Pinyon Ridge

Pinyon Ridge, photo by Kathy Wing

Pinyon Ridge, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Pinyon Ridge

13H

Elevation

6535

feet

Status

active

Region

North Of Angeles Crest Hwy 2

Range

San Gabriel Mountains

Nearby peaks

Location

34.394952,-117.753755

Description

Pinyon Ridge, named for the pinyon pine that are found on its slopes, is a rolling ridge that is flanked on one side by Angeles Crest Highway with Baden-Powell rising magnificently to the south of Pinyon, and on the other side perched at the brink of the San Andreas Rift Zone with marvelous views as well. The HPS peak is the high point of that ridge.

The most common route is a pleasant drive (Route 2) or hike (Route 3) if the seasonal gate is closed, on a pretty windy road from Vincent Gap. Route 4 ascends the north ridge from the road below.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 2- Drive-up

Elevation Gain

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

120′ Round Trip

Estimated time

None

Route Rating

Drive-up

Leader Rating Required

“O”, Normal Conditions

Driving route

From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2) drive north on Angeles Crest Highway 50 miles to Vincent Gap.
Turn left on a dirt road that heads uphill. Note your odometer and go as follows:
Go right at an immediate fork.
At 0.9 mile, fork. Go left.
At 2.8 miles, fork in a saddle. Keep left.
At 3.2 miles, park about 75 yards past stake AA10, at the top of a gentle rise.

Hiking route

From the parking area at Vincent Gap (6593′), hike north on the dirt road that heads uphill. One mile up this road, a second road comes in from the left.
Turn left (north and downhill) for 3/4 mile on this road which switchbacks southwest in the process of losing 350′ of elevation to another road junction.
Take the right fork (north) and follow the road to saddle 6360’+ just south of the summit.
Head north beyond the saddle less than 1/2 mile to the top of the ridgeline.
Continue about 75 yards past stake “AA10” at the top of a gentle rise.
The summit cairn is 40 yards north of the road in the brush.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Dirt

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 3

Elevation Gain

1200′, 600′ out, 600′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

6-1/2 miles round trip

Estimated time

2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1 easy

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

Driving route

From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2) drive north on Angeles Crest Highway 50 miles to Vincent Gap. Park here.

Hiking route

Head north beyond the saddle less than 1/2 mile to the top of the ridgeline.
Continue about 75 yards past stake “AA10” at the top of a gentle rise.
The summit cairn is 40 yards north of the road in the brush.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 4

Elevation Gain

1120′ total, 1090′ out, 30′ on return.

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

2 miles round trip

Estimated time

1-1/2 to 2 hours round trip.

Route Rating

Class 2, moderate

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions.

Driving route

From Pomona, drive east on I-10 for 14 miles to I-15.
Drive north on I-15 for 22 miles to SR-138.
Drive west on SR-138 for 8.6 miles to SR-2.
Drive on SR-2 (through Wrightwood) for 8.9 miles to Big Pines Ranger Station.
Just beyond the Ranger Station, turn right on N-4 and reset odometer.
Drive on N-4 for 5.4 miles and park by mil marker 6.12 (5480′).

Hiking route

From the south side of N-4, walk 30 yards through a stand of trees, then follow a dirt road to the left (southeast). The dirt road goes up over a shoulder and descends 30′.
At about 0.2 mile from the parking area, climb up a steep firebreak that follows the south bearing ridgeline.
The ridge becomes less steep around 6200′ and takes you to the summit plateau.

Route Notes

Printable Route