Summit 2843 via East Ridge, San Gabriel Canyon - Jan. 1, 2016

It’s great to start the new year with a hike. The theme of today’s Rose Parade in Pasadena is “Find Your Adventure,” so rather than sitting passively and watching the parade, I went to find an adventure. Standing predominantly over Azusa near the mouth of the San Gabriel Canyon, Summit 2843 is one of my favorite local peaks. I’ve climbed it a half dozen times and each outing is unique. Today’s plan is to climb it from a route I’ve not hiked before: straight up the steep east ridge. I’ve looked at it from various vantage points and studied the maps and aerials, and I’ve seen that others have used the route (at least partially) and posted the GPS tracks to Peakbagger.com. From the aerials, it’s evident that there is a clearly defined route, but it’s quite steep. So I’m psyched up for an earnest climb.

It’s winter and the night-time temps have been in the 30s and 40s, and day-time temps in the 50s and 60s. So I’m geared up for some brisk weather.

I arrive at the trailhead for Silver Fish Fire Road (2N28) adjacent to Morris Reservoir on Hwy 39 in San Gabriel Canyon. II don’t display an Adventure Pass since I understand that the courts have ruled that the Forest Service can require the pass only for areas where there are guest amenities, like restroom and tables. But the rules are still confusing and in dispute, and of course the FS is as clear as mud on the issue. There is a pick-up truck parked here. It’s 51 degrees.

9:45 AM - Begin hike. I skirt the locked vehicle gate for 2N28 and begin my adventure up the old Silver Fish Fire Road. Almost immediately I reach my junction. The road takes a shape right (north) but I veer left and follow the path up the ravine passing the check dam on its left. As many times as I’ve hiked here, this is my first time on this route. The corrugated “steps” of the metal barrier assist me over it. The path climbs steeply and within a minute bends left and follows the bed of what appears to be a long-abandoned dirt road, softened by decades of natural forces. In another minute I step into the sun and the route splits. To the left heads downhill, so I veer right. Views of Morris Reservoir and Dam open up. The path turns right (southwest) and I can see the concrete water tank high above me on the ridge. It’s steep and a little brushy in places. A California everlasting greets me with its creamy white flowers as the first plant in bloom today. In a few minutes I reach the ascending/descending hogback ridge where I’ll be spending the rest of my climb. The route veers right onto the ridge. After the first steep scramble I reach a water district benchmark. I’m treated with expanding views of the lower San Gabriel Canyon blanketed with thick, scruffy chaparral. It’s quite peaceful aside from vehicle noise on Hwy 39 below. The path is steep and I take my time. The warm sun feels good.

10:13 - Water tank. I’m warming up so I shed my long-sleeved shirt. I linger few minutes and look around. Up I climb. The San Gabriels high county comes into view. There’s not much snow yet this year. Add a few occurrences of the weeds mustard and filaree to the blooming list. I look up and am intrigued to see huge circles of sky writing in the southwest sky. It’s fading and difficult to read (later on the news I learned they were messages blasting Donald Trump: “America is Great! Trump is Disgusting,” “Anybody but Trump” and “Iowans Dump Trump”…I’ll let the political blogs opine on that).

Soon the route veers left to leave the ridgeline for a stretch. In a few minutes I reach a section that is dreadfully steep and loose. I carefully place each step. A slip would have dire consequences. It takes me about six minutes to safely negotiate this section. This was actually too unsafe for my comfort zone as a solo hiker, but there was no way around it. Having poles would have really helped. I decide that I’m not going to return via this route; there are too many steep sections and descending would be tedious and risky, particularly without poles. Another four minutes and one more steep section bring me to the old road.

