Old Mount Emma

Old Mount Emma, photo by Tao Zhang

Old Mount Emma, photo by Sunny Yi

Old Emma, photo by Sunny Yi

Old Emma, Photo by Sunny Yi.

Peak Name

Old Mount Emma

10B

Elevation

5063

feet

Status

active

Region

Pacifico Mountain Area

Range

San Gabriel Mountains

Nearby peaks

Mount Emma, Cole Point

Location

34.476073,-118.052612

Description

Old Mount Emma and her big sister Mount Emma offer relatively short, moderately steep hikes on old roads, trails and cross country. Old Emma is commonly hiked with Emma, either out and back or as a loop. The peak has expansive views of the high desert to the north and the surrounding mountains, including those of the beautiful Angeles National Forest.

Route 1 goes up a wash then ridges. Route 2 is from Emma. There are numerous other possible alternative routes and combinations.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1

Elevation Gain

1000′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

2 1/2 miles round trip cross-country

Estimated time

2 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“I”, 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 about 20 miles to the Mount Emma Road. Turn right (northeast).
Continue 3.5 miles to spade mileage marker 3.96. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (4000′), hike back (southwest) on the highway about 50 yards to a dirt road leading into a wash on the southeast side of the road.
Follow the dirt road up the wash about 300 yards.
Then follow the 4WD tracks up a ridge on the left to the top of the Mount Emma main ridge.
Follow this ridge to the visible summit. Be sure to stay northeast of the ridge which separates the climbing route from a shooting area.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 2

Elevation Gain

500′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

1 3/4 miles one way on firebreak

Estimated time

1 1/2 hours one way

Route Rating

Class 1, easy

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

Driving route

See the Mount Emma guide.

Hiking route

From the summit of Mount Emma, continue northeast along the ridge to the summit of Old Mount Emma. The ridge between the two Emmas has a down, then an up, then a down, then a final up. There is a spectacular view of the Antelope Valley and as far as Olancha Peak in the Sierras.

Route Notes

From Mount Emma.

Printable Route