This was my first time hiking in Azusa part of the Angeles National Forest. Smith Mountain is approximately 30 mins from the start of the forest on Highway 39. The hike is approximately 6.6 miles and took me about 4 hours to complete roundtrip. If you drove by Coldbrook Campground, you’ve gone too far. There is also a gate just past the parking lot of this trail which is a good marker to where the trail is. There is a parking lot at the start of the trail. Adventure pass is required! The start of the trail is to the right of the outhouse where you’ll see a wooden sign that says Bear Creek Tr. No. 239W10. As you start the trail, you pick up elevation pretty quickly but after about a mile, the trail flattens until you hit Smith Saddle which is where you will summit to Smith Mountain. There will be white and wooden poles marking each mile. The trail in the beginning will double back itself for a bit so you’ll be looking at the same views but as you keep going, you’ll be deep into the wilderness of the San Gabriel Mountains. Throughout the trail, you may need to whack a few bushes and branches here and there but overall it was very smoothand well maintained. You’ll know you’re approaching Smith Saddle when you see two wooden stands and the steep trail up to Smith Mountain. As you summit the mountain, take your time and go slow. You will have to grab onto rocks and branches and just follow the trail. If it does not look like a trail or you can’t go through it, DONOTATTEMPTTOGO. Find another route and continue. There were a couple times where I hit a roadblock, and had to hike down a bit and go around to access the trail. Anyways, as you continue this summit, you will come to a fake summit. You can see Smith Mountain from here, just continue hiking up. The good thing is you’ve done most of the hard part so this part to the top should be easy. Once you’re there, enjoy the view! :) I read there was a registry near the USGS mark but I couldn’t find it :(I don’t think it’s there anymore. I hiked at 6:30am in the morning this past Friday and there was absolutely no one on the trail. It was very cold in the early morning at about 45 degrees Fahrenheit but warmed up as I hiked the trail. The high that day was 60 degrees which was fine for me. It was mostly shady throughout the trail until I hit Smith Saddle and summit the mountain. It was definitely mostly sunny on the trail when I was heading back around 9am. It felt great to be one with nature and to be the only one at the top. As I was coming down around 9am, I saw more people on the trail. This trail isn’t really a popular one so you don’t have to worry about crowds! Tips: — I would definitely wear long pants on this trail. You go through quite a bit of bushes and shrubs. It would help to also wear long sleeves. — As always, bring plenty of water. I always bring least 2 liters of water just in case. –Snacks to munch on as you enjoy the view at the top or along the trail.
Melanie D.
Place rating: 4 Los Angeles, CA
This hike is 7 miles roundtrip out and back with 1,825′ elevation gain/loss. The trail is single file with some loose rocks under foot. It starts out with a decent ascent for the first mile but nothing too difficult. The next 2 miles are very easy with very little ascent. There are wooden markers designating miles 1,2, and 3. There is no overhead shade. After mile 3, where you will see a small wooden bench, and straight ahead is the beginning of a very difficult climb. It is about ½ mile and an 800 ft scramble up to the peak. There are rocks to maneuver over and around, and you may need to use your hands to hold on or to propel yourself forward. The 360 degree views are worth the climb. parking — small lot at the trailhead. Adventure pass required.
Christian A.
Place rating: 5 Los Angeles, CA
This was a awesome hike to Smith Mountain. This hike does involve scrambling, but nothing to hard(Nothing like Strawberry Peak). Make sure you wear proper shoes and take your time. The fun factor is definitely high and there are some tricky parts. I would say its Class 2.5 almost Class 3. Make sure you take lots of water and some snacks. The elevation gain from the Smith Saddle to the top is around 800 feet of gain. The views are awesome and I would definitely do this hike again! This is also part of the Sierra Clubs Hundred Peaks Section. Video for my adventure Trail Stats Distance: 7 miles Round Trip Elevation Gain: 1825 Hike Time 4 Hours Difficulty; Moderate /Strenuous Summit: 5111 Feet Trail Condition: Trail /Firebreak Animals: Not recommended Activities: Hiking, Scrambling Fee: Adventure Pass
Hike L.
Place rating: 5 Irvine, CA
Smith Mountain is a beautiful trail in Azusa, California. *Adventure Pass is required to park. Here’s our review of the hike:
Matt P.