11:00 - First occurrence of 2N28. It’s overgrown and does not appear to have any foot traffic in either direction. To the right would be a short walk to highpoint 2214’ on the topo map, but it’s blocked by a pile of cut brush. My route continues steeply up the bank about 20 feet to achieve a gentle ridgeline which parallels the old road below it on the left. It’s nice to have a couple minutes of nearly level walking before my final steep section to the top. I reach a small saddle where the upper section of 2N28 reaches this ridgeline. Access to the old road is blocked by thick brush but an access path connects to it just past the saddle. This was the route taken by couple hikers who posted GPS tracks on Peakbagger.com for trips to Silver Mountain (I really don’t know why they would take that route rather than the standard route I describe in my Summit 2843 trail guide).

I continue to climb. To the northeast, Mt. Baldy and the San Gabriels high country from Ontario Peak to Baden-Powell come into view. In spite of the steepness, I’m enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, rugged scenery, and solitude…sure is different from fighting the masses in Pasadena on this New Year’s Day. Vehicle noise from Hwy 39 is virtually silent now. There are fresh deer tracks. I’m surprised to find frost in the shade. I’m eager as I near the top.

12:00 - Upper ridgeline (2720’). Ok, I’ve now joined the standard route coming from the north…back on familiar territory. It’s fun to explore different routes. A nearly leafless elderberry tree sports some new leaves and blossoms. That’s the thing about SoCal, we do have seasons, but they are somewhat subtle and plants can be found behaving uncharacteristic to the seasons. But it is definitely winter with crisp air, frost, leafless trees and shrubs, dead grasses, rusty buckwheat, and virtually nothing in bloom. And I don’t have to worry about rattlesnakes!

I meander up the broad ridge and soak in the expansive scenery. On the upper ridge, buckwheat encroaches into the route; I’m glad I’m wearing long pants. I reflect on my various hikes up this ridge since my first ascent in May 2004 with my buddy Drew (Gosh, I didn’t even think about hiking it in 2014 to celebrate 10 years! Maybe I need to plan 20-year anniversary hikes this year to Mt. Lowe, Hoegees Trail Camp, and Switzer Falls).

12:20 - Summit 2843. Wow, here again for my seventh ascent. I love this peak. It’s my mountain looking down on my home in Azusa. Oh yes, there’s my house down there…nestled behind some trees. The 360-degree panorama is stellar. The mighty San Gabriels fill the northern panorama. The vast human habitation of the L.A. Basin sprawls the southern panorama, muted somewhat by haze. Catalina Island stretches along the distant horizon. The weather is fantastic for New Year’s Day. I take pictures, post to Facebook, and have a bite to eat.

1:20 - Leave summit and retrace my steps down the broad ridge. I’m enjoying the warm sunshine, blue skies, and splendid scenery. At 1:30 I pass the junction to the route I ascended, but I continue down main ridge for a loop. In another 13 minutes I reach the junction of the standard ridge route from the east. Rather than descending that route, I continue north down the old firebreak. It’s been some years since I’ve taken this route so I’d like to check out its condition. The path is reasonably easy to follow through the brush (mostly California buckwheat). It’s pretty steep but the soil is soft providing for decent footing. There are several big patches of frost in the deep shade. I suspect that portions of this steep, north-facing slope get no direct sun in the winter months.

2:03 - Saddle. The ridge in front of me climbs north 0.7 mile and 1,035 vertical feet to Silver Mountain (3385’). The old fire road (2N28) crosses the saddle north into Roberts Canyon, but it has long been abandoned and reclaimed by nature. Water Canyon lies below my feet to the east. After a few minutes of taking pictures and scoping things out, I turn hard right and head southeast on the old fire road. It’s in good shape and my walk is pleasant. There’s lots of frost in the deep shade. Single occurrences of bush sunflower, bush monkey flower, and golden yarrow add yellow highlight to the winter landscape. Behind me Silver Mountain rises sharply into the blue sky.

