Distance (round-trip)
7.9 mi
Time
3 hrs
Elevation Gain
1401 ft
Season
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Weather
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Featured In
Day Hiking Los Angeles
Casey Schreiner
The hike to Sunset Peak is a winding fire-road hike to one of the front peaks near the Mt. Baldy Area. This is the longer but less strenuous of two routes and offers outstanding, panoramic views of the Baldy Bowl and – on clear days – the seemingly never-ending sprawl of the foothill cities. On the peak’s summit are the remains of an old fire tower that burned down years ago.
The Baldy Bowl may be my favorite hiking area in the entire San Gabriel Mountains. Sure, there’s the prominent namesake peak, but there are also the impressive “Three Tees” – Timber, Thunder, and Telegraph, the twin sentinels of Cucamonga and Ontario, and many more miles of wilderness trails on the north side of the mountains. For this trip, I set my sights on the least tall of the Baldy Bowl Peaks — Sunset Peak.
Located on the western side of San Antonio Canyon, Sunset Peak promised to offer some great views of both the mountains and the cities below, and — with the recent precipitation we’ve been blessed with — some snow-covered alpine scenery, too. From the exit off the 210, I could already see that Ontario Peak had a healthy dusting.
The view from the trailhead was already impressive — as the Sprawl Cities lay to my south and Lookout Mountain and a large chunk of Baldy guarded the north.
The trail is on this Forest Service road, which slowly and deliberately winds its way to the summit. While I was hiking up, I didn’t pass anyone but did see several hikers’ trails in the small bits of remaining snow, along with a fair share of dog and horse tracks.
Instead, I took in the views from this area, which encompasses a nearly 360 degree view of the San Antonio Canyon and Baldy Bowl. The view from the actual peak will be better, but this is still pretty impressive when you first lay eyes on it. The long, sloping ridge of Baldy dominates to the left, with Thunder, Telegraph, and Timber in the center, and the north slope of Bighorn on the right.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Modern Hiker, Author of "Day Hiking Los Angeles" and "Discovering Griffith Park." Walking Meditator, Native Plant Enthusiast.
Dog-Friendly
Historical Interest
Multi-Use Trail
Views / Vista
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Trail Conditions
Very good. It's fire road almost all of the way, so it's wide and relatively level. Junctions aren't marked, but just keep going up and you should be fine.
How to get there
From the 210, take exit 52 at Base Line Road. Head west on Base Line Road at the exit and turn right onto Padua Avenue. In 1.8 miles, turn right onto Mt. Baldy Road. 7.1 miles later, make a sharp left onto Glendora Ridge Road. The fire road trailhead will be on the south side of the road in 4.2 miles. Note that these roads may be closed or require chains during the winter months.
Trail Map
24 Comments
I'm gonna hit it this weekend! (I've approached Sunset Peak from the east via the fire road, but not this side).
Leave a Reply to Anthony Cancel reply
This trail can be hiked year round. If we have a wet winter, there is likely to be snow, but it's still doable if you have snowshoes.
Leave a Reply to Casey Schreiner Cancel reply
What time of year did you hike this trail? (Sorry if I missed that in your post)
Leave a Reply to Stefanie Cancel reply
This is my favorite hike. Its views of the ocean, as the sun sinks toward the horizen turning the water to molten mercury, are spectacular. The sight of Catalina and other offshore islands floating in this silvery pool is a poet's delight. The shorter trail provides exquisite sunset vistas, especially in the fall. Alas, tales of biting insects in the summer months are true. By the way, it's Cow Canyon Saddle and sits at the head of Cow Canyon.
Leave a Reply to Linda Frost Cancel reply
I realized today that one should avoid this trail during the summer. I thought it was just a wrong day to go several weeks ago when I went on a sunset hike and started to attract a lot of gnats at the first fork. Then went again last night and it was a hundred times worse. I was literally swarmed the whole way to the top by what could have easily been 50 gnats around my head, buzzing in my ears and trying to fly into my nose. My poor dog had so many on his eyelids, I had to periodically brush them out with my hands. Once the sun went down they disappeared. I will try this hike again when the weather dips below 70F.
Leave a Reply to Janice Lee Cancel reply
Hiked Sunset Peak from Cow Canyon Saddle today. Took the ridge line trail up with very little relief from the sun. It was especially hot today but a fun trail with a little scrambling. A lot of flies out the whole way up as well. Took the fire road down which is semi-uneventful. About 5 miles roundtrip.
Leave a Reply to Mike P. Cancel reply
Hiked this trail yesterday with the directions and descriptions from your blog and its spot on! No snow this time, but relatively easy to find and stay on the trail and great driving directions. Started in the late morning, didn't have to battle any crowds for parking, heads up--they are doing maintenance on cow canyon road. I even convinced two friends that are not hikers to join me and they are hooked! Thank you for the info and your pictures! I would have never known about this little gem without your help.
Leave a Reply to Ana Cancel reply
Glad you enjoyed it! That's a great hike for wonderful views with a reasonable amount of effort.
Leave a Reply to Casey Schreiner Cancel reply
Did this trail yesterday. The trail was snow-free but had great views of snow on Baldy. We went up the fire road and the steeper offshoot trail, and then made a loop on the way down via the firebreak trail. The firebreak was a little hard to follow and steep in places, but definitely made us feel like we were having an adventure. Great hike - thanks!!!
Leave a Reply to Riah Cancel reply
Glad you enjoyed it! That peak has some pretty amazing views, doesn't it?
