Pine Mountain #1
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Pine Mountain #1 is a remote peak that is hidden behind Mount San Antonio until you are on the final ridge of the Devil’s Backbone trail. This hike is often combined with Wright Mountain and Dawson Peak, ascending a pine-studded ridge that continues on to Baldy which some have called the “other Devil’s Backbone trail”. Once you get to Pine you will probably want to continue further to Dawson Peak and enjoy the surrounding views of a commanding Baldy to the south, Stockton Flats and Lytle Creek to the east, Fish Fork and Wild View to the west, and Blue Ridge to the north. Continuing all the way to Baldy would be a strenuous but perfect day.
Routes 1 and 2 begin off the Blue Ridge Road, which is subject to seasonal closure. If the gate at Guffy Camp is closed this adds 1.8 miles each way on road. The routes then climb straight up the ridge. One can also reach these peaks from Wrightwood via the Acorn Trail (see the description for Wright Mountain Route 3). One could even do a giant hike from Wrightwood all the way to Mount Baldy if you organize a very long car shuttle. The remoteness and beauty of Pine and Dawson are certainly a draw, but no matter the route you choose, it requires solid planning and conditioning.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Go east on I-10 to I-15.
Go north on I-15 to SR 138. Turn left (west).
Go west on SR 138 to the junction with SR 2. Turn left.
Go southwest on SR 2 through Wrightwood and 4 miles further to the junction with N4. Keep left on SR 2.
Go 1.8 miles farther to a large parking area on both sides of the road. At the beginning of the left parking area is the Blue Ridge Road (dirt). Take this road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 0.3 mile, fork. Keep right.
At 1.4 miles, fork at a ski run. Keep left.
At 2.4 miles, Blue Ridge Campground (pavement ends).
At 5.1 miles, Guffy Campground on the left. Keep right and go through a gate.
At 5.6 miles, fork. Keep left.
At 7.2 miles, the road swings left around a ridge with a parking area on the right. Park here. This is also the trailhead for Wright Mountain and Dawson Peak.
Hiking route
At the parking area (8310′), there is a spade marker with a red and white sign and a wooden sign with the legend “Sheep Mountain Wilderness”.
Follow the obvious trail (quite steep in spots) over several bumps to Pine Mountain which is just to the left of the trail.
Special conditions: The gate at Guffy Campground is sometimes closed. It is possible to hike the peak from the campground via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which passes along the north side of the campground. See Route 2.
Driving route
Go east on I-10 to I-15.
Go north on I-15 to SR 138. Turn left (west).
Go west on SR 138 to the junction with SR 2. Turn left.
Go southwest on SR 2 through Wrightwood and 4 miles further to the junction with N4. Keep left on SR 2.
Go 1.8 miles farther to a large parking area on both sides of the road. At the beginning of the left parking area is the Blue Ridge Road (dirt). Take this road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 0.3 mile, fork. Keep right.
At 1.4 miles, fork at a ski run. Keep left.
At 2.4 miles, Blue Ridge Campground (pavement ends).
At 5.1 miles, Guffy Campground on the left. Keep left, go about 0.2 mile, and park at the east end of Guffy Campground (8250′). Do not occupy a campsite unless you plan to use it.
Hiking route
Hike east past the outhouse, going along a ridge that leads down to the PCT. Follow the PCT past the intersection with the Acorn Trail (to Wrightwood).
Continue along the PCT for about 0.7 mile until the parking area (8310′) for Route 1 is visible below you to your right.
Hike down to the parking area for Route 1. There is a spade marker with a red and white sign and a wooden sign with the legend “Sheep Mountain Wilderness” at the parking area.
Follow the obvious trail (quite steep in spots) over several bumps to Pine Mountain which is just to the left of the trail.
Route Notes
Additional Peak Information
Alternate routes: Drive to the trailhead for Gobblers Knob (6400′). See driving instructions for Gobblers Knob. Walk west along the PCT to the parking area for Route 1. The additional distance to the parking area for Route 1 is about 5 1/2 miles round trip with 2000′ of additional gain. Class 1, strenuous.
Special conditions: The gate at Guffy Campground may be closed. It is possible to hike the peak from the campground via the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which passes near the campground.
The ridge up to the peak is also known as the “Other Devil’s Backbone”. It has very steep slopes on both sides and can be very dangerous in icy conditions.
The Blue Ridge Road goes through the top of a ski resort. This road is always closed at the SR 2 junction during the ski season.
The peak is in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. Permits are not required for day hikes at this time.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
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