This blog will detail 1,000 video hikes in Southern California. By Southern California, I am drawing a line from San Luis Obispo to the Nevada Border. Anything south of that line will be declared "Southern California". In a way, it is a personal challenge to do so many hikes. Mainly, however, it is my way of showcasing how many hiking opportunities there really are right in our own geographic back yard. As a blog, it serves as a companion piece to my Youtube channel "Mike On The Trail". It is also a work in progress, as I don't actually have 1,000 edited videos completed. This will take effort for quite some time before it is declared done. Even then, there will still be more out there. Here's to hiking and all the positive effects it has had on my life...and possibly yours!
Not to be confused with the more popular and taller mountain of the same name in Northern California, this is one of the smaller outlying peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains. This doesn't mean that it is an easy climb, though. In fact, there is no established trail getting to it. Where Swarthout Canyon Road meets Lone Pine Canyon Rd, there is a parking area at the junction.
Approaching the summit.
From the parking area, Ralston Peak stands tall to the east. To get to it, I cut straight across an untrailed field to an old overgrown dirt road. I followed the dirt road North as it started to go around the side of the peak. When the peak crossed a dry creek channel, I left the mostly overgrown road and took the creek toward a deep gully on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once heading deeper into the gully, I looked and found a route of least resistance up a lower slope. This connected me with a rising ridgeline which continued all the way to the summit. Somewhat of a use trail followed the exposed ridge along the way.
On the summit of Ralston Peak.
The summit is wide and has a register. I believe I was the second person to sign the register for the year. Therefore, not much traffic up this peak. Great views extend over Cajon Junction and Interstate 15 through the Cajon Pass. Despite the hustle and bustle below, this is a quiet and peaceful spot. I returned the way I came, and also included the lower peak to the west known as Peak 4003. I merely extended the lower slope to reach it. Afterwards, I headed down the gully and back to the parking area. Littler known or untrailed peaks can be hikes too!
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