Mount McDill
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
As the high point of the Sierra Pelona Mountains, McDill has 360-degree views, including the San Andreas fault to the north and Vasquez Rocks, thrust up by the fault, to the southwest.
Route 1 follows the PCT from the north (rerouted since the USFS maps were drawn). Route 2, the McDill Trail to the summit, travels on trail to meet the road that traverses the ridge. Route 3 takes the PCT from the south to meet the road.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Take CA 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) to Palmdale. Exit onto Palmdale Blvd. East. Turn left and go west.
Continue 8.3 miles (Palmdale Blvd will become Elizabeth Lake Road) to the junction with Bouquet Canyon Road. Turn left (south).
In 3.9 miles, the Pacific Crest Trail intersects Bouquet Canyon Road, with a large dirt parking area on the left (south) side of the road. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area, follow the Pacific Crest Trail south for 2.77 miles to the crest of the Sierra Pelona Ridge. (This is just east of bump 4614′
Turn left (east) and follow the fire road for 2.38 miles to where it intersects with a road coming in on the left (north) at about elevation 4887′ (this is the road coming in from Route 2). Keep straight and hike 0.68 mile further to the summit.
There are four bumps of similar elevation in the summit area. The first has a “Mint” benchmark; the second is the summit of McDill.
Note: The dirt road on the ridge divides and recombines several times. If you prefer the lower angle option, stay left (north) for the first three and right (south) for the last two.
A variation to this route (also shown on the maps) is to leave the PCT after 1.6 miles and short cut up to the ridgeline on a steep use trail. The statistics for this variation are 9.4 miles round trip with 2028′ gain (1956′ out plus 112′ on return).
Driving route
Take CA 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) to Palmdale. Exit onto Palmdale Blvd. East. Turn left and go west.
Continue 8.3 miles (Palmdale Blvd will become Elizabeth Lake Road) to the junction with Bouquet Canyon Road. Turn left (south).
In 3.3 miles, a vague summit known locally as Lincoln Crest. A gated dirt road is on the left, and an “Angeles Forest” sign on the right. Park where safe on the wide shoulder of Bouquet Canyon Road.
Hiking route
From the parking area, hike south up the dirt road.
Soon after passing the gate, the road forks with the right branch heading away from the power lines. Stay left.
About a mile in, the road forks under the power lines, and rejoins. About five minutes after that (if you’re hiking slowly), the road bends left and goes vaguely downhill. An unsigned trail leaves the road on the right. Take the trail.
Follow the trail for a mile or so until it intersects a dirt road at a switchback. Note your location for the return. Turn right onto the road.
This road eventually (1/4 mile) intersects the fire road that follows the ridge. (This is the fire road in Route 1.) Turn left (east) on the fire road.
Follow the fire road for .68 miles further to the summit.
There are four bumps of similar elevation in the summit area. The first has a “Mint” benchmark; the second is the summit of McDill.
Route Notes
Driving route
Take CA 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) to Agua Dulce. Exit Agua Dulce Canyon Road, and go north. Reset odometer and continue as follows:
1.8 miles stop sign. Turn left to continue on Agua Dulce Canyon Road and pass through the town of Agua Dulce.
4.2 miles, stop sign at Sierra Highway, turn left.
4.3 miles, turn immediately right onto Mint Canyon Road.
4.5 miles, Peterson Road. Make a U-turn and park on Mint Canyon Road.
Hiking route
From the parking area (2750′), walk north on Peterson Road for 200 yards to a dirt road on right with Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) emblem on a post.
Turn right on this dirt road and follow it for 0.5 mile to where a trail, with a PCT post, takes off to the left, turn here.
Continue north for 5 miles to the Sierra Pelona Ridge Road (4500′). Turn right.
In 0.5 mile, the PCT takes off to the left. This is where the trail comes in from Route 1. Continue straight on the road.
Follow the fire road for 2.38 miles to where it intersects with a road coming in on the left (north) at about elevation 4887′ (this is the road coming in from Route 2). Keep straight and hike 0.68 mile further to the summit.
There are four bumps of similar elevation in the summit area. The first has a “Mint” benchmark; the second is the summit of McDill.
Note: The dirt road on the ridge divides and recombines several times. If you prefer the lower angle option, stay left (north) for the first three and right (south) for the last two.
Additional Peak Information
Note: The trail heads for Route 1 and Route 2 are only a mile apart, allowing for a simple car shuttle or a nice loop hike.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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