2:18 - Junction to the ascending/descending ridge. This will be my route down but I continue along the road to do some scouting. The old road continues to be in good shape. I follow it for about six minutes to a point where I can see the gentle ridgeline and saddle where I ascended this morning. The route looks clear all the way over there. I turn back and reach the ascending/descending ridge at 2:32. I turn right (east) and begin my descent. The first section is steep but then it mellows out. My pace is comfortable and I enjoy the expansive views and warm sunshine. Across San Gabriel Canyon is see Glendora Mountain and reflect on my hike two months ago.

2:48 - Lower occurrence of 2N28. To the right (south) the road disappears into impassability. Straight ahead the ridge continues down. But I turn left (north) to follow the old road into Water Canyon for my return route. Immediately I step into the shade and figure that I’ll probably not be in direct sun for the rest of my outing. I enjoy sauntering along the old road as it contours in an out of canyon tributaries. It’s brisk and wintery and the grass is wet. Single occurrences of California fuchsia and cliff aster defy the season. At 3:07 I reach the hairpin where the route begins its eastward descent along the north-facing slopes of Water Canyon. Shortly I pass the rock face that should be a showy 12-foot waterfall during our upcoming El Niño rains. A little further along I reach the section that was washed out in the 2005 storms. A narrow path climbs up and over the slide. It has deteriorated some since I last hiked it 11 months ago. The footing is loose and a slip would be grave. I negotiate it without incident. I continue along. Across San Gabriel Canyon to the east, the golden-hour sun saturates the mountainside.

3:37 - Reach junction to the ascending/descending ridge route. I round the outward bend and get a shot of the sun disappearing behind the ridge I climbed this morning. As I contour into the tributary canyon, the temperature drops dramatically. Morris Reservoir looks serein. I stroll along savoring the last minutes of a rewarding day.

3:47 - End hike. The car thermometer reads 48 degrees.

Epilog - What a pleasant hike! Fresh air, blue skies, comfortable temperatures, sunshine, rugged scenery, solitude, healthy exercise, a new adventure, and a beloved peak...a great way to begin the new year. Life is good.

See Summit 2843 hike description on Dan’s Hiking Pages

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Summit 2843 via San Gabriel Canyon Hike - February 21, 2015

See Summit 2843 hike description on Dan’s Hiking Pages

Summit 2843 stands predominantly over Azusa near the mouth of the San Gabriel Canyon. Most valley dwellers have probably never thought about the peak as it appears to be just another welt among the undulating sprawl of the San Gabriel Mountains. And it eludes most hikers since there is no formal trail to the unnamed summit, and if one is driving up Highway 39 to go hiking, there are many more high-profile destinations from which to choose. But I love this little pinnacle and enjoy the solitude of its trails. It is my peak.

With the trailhead being only 10 minutes from my home in Azusa, Summit 2843 and the routes leading to it have become some of my favorite “scrappy hikes”—that is, a hike done on scrap of carved-out time when my schedule is full. But on this occasion, I was able to give it primetime billing on a Saturday. It’s been three years, almost to the day, since I last hiked it, and I have been looking for an opportunity to hike with my friend Tom. This hike was ideal. The route starts just past Morris Dam and offers several options for climbing 1,543 in elevation gain, in the range of 4 to 4.5 miles round trip.

7:20 AM - Begin hike. Tom and I skirt the locked vehicle gate for 2N28 and begin our saunter up the old Silver Fish Fire Road. It’s cloudy and cool with a rainstorm forecast for tomorrow. While the deciduous trees and shrubs are mostly leafless, winter rain has greened the grasses and is bringing life back to the chaparral. The morning dew adds freshness to everything. Starting at the trailhead with the carpet of weedy oxalis and its little yellow flowers, I immediately begin to take pictures of each species in bloom. Tom becomes curious about the names of the various plants and I enjoy introducing him to them. He’s an eager learner and practices his nearly acquired plant names as we encounter multiple occurrences of them along the trail. The mountain lilac shrubs and other ceanothus are covered with lavender and white blossoms and create a distinctive hue to the richly textured chaparral. The tender green branches of wild cucumber vines are climbing to life and are covered with tiny white flowers. We stroll along thoroughly enjoying the beauty of nature. Low clouds cloak the immediate ridgelines to the east. The steely blue surface of Morris Reservoir is low because of meager rainfall.

