San Gabriels 3 night overnighter in December

Could I go in at Gould Mesa and come out at Eaton Canyon?

Can you rent a car and park it higher up?

Good parts are high up, hiking down to Pasadena takes too long.

It's been forever since I've been there, but up on PCT or along the ridge to Mount Waterman. Look down at smog.

A few years ago, I did a run starting in Big Santa Anita Canyon, up over Newcomb Pass, along the West Fork of the San Gabriel River to Red Box and then down to Altadena. However we got hung up at a washed out trail near the top of Arroyo Seco trail so we had to bail. You could do something similar but in reverse maybe, exiting in Santa Anita which is a bit east of the area youre looking at but maybe doable. Good luck!!

George,

For maps of the San Gabriel Mountains for planning purposes, I highly recommend the Angeles Front Country and Angeles High Country maps from Tom Harrison Maps.com. No affiliation on my part; they’re just good maps.

Hiking from Stough Canyon to Pasadena? Yeah, I guess, but not my recommendation. Cough up the bucks and rent a car would be my advice. Go to where the hiking is. YMMV.

For a three day trip, you have lots of choices, although with one car, it’s a little tough to do any of the “through” type hikes. There aren’t a lot of three day loops just off the top of my head, but let me think about it.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving
Hikin’ Jim’s Blog

George,

Here’s a thought: The PCT – Punchbowl Loop. it’s about 30 miles RT. There’s good water for sure at Little Jimmy. There’s probably water at Holcomb Creek. The freaking drought is bad though, so my past experience may be no indicator.

Start at Vincent Gap. The section up Mt. Williamson and along the spine of Pleasant View Ridge is off trail, but very worthwhile.

Now, here’s the catch: You’ll be up over 9,000′ in elevation at times. If it’s snowed, that could get dicey. A lot of years, there’s no snow up there in mid-December, but who knows. It’s a good one, but you’d really have to keep an eye on the weather.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving
Hikin’ Jim’s Blog

Here’s another thought, a little lower down: the Chantry – W Fork – Switzer – Bear Canyon – Mt. Wilson Loop. It’s about 40 miles RT. Water sources are marked, but again there’s a drought here in So. Calif., and my past experience may be no indicator.

Start at Chantry Flat. I’d probably go counter-clockwise, but that’s me. Probably fine either way.

Notes: I have not been in Bear Canyon since the Station Fire of 2009. It’s supposed to be a bit of a mess.

Parking at Chantry Flat can be a problem on weekends. Pay CAREFUL attention to the signs. They do lock the gate at night and they do not cut you any slack. Make sure you’re at your car in time to get out the day you want to exit or you’ll be spending the night.

Hope these are helpful ideas,

HJ
Adventures In Stoving
Hikin’ Jim’s Blog