Condor Peak

Condor Peak

Vibrant Sunset Skies over San Gabriel Mountains via Mt San Antonio summit, A.K.A. Mount Baldy or Old Baldy. Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, California, USA. | yhelfman

🏔️ Overview

Condor Peak is a rugged summit in the western San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. Rising to 5,442 feet above sea level, the mountain overlooks the deep canyons and sharply folded ridges surrounding Big Tujunga Creek in northern Los Angeles County.

Although Condor Peak is far lower than the highest summits of the San Gabriels, reaching it requires a long, strenuous backcountry hike. The standard approach climbs more than 4,000 feet through exposed chaparral before finishing with a steep scramble above Condor Saddle. Its remote atmosphere, extensive views, and association with the California condor have made it a recognized summit on the Sierra Club’s Hundred Peaks Section list.

The mountain lies within Angeles National Forest and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, approximately 20 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.

⚡ Fast Facts

Fact	Details
Continent	North America
Country	United States
State/Province	California
County/Region	Los Angeles County
Protected Area	Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
Mountain Range	San Gabriel Mountains
Larger Mountain System	Transverse Ranges
Parent Peak	Iron Mountain
Elevation	5,442 feet / 1,659 meters
Prominence	670 feet / 204 meters
Isolation	1.61 miles / 2.59 kilometers
Nearest Higher Neighbor (NHN)	Iron Mountain
Coordinates	34.32565° N, 118.21888° W
USGS Topographic Map	Condor Peak Quadrangle
Main Route	Condor Peak Trail from Big Tujunga Canyon

📍 Location

Condor Peak stands in the western portion of the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Big Tujunga Canyon and northeast of the Sunland-Tujunga area of Los Angeles.

The mountain is surrounded by steep and complicated terrain. Big Tujunga Creek and its reservoir lie to the south, while Trail Canyon cuts into the mountain country to the west. Fox Mountain rises along the standard hiking approach, and the higher Iron Mountain stands to the north.

The May 2024 expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument added Condor Peak and surrounding national forest lands to the monument. The designation recognizes the area’s ecological, geological, recreational, and cultural importance while leaving management with the U.S. Forest Service.

Despite its proximity to metropolitan Los Angeles, the summit feels remarkably remote. Long approaches, limited shade, sparse signage, rugged canyons, and unreliable cellular reception give the hike a true backcountry character.

📏 Elevation & Prominence

Condor Peak reaches a LiDAR-measured elevation of approximately 5,442 feet, or 1,659 meters. Older maps and hiking references sometimes round its elevation to 5,440, 5,456, or 5,460 feet.

Its 670 feet of topographic prominence measures the vertical difference between the summit and the key saddle connecting it to higher terrain. Condor Peak’s parent peak and nearest higher neighbor are both Iron Mountain, which rises to approximately 5,639 feet a short distance to the north.

The mountain’s isolation is about 1.61 miles, meaning the nearest point of higher ground lies on the terrain associated with Iron Mountain.

Condor Peak’s prominence is moderate, but that figure does not describe its dramatic relief above the surrounding canyons. The mountain rises steeply above Ybarra Canyon, Big Tujunga Canyon, and other deeply eroded drainages. Learn more about these measurements in What Is Mountain Prominence? and What Is a Parent Peak?.

🪨 Geology

Condor Peak belongs to the Transverse Ranges, an unusual group of predominantly east–west-trending mountains in Southern California. Most major mountain systems in the western United States trend north–south, making the orientation of the Transverse Ranges particularly distinctive.

The San Gabriel Mountains were uplifted by compression and fault movement associated with the complex bend in the San Andreas Fault system. As the Pacific and North American tectonic plates move past one another, the bend produces substantial crustal shortening and uplift across the region.

The western San Gabriels contain a complicated mixture of ancient metamorphic rocks and younger intrusive igneous rocks. Faulting has fractured and displaced these rocks, while rapid uplift and erosion have produced narrow ridges, steep slopes, loose rock, and deeply cut canyons.

Condor Peak is not a volcano. Its rugged profile was created primarily by tectonic uplift, faulting, weathering, and erosion. Wildfires and intense winter rainstorms continue to reshape its slopes by removing vegetation and triggering erosion, rockfall, and debris movement.

🌿 Flora & Fauna

Condor Peak is predominantly surrounded by chaparral, a plant community adapted to Southern California’s long dry summers, periodic wildfires, and relatively wet winters.

Common vegetation in the area may include:

Chamise
Manzanita
Ceanothus
Scrub oak
California sagebrush
Yucca
Toyon
Various spring wildflowers

Dense chaparral can encroach on lightly traveled trails. Poodle-dog bush may also appear in areas disturbed by wildfire. Contact with this plant can cause a severe skin reaction, so hikers should learn to recognize it and avoid touching it.

Wildlife in the broader mountain area includes mule deer, coyotes, gray foxes, bobcats, black bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, hawks, ravens, and numerous smaller birds and mammals. Wildlife is usually elusive, but tracks and other signs are commonly encountered along remote trails.

California Condors

The mountain’s name is traditionally attributed to the California condors that once nested or regularly soared around its cliffs and ridges. Early accounts describe the enormous birds riding rising air currents above the mountain.

California condors are no longer regularly observed at Condor Peak. Although the broader national monument provides habitat for the species, hikers should not expect a condor sighting on this particular route. Turkey vultures, ravens, and other soaring birds are far more commonly seen.

🥾 Hiking & Climbing Routes

Condor Peak Trail from Big Tujunga Canyon

The usual ascent begins near Big Tujunga Canyon Road, close to the turnoff for Vogel Flat. Exact statistics vary depending on whether hikers use the original trailhead or a commonly used connecting path near Vogel Flat.

Typical route figures are:

Route Detail	Approximate Measurement
Round-trip distance	14–15.5 miles
Total elevation gain	4,100–4,300 feet
Typical hiking time	7–9 hours
Difficulty	Strenuous
Highest technical grade	Class 2 scrambling
Shade	Very limited
Reliable water	None

The trail climbs steadily above Big Tujunga Canyon before winding between Vogel and Fusier canyons. It passes near Fox Spring, although hikers should never depend on the spring for water. Any natural water must be properly filtered or treated.

Farther up, the route traverses the slopes of Fox Mountain before reaching the connecting ridge and Condor Saddle. This section includes several elevation losses and gains that make the return journey more tiring than the mileage alone suggests.

From Condor Saddle, a steep use trail climbs toward the summit. The final section contains loose rock, multiple informal paths, false summits, and short hands-on Class 2 sections. Some hikers may find the descent more intimidating than the climb.

The summit area is relatively broad, with several rocky high points and viewpoints. On a clear day, hikers can see Big Tujunga Canyon, Mount Lukens, Strawberry Peak, Iron Mountain, Mount Wilson, and distant Mount San Antonio.

Fox Mountain Combination

Fox Mountain is reached by a short but steep detour from the main Condor Peak route. Strong hikers frequently combine both summits in one outing.

Although the detour is not especially long, it adds climbing to an already demanding day. Hikers should consider their remaining water, daylight, and energy before leaving the main route.

Trail Canyon Approaches

Alternative approaches connect Trail Canyon with the Condor Peak ridge. These routes have periodically become heavily overgrown and may involve bushwhacking, deteriorated trail sections, and difficult navigation.

The west-ridge variation is considerably more serious, with steep off-trail climbing and exposed Class 2 or Class 3 scrambling. It should not be confused with the standard Condor Peak Trail and is appropriate only for experienced hikers who understand the route.

Current conditions should always be confirmed before attempting any Trail Canyon variation.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Treat Condor Peak as a full backcountry expedition rather than a casual foothill hike. Start early, download an offline map, carry ample water and the Ten Essentials, and turn around if heat, navigation, or the final scramble exceeds your comfort level.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

The best season for hiking Condor Peak is generally October through May.

