Will Thrall Peak
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
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Location
Description
Will Thrall (1873-1963) was an explorer, writer, historian, and beloved protector of the San Gabriel Mountains whose writings inspired others to visit and learn about our wonderful mountains. You can learn more about him and the local history in the summit history. The peak and its neighbors, Pleasant View Ridge and Pallett Mountain, are reached from the Burkhardt Trail from either on a lovely and popular hike from Angeles Crest Highway at Buckhorn Campground, passing through Cooper Canyon and Cooper Falls, or from Devil’s Punchbowl in the north. It has sweeping views of the Antelope Valley. When you are there be sure to take note of the commemorative plaque near the summit.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2), drive north on Angeles Crest Highway 33.5 miles to the entrance to Buckhorn Campground on the left. Turn left.
Proceed down the entrance road and turn left at the next two forks, then follow the signs “Burkhart Trail” to a large parking area.
If the campground entrance is locked, drive SR 2 another 0.8 mile to the campground exit road, which intersects SR 2 at a sharp angle to the left. Park beside the exit road and hike down through the campground to the signed trailhead. This adds 1 mile and 200′ of gain to the round trip.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6460′), hike north down the Burkhart Trail (10W02) about 2 miles to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) near Cooper Canyon Falls.
Turn right (east) on the PCT, crossing Little Rock Creek (5600′) in about 0.3 mile, and then proceed 100′ farther to a trail junction with the Rattlesnake Trail (signed). Turn left onto the Burkhart Trail.
Follow this trail north over occasionally loose slopes for 3.2 miles to Burkhart Saddle (6959′).
Hike about 0.5 mile west up a steep use trail to the summit. (Pallett Mountain can be reached by turning east at Burkhart Saddle and climbing a steep use trail about 1/2 mile to the summit.)
Driving route
Take the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR 14) northeast toward Palmdale. Get off at the Angeles Forest Highway/Pearblossom Highway.
Go 4.5 miles northeast and then east on Pearblossom Highway to the intersection with SR 138.
Turn right and drive 9 miles to Longview Road (N6) (shown as 131st Street on the 7.5 minute topos) in the town of Pearblossom, where a sign “Devils Punchbowl” points to the right. Turn right (south) onto N6. Note your odometer and proceed as follows:
At 2.0 miles, junction with Fort Tejon Road. Turn left.
At 2.5 miles, junction with Longview Road (N6) (shown as 13st Street on the 7.5 minute topos). Turn right.
At 4.5 miles, signed junction marked “Lewis Ranch” and “Devils Punchbowl” on the left. Turn left.
Drive 3 miles farther to a parking lot at the end of the road at the Devil’s Punchbowl Nature Center. Park in the parking lot. (At the time of this revision, there is no fee.)
Hiking route
From your parking spot (4760′), walk to the signed beginning of the Burkhart Trail next to the portable toilet.
Proceed onto the trail, which swings southwest past a large, green water tank to a trail junction at about 0.7 mile.
Take the right (west) fork, which reads “Burkhart Saddle 6.2 miles”.
After 2 miles the trail descends steeply to a junction with a dirt road. Turn left (south) on this road, signed “Burkhart Saddle 3.7 miles”.
The road passes a windmill high above Cruthers Creek and then descends into the canyon, where you follow a wide trail alignment that heads uphill on the right immediately after crossing the creekbed (4600′).
Ascend the trail for 3.4 miles to Burkhart Saddle (6959′).
Hike about 0.7 mile west up a steep-use trail to the summit. (Pallett Mountain can be reached by turning east at Burkhart Saddle and climbing a steep use trail about 1/2 mile to the summit.)
Route Notes
Additional Peak Information
Peak combinations: Will Thrall Peak, Pleasant View Ridge and Pallett Mountain are generally combined into one trip. The hike to Pleasant View Ridge will add 1.5 miles and 500′ of gain to the statistics above. The hike to Pallett Mountain will add an additional increase to the statistics listed above of 1 mile and 800′ of gain. The grand total for Route 1 would be 15 miles and 4700′ of gain for the three peaks. The grand total for Route 2 would be 18 miles and 5600′ of gain for the three peaks. Hiking time would be adjusted for the additional hiking.
External Links
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External Links
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