Wild View Peak

Wild View Peak, taken from Baden Powell, photo by Makko Suzuki

Wild View Peak, photo by Google Earth

Wildview Peak, taken from Baden Powell, Photo by Makko Suzuki.

Peak Name

Wild View Peak

16L

Elevation

7258

feet

Status

active

Region

Mount San Antonio Area

Range

San Gabriel Mountains

Nearby peaks

Pine Mountain Ridge

Location

34.312568,-117.675204

Description

Wild View Peak and its neighbor Pine Mountain Ridge are perhaps the most remote and pristine areas in LA County. Along with stunning views of the northern face of San Antonio Ridge, from its crest to the depths of Upper Fish Fork canyon, it offers a panorama of magnificent peaks: Baldy, Big Iron, Ross, and Baden-Powell included. Wild View Peak is a personal favorite of our beloved Peter Doggett, who gave it its name, and for good reason. The remoteness and solitude are as striking as the panoramas. For Route 1 one drives down rough road from Guffy Camp to remote Lupine Campground. The trail follows a remnant of old road to Pine Mountain Ridge, then turns east to traverse then descent to the peak, which juts out over the Upper Fish Fork. Consider hiking, if brush allows, an additional 500′ down to the abandoned Little Fish Fork campground, where you will feel like you are the only people in the world.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

1744′ total, 1172′ out plus 572′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

5.5 miles round trip on old dirt road and use trail

Estimated time

3 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

Go east on I-10 to I-15.
Go north on I-15 to SR 138
Go west on SR 138 to SR 2
Go through Wrightwood & 4 miles further to N4.
Stay on SR 2 and drive 1.8 miles further to the Blue Ridge Road (3N26).
Turn left on 3N26 and note your odometer.
At 0.2 mile, fork; keep right.
At 1.3 miles, fork; keep left.
At 2.4 miles, Blue Ridge Campground, keep straight, pavement ends.
At 4.4 miles, gate; keep straight.
At 5.1 miles, fork (to Guffy Campground); turn right on 3N06.
At 5.6 miles, fork; turn right on 3N39.
At 8.5 miles, Fish Fork Trailhead. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (6626′), begin in a southwest direction and stay left on the main trail at the first fork, about 100 yards from the parking area.
At about ¼ mile, a flowing spring descends down the gully and crosses the trail.
Follow the trail for about 1¾ miles to the Pine Mountain ridgeline (elevation 7270′). Excellent views from here.
Upon reaching the ridgeline, turn left and follow another dirt road up for ½ mile (gaining 250′) to a sometimes broken Fish Fork Trail sign (elevation 7520′).
Do not continue up the ridge. Instead, head southeast and follow the dirt road and then a use trail for about 1 mile to the summit.
The summit is an obvious high point in a grove of sugar pine trees. There is about 75′ of gain, just as one reaches the top.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Dirt

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Special conditions: The gate at Guffy Campground may be closed. It is possible to hike the peak from the campground via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which passes near the campground.

Note: Contact Angeles National Forest (661) 269-2808, to see if the roads are open. These roads are normally closed each winter from about mid-November until May because of skiers and snow.