Smith Mountain via Upper Bear Creek in Angeles National Forest, CA

Hike Smith Mountain via Upper Bear Creek Angeles National Forest, CA

Class 2 6.7 miles 1900 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back May 18, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Smith Mountain via Upper Bear Creek GPX Track

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Smith Mountain is a relatively minor summit in the San Gabriel Mountains, but it has a nice Class 2 scramble, a somewhat rare occurence in these sandy mountains. From the Upper Bear Creek Trailhead, a nice trail winds around the sandy hills in the way most San Gabriel Mountains trails do, following the flow of the arroyos that cut through the mountains to create a nice winding and moderate grade. The trail reached the saddle north of Smith Mountain, where a social trail leads steeply along the northern slope of the peak, including a short Class 2 scramble below the summit. I continued past the Smith Mountain summit to get some more views along the ridgeline.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Smith Mountain
5111 ft
831 rise

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The trail parallels the road for a bit as you gain some elevation.
The trail parallels the road for a bit as you gain some elevation.
After turning away from the road, you can see Smith Mountain in the distance.
After turning away from the road, you can see Smith Mountain in the distance.
Looking back toward the trailhead (my little orange Subie is over there).
Looking back toward the trailhead (my little orange Subie is over there).
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
The trail tediously follows the flow of the mountain, causing for lots of back and forth around canyons. You can hike for a while, look over, and see where you were just across the canyon, which makes the hike seem a bit slow-moving.
The trail tediously follows the flow of the mountain, causing for lots of back and forth around canyons. You can hike for a while, look over, and see where you were just across the canyon, which makes the hike seem a bit slow-moving.
Approaching the saddle.
Approaching the saddle.
View from the saddle.
View from the saddle.
At the saddle, looking up toward the steep section toward the summit. To this point, it has been remarkable tame in terms of steepness.
At the saddle, looking up toward the steep section toward the summit. To this point, it has been remarkable tame in terms of steepness.
Mini-scramble. Low class 2.
Mini-scramble. Low class 2.
View from halfway up.
View from halfway up.
Almost at the summit.
Almost at the summit.
View from close to the summit, looking north.
View from close to the summit, looking north.
Summit view looking south.
Summit view looking south.

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!