Three Peak Circuit

Dogs Leashed

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A very nice out and back if you want to bag several local peaks in one go with minimal driving from the LA area. You can expect to see lots of people around Mt. Lowe and San Gabriel Peak but it is a little less common to link all three together. Cumulatively they make for a nice workout, although several sections are rocky and a little steep. Very nicely shaded for much of the initial climb up the Bill Reilly Trail, with things opening up after you reach Mount Disappointment.

Forest Adventure Pass is required to park along HWY 2. These can be purchased at the Clear Creek Information Center as well as the Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center. Pit toilets are also available at those locations.

The initial section consists of several switchbacks up a steep initial grade, followed by a nicely runnable section to Mount Disappointment and then over to San Gabriel Peak. The section down from San Gabriel is a little uneven but overall pretty nice. The run over to Mount Lowe is nice and low grade, leading to some nice panoramic views of the city. Return the way you came, having just bagged three decent peaks. Most of the way back up towards Mount Disappointment is a little steep but a nice pace can be kept. The return down the Bill Reilly Trail is a little steep on the downhill but can be done quickly and with the luxury of knowing your car is right at the base of the decline.

Some nice Los Angeles history tidbits at the top of Mt. Lowe, there were plans to build a railway all the way to the top with a hotel and a cable car over to the summit of San Gabriel Peak. The project stalled and ended at nearby Echo Mountain.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount…