Southbound view from Stoddard Peak
Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.
Stoddard Peak
- Location: Angeles National Forest south of Mt. Baldy. From the 210 Freeway, take the Baseline Road exit and go west for 0.7 miles. Take a right (north) onto Mills, go 1.1 miles and bear right onto Mt. Baldy Road. Drive 6.4 miles and turn right onto Barrett-Stoddard Road. Take a sharp right and head down into the parking lot. A National Forest Service Adventure Pass ($5 per day or $30 for the year) is required for parking. Click here to purchase.
- Agency: Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel River Ranger District
- Distance: 6 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
- Difficulty Rating: PG-13 (distance)
- Suggested time: 3 hours
- Best season: September – June
- USGS topo maps: “Mt. Baldy”
- More information: here
- Rating: 7
This hike’s beginning, which takes you past a small power plant, might not be all that inspiring, but as you climb, the scenery gets better and better. Stoddard Peak, at 4,624 feet, is tall enough to give you great views of the Inland Empire, as well as a perspective on the higher peaks of the area that you can’t get from ground level.
From the parking lot follow the dirt road as it ascends from the canyon at a steady grade, passing several cabins. You enter a nice forest of oaks along the way, and at 0.8 miles, bypass a metal gate to continue along the trail. The trickling sound of a water from a few mountain streams adds to the ambiance. The trail winds in and out of a wide meadow with no shade that can be hot during the summer months.
At about 2.5 miles, you arrive at a saddle. Here, look for a faint trail leading up a steep ridge to the right. Be careful as you make your way up to the ridge. When you arrive, follow the ridge about a quarter mile south and arrive on Stoddard Peak (there is a false summit shortly before).
From Stoddard, on a clear day, Orange County’s Saddleback will be directly in front of you, and you can also see nearby Frankish Peak and Potato Mountain. The taller peaks–Baldy, Lookout, Cucamonga, et. al., are visible to the north. If you’re lucky you might be able to see the ocean.
As with nearby Lookout Mountain, the best conditions for climbing Stoddard Peak may vary day-by-day. In the winter, the northward-facing route is likely to have snow, and in the summer, the elevation is low enough that heat can still be an issue. But regardless of the weather, Stoddard’s “Bang for the Buck” factor is high.
