Mount Disappointment

Mount Disappointment is found above and south of Red Box Picnic Area in the San Gabriel Mountains. Its name originates from the efforts of the famed Wheeler Survey, who chose it for their survey thinking it was the highest peak in the area but were “disappointed” to note an approximately 200-foot taller San Gabriel Peak to the east. More about its interesting history can be found in the summit history. Today it is a telecommunications site for government organizations with a large active helipad at the summit. Besides an interesting history, the peak offers excellent views of the L.A. Basin, the surrounding mountains (Santa Monicas, Hollywood Hills, Verdugos, Santa Susanas, and San Gabriels), the Channel Islands, and San Fernando Valley.

Route 1 starts from Red Box and follows the North San Gabriel Peak Trail, built in the 1980s and still maintained by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Trailbuilders under the direction of engineer Bill Reilly, and is often called by that name. This trail cuts left up the ridge near where the 2N52 road starts and winds up a beautiful forested ridge to the intersection with the same road near the top. From there it is a short walk to the summit. Route 2 is an unexciting road walk that allows a detour to Mount Deception.