7:53 - Junction with ridge route. It’s been a slow but pleasant half mile. One route heads straight up the ridge following an old fire break, but we choose to stay on the abandoned fire road as it traverses into Water Canyon. It’s been more than five years since I’ve been in Water Canyon, so I’m eager to check the route conditions. The heavy rain of 2005 caused some significant damage, and since then there’s been issues of fallen trees, poison oak, and other obstructions. A salamander crawls through the green grass. We stop occasionally to flick off ticks. We encounter more newts on several occasions, usually in pairs. Tom and I thought salamanders were usually near streams, so we are a little surprised to find them here, a good 100 vertical feet above the creek. Some of the poison oak is sprouting its tender leaves after its winter hiatus. Tom keeps practicing plant names as we continue adding new ones.

9:08 - Reach the western end of the road before it switches back. I’m pleasantly surprised to find that the thorny-tree forest that had been obstructing the path is gone. And around the corner, the huge poison oak patch that had blocked the route is gone too. It looks like a dozer has worked on this section of the old road in the last year or two, but I don’t know how it would have gotten here. The abandon fire road between here and the trailhead has many years of being reclaimed by nature. Heavy equipment would have had to come from the other direction.

So far this morning the blooming plants we have encountered include oxalis, mulefat, white and lavender ceanothus, wild cucumber, hollyleaf cherry, wishbone bush, sugar bush, canyon sweet pea, a purple weed, two-tone everlasting, felt-leaf everlasting, California poppy, and lupine (just one lone bud). We’re having a great time. And there is such serenity here. It blows my mind that we have the whole mountain to ourselves.

9:51 - Ridge junction. The grade up to this point has been very pleasant. Now comes the fun part in climbing the steep ridge. We take a twenty-minute break and enjoy good conversation and splendid scenery. As we climb west up the exposed ridge, we are thankful for cool temps and cloudy skies. Chirping birds provide a pleasant soundtrack. We encounter our first new blossom of California buckwheat.

10:46 - Upper occurrence of the fire road. Dozer tracks leave me wondering how the heavy equipment got up here. I know of no access point from the south. We continue to climb the ascending/descending ridge.

11:18 - Upper Ridge. The broad green-grass-covered crest offers a splendid panorama, howbeit, muted by haze. The sun has finally broken through clouds. The highpoint looming to our immediate south has Tom thinking we are almost there. I have to break the news to him that we still have another 0.4 mile to go. We climb south to the highpoint and continue along the undulating ridge. It’s peaceful up here. The Baldy high country to the east finally breaks through the clouds. It’s been a mild winter and there is hardly any snow up there. We round the crescent, make our final steep climb of 100 vertical feet, and make our approach to our destination.

12:05 - Summit 2843. Wow, we’ve made it! Nearly five hours to hike 2.5 miles…that’s truly the definition of a saunter. This is my sixth visit to this peak, and every outing has been unique. My first visit was with my buddy Drew 10 years ago May. The views from here can be great but today it’s pretty hazy. We sit and have some lunch. The view west toward Vulcan’s mining activity on Van Tassel Ridge is a good discussion starter. Before leaving, I give Tom a guided tour of the couple dozen peaks within view.

1:20 - Leave summit. We retrace our steps down the ridge. The sun feels good. At 1:50 we transition from the upper ridge to our eastward descent. Our steps are careful in the steep sections. We cross the upper occurrence of the fire road at 2:05 and continue down the ridge. We reach the lower occurrence of the fire road at 2:25 and continue down the ridge rather than turning left and retracing our steps through Water Canyon. This is new territory for us today. The descent is comfortable. We enjoy good conversation and rugged scenery.

