Modern Hiker

A short but steep hike to a prominent ridge in the San Gabriel High Country. You’ll pass through a defunct picnic area, an abandoned ski resort, and top it off with outstanding views of the middle of the front range and San Gabriel Wilderness. While it might not be a Destination Hike, it’s well worth the detour if you’re in the area.

Just a few miles away from the roadblock at Islip Saddle, and a few miles past the trailheads for Winston Peak and Mount Akawie, you’ll see dilapidated signs for the Vista Picnic Area. On the right south side of the road, you’ll come upon a rarely used collection of picnic tables, nestled in the shade of the east-west Kratka Ridge.

This was the last of three short hikes I did with the Sierra Club a few weeks ago, and even at the end of May, there was still a bit of snow in the shadier areas.

Most of the white stuff disappeared pretty quickly as we climbed up to sunnier areas, but I did see a flash of red on the pine needle-covered floor — a small patch of snow plant flowers.

In a very short time, we had switchbacked up the picnic area and arrived on the prominent ridge line. To our south, the ground dropped off suddenly into the deep valleys of the San Gabriel Wilderness. We began a steady climb to the east, and the highest point on the ridge.

After following an old ski trail, we made a direct assault on one of the less intimidating ascents, but the soft ground and lack of established trail made the going a bit slower than it should have been.

After this, most of the work on the trail was done, and we followed a moderately graded ski trail to get our first good views of the San Gabriel Wilderness.

Also in sight was the old Kratka Ridge Skilift, which still had some seats attached to the cables, but had clearly seen much better days.

Just beyond the ski lift is a very short scramble up to the Ridge’s high point, which just happens to also have one of the most impressive views of the middle San Gabriels, with clear views of Waterman Mountain past Twin Peaks and all the way down to the civilization you just escaped from.

After spending a short rest at the summit, we scrambled back down the way we came — taking much, much less time.

The Basics:

- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 700 feet
- Time: About an hour and a half, depending on how your ascents go
- Trail Condition: Fair. While sections of this trail, like the others in the area, are on unmapped use trails, the best route for the ascent is more easily visible here.
- How To Get There: From the 210 in La Canada Flintridge, take the Angeles Crest Highway 36 miles, past the Buckhorn Campground. Park at the Vista Picnic Area on the south side of the road and display your Adventure Pass.
- Map It!

The Notables:

- Old, abandoned picnic area and ski resort
- Phenomenal views of the San Gabriel Wilderness

More Pictures:

- up at Flickr.

Kratka Ridge at EveryTrail
Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging