
Starting along Shoemaker Canyon Road.

Shoemaker Canyon Road is easy doubletrack walking.

Leaving Shoemaker Canyon Road when we located the spur trail toward Rattlesnake Peak.

Ascending the trail.

Steep and eroded at points.

View back as we make progress up toward Rattlesnake Peak.

Many little lumps along the ridgeline to Rattlesnake Peak.

Some rocky portions along the way.

Though we were socked-in, the ridgeline was really pretty.


A short descent along the ridgeline.

Some rockier terrain.

We emerged from the fog as we neared the summit.

View back down along the ridgeline.

Rattlesnake Peak ahead.


Continuing along the ridgeline to the summit, now above the clouds.

View back as we near Rattlesnake Peak's summit.

Rattlesnake Peak ahead.

Rattlesnake Peak summit, view northwest.

Amanda on the summit.

Close-up west.


Summit view, northeast. For our descent, we headed along the eastern ridge, seen right.

A lesser-traveled trail along the eastern ridge of Rattlesnake Peak.

View back up as we descend via the east ridge.

Gorgeous views as we descend from Rattlesnake Peak along it's east ridge.

View back up toward the summit.

San Gabriel River below in the clouds.

East ridge seen ahead.


Steep descent.

Another shot back at our progress.

The trail was usually easy to follow, but overgrown and we often lost it for short spurts.

Back into the fog as we descend.

Brushy at certain points.

And very steep and eroded at other points.

The trail leaves the ridgeline and descends south along the slope.

View back up toward the east ridge, Amanda cheesin'.

Nearing the Shoemaker Canyon Road roadbed, below. San Gabriel River seen left of center.

Along the brushy roadbed of Shoemaker Canyon Road.

Approaching the first tunnel.

The trail totally disappeared into poison oak, so we dropped into a drainage.

Entering the first tunnel.

Past the tunnel, Shoemaker Canyon Road was easy to walk along.

We passed these stacked towers of bee colonies. The buzzing was really loud.

Along Shoemaker Canyon Road.

Passing through another tunnel.

View back toward the tunnel, San Gabriel River on the right.

Back at the Shoemaker Viewpoint Day Use Area Trailhead.
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