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Los Angeles Hikes

Hike Wright Mountain From Inspiration Point

  • 14 miles - Hard Effort
  • 5-7 Hours (Total)
  • 2,600 Total Feet of Climbing
  • Max Elevation of 8,505 feet
  • Leashed Dogs Allowed

While there are several ways to summit Wright Mountain in the San Gabriel Mountains, this route from Inspiration Point is my favorite. You'll follow the spine known as the Blue Ridge, which is packed with views of the surrounding high peaks, and you'll get to experience the iconic PCT along the way. It's also one of the rare hikes in the area that traverses Angeles NF and San Bernardino NF on the same trail.

In this Guide:
  • Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions to Hike Wright Mountain
  • Parking at the Inspiration Point Trailhead
  • Insider Tips & Recommendations

Where is the Inspiration Point Trailhead?

One of the reasons I like this route to Wright Mountain is that there is plenty of parking at the Inspiration Point Trailhead off Angeles Crest Highway. Inspiration Point is 5 miles west of the town of Wrightwood. Use this trailhead address:
Inspiration Point Trailhead, Angeles National Forest, Blue Ridge Truck Trail, Valyermo, CA 93563

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Inspiration Point is well marked.
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The parking lot is huge.
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There are toilets, picnic benches, and a viewpoint across the street.

You need a National Parks Pass or Adventure Pass to park here.

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The trailhead sits in the shadow of Mt Baden Powell.

Gear For the Hike

This is a mountain hike, and you need to prepare accordingly. Bring 3L of water, clothing for high altitude conditions, and trekking poles. In the winter, this area can be closed, and lingering snow can make the PCT treacherous in the shoulder seasons. If there is a chance of snow or ice, carry micro-spikes.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.


Gear Inreach Mini 2
Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.
Gear Hoka Speedgoat 5
HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Wright Mountain Trail Maps

Overall, navigation is relatively simple here. We're mainly following the PCT along Blue Ridge to a turn-off for Wright Mountain. There's one section where we'll hop on East Blue Ridge Road, a small dirt road that gets minimal traffic when open in the summer. The final push to Wright Mountain summit is on a small use trail.

Click Here To View

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

Elevation Profile

Hike Wright Mountain From Inspiration Point Elevation
This one-way elevation makes it look like there are a couple of big climbs, but when you're out on the trail, it generally feels like rolling terrain with a few steep sections thrown in.

Landmarks on the Hike

LandmarkDistanceElevation
Trailhead07381
Ski Area1.17741
Blue Ridge Camp2.17900
Hop on Road3.98460
Guffy Camp4.98250
Acorn Trail6.18250
Wright Mountain78505

3D Map

Hike Wright Mountain From Inspiration Point 3d Map
The hike is out-and-back along the Blue Ridge.

Alternate Return

If you'd like to avoid some of the up and down on the way back, you can follow East Blue Ridge Road back. It will wind back and forth over the ridge, but the gradients are smooth and gradual. Or you can choose to hop on and off the PCT and road as you go. The views from the road tend to be better than from the PCT on the way back.

Hike Brief

Historic Wright Mountain
The views on this hike are pretty much the same as they were in this photo from 1925, when it was a popular tourist attraction. Photo Security Pacific National Bank Collection

Wright Mountain Hike Directions

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Cross the street from the parking lot and look for the PCT trail. Don't take the dirt road.
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There are numerous PCT signs along the way.
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Once you crest the first ridge there are great views of Pine Mountain (left) and Mt Baldy (right).
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And further to the right you can see Big Iron Mountain.
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The PCT follows the road below.
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Here's your first road crossing. Look for the PCT sign on the other side to continue.
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And then there's another crossing. I won't point out all the other road crossings, but they all follow this pattern and there are several.
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The PCT moves away from the road and you are alone on the singletrack.
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The trail starts to climb and you pass the Mountain High Ski Resort runs on the left.

The first chair lifts were built here in the late 1920s in preparation for the 1932 Olympics. However, the lack of snow in the mountains changed the venue to Lake Placid.

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If you look down to the right here you have some great views into the remote Bear Gulch.
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The trail continues to climb among the gnarled and bent pines.
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You'll pass the concrete reservoir used to make snow when the weather doesn't cooperate.
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Continue along the ridge, crossing the road.
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And then you start a small downhill.
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You'll pass Blue Ridge Campground on your left.
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If you need a bathroom break, there are toilets on the other side of the campground (you don't see them from the PCT).
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Continue as the PCT crosses the Boardwalk and Catalina ski runs.
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Then the PCT joins East Blue Ridge Road for a short stretch.
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Look for the gate on the left that follows the fence.
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The fence circles another reservoir.
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At the end of the fence is a big junction. Look for the singletrack PCT on the other side.
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Now you traverse the north side of what is called Blue Ridge Summit. It's home to radio towers and only worth a visit if you want to see the Frost Benchmark at 8480 feet.
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As you come around Blue Ridge Summit, the PCT parallels the road again.
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To the left you'll get your first glimpse at Wright Mountain, with San Gorgonio in the distance.
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Okay, here's the section where I recommend hopping off the PCT and joining the road because the views are spectacular. When the PCT comes close to the road, hike the 50 feet across to the road and continue east.
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Right away you're greeted with postcard-perfect views of Mt Baldy and Pine Mountain.
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Keep hiking down East Blue Ridge Road. That's Big Iron Mountain on the right.
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When you come around the bend, there are more great views of Mt Baldy. If you look back from here you can see Baden-Powell and even the Mt Wilson area in the distance.
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As you descend you'll see the road unfurl in front of you.
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At the turnoff, make the left into the Guffy Campground area.
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Go straight when you reach the loop road at the campground.
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There are some sweet campsites here, which has got to be one of the best remote camps in the San Gabriels.

Guffy Camp is named after Samuel Guffy, who homesteaded in the valley and sold his land to Sumner Wright, Wrightwood's namesake.

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As you continue around the loop you'll see some toilets.
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At the other side of the loop, cut across and down to rejoin the PCT.
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Continue east on the PCT.
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You'll cross Blue Ridge Road, which is much more primitive past Guffy Camp.
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And now you get close-up views of Pine Mountain.
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You'll pass the boundary line and enter San Bernardino National Forest. if you look at the other side of this sign, it says you are entering Angeles National Forest.
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Continue on the PCT past the junction with the Acorn Trail.
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Here's the sign at that junction.
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Keep your eyes open for a small memorial to Gerald Duran and Jodi Zatchick. They were attempting the first winter PCT hike in 1983 when they lost their lives. It's thought that they meant to descend the nearby Acorn Trail, but instead went off-trail into Heath Canyon, where they slipped off an icy slope and fell several hundred feet to their deaths. It wasn't until 32 years later that someone was able to complete the PCT during the winter.
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When you come to the saddle you'll get a great view of Wright Mountain.
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Once over the saddle, look for the use trail leading up to the left.
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This trail doesn't see a ton of traffic and can be a bit of a "choose your own adventure." Referencing the GPX file helps here.
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Look for a flat area to the left with a flag post. There are great views down into Wrightwood. Check it out and continue up the trail.
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The summit area is wooded, and if you follow the trail, eventually you'll see the pile of rocks and witness post marking the summit. There's a cliff viewpoint nearby but please be careful.

From here just go back the way you came.

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When I go back from here I usually take the road for the portions on the south side of the ridge. The road has the better views on the south side. And the views don't get old, even after 14 miles.

Need More Info?

  • Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
  • When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.