2:40 - Reach the beginning of the steep section. Here the path down the old firebreak gets crazy steep and slippery. Tom leads the way as we carefully negotiate each step. Trekking poles would really be helpful about now. Midway down we are treated to a patch of golden poppies that beg to be photographed. A pair of morning glories stand nearby. We sigh of relief as we complete the precarious section unscathed.

2:56 - Back on Silver Fish Fire Road. Now for a comfortable stroll for our last half mile. A young mustard sports its yellow flowers. I am happy to find a couple bright orange blossoms of bush monkeyflower as the vanguard of many more to come. We wind in and out of the sun and shade. As we near the highway, trash and graffiti remind us that some humans don’t belong on this planet.

3:20 - End hike, exactly 8 hours from the start.

Epilog - What a thoroughly enjoyable outing! Splendid scenery, rugged beauty, wonderful serenity, pleasant weather, green grass, lovely wildflowers, a beloved peak, and great company. God is good. Life is good.

See Summit 2843 hike description on Dan’s Hiking Pages

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Summit 2843 via San Gabriel Canyon Hike - February 24, 2013

See Summit 2843 hike description on Dan's Hiking Pages

The prominent, unnamed peak standing guard over the mouth of San Gabriel Canyon always calls to me. Work and household responsibilities have hindered me from being on the trail much in recent months, but beautiful weather compelled me to find time for hiking this weekend. A “scrappy hike” was in order—that is, a hike done on a scrap of time carved out of a full schedule, usually one close to home, and one which I’ve done multiple times before. A scrappy hike gets me out on the trail when I don’t have time for a prime-time, feature hike.

Living in Azusa, I have plenty of scrappy hikes to choose from: Garcia Trail, Colby Trail, Van Tassel fire road, Fish Canyon, Monrovia Canyon, Big Dalton Canyon, etc. One is 2N28 in the San Gabriel Canyon, about 10 minutes from home. The route starts just past Morris Dam and meanders west into the small canyons and up chaparral-covered slopes. I like it because it’s close to home and offers varying possibilities, from a short saunter into Water Canyon, to climbing Silver Mountain or Summit 2843. Today I figured if I’m on the trail by 2 p.m. I can hit Summit 2843 and back before sunset. It’s 4 miles round trip with 1,543 in elevation gain.

2:02 PM - I pass by the locked vehicle gate and begin hiking up the long-abandoned Silver Fish fire road (2N28). A narrow footpath furrows through the fresh green grass of winter. I wind in and out of patches of cool shade and warm sun. Cars pass along Hwy 39 below me. The mature chaparral that surrounds me is a patchwork of rich textures. As I climb higher the sparkling blue water of Morris Reservoir dominates the foreground to the east while Glendora Mountain dominates the skyline to the northeast. It’s still a month to the beginning of spring, and about the only thing in bloom are the clusters of white and lavender flowers on ceanothus, a large bush that typifies the chaparral.

2:14 - Reach the outward bend where the trail begins to contour into Water Canyon. But for today’s hike I turn left (west) and begin to climb the hogback ridge which goes straight up the mountainside. The first 150 yards are quite steep so I plod along slowly until the route mellows out some. Soon the snow-capped summit of Mt. Baldy pokes above the northeast ridgeline as the first fruit of the entire high country from Ontario Peak to Hawkins Ridge which will shortly follow. Brushy plants hug the narrow path and I’m thankful for long pants.

2:34 - Cross the first switchback of the old fire road coming up from Water Canyon. I continue climbing the ridge. A lone pair of tennis shoe prints indicates that someone has descended this route recently. Aside from the noise of an occasional motorcycle on the highway far below, there is a real peacefulness here. Silver Mountain looms above me to the north. I’m working up a mild sweat in the warm sun. At 2:56 I reach the second switchback of the old fire road and continue up the ridge. Now the high country panorama to the east stretches from Ontario Peak to Iron Mountain.

