For a quick mountain fix without driving into the mountains, try the Potato Mountain hike, right at the beginning of Angeles National Forest. It's a moderate climb through some beautiful oak forests. The hike ends at the Potato Mountain summit, which offers views of the high peaks in Angeles NF, including Mt Baldy. And of course, there are the potatoes that everyone decorates and brings to the summit. It's a fun hike that especially great for beginners who want to train or get a taste for the bigger mountain peaks.
How Do I Get to Potato Mountain?
The trailhead for Potato Mountain is unmarked along the side of Mt Baldy Road. It's about 0.7 miles after you pass the last housing development on Mt Baldy Road. After the housing development, about 0.5 miles up the road, you'll pass a huge dirt area on your right. Shortly after that (0.2 miles) you'll see another area with parking on either side of the road, which is the trailhead.
The City of Claremont has not been too kind when it comes to parking for hikers. There are a few big parking lots close to the trailhead, and they've put "No Parking" or "No Stopping" signs in them because of excessive vandalism and thefts in parked cars. So what you have to do is park a few minutes up or down the road and walk to the trailhead, which can be dangerous, so be careful.
Don't park in front of the trailhead. People are getting ticketed there.
Assuming there are not now "no parking" signs, you can park in this lot down the road from the trailhead. The lot is free.The better bet if you have a parks pass is to probably drive past the Angeles NF border and park in the next lot.
There are no bathrooms anywhere on the hike.
Gear for the Hike
The trail is wide (a fire road) and easy to follow. Light hiking gear is ideal, but you can get away with fitness clothes too. Trekking poles will be helpful on the steep sections. In the summer it can get really hot, bring at least 1L of water.
Aside from a small dip or two, you basically just climb uphill about 500 feet each mile. It's a long, gradual climb that's challenging but not harsh.
3D Map
The trail makes its way up Evey Canyon, then turns sharply to climb the fire road to the summit of Potato Mountain.
Potato Mountain Hike Directions
The trail starts in the southwest corner of the parking lot area, hidden down a small hill.Look for the yellow gate that marks the beginning of the hike. Head through the gate.You're treated to a slight downhill at the start as you hike through an oak wonderland.But after a short stretch the trail starts to climb and then keeps on climbing.You might here the creek flowing as you climb. There are some steep viewpoints to your right where you can see the shady canyon and babbling brook.After about a mile the oak trees will thin out as you gain in elevation and continue climbing.And at 1.4 miles you'll see the turn up to the summit. Make the sharp left here.At the sharp left continue up the trail to Potato Mountain.
The trails you are on are part of a few park areas. Overall you're in Angeles National forest, but you are also in Claremont Hills Wilderness Park and the (ex) Herman Garner Biological Preserve. This area was saved from development by Herman Garner, who donated it to the Pomona College biology department on condition that it remain pristine wilderness. In 2017 the college gifted it to Claremont Hills Wilderness Park.
As you climb from the junction you'll start to see the big mountains (or the clouds surrounding them!). You can also see the trail in front of you climbing up Potato Mountain.You go down a small, steep hill. Stay left on the big trail.And now you have the final stretch of climbing. The trail is steep here so take your time and enjoy the views.When you see the triangular sign, you're almost there.Here you are, the summit of Potato Mountain!If you go straight you'll reach the concrete water tank. You can also walk around the summit area for more viewpoints.Bring a decorated potato, take some photos with it for social media, and leave it in the dirty potato pile.On a clear day you can see the major peaks in Angeles National Forest and in the distance, Saddleback Mountain, San Jacinto, and San Gorgonio.From here you just go back down the way you came up. And that's the hike!
