Mount Lukens Loop in Angeles National Forest, CA

Hike Mount Lukens Loop Angeles National Forest, CA

Class 1 9.9 miles 2700 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Apr 28, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mount Lukens Loop GPX Track

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Mount Lukens is the high point within Los Angeles' limits, but it gets a lot less attention than many other hiking areas outside of the LA metro sprawl despite having a great trail system. Starting from Deukmejian Wilderness Park, Chris and I decided we wanted to hike the peak as a loop in a counter-clockwise direction. This would allow us to ascend on a trail and then descend the way that utilizes a service road for about half of it.

We followed the paved stairs along the Dunsmore Canyon Trail after passing the many amenities within the park, then located the start of the Crescenta View Trail. This crossed over a little dam before starting up a bunch of switchbacks. The views improved slightly on the way up Mount Lukens, but they were mostly just down toward the city sprawl. The summit ocassionally came into view as the trail switchbacked up toward Mount Lukens Road. Well-maintained and steep enough to be a solid workout, we hiked quickly to beat the quickly increasing temperature.

The Mount Lukens service road took us to the summit, where we found a nice view point of the San Gabriels and a bunch of radio towers. We took a social trail heading northwest along the ridge, which dropped us onto Haines Canyon Road. This road took us down for a couple of miles to a junction with the Rim of the Valley Trail. This was a much less well-maintained trail than the Crescenta View Trail. While easy to follow, it was eroded at points and brush encroached lightly.

The Rim of the Valley Trail descended into a drainage with a flowing creek. An easy creek crossing and a short hike through the canyon were nice additions to the otherwise pretty similar views we experienced on the hike. The trail climbed a few hundred vertical out of the canyon and we took the Le Mesnager Loop Trail at a junction. Rather than take the more direct eastern portion along the Le Mesnager Loop Trail back to the trailhead, we added a few unnecessary switchbacks through the wildflowers using the slightly longer western portion of the short loop trail.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Lukens
5074 ft
1794 rise

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Starting from Deukmejian Wilderness Park along the Dunsmore Canyon Trail.
Starting from Deukmejian Wilderness Park along the Dunsmore Canyon Trail.
Starting up the Crescenta View Trail, Mount Lukens above.
Starting up the Crescenta View Trail, Mount Lukens above.
The trail winds around on the slopes, switchbacking.
The trail winds around on the slopes, switchbacking.
Some early morning shade at one of the many switchbacks.
Some early morning shade at one of the many switchbacks.
Views into the city below.
Views into the city below.
Image 5 from gallery
Progress up the switchbacks along the Crescenta View Trail. Mount Lukens seen on the left.
Progress up the switchbacks along the Crescenta View Trail. Mount Lukens seen on the left.
Close-up along the slopes.
Close-up along the slopes.
A section along the Crescenta View Trail where it follows the ridgeline.
A section along the Crescenta View Trail where it follows the ridgeline.
More switchbacks overlooking the city.
More switchbacks overlooking the city.
Mount Lukens getting closer.
Mount Lukens getting closer.
Approaching Mount Lukens Road.
Approaching Mount Lukens Road.
View back just before reaching the road.
View back just before reaching the road.
View back as we hike along the road.
View back as we hike along the road.
Mount Lukens just ahead.
Mount Lukens just ahead.
Mount Lukens summit, view south.
Mount Lukens summit, view south.
Mount Lukens summit, view west. We took a social trail along the ridge in order to get down to Haines Canyon Road.
Mount Lukens summit, view west. We took a social trail along the ridge in order to get down to Haines Canyon Road.
Along Haines Canyon Road.
Along Haines Canyon Road.
Descending along Haines Canyon Road.
Descending along Haines Canyon Road.
View back toward Mount Lukens (left).
View back toward Mount Lukens (left).
Switchbacks along the road.
Switchbacks along the road.
Rim of the Valley Trail.
Rim of the Valley Trail.
View back up toward Mount Lukens, now hiking down along the Rim of the Valley Trail.
View back up toward Mount Lukens, now hiking down along the Rim of the Valley Trail.
Narrow trail with some erosion.
Narrow trail with some erosion.
Another shot back up.
Another shot back up.
Continuing our descent along the Rim of the Valley Trail.
Continuing our descent along the Rim of the Valley Trail.
Descending into a canyon.
Descending into a canyon.
Short creek crossing and walk through the canyon.
Short creek crossing and walk through the canyon.
View back into the canyon as the trail ascends out of the canyon.
View back into the canyon as the trail ascends out of the canyon.
Junction with the Le Mesnager Loop Trail.
Junction with the Le Mesnager Loop Trail.
Le Mesnager Loop Trail, leading back to Deukmejian Wilderness Park.
Le Mesnager Loop Trail, leading back to Deukmejian Wilderness Park.

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!