This may be the newest peak on the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Hundred Peaks list added in January 2014 by the Hundred Peaks’ legendary exploratory couple: Peter and Ignacia Doggett. Relatively few have done this peak so far, and guaranteed to be one of your favorite peaks/hikes. It is located above the southern edge of Lockwood Valley just below Reyes Peak in the Los Padres National Forest.
The first five miles will be trail; however, to access the peak, one has to traverse a large steep rock slab or through a dry gully that gains elevation quickly. There is a year-round stream (Beartrap Creek) at the bottom of the rock slab that we will have to cross.
After we leave the gully and rock slab, there is a poor use-trail with cross country hiking to get to the rock outcroppings that overlook the badlands of Lockwood Valley. One other highlight is that we will pass a giant, unusual oak tree along the trail.
Distance: 12 miles round trip.
Elevation Gain: 3,800 feet total with 3.000 feet to the peak and 800 feet for the return. The peak’s elevation is 6,150 feet.
Pace: 2 to 2.2 mph on the trail; much slower when going up and down the peak.
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous depending on one’s conditioning.
Minimum Level: Intermediate hiker.
What to bring: Minimum 3 liters of water, food for lunch and snacks, and layers of clothes for changing temperatures and elevation.
Meeting Time and Place: 7:15 am at the Flying J Travel Center at Frazier Mountain Park Road just off I-5 in Lebec. Park in the adjacent northeast section of Motel 6’s parking lot. There will still be a one hour drive to the trailhead, which is at Reyes Creek Station off of Lockwood Valley Road. Adventure Pass or National Park Pass may be needed for vehicles parked at the trailhead. Please bring if you have one.
Earlier Meeting Time and Place: 6 am at corner of Leonora St and Ponce Av in Woodland Hills. No host will be there, so participants will have to arrange their carpooling. Please be willing to drive and have a full tank of fuel. Riders please be willing to share in the cost of the fuel.
Directions to the Lebec Meeting Place from Woodland Hills: Take the US-101 East/South, I-405 North, and I-5 North all the way through the Santa Clarita Valley. Go up the grade and continue to Frazier Mountain Park Road (Exit 205). Make a left turn and go just past the freeway to Flying J Travel Center on the left side of the road.
Optional dinner afterwards at the Mexican Restaurant in Lebec.
