Pacifico Mountain (7124') is in the back range of the San Gabriels so, generally speaking, it's more of a pristine environment than the front range peaks.
I biked it using the fire road that goes almost all the way to the top, but I can't yet claim the peak.
While you wait in suspense to find out why, I'll point out that the road is most gravel. There's a gate across the road and it's currently open. It's also hunting season. And, it was a Saturday. That meant there were several cars on the narrow road. I pulled aside and stopped for them rather than risking a sideswipe.
There are three parts to the road: the part that goes up to the 3N90 fire road, the middle section, and the last mile or so to the campground near the top of the peak. The first part is a generally moderate and even grade without many steep sections. The middle section is flat or gently rising, and even descends a bit. Then, just as you become complacent, the last section is fairly rocky and steep.
Coming back there are a few parts that go up a bit, but, as I'd lowered my seat all the way, I was able to get through them out of the saddle. Unfortunately, by this time it was twilight and the last part of the ride down was like a box of chocolates: you never knew what you were going to hit.
Which brings me back to why I can't yet claim the peak: when I got there it was cold and the sun was going down. And, I didn't bother to research the peak to find out there's a FRIGGING SUMMIT BLOCK. I thought I'd be able to just bike up, visit what looked like the high point, and move on. But, now I need to go back. Whether the summit block is Class 3 or Class 4, it looked too risky to just head up when pressed for time. It's something you'd want to spend time figuring out a safe way up. So, I'll have to go back for that. There are videos of the block at youtube.com/watch?v=9zFHvcQolrg and youtube.com/watch?v=GctD-LCGKfE . I think a rope is overkill, but I'd only want to do this in warmer weather and with enough daylight. So, stay tuned.
