Lawson Peak and Gaskill Peak in Cleveland National Forest, CA

Hike Lawson Peak and Gaskill Peak Cleveland National Forest, CA

Class 3 8.1 miles 2500 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back May 17, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Even though most of this hike is on an old and heavily eroded dirt road, the fun scrambles make it worth it. From the trailhead (I just parked on the side of the road without blocking the gate), head past the gate and continue on the winding road, Lawson Peak and Gaskill Peak coming in and out of view, until you get to the base of Lawson Peak. A pretty obvious social trail leads up the southeastern side of Lawon Peak, some Class 2 boulders posing as fun obstacles, and around the north side of the peak to a weakness in the boulders, a fifteen foot scramble up a crack and into a cave. A rope was here at the time I did this, but it's still only Class 3 without the rope. There was a register within the cave, but head to the back of the cave and find a way up and out to gain the summit boulder area. Take in the nice views and head back down, where you continue on the dirt road to the east side of Gaskill Peak. A use trail heads through thick brush to a short Class 3 move below the summit. There may be other ways up the scramble that are easier, but it's a short section and the summit of Gaskill Peak has some great views.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Lawson Peak
3660 ft
420 rise
2
Gaskill Peak
3836 ft
1196 rise

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Starting up past the gate.
Starting up past the gate.
Follow an old eroded dirt road.
Follow an old eroded dirt road.
Looking back.
Looking back.
Gaskill Peak peeking out.
Gaskill Peak peeking out.
Lawson Peak left, Gaskill Peak right.
Lawson Peak left, Gaskill Peak right.
Approaching the base of Lawson Peak. Gaskill Peak visible on the right.
Approaching the base of Lawson Peak. Gaskill Peak visible on the right.
Looking toward Lyons Peak before heading up Lawson Peak. It's private property apparently, but looks really cool.
Looking toward Lyons Peak before heading up Lawson Peak. It's private property apparently, but looks really cool.
Starting up Lawson Peak.
Starting up Lawson Peak.
Some Class 2 stuff.
Some Class 2 stuff.
Looking back down the scramble heading up Lawson Peak.
Looking back down the scramble heading up Lawson Peak.
Almost up Lawson Peak, looking toward Gaskill Peak.
Almost up Lawson Peak, looking toward Gaskill Peak.
The trail winds around the northern side of Lawson Peak.
The trail winds around the northern side of Lawson Peak.
Crack in the rock to gain the summit cave (Class 3).
Crack in the rock to gain the summit cave (Class 3).
Cave, looking out.
Cave, looking out.
Head through the cave and find a way to scramble out and up.
Head through the cave and find a way to scramble out and up.
Lawson Peak summit looking toward Gaskill Peak.
Lawson Peak summit looking toward Gaskill Peak.
Lawson Peak summit looking down toward the approach dirt road.
Lawson Peak summit looking down toward the approach dirt road.
Back at the road, heading toward Gaskill (center).
Back at the road, heading toward Gaskill (center).
Gaskill Peak ahead.
Gaskill Peak ahead.
Looking back toward Lawson Peak.
Looking back toward Lawson Peak.
Image 20 from gallery
Social Trail heading up Gaskill Peak.
Social Trail heading up Gaskill Peak.
Brushy social trail.
Brushy social trail.
Looking back down a mini scramble on the way up Gaskill Peak.
Looking back down a mini scramble on the way up Gaskill Peak.
Approaching the Gaskill Peak summit block ahead.
Approaching the Gaskill Peak summit block ahead.
Short Class 3 section to gain the summit.
Short Class 3 section to gain the summit.
Gaskill Peak summit.
Gaskill Peak summit.
Gaskill Peak summit looking toward Lawson Peak. You can see the approach dirt road on the left.
Gaskill Peak summit looking toward Lawson Peak. You can see the approach dirt road on the left.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!