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A well-shaded trail that opens up to great views and leads to a rocky summit.


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Map Key

3.3

Miles

5.3

KM

85%

Runnable

8,023' 2,445 m

High

6,801' 2,073 m

Low

1,257' 383 m

Up

35' 11 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers

No bicycles in wilderness.

Need to Know

Adventure Pass required for parking. Trail enters San Gabriel Wilderness at 1.1 miles. There are two official Mt. Waterman Trails. This trail (10W05) is formally named "Mt. Waterman Trail #2". The trail from 3 Points (10W04) is "Mt. Waterman Trail #1".

Description

The Mt. Waterman trailhead is across Hwy 2 from the Buckhorn Day Use Area. Use the large turnouts along Angeles Crest Highway and not the limited parking in the day use area.

Follow the trail to the left as it carries you just above the highway, across a dirt road, and then up through the manzanita, away from the road. The trail continues south, along the flank of the mountain, through a forest of pine and cedar. It then opens up to a northwest facing ledge before carrying you to the main ridge at about 1 1/4 miles in.

From here, the view opens up to the south and you can look out over the San Gabriel Wilderness. The trail follows the ridgeline west, up the shoulder of the mountain for 1/2 mile, before traversing a set of long switchbacks. At 2 miles there is a signed junction with the Mt. Waterman Trail #10W04 that goes to 3 Points.

Take the trail to the right (north) and follow it as it turns west, around the backside of a shoulder peak and then continues on to the main peak.

Just shy of the 3 1/2 mile mark there will be a small mileage sign. From here, the trail heads southeast, toward the rocky summit. To reach the 8038' official height of the mountain, you'll need to climb some rocks!

Flora & Fauna

Jeffrey, sugar pines, white fir, incense cedar shade much of the trail. Deer and occasionally bighorn sheep can be seen.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jason Ethridge

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 11 votes

#7550

Overall
  4.3 from 11 votes
5 Star
45%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
18%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#619

in California

#7,550

Overall
2 Views Last Month
1,337 Since Jun 17, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

9%
0%
82%
0%
9%
0%

Photos

Enjoy a nice pine grove near the fork up to Mt. Waterman overlooking Twin Peaks often covered in snow.
Apr 13, 2017 near Azusa, CA
Sometimes the sign is standing, and sometimes it is laying down. By the way, it is Waterman Mountain, not Mt. Waterman.
Jun 17, 2016 near Azusa, CA
If you want to achieve Waterman Mountain's true summit, you'll have to get on top of the rocks.
Jun 17, 2016 near Bradbury, CA
Enjoying the peace of Waterman Mountain; so close to LA, and yet so far.
Jun 17, 2016 near Azusa, CA
Heading up the switchbacks on Waterman Mountain
Jun 17, 2016 near Azusa, CA

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