Pigeon Ridge is a relatively easy, non-technical route to ascend South Mount Hawkins in any season. I was told of this route by a backpacker who mentioned it was a nice local route to get into relatively untouched territory. This is a good 10 mile trip, with some good leg-burning sections of steep dirt, and ending in a sub-alpine setting atop South Mt Hawkins in winter.

Pigeon Ridge

The route is very easy to follow, and is class 2 at the harder spots. It is also a great way to rather quickly get off South Mount Hawkins and head south.

Pigeon Ridge used to be a shooting area, or at least somwehre on Pigeon Ridge, back in the 1990's, but that is no longer the case. Unfortunately, there is a good amount of trash and grafitti until one jumps onto the firebreak.

Getting There

Your primary goal is to reach R39/Azusa Avenue/San Gabriel Canyon Road, as it winds through the mountains.

The 60, 10, and 210 freeways all have an Azusa Avenue exit, but the 210 is the closest. Exit onto Azusa Avenue, in the city of Azusa, and head North. This becomes San Gabriel Canyon Road, and is the road you'll use for the duration of the drive.

As of January 2008, Route 39 is still closed at Valley of the Moon, mile marker 32.12. Prior to this, there are two large bridges one drives across. The best parking spot for the beginning of the route is on the short stretch of road in between these two bridges.

Using Google Earth's coordinates, the gate for the road you walk up is at 34°16'52.15"N 117°50'19.53"W. One can park around 100 meters south of this gate on the small turnout. This gate is at approximately 3,000ft ASL.

Route Description

From the "Getting There" section, one heads up that dirt road past the gate. According to Google Earth, the trail starts at 1.01 miles up the road. This point is best identified by reaching Bichota Canyon and Chamisal Mesa. From this point you can see down into Bichota Canyon about a thousand feet below, and the road turns and heads east from here. Pigeon Ridge drops and ends here. Jump on the ridge and follow the prominent firebreak.

Moving on up...

If you wish to take the route the entire way to South Mount Hawkins, simply follow the ridge. Where Pigeon Ridge meets the rodge between SMH and Rattlesnake Peak, the route steepens before placing you on that ridge. It is a short distance northwest to the summit.

The route is around 5 miles total, with 1 mile on the dirt road and 4 on the ridge itself.

GE Map

Alternate Route

If you wish to descend all the way down to San Gabriel River to the ghost towns (from the fires), follow the ridge down into the canyon. The soil on the way down is very loose and there is much bushwhacking before reaching the small mesa.

The extra way down to the river

The mesa in question does not appear on all maps. There are up to 50ft drops on all sides. Having been stuck on this mesa before for an hour, looking for a way down, I suggest that the only way you leave is to find the telephone pole on the northwest side of the mesa. In that immediate area is a safe trail down, the only safe trial down I have found despite spending several years checking this immediate area out extensively.

The GE coordinates for the telephone pole trail are 34°15'56.79"N 117°50'35.03"W.

Once in the riverbed, simply move west across the river and you will hit R39. Move out appropriately to reach your vehicle.

Essential Gear

Unless it is winter, do not expect snow to melt for water until about the 7,000ft level. This is all south-facing, so even then, unless you decide to ascend right after a storm, you'll need enough water for a day or more.

Trekking poles are very handy on the ridge, as it is loose and surprisingly steep in some parts.

I personally always carry a general mountaineering ice axe and crampons with me whenever I venture into areas that may contain hard snow and ice, and I suggest that you do the same if you complete this route to SMH. Many people decide to go light on these trips, only to end up turning back just where things get interesting and fun. An axe and crampons don't weigh much.

If you like using your poles more than an axe, or like to just carry an axe for the whole thing and use that for the dry parts (as I do), go for it.

External Links

SMH with PR on the right side

Images