Mt Williamson, Pt 8248, and UTM 420054 3804466 Trip Report

[Hikin_Jim]

Mt Williamson, Pt 8248, and UTM 420054 3804466 Trip Report

Please note that this is for the Mt Williamson in the San Gabriel Mountains near Islip Saddle not the peak of the same name in the Sierra Nevada.

Date: 7/7/2007
Start Time: 8:30 AM
End Time: 2:30 PM
Mileage: Approx. 7.5 mi RT
Gain: Approx. 2500'
Max Elev: 8248'
Type: Out and back.
Route: West Mt. Williamson TH (PCT) to Mt. Williamson/Pleasant View Ridge, Pleasant View Ridge to Pt 8248 and UTM 420054 3804466.
Quads: Valyermo, Crystal Lake

This is a nice class 1 cross country ramble in the Middle High Country of the San Gabriel Mountains. I slept in a bit and started around 8:30 AM. Fortunately, the weather was reasonably clement despite it being July. The West trailhead http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34. ... &layer=DRG where I started has the morning advantage of shade. The first part of the trip is along the PCT from Angeles Crest Hwy (ACH). The PCT is a well maintained trail. The only obstacle is a downed tree with a lot of branches approximately here, http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34.36356&lon=-117.869&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG. I scrambled around on the uphill side following the clear path of others.

After gaining the S ridge of Mt. Williamson, the PCT begins to descend back to ACH. I left the official trail here http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34. ... &layer=DRG and began the "XC" portion of my trek. I place XC in quotes deliberately: this route is so popular that there is a "use" trail that is easier to follow than many "official" trails. Follow the use trail up the S ridge, gaining the summit ridge here, http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34.37137&lon=-117.85771&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG, and then cut back south to the named summit of Mt. Williamson. This is pretty easy travel except for a steep section here, http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34.3688&lon=-117.85901&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG.

The summit is rather indistinct. There are good views in multiple directions, and the rather precipitous S face of Williamson is quite impressive. I couldn't find a summit register.

The named summit of Mt. Williamson is the SW end of Pleasant View Ridge. I then continued along PV Ridge, passing the next bump on the ridge to the right, following the use trail. It's quite steep and rocky here, http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34. ... &layer=DRG. This is a little bit more challenging terrain but quite easily negotiated for those used to XC travel. I found my trekking poles helpful.

I passed the next bump on Pleasant View Ridge (Pt 8244) on the right. If you'd like to summit this bump, the best route appears to be due East from Pt 8244. Draw even with the summit of the point and follow the obvious use trail from the high point of the "main" use trail that bypasses Pt 8244. There's a downed tree in this vicinity but it's branchless and hardly an obstacle to travel.

As I proceeded along PV Ridge, I summited Pt 8248. This is the true summit of Mt. Williamson, but for some reason, the lower point to the South bears the name. There is a great spot for lunch here under a pine tree. I couldn't find a summit register, although I didn't particularly look hard either. The best views seem to be from this point here, http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34.37546&lon=-117.86437&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG.

Speaking of views, 7/7/07 was exceptionally clear. Looking out in to the desert, I could see for miles. Indeed, in the far distance, at a bearing of 20 degrees (true), I could see a prominent peak with a ridge with more peaks extending to the right. I'd love to know what peak this is. Telescope Peak in Death Valley is reputedly visable from this vicinity. The topography of Telescope Peak generally matches what I saw, http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=36.16377&lon=-117.09148&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG&size=l&s=500. When I print this map, http://terraserver.microsoft.com/PrintImage.aspx?T=2&S=19&Z=11&X=4&Y=37&W=3&qs=%7cBadwater%7cca%7c&D=01+Jul+1969&P=104+km+NE+of+Los+Angeles%2c+California%2c+United+States&Lon=-117.428032&Lat=35.159660, 20 degrees seems about right, but at that distance, it's a very inexact bearing. Does anyone out there have a better way to confirm that I saw or didn't see Telescope Peak?

Now the fun begins. I descend to a saddle NW of Pt 8248, here http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34.37751&lon=-117.86572&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG. Looking down from the summit area of true Mt. Williamson, this looks pretty intimidating. However steep, it is mercifully short. The use trail is still abundantly clear. En route, you pass what almost certainly is a sheep trail. In the vicinity, approximately here, http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=34.38386&lon=-117.86695&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG is an old plane wreck. There's a sheep trail heading in that direction, but given the terrain, perhaps it would be wiser to summit UTM 420054 3804466 and then descend the major NE trending ridge toward the plane wreck.

Having arrived at the saddle, I began the ascent of UTM 420054 3804466. The first section is the steepest. As one approaches the summit, the grade ameliorates. As soon as the use trail, still visable but less distinct after leaving the saddle, starts leaving the crest of the ridge, leave the main use trail and follow a faint use trail to the summit of UTM 420054 3804466. Judging by the condition of the use trail, the traffic drops off considerably after Mt. Williamson. There's a lovely shaded spot to rest between the lesser summit to the SW and the main summit of UTM 420054 3804466. Indeed, there are several places in and around the summit, particularly on the East bench of UTM 420054 3804466 that would make an excellent but waterless camp site. The shade is lovely but leaves something to be desired in the view department. The NW portion of the Williamson summit area takes top honors in this category. It should be noted that I saw not one person despite this being a lovely (albeit hot) day until I returned to Mt. Williamson. UTM 420054 3804466 offers a bit of solitude.

I now return the way I came, the re-ascent of Mt. Williamson being the only real difficulty en route. I enjoyed a leisurely pace, stopping to chat with various groups of hikers near Mt. Williamson and along the PCT. All in all, a very nice walk.

[magikwalt]

A very nice walk. That's the way we like them!
Nice report Jim.

[marmot]

hello Jim,

your trip sounds interesting,

i was on pleasant view ridge just yesterday, I climbed up from the devils punchbowl (4700 ft), and followed an extremely steep ridge up to the old airplane site (7800 ft), from there i went around a saddle, and then to the top (8248 feet). A strenuous hike with a lot of uphill.

[Hikin_Jim]

Wow! I know exactly which ridge you're talking about, and that is some steep country. That's Williamson the hard way!

PS Pardon the late reply; I was doing some backpacking in Colorado