Distance (round-trip)
12.6 mi
Time
6 hrs
Elevation Gain
2180 ft
Season
Spring
Summer
Fall
Weather
–
12.6 mi
6 hrs
2180 ft
Spring
Summer
Fall
–
A trek on the Pacific Crest Trail to the most western 7000-foot peak in the San Gabriel Mountains and one of the most prominent peaks in the entire range. This route requires a little bit of snow-hiking (in the winter), some bouldering, and good backcountry navigation skills – especially since the Station Fire ravaged much of the region.
NOTE: This area was badly burned in the 2009 Station Fire. The landscape was opened but has been closed again due to proximity to the 2016 Sand Fire. Expect the conditions to be different than those represented here.
If you’re in the market for a moderately difficult, lengthy trek on the Pacific Crest Trail that avoids some of the crowds of the lower San Gabriels, then Pacifico Mountain on the north side of the Angeles National Forest might be a good stop for you. Head to the Mill Creek Picnic Area, lace up your boots, and head southeast on the PCT.
The Pacific Crest Trail runs straight through the picnic area and this was my first time hiking on any portion of it. Last year, I hiked a tiny section of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut and was lucky enough to meet a thru-hiker on his way north. No such luck on the PCT this time, but I did get to see a note someone had scrawled on a trail sign back in 2003.
Because this part of the trail is on the north face of the mountain, it’s cooler and gets more shade than the more accessible peaks of the front range. Snow will linger here longer than in other places – and it’s more apt to re-freeze after melting a bit. If you;’re traveling in the winter be sure to take good boots and maybe even some traction devices or trekking poles if we’ve had a good snow season.
Continue east on the PCT making a very gradual ascent on a pleasant stretch of trail. At the 3.3 mile mark, you’ll come to a small flats area with some tremendous views of the peaks and valleys to your east. From here, the Pleasant View Ridge looked like it got a nice helping of snow…
When I got to the top, I was rewarded with a bizarro landscape of jagged boulders peaking out of the snowfall. And as it was off the beaten path, I had it all to myself.
While this would be a really fun little ridge to explore in the summer when scrambling is more of an option, I backtracked to the trail and continued east. At about the 5.8 mile mark, the trail intersects with a 4WD dirt road to Pacifico Mountain. You can also reach the summit of Pacifico via a short spur trail from the PCT farther east – but the road is easy to follow and nicely graded.
The entrance to the campground was no less dramatic, as the same angled boulders that littered the summit of its neighbor flanked the entire summit and campsite, broken up with the occasional hardy pine.
At the 9.9 mile mark, there’s a junction with another fire road that heads south toward Granite and Roundtop Mountains. Bagging those peaks will add 6 miles roundtrip, so odds are you’ll probably just skip it and keep heading back to the trailhead.
It’s an uneventful and mostly uninteresting trek back down to the trailhead on this fire road. At the 11.5 mile mark there’s a use-trail that cuts through some of the very long switchbacks the road has to take. It’s steep and rugged, but a lot more fun than just walking along the road.
The PCT is in good condition, but the area was burned in wildfires and is in need of some TLC. The mountain is also dotted by old fire roads that may be confusing.
Mount Pacifico Campground (note that it is not called 'Pacifico Mountain Campground') has 8 tent-only, hike-in campsites available first come, first served. The site is open seasonally, usually May through November. Note the campground is at 7100 feet. Call 818-899-1900 for current conditions and information.
From the CA-14, take the Angeles Forest Highway exit and head south 10.2 miles. For a more scenic drive from the 210, take the exit for the Angeles Crest Highway in La Canada Flintridge. After 9.3 miles take a left at the Clear Creek Junction / Ranger Station onto the Angeles Forest Highway. Continue north on the Forest Highway for 14.6 miles. Note that the Angeles Forest Highway may be seasonally closed for the winter. Look for the Mill Creek Summit Picnic Area. Display Adventure Pass.
19 Comments
Alright, as of last week it is absolutely perfect. If it doesn't burn there we should be fine for another year. Notice that as of today Angeles National Forrest has closed off certain roads to prevent fires because of stupid people (yes! I said that).
Is your AllTrails set to measure cumulative elevation change? Because that'll do it.
We usually measure the difference between the high and low points and make note when there are significant bumps that would cause those numbers to be misleading. Over the years, I've found that the cumulative method leads to some extremely inflated numbers that don't always accurately portray what the trail is like. This route has a lot of little bumps on the way up, and a few little bumps on the way down, too.
I imported your GPX into AllTrails and it says the elevation gain is 2966 ft. However, this article says it's 2180 ft? That's a pretty big difference!
Just double checked - Pacifico wasn't burned in the Sand Fire but it looks like the trailhead is *right* on the edge of the closure zone for that burn. Hopefully it will be open again soon once the fire crews put the finishing touches on the Sand Fire (as of August 24th it's 98% contained).
Tried to do this hike yesterday and the trail is closed. Bummer! Hope to do it someday.
Thank you, Casey, for a great article and pics!
Pacifico is where I proposed to my wife in 2001. I have not been there since the fire. As owner of StormSlide (www.stormslide.com), the US Forest Service's erosion control device, I really need to get up there and take a look.
Thanks again!
Jason Call
With recent wildfire damage and ongoing waves of COVID-19 infections and restrictions, National Forest, National Park, and other public land closures, restrictions, or social distancing guidelines may be in-effect.
If infection rates are on the rise, please do your best to remain local for your hikes. If you do travel, please be mindful of small gateway communities and avoid as much interaction as you can. Also remember to be extra prepared with supplies so you don't have to stop somewhere outside your local community for gas, food, or anything else.
Please be sure to contact the local land management agency BEFORE you head out, as these conditions are likely to change without enough notice for us to fully stay on top of them. Thanks, and stay safe!
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