San Gabriel Mountains

The San Gabriel Mountains are a transverse mountain range north of the Los Angeles Basin in Southern California, forming a prominent natural barrier between the coastal plain and the Mojave Desert. The range includes peaks, ridges and deep canyons and is a major local recreation area.

Outdoor activities include hiking on an extensive trail network, downhill and cross-country skiing at higher elevations, and day trips to summits such as Mount San Antonio (10,064 feet). The range also contains the Mount Wilson Observatory and other developed sites visible from the Los Angeles area.

The mountains are part of the Transverse Ranges physiographic province and are largely within the Angeles National Forest and neighboring protected areas. Landforms were uplifted by tectonic activity and erosion has produced steep canyons and dramatic relief.

The San Gabriel Mountains lie directly north of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, spanning Los Angeles and western San Bernardino counties; many trailheads are within 20 to 60 kilometres of central Los Angeles.

Angeles Crest Highway: Angeles Crest Highway (State Route 2) traverses the range and provides one of the main high-elevation scenic roads with multiple trailheads along its length.

What to See #

Mount San Antonio (Mount Baldy): Mount San Antonio (commonly called Mount Baldy) rises to 10,064 feet and is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, providing alpine recreation and hiking routes.
Mount Wilson and observatory: Mount Wilson hosts an astronomical observatory at the eastern crest of the range and is accessible by road from the Los Angeles basin.

How to Get to San Gabriel Mountains #

The San Gabriel Mountains are accessed from the Los Angeles area by freeway to foothill access roads: take I-210 (Foothill Freeway) east to exits serving La Cañada/La Crescenta and Angeles Crest Drive (State Route 2) for high-country access, or take I-210/I-10 to SR-39 (Azusa Avenue) for Mount Baldy and eastern trailheads. Driving distance from downtown Los Angeles varies by trailhead - roughly 20-60 miles (30-90 minutes) depending on the destination.

Some areas can be reached by a combination of Metro rail/bus to Pasadena or Glendora and then regional buses or private shuttle services to trailheads, but many trailheads require a car or a taxi from the nearest town; hikes start with short walks from the trailhead parking areas.

Tips for Visiting San Gabriel Mountains #

Start very early on weekdays to beat weekend traffic on Angeles Crest Highway (SR‑2) and to enjoy clearer air and longer, quieter trail access before afternoon smog builds.
Check the U.S. Forest Service website or local ranger stations for current road and trail closures (wildfire and post‑fire trail restrictions are common) before planning routes into the San Gabriel Mountains.
If you want to avoid the busiest trailheads (Mount Wilson, Mount Baldy), explore less frequented access points or canyon trails farther east or north - those areas tend to be quieter outside holiday weekends.
Plan day trips around sunrise for the best light and fewer people; many visitors arrive mid‑morning and concentrate near the main scenic pullouts and popular trailheads.