Hiking Trail Guide: Waterman Mountain - from Buckhorn

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Waterman Mountain - from Buckhorn

Distance
5 miles

Elevation
1300 feet gain

Difficulty
4/10

City
La Canada Flintridge ,CA (91011) 16.29 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From the split at the 210 take Angeles Crest Highway(east) for 34 miles just past the Waterman ski lift. If you pass the Buckhorn campground you have gone too far. The trail is a little difficult to find at first, because there are a lot of fire roads and places that look like they might be a trail around the area.

However, if you park in the big rounded shoulder area and cross the road - you can pick up the trail at one of two places. A trail marker is right across the road that says Waterman Trail. You can take this, it will cross Forest Road 3N03, which is gated, but if you choose to take the road, you will have to veer onto the trail where it meets the road l a few hundred feet off to your left.

Description

This is a very well maintained easy trail until you near the summit. You travel just on the edge of the San Gabriel Wilderness, and it is up most of the way. The incline is never very steep, because you only gain 1500' in elevation over two and a half miles. It is all very gradual, but it is all up.

This is an easy peak to climb, and can be done in a very short amount of time. You could even make it up and back during the winter if you started at noon.

The area is very Yosemite-esque. I was surprised by the granite and pine forest, along with the beautiful streams near the bottom. This has been a good rain year, but still it was a pleasant surprise for "my backyard."

This is the middle of the Angeles Forest and the views along the trail are spectacular. The summit is marked by a survey tag, but hike down and south of the summit for the best views. You'll have to climb a little, but the reward is great. On a clear day you can even see San Jacinto.

Map / Directions: