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!
Sunday, April 17, 2022
#104 (Random) Peak 4459
Heading up the old firebreak from the parking area.
There are a lot of hikes to do in the San Gabriel Mountains. No time like the present in order to get them done, though. Still, it needs to be done one at a time, so good planning becomes essential. I had passed Peak 4459 along Angeles Forest Highway a few times. I didn't really know too much about it until fellow YouTuber Brian Powell shot a video about hiking to it. After he did, I knew it would be something that I wanted to add to my to do list.
A high point to cross over.
This became my day to do it. Since there is no shade to take advantage of on the hike, I made sure to do it in April, before the heat of summer arrived. This was a good plan, as it turned out to be pleasant hiking weather. From a pullout, just south of the junction with Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road, a use trail leaves a wash and climbs a hill. Once on the hill, an old firebreak continues along a ridge. The ridge undulates with some good dips and rises. To reach peak 4459, it is a matter of reaching the highest point on the ridge.
Continuing on the ridge to Peak 4459.
Despite being unknown and random, this is a great hike. As expected, I saw nobody else walking around out there. It is, however, across the road from Monte Cristo Campground. So as wild as it is, some form of civilization is a short walk away. The summit, as well as the entire ridge, has great views of the surrounding mountains (which are higher than the ridge).
On the summit.
I returned the same way, which did the rises and falls in reverse. As a random peak hike, this is a perfect example of how there is a plethora of hikes in Southern California. It gives me confidence that I can gather over 1,000 hikes here on video.
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