Pacifico Mountain and Granite Mountain in Angeles National Forest, CA

Hike Pacifico Mountain and Granite Mountain Angeles National Forest, CA

Class 1 12.6 miles 3100 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Jun 4, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Pacifico Mountain is accessible via several hiking trails, the most popular being the Pacific Crest Trail, which passes close to the summit. I was excited to reach this fairly prominent peak within the Angeles National Forest, but more excited to escape the ridiculously hot temperatures down lower. I chose to form a loop with Pacifico Mountain and nearby Granite Mountain.

I parked at the end of Pacifico Mountain Road at Pony Park Day Use Area, south of Mill Creek Summit (a saddle along the highway). The PCT doesn't officially reach this trailhead, so I had to use a social spur trail to access it, though I could have just started my hike from Mill Creek Summit.

The first few miles were well-carved singletrack, the result of serious trail maintenance required to keep it from eroding along these steep, brushy slopes. The views were nice in the morning, and I definitely enjoyed the very tame grade of the PCT to warm up my legs. Eventually, it reached a ridge and started south, where the brushy slope opened up into a more meadowy aesthetic and Pacifico Mountain came into view. The PCT then continues skirting the slopes, only gaining slight elevation as it progresses to the saddle on the west side of Pacifico Mountain. I really enjoyed the last bit to the saddle, expansive views unobscured by brush or trees.

The PCT doesn't officially reach Pacifico Mountain, but a well-worn social trail leads steeply and directly east up to it, where picnic tables and a closed bathroom awaited. The views are really nice from up here, but the surrounding hills all sort of blended together. A cluster of boulders at the summit caught my eye. I realized then that technically the summit block is Class 4, but I'm pretty sure most people who make it up here don't think to climb the highest rock pillar. I considered reaching the true high point some fun extra credit.

I backtracked to the saddle and started the loop portion of my hike, which required a few miles of road walking along Pacifico Mountain Road. There were more great views along this section, and even though I'm not fond of road walks, this was a much faster way back than taking the PCT again, and I was able to tack on another summit. Granite Mountain was visible ahead.

I reached a junction with Round Top Truck Trail, taking this south and reaching the northern ridge of Granite Mountain. From here it was a steep hike up the grassy slope, with basically no brush to contend with. There are a few points competing for the high point, so I tagged each of them. I backtracked along the road and continued the descent. There was one major road switchback that was easily skipped by using a well-traveled social trail.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Pacifico Mountain
7124 ft
1563 rise
2
Granite Mountain
6598 ft
374 rise

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Starting from the Pony Park Day Use Area parking lot, I followed this dirt road and located a spur social trail to gain the PCT.
Starting from the Pony Park Day Use Area parking lot, I followed this dirt road and located a spur social trail to gain the PCT.
Along the PCT, looking back toward Mill Creek Summit.
Along the PCT, looking back toward Mill Creek Summit.
The PCT wraps along the slopes and leads left of where the sun is coming up.
The PCT wraps along the slopes and leads left of where the sun is coming up.
Pretty trail along the steep slope.
Pretty trail along the steep slope.
Some encroaching spring brush, but the PCT was in excellent shape.
Some encroaching spring brush, but the PCT was in excellent shape.
The PCT weaves in and out of gullies as it skirts the slopes.
The PCT weaves in and out of gullies as it skirts the slopes.
Image 6 from gallery
Image 7 from gallery
Image 8 from gallery
Eventually it reaches a ridge and follows it. Pacifico Mountain on the left.
Eventually it reaches a ridge and follows it. Pacifico Mountain on the left.
Pretty section away from the brushy slope. Granite Mountain seen on the right poking up.
Pretty section away from the brushy slope. Granite Mountain seen on the right poking up.
Ascending along the ridge, Pacifico Mountain seen left.
Ascending along the ridge, Pacifico Mountain seen left.
View back along the ridge.
View back along the ridge.
The PCT then skirts the slope again.
The PCT then skirts the slope again.
View back along the slope.
View back along the slope.
This was a vey pretty section of the hike.
This was a vey pretty section of the hike.
Wide shot back.
Wide shot back.
Pacifico Mountain visible ahead.
Pacifico Mountain visible ahead.
Another shot back.
Another shot back.
Nearing the saddle on the west side of Pacifico Mountain.
Nearing the saddle on the west side of Pacifico Mountain.
The PCT does not reach the summit, but this well-beaten social trail climbs steeply up.
The PCT does not reach the summit, but this well-beaten social trail climbs steeply up.
View back, Granite Mountain seen center.
View back, Granite Mountain seen center.
Ascending to Pacifico Mountain.
Ascending to Pacifico Mountain.
Just below the summit, a view back. The lump in the distant center is Mount Gleason.
Just below the summit, a view back. The lump in the distant center is Mount Gleason.
Summit boulders of Pacifico Mountain, the true high point.
Summit boulders of Pacifico Mountain, the true high point.
True summit pillar.
True summit pillar.
On top of the summit pinnacle of Pacifico Mountain. You can see the Class 4 moves for the summit pillar below.
On top of the summit pinnacle of Pacifico Mountain. You can see the Class 4 moves for the summit pillar below.
Picnic tables at the summit.
Picnic tables at the summit.
Along Pacifico Mountain Road.
Along Pacifico Mountain Road.
Granite Mountain seen left.
Granite Mountain seen left.
Along the Round Top Truck Trail to access Granite Mountain.
Along the Round Top Truck Trail to access Granite Mountain.
Granite Mountain ahead.
Granite Mountain ahead.
Off-trail to gain the summit.
Off-trail to gain the summit.
Easy walking up the ridge/slope.
Easy walking up the ridge/slope.
View back along the ascent to Granite Mountain, Pacifico Mountain seen on the right.
View back along the ascent to Granite Mountain, Pacifico Mountain seen on the right.
Granite Mountain summit.
Granite Mountain summit.
Granite Mountain summit view, looking west.
Granite Mountain summit view, looking west.
Back on the Pacifico Mountain Road, which I took back.
Back on the Pacifico Mountain Road, which I took back.
A quick spur trail that cuts off a switchback in the road. The trailhead is seen on the right, below.
A quick spur trail that cuts off a switchback in the road. The trailhead is seen on the right, below.

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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!