Luna Mountain
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Luna and its cousins Rattlesnake and Round, near Hesperia, are on the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, where the forest descends to open rocky scrub land and then to desert. The terrain and vistas are interesting and varied, from the high alpine landscape of Big Bear to the expansive panorama of the high desert. All three peaks, usually hiked in combination, are easy hikes on sometimes rocky use trail and or cross country, and require high clearance vehicles to reach them on rough road.
Route 1 drives in on the more eastern of the two driving routes, passing Rattlesnake Mountain along the way. It follows a good use trail to the peak. Route 2 drives in on the more western of the two driving routes, passing Round Mountain along the way. It is a short walk on old road to join Route1.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Drive east on I-10 and north on I-15 to the Hesperia turnoff.
Go east on Main Street in Hesperia for 7.2 miles to the “Y” junction of Rock Springs Road (on the left) and Arrowhead Lake Road (the main road continuing on the right). Turn left (east) on Rock Springs Road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 2.9 miles, a four-way stop at Kiowa Way. Continue straight as Rock Springs Road becomes Roundup Way.
At 5.9 miles, pavement ends. Continue east.
At 7.3 miles, intersection with the Bowen Ranch Road. Turn right (south).
At 8.2 miles, fork. Keep left.
At 9.4 miles, junction with Coxey Truck Trail (3N14), keep left. Note your odometer again and go as follows:
At 4.4 miles, pass through a gate.
At 4.9 miles, parking area on the right. This is the parking spot for Rattlesnake Mountain.
At 5.0 miles, fork. Turn right on 3N59.
At 5.9 miles, fork. Keep left.
At 6.8 miles, park where a jeep road forks to the right.
Hiking route
From the parking area (5234′), hike west down across the small canyon and continue up to the summit which is in view and is marked by a tall pole.
Driving route
Follow the instructions for Route 1 until the junction with 3N14 at 9.4 miles. Instead of going left, keep right. Note your odometer again and go as follows:
At 1.5 miles, cattle guard. Continue.
At 2.0 miles, a fork on the left just before a deep dip in the main road. Turn left.
At 2.9 miles, fork. This is the turnoff for Round Mountain. Keep straight.
At 3.4 miles, forks to right then left. Keep straight.
At 3.8 miles, fork to the left just before a ranch with a lot of junk Volkswagen cars. Turn left.
At 4.1 miles, fork. Passenger vehicles may wish to park here and continue on foot. Turn right and proceed over a steep hill.
At 4.6 miles, a parking area just before the road turns right and goes downhill. Park here (UTM 883013).
Hiking route
From the parking area (5050′), head south up the slope to where you meet a road.
Turn left (east) on this road and hike about 1/2 mile to where the road begins to level off.
Leave the road on the right and hike south up the slope gaining the summit ridge.
Continue south along this ridge to the summit which is marked by a telephone pole with a radio repeater.
Route Notes
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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