Fall

Autumn brings cooler temperatures and frequently clear skies. Early fall can remain extremely warm, however, and wildfire-related closures are possible.

Winter

Winter often provides the most comfortable climbing temperatures. Storms can bring rain, strong wind, mud, ice, and occasional snow to the summit ridge. Short daylight hours make an early start particularly important.

Spring

Spring offers green hillsides, seasonal wildflowers, and flowing canyon streams. Dense vegetation, ticks, and rapidly rising daytime temperatures can create additional challenges.

Summer

Summer is usually the least suitable season. Much of the route is exposed, and temperatures in the lower canyons can become dangerous. Water sources cannot be trusted, shade is scarce, and wildfire danger may be elevated.

Always check Angeles National Forest alerts, road conditions, fire restrictions, and weather forecasts before leaving home.

🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions

Fox Mountain

Fox Mountain rises to approximately 5,033 feet along the standard Condor Peak approach. It can be added as a short but steep side trip.

Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain is Condor Peak’s parent peak and nearest higher neighbor. Reaching both mountains during the same outing creates a much longer and more strenuous expedition.

Big Tujunga Reservoir

The reservoir occupies the deep canyon south of Condor Peak. Several sections of the summit route provide views down toward the water and surrounding ridges.

Trail Canyon Falls

Trail Canyon Falls is reached by a separate hike beginning near Big Tujunga Canyon Road. Conditions vary considerably according to rainfall, and the waterfall may be dry during extended rainless periods.

Strawberry Peak

Strawberry Peak rises east of Condor Peak and is the highest mountain in the front range of the San Gabriels. Its summit reaches approximately 6,164 feet.

Mount Lukens

Mount Lukens stands southwest of Condor Peak and is the highest point within the city limits of Los Angeles. Condor Peak is Mount Lukens’ nearest higher neighbor.

💡 Fun Facts

Condor Peak is named for the California condor, one of North America’s largest flying birds.
The mountain appears on the Sierra Club Hundred Peaks Section list as peak 9C.
Reaching the summit requires substantially more hiking effort than its moderate elevation might suggest.
Hikers encounter two prominent false summits before reaching the highest point.
Condor Peak was included in the 2024 expansion of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
The summit lies less than 25 miles from central Los Angeles but has the atmosphere of a remote backcountry mountain.
Different sources list slightly different elevations because of older contour-map measurements and newer LiDAR data.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How high is Condor Peak?

Condor Peak reaches approximately 5,442 feet, or 1,659 meters, above sea level.

Where is Condor Peak?

It is in the western San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, California, north of Big Tujunga Canyon and within Angeles National Forest.

How long is the hike to Condor Peak?

Most versions of the standard route cover approximately 14 to 15.5 miles round trip with more than 4,100 feet of elevation gain.

Is Condor Peak difficult to hike?

Yes. It is a strenuous hike because of its distance, elevation gain, sun exposure, limited water, remote terrain, and steep final scramble.

Is the route suitable for beginners?

Condor Peak is generally unsuitable for inexperienced hikers unless they are accompanied by someone familiar with long mountain routes, navigation, and basic scrambling.

Does the trail require rock climbing?

The standard route does not require ropes or technical climbing equipment. The final ascent does involve steep Class 2 scrambling where hikers may need to use their hands.

Are California condors still found on Condor Peak?

The mountain was historically associated with California condors, but the birds are not regularly observed there today. Turkey vultures and ravens are much more common.

Can Fox Mountain and Condor Peak be climbed together?

Yes. Fox Mountain is a relatively short detour from the Condor Peak Trail, although it adds elevation gain and effort to an already strenuous hike.

What is the best time to climb Condor Peak?

Cooler months from late fall through spring are best. Summer should generally be avoided because the route is highly exposed and can become dangerously hot.

Is Condor Peak inside the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument?

Yes. The mountain was brought within the national monument’s boundaries through the May 2024 expansion.

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