The East Fork of the San Gabriel River drains a huge basin bounded by
Mt. Baden-Powell, Pine Mountain, Mt. Baldy, and Iron Mountain. During spring
flood it is extremely impressive. Later in the season as the water level
falls the lower end becomes a very popular destination. Many people do the
hot but pleasant hike up to the Bridge to Nowhere and the Narrows just beyond.
But this is just where the best part begins. Very few venture any farther
upstream.
I highly recommend the following 3-day route I once did. Follow the river
up to Prairie Fork, climb Pine Mountain ridge (detouring into upper Fish Fork
to replenish your water supply one last time), head over Mt. Baldy, and take
San Antonio Ridge over to Iron Mountain, then finally descend back to the
trailhead. It is a very challenging but extremely diverse and rewarding trip.
The crux is the rugged third class scrambling at the Keyhole and such on San
Antonio Ridge, but a good route description can be found on Chris Brennen's Canyoneering in the San
Gabriels. Water is also a serious problem, as there is none between upper
Fish Fork and the final trailhead -- for me this was a full day and a half of
strenuous hiking. In early summer I have found snow patches on Iron Mountain,
but don't go too early or the East Fork San Gabriel River will be impassible.
Another time my friend Courtney and I tried to go up to the Narrows during
spring break. I guess the Forest Service had strung up half-inch cables at all
the river crossings, but we didn't make it too far because we didn't have
proper gear so we were going hand-over-hand over the roaring torrent(!!) I
would love to see the Narrows during flood, but I'm not sure how
to get there.
Robinson describes an old trail or road that contours above the Narrows, and
there's a 4WD road marked on the USGS topo, but I could never find either. Has
anyone else had better luck? It doesn't take long for the chaparral to
completely obliterate trails unless you know exactly where to look for them.
I highly recommend the following 3-day route I once did. Follow the river
up to Prairie Fork, climb Pine Mountain ridge (detouring into upper Fish Fork
to replenish your water supply one last time), head over Mt. Baldy, and take
San Antonio Ridge over to Iron Mountain, then finally descend back to the
trailhead. It is a very challenging but extremely diverse and rewarding trip.
The crux is the rugged third class scrambling at the Keyhole and such on San
Antonio Ridge, but a good route description can be found on Chris Brennen's Canyoneering in the San
Gabriels. Water is also a serious problem, as there is none between upper
Fish Fork and the final trailhead -- for me this was a full day and a half of
strenuous hiking. In early summer I have found snow patches on Iron Mountain,
but don't go too early or the East Fork San Gabriel River will be impassible.