Copter Ridge

Copter Ridge, photo by Kathy Wing

Copter Ridge (left) with Iron Mountain and Baldy behind, photo by Sunny Yi

Copter Ridge, photo by Steve Russell

Copter Ridge, Photo by Kathy Wing.

Peak Name

Copter Ridge

14L

Elevation

7499

feet

Status

active

Region

South Of Angeles Crest Hwy 2

Range

San Gabriel Mountains

Nearby peaks

Mount Hawkins, Throop Peak

Location

34.3261127,-117.7917267

Description

Copter Ridge, named for a 1953 helicopter crash there, is one of two nearby hikes that require you to summit another peak before reaching it (the other is Ross). In this case, Copter Ridge can only be reached from the summit of Mount Hawkins. From Hawkins, the trail descends a wonderfully forested ridge, accompanied by marvelous views to the east, a magnificent ridgeline drops from Baden-Powell to Ross, and the spectacular San Antonio Ridge makes its daunting traverse from Baldy to Iron; Rattlesnake makes its serpentine ascent from the south; and, Hawkins ridge reaches and stretches impressively to the west. Enjoy the view and save your energy, as you have a great deal of elevation gain on the return,

Route 1 follows a use trail to Windy Gap and then the PCT to Mount Hawkins. Route 2 begins at Dawson Saddle and crosses either over or around Throop Peak before reaching Mount Hawkins. Islip Saddle and Crystal Lake are two additional options for starting points if you are looking for a longer approach.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

3450′ total, 1850′ out plus 1600′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

9 miles round trip on trail and cross-country

Estimated time

6 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, strenuous

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

From I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2), go north on Angeles Crest Highway for 41.6 miles to a parking area on the right just before a gated dirt road at mile marker 66.37. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (7240′), note 3 gullies on the south side of the highway. The large center gully has a vertical culvert pipe at the bottom. On the left side of the gully there is an obvious use trail.
Hike up this use trail, bearing about 210° 1/4 mile to Windy Gap (7588′).
Continue east on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) for 1.5 miles farther to saddle 8400′, where a trail forks to the south. This is the turnoff for Middle Hawkins and South Mount Hawkins (LO).
Take the left (east) fork, the PCT, up past bump 8800’+ and on to where the trail arrives on the ridge northeast of the summit. Here there is a fork to the southwest along the ridge. This is the turnoff for Throop Peak.
Turn right and follow this trail up to the summit of Mount Hawkins.
From here, hike southeast down the slope, picking up a use trail which descends the ridge. Follow it down to about 8350′ where the ridge splits.
Take the right ridge (southeast) and continue following the use trail down to a shallow saddle at 7400′- and up about 150′ to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 2- From Dawson Saddle

Elevation Gain

3000′ total, 1300′ out plus 1700′ on return

Navigation Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

9.6 miles round trip on trail and cross-country

Estimated time

6 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, strenuous

Leader Rating Required

“I”, normal conditions

Driving route

From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway, drive north on Angeles Crest Highway for about 44.8 miles to a parking area just past Dawson Saddle. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (7920′), cross to the south side of the road to where trail begins. Hike up this trail to a trail junction northeast of Throop Peak.
Turn right and follow the trail about a mile to the saddle northeast of Mount Hawkins. Here there is a prominent use trail branching to the left along the ridge.
Turn left and follow this use trail up to the summit of Mount Hawkins.
From here, hike southeast down the slope, picking up a use trail that descends the ridge. Follow it down to about 8350′ where the ridge splits.
Take the right ridge (southeast) and continue following the use trail down to a shallow saddle at 7400′- and up about 150′ to the summit.

Route Notes

Note: Hiking over the summit of Throop Peak via its northwest trending ridge shortens the distance and time while adding about 400′ of gain round trip.

Printable Route