Objective: Summit Mt. Sally, San Gabriel Mountains, California Distance: 2.2 miles (out and back) Peak Elevation: 5,408′ Elevation Gain: 600′ Difficulty: Moderate

The ridge to Mt. Sally is mild in terms of elevation gain. The trick is dodging and weaving around the Spanish bayonets. Without the overgrown shrubs, the route would be a cakewalk.

Directions to Trailhead

From the 210 East in La Cañada, drive 18.5 miles on Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2). Park at Shortcut Saddle. There is large parking area on the northern side.

Directions to Summit

Trailhead: Cross the road and walk east for 100 yards. The trailhead is on the south side of the highway where it bends a bit. The path heading east to the ridgeline is steep. 0.6 miles: Follow the firebreak along the ridgeline. 0.75 miles: There is a bump along the ridge that is not Mt. Sally. Keep going east. 1.1 miles: After a dip, there is a pile of rocks marking the true summit. You have reached Mt. Sally. Turn around and head back.

Trek Highlights

West Ridge Approach: The rocky path shoots straight up and connects with the ridgeline. There is a firebreak along the ridgeline with strategically placed yucca and chapparal that will try their best at preventing you from keeping a straight line. You will reach a bump where you will realize that Mt. Sally is still just a bit away. A couple of dips later, and you are next to a pile of rocks at the summit. From the top, you have a great view of the peaks of the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Red Tape

Display your adventure pass.

Factoids

Stella (Sally) Neuman was a clerk on Forest Supervisor William Mendenhall’s staff. Sally’s name was placed on the map as a joke by one of her admirers.

Photos