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Hike the Teepee Trail (La Cañada Flintridge)

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated January 18, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 5.4 miles
Time: 2-2:30 Hours
Total Climbing: 1100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Quiet
Dogs: Leashed
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: Angeles National Forest

The Teepee Trail is a great hike, but probably not for the reason that you think. Yea, the teepee is cool to visit and great to take photos with, but the climb up to the teepee offers some of the best views into the western peaks of Angeles National Forest that you'll ever see. The hike takes the Mt Lukens Truck Trail up to the teepee, which is uphill, but expertly folded onto the land with switchbacks to make the gradient doable. Overall it's a fun little hike in the foothills of Angeles National Forest.

Where is the Teepee Trail?

There are a couple of routes to the Teepee, and in this guide I'll show you the most popular (and easiest) route from Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2), which starts across the road from the Angeles Crest Fire Station. Use this address: USFS Angeles Station 11 - Angeles Crest, 5898 CA-2, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Teepee Trail Directions 1 — If you're coming up from the south (LA area), look for the small fire station on your left as you drive up SR-2.

Teepee Trail Directions 2 — Park in the lot ON THE RIGHT, ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FIRE STATION.

You do not need a parking pass here. There are no facilities or toilets.

Gear For the Hike

This is not a technical hike, but it is uphill and all exposed.

Fitness clothes or light hiking gear works well here.
You'll want sun protection and at least 1L of water.
There are bee hives to pass, so if you are allergic, bring whatever you need to deal with a sting. That said, I've never seen any big swarms of bees, just a few here and there, as you would in any suburban park.

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Full October 2025 Gear List →

Teepee Trail Maps

So there isn't actually a "Teepee Trail," you hike up the (dirt and closed to the public) Mt Lukens Truck Trail. While the road might not be a pristine single-track trail, it does offer incredible views of the mountains around every turn, so focus on that.

The hike starts in Angeles National Forest, but then enters land owned by Pasadena, and then private property (more later).

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Elevation Profile

Teepee Trail Guide Elevation — It's pretty much all uphill on this one until you read the top at Bee Flats. Mt Lukens Truck Trail is an engineering marvel and the gradient is tough but never extreme.

3D Map

Teepee Trail Hike Directions

Teepee Trail Directions 3 — Cross the street (carefully) from the parking lot, and head into the fire station driveway.

Teepee Trail Directions 4 — Head up the driveway through the fire station compound. The crew here are good about putting up notices for out-of-the-ordinary trail conditions, so keep your eyes open.

Teepee Trail Directions 5 — When you get to the end of the compound, there's a mileage sign for the Mt Lukens Truck Trail and a gate. Hike around the gate.

There can occasionally be trucks on this road, driving up to service one of the many antennae on the summit of Mt Lukens.

Teepee Trail Directions 6 — Now you start the hike in earnest. It's a dirt road that pleasantly winds up through the foothills.

Teepee Trail Directions 7 — Once you climb a few minutes and turn the first switchback, you'll get views down the front range of Angeles National Forest, from Brown Mountain to Echo Mountain.

Teepee Trail Directions 8 — Keep hiking uphill on the dirt road, avoiding any smaller cutoff or use trails.

Teepee Trail Directions 9 — As you ascend you'll start to see some of the higher peaks in the western San Gabriels, including the prominent Strawberry Peak.

Teepee Trail Directions 10 — If you look ahead, you'll be able to spot the trail winding above you.

Teepee Trail Directions 11 — The views down and east into the mountains aren't too shabby either.

Teepee Trail Directions 12 — At about 1.5 miles in you'll read a bench at the overlook.

Teepee Trail Directions 13 — Keep hiking uphill from the bench. The trail levels out a bit as you continue to climb.

Teepee Trail Directions 14 — At one point you'll get views south towards downtown LA.

Teepee Trail Directions 15 — You'll also start to see (aging) evidence from the massive 2009 Station Fire, which devastated the western half of Angeles National Forest.

Teepee Trail Directions 16 — After about 2.5 miles, look for the left turnoff with the mailbox and head down that road.

After the gate, you are entering private property. The owners of this land built the teepee and allow hikers to RESPECTFULLY visit. Please keep this in mind as you hike here.

Teepee Trail Directions 17 — There's a little downhill dip for the last few minutes of the hike to the teepee. This area is informally known as "Bee Flats" because of the hives ahead.

Teepee Trail Directions 18 — Respect this private property.

Teepee Trail Directions 19 — Avoid side trails and stay on the main (wide) trail.

Teepee Trail Directions 20 — The owners have beehives here.

Teepee Trail Directions 21 — The hives are back and to the left. Don't check them out, don't go over there, just be respectful and leave them alone.

Teepee Trail Stone Scultpure — When the trail turns left to the teepee, make a quick trip right to visit the stone sculpture.

Teepee Trail Directions 22 — And then continue back to the clearing, and here you are, the teepee!

Where's the canvas on the teepee? When there is fire danger, the owners take the canvas off.

The teepee is private property, build by the landowners. Please be respectful here. Don't hang on it, mark it, or do anything to it.

Teepee Trail Directions 24 — My favorite part of the hike are the views into the San Gabriels, which are great from the teepee area.

Teepee Trail Directions 23 — You'll also get some nice views west to Mt Lukens, the peak with the antennae, and the highest point in the city of LA.

Once you're done at the teepee, just hike back the way you came.

Originally published August 25, 2021

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