Liebre Mountain via Pacific Crest Trail in Angeles National Forest, CA

Hike Liebre Mountain via Pacific Crest Trail Angeles National Forest, CA

Class 1 8.8 miles 2200 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Apr 23, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Liebre Mountain via Pacific Crest Trail GPX Track

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Liebre Mountain is a nice peak at the northern tip of Angeles National Forest. The trailhead can be reached just off Pine Canyon Road at the end of a short dirt spur road that might be easy to miss from the paved road. Some might prefer walking the <0.1mile, but I saw a sedan at the trailhead. This hike follows the Pacific Crest Trail for its majority, leaving it briefly to attain the summit via a forest road. I started along the PCT along the lightly forested and shrubby slope, the views north toward Antelope Valley improving as I slowly gained elevation. I could see the poppies in the distance, a burst of color against the fairly dry landscape.

The PCT switchbacked a bunch of times before ascending directly south and through a more forested setting. I passed the Horse Trail Camp, a nice little campsite amongst a grove of pines. Past the camp the PCT continued ascending. The light was hitting just right and everything was bright green. It was extra nice that the floor was blanketed in grasses while trees hung overhead. The forest lasted longer than I thought it would, but I guess Liebre Mountain gets enough precipitation to support all these trees.

The landscape opened a bit into a meadowy portion of the hike where trees grow more sparsely, a biome I later learned is known as an oak savanna. The trail widened into a doubletrack that's clearly not seen vehicular use in a very long time, aside from maybe someone driving down this way illegally from the forest road above. I passed a few PCT thru-hikers here, most of them likely planning to camp at Horse Trail Camp for the night since it was already getting late in the day. The old dirt road/trail came to a head at the ridge, where I found a fence poorly attempting to prevent motorized vehicle access and a big sign that served as my cue to leave the PCT in order to reach Liebre Mountain. Until recently, the high point of Liebre Mountain was thought to be a knoll a few hundred feet off the trail. I hiked to it just to make sure I got this other high point in case purist high pointers changed their mind again, but excluded this from my attached map.

To reach the western peak, now claimed to be slightly higher, you can choose to head off-trail for a short time to reach the forest road. However, I instead followed a social trail with a clear mountain bike tire mark that paralled the fence. This trail totally avoided the road and actually provided a much more pleasant hike through the savanna, grasses stretching all around. The trail led back to the road ultimately and I was able to access Liebre Mountain from there. The views were minimal since the summit is pretty broad and prevents an expansive overlook, but I could see Pyramid Lake and the Sespe Wilderness in the distance. I hiked back along the dirt road rather than use the secret social trail, and returned to the PCT to head back down.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Liebre Mountain
5760 ft
1080 rise

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The PCT trailhead.
The PCT trailhead.
Just after starting along the PCT, a view back. You can see Pine Canyon Road below as well.
Just after starting along the PCT, a view back. You can see Pine Canyon Road below as well.
Ascending along the PCT's initial lengthy switchbacks.
Ascending along the PCT's initial lengthy switchbacks.
Image 3 from gallery
Ascending the north slope, mostly just brushy terrain.
Ascending the north slope, mostly just brushy terrain.
Passing the Horse Trail Camp.
Passing the Horse Trail Camp.
A small clearing, Liebre Mountain's ridge seen above.
A small clearing, Liebre Mountain's ridge seen above.
Grasses below and trees being killed by American mistletoe.
Grasses below and trees being killed by American mistletoe.
Very nice lighting trough a pine grove.
Very nice lighting trough a pine grove.
Ascending through a surprisingly beautiful forested setting.
Ascending through a surprisingly beautiful forested setting.
Emerging into an oak savanna.
Emerging into an oak savanna.
View back the way I came.
View back the way I came.
The PCT continues to ascend through the little savanna.
The PCT continues to ascend through the little savanna.
A view back, Antelope Valley below.
A view back, Antelope Valley below.
A wide open section on the hillside.
A wide open section on the hillside.
Ascending to the ridge, seen above.
Ascending to the ridge, seen above.
A shot back before reaching the spot I'd be leaving the PCT.
A shot back before reaching the spot I'd be leaving the PCT.
A sign and this fence mark where I deviate from the PCT. I took the social trail seen on the left rather than head to the forest road.
A sign and this fence mark where I deviate from the PCT. I took the social trail seen on the left rather than head to the forest road.
The cute trail leads through more savanna.
The cute trail leads through more savanna.
And then more beautiful forest.
And then more beautiful forest.
The social trail ultimately led me to the forest road, which I took to the summit of Liebre Mountain.
The social trail ultimately led me to the forest road, which I took to the summit of Liebre Mountain.
Liebre Mountain summit view.
Liebre Mountain summit view.
Close-up toward Pyramid Lake.
Close-up toward Pyramid Lake.
I took the forest road back to the PCT.
I took the forest road back to the PCT.
Some open views along the forest road.
Some open views along the forest road.

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!