Sunset Peak Trail Hike (Angeles National Forest)

7.5 miles - Moderate Effort
2:30-3:30 (Total)
1,300 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 5,796 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Sunset Peak hike, with its gentle yet steady uphill, offers lots of beauty for all levels of hiker. For beginners, Sunset Peak lets you dip your toe into the high peaks of Angeles National Forest without anything too hairy. And for the experienced hiker, the sweeping panoramic views give you a unique perspective of all the big-name peaks. Overall Sunset Peak is a great hike that I recommend for everyone to enjoy.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Sunset Peak Trail
Where to Park for the Sunset Peak Trail
Insider Tips and Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

Where is the Sunset Peak Trail?

There are a few routes to Sunset Peak, and I'll show you the most common (and easiest) from Cow Canyon Saddle. The only downside is that parking is limited to the side of the road. Use this trailhead address:
Sunset Peak Trail, Glendora Ridge Rd, Mt Baldy, CA 91759

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 3 — The trail starts by the yellow gate on the left. You can't park in the lot on the right, but you can park anywhere on the side of the road outside of the white road lines.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 4 — Here's a closeup of the car in the distance.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 2 — And there's parking just before the trailhead too.

Three are no facilities at the trailhead, and also no fee or pass is needed to park here.

Gear For the Hike

Although the hike is not technical, you are in the mountains, and I recommend light hiking gear. 1-2L of water will be fine depending on the conditions, and there's intermittent shade on the route. Insects can be a problem on this lower peak, so prepare accordingly.

Gear That I Love Right Now

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

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.

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.

Sunset Peak Trail Maps

This hike takes the Sunset Ridge Fire Road, also known as the Sunset Ridge Trail, up to Sunset Peak, and is very easy to follow. The fire road is pleasant and peaceful.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 1 — This hike passes through remnants of the Antonio Fire, which burned 50 acres in 2021. Only portions of the hike look like this. There's plenty of land that survived.

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

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Sunset Peak Trail Hike Angeles National Forest Elevation — The climb to Sunset Peak is very gradual and easy to cruise up.

3D Map

Sunset Peak Trail Hike Directions

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 5 — From the Glendora Ridge Road, hike up toward the yellow gate.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 6 — And go around the gate onto the Sunset Ridge Trail.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 8 — The fire road is very pleasant, isn't open to OHV use, and feels like you're walking down an abandoned road from 100 years ago.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 7 — As you climb you'll start getting glimpses into Cow Canyon and Cattle Canon (yup, that's what they're called).

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 9 — The trail becomes surrounded with nice tall pines as you climb.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 11 — At about a mile or so in, you'll start to notice fire damage. Here you can still see some red fire retardant that was dropped from an aircraft.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 12 — When you get to the first sweeping bend in the trail, go to the edge for some spectacular views into the San Gabriels.

Sunset Peak Trail Panorama — Here's what it looks like. I've listed out some of the prominent peaks below in detail.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 13 — On the left is the tough hike of Twin Peaks, then Mt Waterman, then a big ridge with Mt Hawkins and South Mount Hawkins.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 14 — Continuing right, you'll see Mt Baden-Powell in the distance, and then "Big" Iron Mountain dominating the foreground. Big Iron is considered one of the hardest hikes in Southern California.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 15 — The mountain in the back that dominates the skyline is Mt Baldy, and the smaller Lookout Mountain sits in front of it.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 16 — To the far right you'll see Thunder and Telegraph, part of the "3 Ts Trail" hike.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 17 — Make the hard left up the switchback at about 2 miles in. Forest Service Road 2N07 joins from the right.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 18 — The road is a bit wider here and loses some of the charm of the lower road, but makes up for it with expansive views.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 19 — At about 2.5 miles in, the road does another sharp curve as it climbs. Ontario Peak is the big mountain ahead.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 20 — If you look down from that last curve, you'll see the smaller trail winding up the ridge. This trail starts just before the gate at the parking area and is much more difficult. If you do attempt this route, I highly recommend trekking poles for the steep and loose terrain.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 21 — As you wind on the last curve you'll also see down San Antonio Canyon, which you drove up to get to the trailhead.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 22 — Continue up the fire road, which has a nice level section.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 23 — And at the saddle, look for the turn off on the left to the Sunset Peak Summit.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 24 — Instead of going up the steep dozed path, bear left and we'll loop around the peak.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 25 — The trail is much smaller, mellow, and loops up and around Sunset Peak.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 26 — Soon you'll arrive at a big open area of the peak. Go straight across the corrugated metal to reach the marker.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 28 — On the way to the summit area, look for these concrete squares, which used to support a fire tower that sat here.

Sunset Peak Fire Tower — Here's what the fire tower looked like in 1940. It was built in 1927 and dismantled in 1974, when the smog became so bad that it was no longer useful.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 27 — And here you are at the summit. There's usually a sign or two around here to grab a photo with.

Why is it called Sunset Peak? Aside from the obvious one (it's a nice place to watch the sunset), I can share this. Until the late 1940s, Mt Baldy Village used to be Camp Baldy, a resort that was (at one point) run by the Curry family, who you might know from Curry Village in Yosemite. In the 1920s Camp Baldy Resort visitors would hike up here on the old "Sunset Trail" to view the sun going down. The name "Sunset Peak" appeared soon after on official maps in 1926.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 29 — Looking out to San Antonio Canyon you can see Saddleback Mountain in the distance, and Stoddard Peak in the foreground.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 30 — And to the east, Ontario Peak looms large, with Thunder Mtn and Telegraph Peak, part of the 3Ts hike, behind it, and then Mt Baldy, the highest point in LA County and Angeles National Forest.

Sunset Peak Trail Directions 31 — When you're done at the summit, just turn around and head back down the way you came.

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.

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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.