Distance: 7 miles round trip on trail and use trail
Summit Elevation: 5111'
Prominence: 831'
Elevation Gain: 1900'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.52
Round trip time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Recommended water: 64 oz.
Parking/Fees: Adventure Pass
Difficulty: Moderate
Smith Mountain is a remote peak in the front range of the San Gabriel mountains. The fun and challenging part of the hike is the final half mile scramble to the summit, gaining over 800'. The scramble goes through several rocky sections but does not require any special equipment. The descent from the peak requires attention and poles would be useful (I didn't have any). I saw black bear scat in a few places but encountered no wildlife other than the usual lizards and birds. I cleared a few brown widow spider webs from the path. The use trail was in very good condition and previous hikers left helpful rock cairns where multiple paths were possible. I signed the summit log and noted that the last person to sign it was a full month earlier.
San Gabriel River on the drive up
Approaching Smith Mountain
Use trail up the ridge to Smith Mountain
Looking down the steep ridge
The heart of the San Gabriels. Rattlesnake Peak, Iron Mountain, and Baldy
Trailhead parking from the summit
The benchmark is stamped "HEALEE" or something close to that
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