it begins as a faint trail crossing the creek. Once on the trail it is generally obvious.
Trailhead: The northern end of Dunsmore Ave leads into Deukmejian Wilderness Park.

LUKENS RIDGE ROUTE - Elevation Change: 3000 ft.
This is an unmaintained fire break ridge route. It gets some foot and horse traffic leaving some type of trail. However, finding your way through or around low brush will be necessary. Knowing which ridge to follow (route finding) will be necessary or you will come down on the wrong ridge and loose any trail.
Trailhead: The lower end connects with the Sunset Trail within a quarter mile of its eastern end. The ridge route joins Sunset trail on the eastern side of the ridge. The upper end of the ridge route joins with Haines Canyon Trail and Stone Canyon Trail.

Haines Canyon Road: About 8 miles roundtrip

There is a fourth trail behind the mountain on Big Tujunga Road. It is a round trip of 8 miles, but you have to cross the Big Tujunga River to get to the Trailhead. (see my pictures). To get there, you have to take the Big Tujunga Road to Doske Road to the parking lot.

Red Tape

There are no use fees or permits necessary to hike the mountain. However, keep in mind that if you park on Mt. Gleason road, or any of the roads east of the mountain, your car will be required to have a wilderness pass issued by the USFS.

When To Climb

Better to climb from April to June, and from September to October. In the Summer it gets upward to 100 degrees on the whole trail, and there is very little shade. In the winter, the winds are a constant barrage.

Camping

None Allowed.

Mountain Conditions

www.localhikes.com/Hikes/MountLukens_4472.asp

www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?AffID=mz01&TrailID=HGS373-035

www.latrails.com/hike/ml.html

Images



[ View Gallery - 11 More Images ]