Granite Mountain #1

Round Top and Granite #1, taken from Iron Mountain #3, photo by Sunny Yi

Granite Mountain #1, photo by Steve Russell

Round Top and Granite #1, taken from Iron Mountain #3, Photo by Sunny Yi.

Peak Name

Granite Mountain #1

10E

Elevation

6600

feet

Status

active

Region

Pacifico Mountain Area

Range

San Gabriel Mountains

Nearby peaks

Round Top, Rabbit Peak #1, Iron Mountain #3

Location

34.3713871,-118.0720143

Description

Granite Mountain #1 is a very easy hike from Mill Creek Summit, but it is often combined with Rabbit Pk #1 (5307′), Round Top (6316′) and Iron Mountain #3 (5040′) for a not so easy hike of the Little Four via the Monte Cristo Campground (10 mile loop) or Mill Creek Summit (16.4 mile lollipop). Generous views of the many peaks and canyons of the western San Gabriels, and of the Antelope Valley, accompany this 10-mile 4500′ gain hike. Route 1 describes the fire road from Mill Creek Summit to Granite Mountain #1 (6596′). The last section is off of the graded road. The loop from Monte Cristo Campground is a challenging cross country hike that includes a fire cut that may be one of the steepest trails in all the Angeles Forest. Prepare for route finding and bushwhacking if you embark on those loops.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

2100′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

9.1 miles round trip

Estimated time

4-5 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 9.5 miles to Angeles Forest Highway. Turn left (north).
Go 14.2 miles to Mill Creek Summit. Turn right (east) onto 3N17. 3N17 will most likely be gated and locked. Park in the large parking lot just above the Fire Station.

Hiking route

Hike 3.4 miles up 3N17 to an intersection with 3N90 on the right. Turn right (south).
Hike 0.9 mile on 3N90 to a saddle.
From the saddle (6250′), hike west up a jeep road to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Alternate routes: Granite is often climbed as part of a loop trip with Rabbit Peak #1, Round Top, and Iron Mountain #3, 9.5 miles and 4100′ gain. This loop can be done in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. This is a full day trip.