Angeles Crest - Red Box Station to San Gabriel Peak

IMPORTANT CHANGE OF ITINERARY FOR THIS HIKE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE SECTION OF TRAIL FROM EATON SADDLE TO MARKHAM SADDLE WAS CLOSED ON JUNE 9 DUE TO A LANDSLIDE. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO COMPLETE THE LOOP ORIGINALLY PLANNED. INSTEAD OF TAKING THE 11-MILE LOOP, WE WILL HIKE 6 MILES UP AND DOWN SAN GABRIEL PEAK FROM THE RED BOX RANGER STATION. MOST OF THIS ROUTE IS SHADY. BRING WATER, BUT WE WILL RETURN TO THE CARPOOL POINT ON MILMADA DRIVE BY NOON (I.E., NO LUNCH). OTHERWISE, THE LOGISTICS FOR THE HIKE REMAIN THE SAME (SEE BELOW). MODERATE DIFFICULTY. ELEVATION GAIN OF ABOUT 1,500 FEET.

Meet between 7:45 and 8:00 am on Milmada Drive, which runs parallel to the east side of the Angeles Crest Highway just north of the 210 Freeway. Exit from the 210 at the Angeles Crest Highway (marked State Hwy 2) and then proceed one block toward the mountains. Take the second right turn onto Milmada Drive and then an immediate left onto the roadway running parallel to the Angeles Crest Hwy. We will park along a three-block stretch north of Milmada and carpool from there 10 miles up to the parking lot at Switzer Falls, where parking is limited and a National Forest parking pass is required. If you have a parking pass, please bring it with you, even if you do not plan to drive. We will need passes for several vehicles (and I only have two passes).

Those coming from the LA Basin, or points south and east, are welcome to meet me at the parking lot for the tennis courts and soccer field near the southeast corner of Griffith Park -– on Riverside Drive 100 yards south of the intersection of Riverside and Los Feliz Blvd. To get there, exit from the I-5 at Los Feliz, proceed west to the first stop light, turn left (south) onto Riverside, and then left at the first driveway into the parking lot. Do NOT turn north from Los Feliz into Griffith Park. (If you cannot see the tennis courts and the soccer field immediately after you turn onto Riverside, you are going the wrong way.) The carpool point meeting time is 7:20 to 7:25 am. Don't be late. We will leave without you at 7:25 to meet the rest of the group at Milmada Drive between 7:45 and 8 am.

My mobile number is [masked].

Since I limit the number of participants please do not RSVP "Yes" unless you mean it. There is no "Maybe" option.

If you want to bring more than one person with you, please contact me. My dogs are familiar with this trail. Other dogs are welcome IF they are friendly and well behaved around people and other dogs. You will be instructed to keep dogs on a leash if they interfere with other hikers on narrow trails or stream crossings.

Joining this hike is entirely voluntary and participants assume all associated risks. It is each hiker's responsibility to ensure that s/he is in sufficient fitness and health to participate, with appropriate provisions and equipment. The Los Angeles Hiking Meetup group and the hike organizer make no warranties about the safety or supervision of these activities.