Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
2,428.00 ft (740.05 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
13.00 mi (20.92 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Grizzly Flat to Mounts Lukens is a 13-mile out-and-back route located in Angeles National Forest within the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. This challenging route makes for a great adventure and quick getaway for nearby city dwellers. This route consists of doubletrack and dirt road trails and features scenic mountain views as well as panoramic lookouts featuring the Los Angeles Basin and the surrounding transverse mountain ranges. On a clear day you’ll be treated to impressive ocean views looking west from the summit.

The trailhead is located off Highway 2 and is easily accessible by car. The route begins with the Dark Canyon Trail, located within a pull out off of Highway 2. The pullout for this trailhead has room for several parked cars. As you ascend the winding dirt road you will be treated to incredible views of craggy peaks, granite rocks, and green chaparral filled hillsides deep in the heart of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

Once you reach the junction with Mount Lukens Road, your views open up with panoramic images of the surrounding area!

Angeles National Forest is a wonderland of mountains and trails and there are plenty of opportunities to shorten or extend this route. For more information or information about maps of the area contact: USFS - Angeles National Forest Office - http://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles .

NEED TO KNOW

  • This route is dry, exposed, and can get very hot. Plan accordingly and be prepared with adequate water and snacks. 
  • Although you may be able to see the city for part of this journey, the trail itself can feel remote and is rarely crowded. 

DIRECTIONS
-Dark Canyon Trail to Grizzly Flat Road
-Left on Grizzly Flat Road 
-Grizzly Flat Road to Mount Lukens Road
-Right on Mount Lukens Road
-Mount Lukens Road to the summit
(The summit marker is located on the west side of the mountain, facing Griffith Park and the city of Glendale).

MORE INFORMATION
USFS - Angeles National Forest Office

 

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Scenic Views. Solitude. Peak Bagging.

Cons

Exposed. Hot.

Trailhead Elevation

2,902.00 ft (884.53 m)

Highest point

5,064.00 ft (1,543.51 m)

Features

Wildlife
Big vistas
Wildflowers
Bird watching

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Biking

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.