This is Part two of the new BKS (Butt Kicking Series) of hikes! *(Hikes with close to 3000′ Gain and or 10 or more miles.)
*** Safety Note: Rain or Extreme Heat at trailhead cancels hikes.
Meetup Time: 7:15 A.M. ( We hit the trail at 7:30)
DISTANCE: 9.9 miles – Loop
GAIN: 2,795 ft
RATED: Strenuous mainly for the almost 10-mile Distance and the 2,795 ‘ gain. Not a hike for Beginners!
HIKE DURATION: About 5 1/2 to 6 hours (including a 20-minute snacky time!)
DESCRIPTION: Mount Lukens is a mountain located in the San Gabriel Mountains, just north of the city of Glendale, California. It is the highest point in the city of Los Angeles, with an elevation of 5,074 feet (1,547 meters) above sea level. At the end of the day, it’s just one of many peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains, trying to get attention by being all “look at me, I’m so tall and imposing…. Climb me!”.
The plan is to hike the counterclockwise loop up to the summit of this behemoth. The trail will share some of its ancient secrets as we pass through the lower slopes that consist of Precambrian-age schist and gneiss, which are some of the oldest rocks in the region. As we gain altitude above the lower slopes, we will be passing through younger (only 100 million years) Cretaceous granite with metamorphic outcroppings of shist, gneiss, and amphibolite scattered around for extra intrusive spice.
Once we reach the summit if we are lucky enough for a clear day, we should be available to see from one end of the San Fernando Valley to the Pacific, and perhaps even Catalina. As we sit at the summit and admire the curvature of the horizon, we will break for snacky time! So, bring something good to eat and recharge your body. From this point it’s all downhill to the parking lot where we started ( more or less).
BRING: Strong shoes, dress in layers might be chilly in the morning, (most of this trail is in the open with little or no shade) Poles will be useful for some the technical areas.; snack lunch; a hat; !!sunscreen!!, bug spray / bug net (in case). 3 liters of liquids (2L water/ 1-liter electrolytes, i.e., Gatorade).
ADVENTURE PASS: YES. Required for parking in the Angeles National Forest. 1/car for those who drive. These can be obtained at any BIG 5 Sporting Goods store; $5 for a day pass, $30 for a year pass.
**MEET AT: (**Google GPS Coordinates: 34.249481462242734, -118.25364621694166) We will be in the parking lot in front of the bathrooms.
Bathrooms: Indeed, there will be bathroom at the meetup location.
Dogs: OK, if well behaved around other dogs/ people with hiking poles and on a leash.
Leaders: Paul H, and Gary S.
