Wright Mountain
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Wright, named for Sumner Banks Wright, who owned and developed the town of Wrightwood, may seem like an afterthought to those hiking on to Pine and Dawson, but it is interesting and beautiful in its own right. It steep cliffs, viewed from the town, are dramatic. There is usually a large American flag on the summit.
Route 1 is a short easy walk up the southwest ridge from the road and PCT. Route 2 starts from Guffy Camp, most of which can be driven if the gate is open, follows the west ridge from the PCT. Route 3, much prettier and interesting, follows the Acorn Trail from the town of Wrightwood. This trail is moderately steep and well maintained until departing from the PCT, which now goes around, not over, the summit. This trail gets icy in winter.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Go east on I-10 to I-15.
Go north on I-15 to SR 138. Turn left (west).
Go west on SR 138 to the junction with SR 2. Turn left.
Go southwest on SR 2 through Wrightwood and 4 miles further to the junction with N4. Keep left on SR 2.
Go 1.8 miles farther to large parking areas on both sides of the road. At the beginning of the left parking area is the Blue Ridge Road (dirt). Take this road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 0.3 mile, fork. Keep right.
At 1.4 miles, fork at a ski run. Keep left.
At 2.4 miles, Blue Ridge Campground (pavement ends).
At 5.1 miles, Guffy Campground on the left. Keep right and go through a gate.
At 5.6 miles, fork. Keep left.
At 7.2 miles, the road swings left around a ridge with a parking area on the right (limited parking). Park here. This is also the trailhead for Pine Mountain #1 and Dawson Peak.
Hiking route
From the parking area (8310′), cross the road and hike north up the slope to a jeep road at the top of the bank.
Follow the road north down through a dip keeping left at a fork.
Continue up as it winds to the left to the summit.
The summit is indistinct. Be alert for a triangular yellow sign and a cairn about 30′ to the right of the road.
Driving route
Go east on I-10 to I-15.
Go north on I-15 to SR 138. Turn left (west).
Go west on SR 138 to the junction with SR 2. Turn left.
Go southwest on SR 2 through Wrightwood and 4 miles further to the junction with N4. Keep left on SR 2.
Go 1.8 miles farther to a large parking area on both sides of the road. At the beginning of the left parking area is the Blue Ridge Road (dirt). Take this road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 0.3 mile, fork. Keep right.
At 1.4 miles, fork at a ski run. Keep left.
At 2.4 miles, Blue Ridge Campground (pavement ends).
At 5.1 miles, Guffy Campground turnoff on the left. Keep left, go about 0.2 mile, and park at east end of Guffy Campground (8250′). Do not occupy a campsite unless you plan to use it.
Hiking route
Hike east past the outhouse, going along a ridge that leads down to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
Follow the PCT past the intersection with the Acorn Trail (to Wrightwood).
Continue to a saddle and find a use trail to the left up a slope with a steep cliff on its left (north).
Go up this trail, which turns into an old road, keeping left.
Go to the highest point to find the register in a large rock cairn near the cliff.
Route Notes
Driving route
Go east on I-10 to I-15.
Go north on I-15 to SR 138. Turn left (west).
Go west on SR 138 to the junction with SR 2. Turn left.
Go southwest on SR 2 to Spruce Street in Wrightwood. Turn left (south).
Go south one block on Spruce Street to Evergreen Road. Turn right (west).
Go west one block on Evergreen Road to Acorn Drive. Turn left (south).
Drive to the intersection of Acorn Drive and Finch Road. Park here off the paved road. Do not drive up the privately owned and marked section of Acorn Drive.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6360′), hike up the privately owned and posted Acorn Drive to its end at a gate.
Pass the gate and hike about 100′ to a “T” junction. Turn right at the “T” junction and hike up the dirt road to the Acorn Trail.
Follow the trail as it switchbacks up the east slope of the canyon just behind a water tank.
After about 2 miles it meets the PCT.
Turn left (south) on the PCT and go about 1/4 mile to a jeep road.
Turn left on this road and follow it about 1/2 mile to the summit.
Note: The Forest Service has advised the Mountain Records Chair (11-15-2001) that hikers can hike up the private and posted section of Acorn Drive to gain access to the Acorn Trail. If difficulties with landowners are encountered, please advise the Mountain Records Chair.
Additional Peak Information
Special conditions: The Blue Ridge Road goes through the top of a ski resort. This road is always closed at the SR 2 junction during the ski season.
Alternate routes: Drive to the trailhead for Gobblers Knob (6400′). See driving instructions for Gobblers Knob. Walk west along the PCT to the parking area for Route 1. The additional distance to the parking area for Route 1 is about 5 1/2 miles round trip with 2000′ of additional gain. Route is class 1 and moderate. Navigation is easy. Leader Rating is “O”, normal conditions.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
We welcome your comments, reviews, tips, photos and trip reports!
You must be logged in to upload images.
Sign up to post your trip reports, photos and comments, and to receive occasional updates about news and events
