By special request….
Want to hike to a mile-high summit in the San Gabriel Mountains with grand views over Los Angeles? Set your calendar for Josephine Peak via Colby Canyon in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Starting on Angeles Hwy, we’ll be taking the scenic rout to the summit ascending Colby Canyon along a narrow trail to Josephine Saddle. There we will cross a ridge to take Josephine Peak Road up to the 5,558-foot summit and pull in expansive views north and west over Big Tujunga Canyon and southwest out of the mountains toward downtown Los Angeles and surrounding cities.
We’ll return via the wide Josephine Peak Fireroad, the Nature’s Canteen Trail and a bit of Hwy for a 8 mile loop with about 2,700 ft total ascent. The hike is rated DIFFICULT due to terrain. See the hike rating guide: https://www.hikingwithdean.com/hike-rating-guide/
This is my first time in the area and descriptions are based on other people’s hikes. My research indicates no Adventure Pass is needed.
**DIRECTIONS**
We’ll park and meet at the Colby Canyon trail head. There is additional parking beyond the trailhead
**To get to the trailhead:** From the 210 Freeway in La Cañada Flintridge, take Angeles Crest Highway (CA 2) northwest for 10 miles to a dirt turnout on the left (north) side of the road, 0.8 miles past Clear Creek Information Center. Colby Canyon Trail begins from the left (west) side of the turnout.