Place rating: 5 Pasadena, CA
A very chill 6.6 mile round trip hike, with a good 1,000 ft scramble to the summit at the midway point. The trail getting to the scramble portion is very chill. After a few sharp inclines at the start of the trail, it really flattens outs, averaging about 300 feet gain per mile, which is pretty manageable for just about anyone. I’d say this portion is pretty good for trail running, although the path isn’t that wide. After those 3 miles you reach a saddle — the trail continuing west, downhill towards Bear Creek and to the south, the trail that scales the mountain summit. The scramble to the summit will give you one hell of a quad & calf workout. The first portion is dirt trail, but about a third of the way up it becomes more rocky, but nothing too treacherous. The climb at the end is what draws me to this hike, though the only pain is the long drive deep into the Angeles National Forest to get there.
Andy O.
Place rating: 3 Los Angeles, CA
Fun overall, but it sorta doesn’t «get to the point» until way at the very end. It’s a boring few miles that the trail could do without. For most of the hike, you’ll be wondering,“Why is there so much damn sun? And why is this so damn boring?” The scenery gets old quickly and you just want to get to the summit(which you can see from pretty much the beginning of the hike) as soon as possible. That said, the last mile or so makes this worthwhile and maybe worth repeating. A nice, painful push for a summit that never seems to arrive… until it finally does… only to trick you and make you realize you’ve still got a tiny bit more to go. You’ll be using your upper body strength as well as pushing through that giant ass of yours. But be thankful for it(your ass), as it just might cushion the few falls you have on the way down. Nice and isolated, with far few people than some of the other hikes in the area. But walking 6 boring miles to enjoy one fun one doesn’t quite do it for me. Don’t worry about the difficulty, the guides make it seem way worse than it is. At no point will you die if you fall. Unless you’re some kind of super professional at falling hard.
Kevin C.
Place rating: 5 Pasadena, CA
Short and Sweet: From I-210, go North on Azusa Ave about 18.2 miles(6.2 miles past East Fork Road).(If you reach Coldbrook Campground, you have gone 0.3 miles too far.) At the trailhead is a pit toilet, a San Gabriel Wilderness sign and a forest info trail sign Bear Creek Tr No. 239W10. Lat: 34.287441, Lon: –117.842735 7 miles roundtrip with 1,821 elevation gain/loss Very cool hike with a nice climb the first ½ mile then flattens out for a while and from the saddle you have an 800′ gain in just under ½ mile so be ready for a steep climb. When we went it was a nice sunny day but the temp was cooler and the trail is north facing for the summit which meant there was some snow and ice making it a bit challenging. Plenty of parking available at the trail head but know that an Adventure Pass is required. Happy Hiking…
Edison T.
Place rating: 5 San Francisco, CA
It’s deep within Angeles National Forest. Get on the 39 North, past East Fork turn, and keep going down past the West Fork trail and parking lots crowded with people(about 8 miles past). ¼ mile before you hit Coldbrook Camp, you’ll see a bathroom outhouse to your left with a paved parking lot and a sign that says«Bear Creek Tr. No. 239W10»( ) and this is the start of the trail. The trail quickly picks up in elevation during the first half mile and then it’s more gradual. The trail markers are located at each mail to your left on a metal pole next to a wooden block( ) just in case you want to keep track of your progress. Some parts have a lot of vegetation and will require you to part branches and leaves away, make sure you check for ticks(1 was on my sock at the end). Lots of geckos hurrying their way across and down the path, I think they like to follow me because I swear I keep seeing the same one stalking me(maybe it’s a sign for me to switch to Geico? har har). Once you hit about 3 miles you’ll come to a clearing which is Smith Saddle. You have the start of the San Gabriel Wilderness ahead of you( ) and then to the left lays the last ½ mile to the top of Smith Mountain( ). To the right is a long and steep firebreak, I don’t know what lays at the top but I’ll find out maybe another time. Get some water, pysch yourself up, and attack it. There is a semi visible trail but you will have to use your hands to grab onto rocks and roots because it’s quite steep. You’ll definitely have to whack a few bushes and pull yourself up but the 360 degree panoramic view at the top is really worth it. Make sure to look for the register can( ) by the U.S. geological survey marker ) to record your name down and leave your mark at the top! On the way down, just take it slow to ensure you have good footing because otherwise, it’s a looooong tumble down.