3:10 - Reach the upper ridge, greeted by a stiff breeze from the west. I turn left (south) and continue my climb on the ridge that divides the San Gabriel Canyon on the east and Roberts Canyon on the west. Shortly I get my first view of the ocean reflecting the late afternoon sun on the distant southwest horizon. Soon I achieve a knob on the ridge with a view toward my destination. The route gently drops to a saddle and bends around to the west. I take careful steps on the soft, uneven earth that has been excavated by gofers. In the summer and fall, weedy, dead grass would menace unprotected socks with foxtails and burs. I climb the final pitch to a knob where I see the summit 100 yards ahead.

3:34 - Summit 2843. This is my fifth time on this peak. It’s a special place for me since it predominantly occupies the mountain scenery that rises to the north of my home in Azusa. Most valley dwellers probably have never given the peak a thought as it would appear to be just another welt among the undulating sprawl of the San Gabriel Mountains. But for me, I’ve always had the curiosity of an explorer. When I see a summit, I wonder if it has a name and if there is trail to it. What’s it story? For years, this peak had beckoned me up.

So finally, after a couple exploratory excursions on 2N28, with topo map in hand, I set out with my friend Drew to conquer this pinnacle on May 22, 2004. It’s always fulfilling to stand on a peak, particularly one that I have scouted and set out to conquer without any guidebook or formal trail. At an elevation of a mere 2,843 feet, this peak is not a grand summit, but it’s my summit, and I enjoy an occasional visit.

Today I am rewarded with good visibility as I scan the 360-degree panorama. Vast human sprawl dominates the south, and the rugged Angeles National Forest dominates the north. Dozens of familiar peaks in view bring memories of many satisfying ascents. Snow-capped mountains rising to 10,000 feet speak of winter, and the warm sun and sparking Pacific Ocean speak of Southern California. And I have this summit all to myself. I love it!



3:55 - Say goodbye to Summit 2843 and retrace my steps back. As the photographer’s “golden hour” sets in, I am eager to capture the scenery in a different light. A pair of red-trail hawks soar and swoop.

4:12 - Reach the ascending/descending ridge junction. As I turn east, I leave the direct sun and begin my descent into the mountain shadows. There is still some sun on the ridge well below me, but it will be gone by the time I’m there. I savor the beauty and peacefulness of the rugged scenery. The downhill climb is comfortable. I ponder the phenomenon that on a gorgeous day in SoCal, swarms of hikers will crowd the popular trails and I’ll have a splendid setting like this all to myself.

At 4:20 I cross the upper occurrence of the fire road and at 4:36 the second. I pause to photograph a lone occurrence of everlasting in bloom, about the only herbaceous plant I’ve seen in bloom all day. I take intermittent pics of Mt. Baldy and Morris Dam in the warm light of the setting sun as I try to capture the perfect shot. At 4:50 I begin my climb down the steep section. I admit that I’ve had a little angst in anticipating the pain-inflicting possibilities of feet sliding from under me. Thankfully I negotiate the slippery slope without incident and arrive back at the fire road in nine minutes.

I relax now as I saunter along the gentle, grassy path. It’s cool in the canyon shade as the orange glow of the setting sun lingers on the adjacent ridgeline to the east. The dead stalks of fennel standing taller than I show new growth at their base. Cars winding along Hwy 39 below welcome me back to a mechanized world.

5:17 - End Hike. The car thermometer reads 52 degrees.

Epilog - I am always indeed thankful for the gift of living so close to such a wonderful recreational treasure and having the wherewithal to hike. There are folks in parts of our country today being hammered by snow storms, but I get to wear a short-sleeve shirt and venture into the rugged mountains under sunny skies. What a blessing!

See Summit 2843 hike description on Dan's Hiking Pages

NEXT > Summit 2843 via San Gabriel Canyon Hike - February 21, 2015