Sunset Peak

Angeles National Forest, CA San Gabriel + San Bernardino Mountains

Trip stats

Distance
4.9 mi
Net Gain
1,900 ft
Time
2-4 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 2
Route
Out/Back
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
2.5/10
Personality
4/10
Beauty
6/10
Solitude
2.2/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Sunset Peak
    5,796′ elevation · 1,273′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

34.236290, -117.659980

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

May 24, 2019 — The hike to Sunset Peak is short and sweet, with greay views of Mt. San Antonio and the other high peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains. I had to park in the town of Mt. Baldy because there was a gate (apparently it opens June 1?) blocking Glendora Ridge Road. So, I walked along the road for a while until I got the northeastern ridge of Sunset Peak. There are two options for the route: follow the forest road, or follow the ridge. I hate following roads, especially when a pristine trail along a gorgeous ridge is available. It's definitely a lot steeper, and has some ups and downs, adding to the vertical gain.  Toward the top, the trail joins the forest road briefly before continuing up a short Class 2 scramble to the summit.

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Photos

18 photos

  1. Walking along the road since Glendora Ridge Road was closed. Sunset Peak ridgeline visible center.
  2. Close-up of the trail (along the ridge), steeper and in sunlight. The road option is shadowed by trees just to the right of the ridge.
  3. Looking back toward Glendora Ridge Road and the town of Mt. Baldy.
  4. Continuing up Sunset Peak's ridge.
  6. Looking back toward the San Gabriel high peaks, Mt. Baldy (Mount San Antonio) on the left.
  7. Sunset Peak ahead, Mt. Baldy Road leading back to the city visible on the left.
  8. Continuing along the ridgeline. You can see the trail the whole way up.
  9. Looking back. The trail undulates a bit along the ridgeline.
  10. Approaching the false summit.
  11. Looking back again, I was really a fan of the morning light.
  12. Close-up of the ridge. Mt. Baldy top left.
  13. Junction with the road alternative, but I continued along the ridge, seen ahead.
  14. Looking back, you can see the trail along the ridgeline.
  15. Class 2 stuff toward the summit.
  16. Sunset Peak, view west.
  17. Sunset Peak, view south.
  18. Sunset Peak, view north. Mt. Baldy back there. Some weird metal panels on the summit.

Photo 1 of 1

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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GPX track

Sunset Peak GPX route and driving track

The complete GPX track is available to download, so you can load the route straight into your navigation app or device. The trip report, route info, photos and planning details stay free.

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