#27 Mount Marie Louise

Hills near the trailhead.

Southern California Map

Driving Map

Map of the trailhead

Parking coordinates: 34.28116°N, -117.22137°W.

         Hiking Stats:

Hiking Map

Summary

Mount Marie Louise is down the road from The Pinnacles hike, which I completed earlier in the day.  The trail starts off Pilot Rock Road, which is a dirt road often utilized by ATVs.  Shortly before a creek crossing on the road, I bailed out and parked in the non-high clearance parking area.  This added an additional 2 miles round trip to the hike.  It was a mostly flat two miles, though while hiking on the dirt road (and not risking damage to my car).  This also allowed me to easier find where the actual hike begins, which is marked only by a small cairn (and easy to miss) on the side of the road.

At the base of Mount Marie Louise.

Once picking up the trail, you will see right away that this isn't your traditional pathway.  When looking closely, you can see rock ducks (small cairns) further ahead which continues into a gully.  The way forward remains in the gully until reaching the base of Mount Marie Louise.  Meanwhile, there is quite a bit of boulders climbed over or maneuvered around while in transit.  With persistence (and remaining in the gully), the trail will reach an edge of the gully where the summit trail is accessed.

Heading up the side.

The summit trail is overgrown in spots, but the route is generally easy to follow, although it climbs rather steeply up the slope.  Summit boulders are multiple.  It took a few careful moves to stand on the highest one.  Great views of the surrounding landscape is the payoff for the effort taken.

On the summit.

View toward The Pinnacles.

Video:

Simulated Hike: