Echo Mountain is a ridge of the San Gabriel Mountains that extends prominently toward Altadena and Pasadena. It was the site of a luxury resort and astronomy observatory at the turn of the 20th Century, and was served by an electric railway. Today, trails follow the path the railway once took up the mountain, and make one of the best hiking loops in the area.

Temescal Ridge rises from the Pacific Palisades, near sea level, to the top of Temescal Peak at 2100 feet. The trail and fire road that traverse the ridge make a somewhat strenuous and very scenic hike from the city into the hills. The main highlights are the elevated views, but you can also enjoy spring wildflowers, interesting rock formations, and some wildlife like deer and birds of prey. The hike mapped here is mostly in Topanga State Park, but begins in Temescal Gateway Park.

This hike begins in the same vicinity as popular trails on Mount Baldy but leads to a lesser-visited summit. Though Cucamonga is not as tall, its position on the southern front of the San Gabriels grants a view nearly straight down to San Bernardino Valley—a vantage not obtained from Baldy because it’s more interior in the range. That makes Cucamonga very much worthwhile, especially if you want the share the view with fewer people.

Mount Wilson towers above the Los Angeles metro area, soaring to a height of 5,712 feet above sea level. This height is impressive because the mountain literally does rise from sea level! Hikers can climb the entire height of Mount Wilson on beautiful singletrack hiking trails beginning right on the outskirts of Altadena.

San Gorgonio is the tallest mountain in Southern California, at 11,503 feet above sea level. Its summit is within a wilderness area and is accessible only by long and strenuous hiking trails. The standard route to the top is Vivian Creek Trail, which begins from the retreat town of Forest Falls.

The Trans-Catalina Trail tours the inspiring landscape of Santa Catalina Island from one end to the other, covering secluded, sandy beaches and solitary, soaring mountaintops. It’s a difficult trek that goes from sea level to summits and back to the sea multiple times in its 38.5-mile course, linking tiny towns and campgrounds, with no water and scant shade in between. The adventure linked here is the first half of the hike.

The Trans-Catalina Trail tours the inspiring landscape of Santa Catalina Island from one end to the other, covering secluded, sandy beaches and solitary, soaring mountaintops. It’s a difficult trek that goes from sea level to summits and back to the sea multiple times in its 38.5-mile course, linking tiny towns and campgrounds, with no water and scant shade in between. The adventure linked here is the second half of the hike.

Muir Peak, named for the famous conservationist John Muir, is a worthy summit and a challenging hike, though it’s not one of the major peaks of the San Gabriels. The view on top is just as far-reaching as from others, though. You can see over LA and surrounding cities to the ocean and Catalina Island. What makes Muir Peak special is the 360-degree panorama from its treeless summit, plus the solitude you’re likely to find on this lesser-visited peak.