On Feb 1, 2025, parts of the Angeles National Forest reopened after the devastating Eaton Fire. The next day I drove up the Angeles Crest Highway to Red Box and, aside from a faint smell of smoke in the air at Red Box and Mt Wilson Road being closed to vehicles, things were as they were before in that area.
No, the title isn't a law firm: it's five peaks near Mt Wilson that I biked and hiked.
I started at Red Box and biked up the Mt. Wilson Road. Just after the 0.3 mile marker, I arrived at the Bill Reilly trailhead (it's somewhat easy to miss). That's where the Mt Disappointment Road starts. It's asphalt and closed to vehicles.
Just before the 2.0 mile marker and a cistern, there's a use trail for Mt. Deception (5,796'). I locked the bike here and started hiking. The beginning of the use trail is steep and loose, but it's a short trip to the summit. I didn't see a benchmark.
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.
I'd hiked Josephine Peak in the Angeles National Forest a few times, but this was the first time I'd biked it. It was very windy at times. On the switchbacks I'd have the wind at my back one moment, and then it'd be pushing me backwards the next.
Once on the north side of the mountain the wind wasn't as bad. The north side is also good for snow hiking; there will usually be accumulation there after it's snowed even if the rest of the trail is dry. The north side also practically screams, "you're about to run into a bear" yet I haven't so far.
If you want to amuse and amaze your future ex-friends, let them know that it snows each year in the City of Los Angeles. Yes, that's right, it snows here each year!
That's because the highest point in the City (not the County) is Mt Lukens, an imposing edifice that rises to a Himalayan 5,075' in height.
OK, so it's not that great and it's full of communication towers. So, if you hope to have kids, don't hang out there too long.