Round Top

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

Round Top, photo by Steve Russell

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

Peak Name

Round Top

10H

Elevation

6316

feet

Status

active

Region

Pacifico Mountain Area

Range

San Gabriel Mountains

Nearby peaks

Granite Mountain #1, Iron Mountain #3, Rabbit Peak #1

Location

34.352687,-118.067894

Description

Round Top (6316’) is fire road hike from Mill Creek Summit, but it is often combined with Granite Mountain #1 (6596’) Rabbit Pk #1 (5307′) 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 the summit at the end of the fire 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

1700′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

12.6 miles round trip

Estimated time

6 hours

Route Rating

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.
Just above the Fire Station is a large parking lot. Park here

Hiking route

Hike 3.4 miles to an intersection with 3N90 on the right. Turn right (south).
Hike 0.9 mile on 3N90 to a saddle. This is the point to leave the road to hike to Granite Mountain #1.
Continue 2.0 miles to the end of the road which is the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Additional Peak Information

Alternate routes: Round Top is often climbed as part of a loop trip with Granite Mountain #1, Iron Mountain #3, and Rabbit Peak #1, 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. If hiking counter-clockwise (typically from the Monte Cristo Campground), be advised that there is approximately 1600′ gain in less than one mile approaching Round Top.