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Mount Lukens

4.5 (11 reviews)

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Tony K.

This hike actually have quite a few routes you can take to get to Mount Lukens. So you can change it up a bit and knock these out if you live close by or just want say you did them all. We started from Deukmejian Wilderness Park. The parking area is free, so that's a plus. The park itself is well maintained, and the restrooms here are pretty good. This is a tough 10 mile RT, that starts on the Crescenta View Trail and loops back down with very little shade from the sun. So plan accordingly if you're hiking this during the summer. I suggest printing out a map as you don't want to get lost in this long 10 mile loop, we used the hikingguy website, as he actually wrote a great turn by turn detail to summit Mount Lukens and has a trail map of the area. Other than that, the hike was fun, the views were great going up and at the radio towers. We didn't see a lot of hikers, so that was refreshing. There could be more trails, but here are the other alternative routes if you want to try out. Via Stone Canyon - 9 mile RT Via Haines Canyon - 8.5 mile RT As always, pack accordingly to the weather and have fun.

Amy B.

There are multiple ways you chose to take to get to the peak. We began our 10.8 mile journey at Deukmejian Wilderness Park via Rim of the Valley Trail. After you park, be sure to use the restrooms that are available (just be prepared to get a quad workout) Within the first 5 mins we ran into a volunteer who was planting trees. He suggested we take the Rim of the valley trail, he also claimed it was a 3.5mile trek to the peak. He lied. We started our journey in the direction the old man pointed us in. The first mile wasn't too bad, lots and lots of switchbacks. After the first mile we began our descend downward. This was one of my favorite parts, we were shaded under the trees and the smell of the rain from the night before enhanced the whimsical feeling. Also the running water in the creek added a nice calming charm. Just be carful... some of the plants look a little questionable and you don't want to end up with poison oak. After this we continued our journey up. At 4 miles (according to my GPS) I was getting a little tired. The incline had been steady the entire time with no hope of relief. However we could see the peak and there was no way we were turning around. So after a water and snack break we continued up the mountain. Finally after 5.6 miles and 2 1/2 hours up the mountain we made it to the peak. This was the first time that I was almost too tired to enjoy my conquest. Also when we reached the top the temperature dropped and my sweat soaked t-shirt refused to provide me with any warmth. I was excited (perhaps a little too enthusiastic due to weakness) to find the Geo catcher and add my name to the little book. Since we were on a time frame, and because I thought I was freezing (it really wasn't that cold, I was just tired at this point) we began our journey down. This hike was a killer workout. It took us 4 hours to complete the 10.8 mile hike. The biggest sense of accomplishment comes not at the peak of the mountain, but rather when the journey is over and you stand in awe looking up at the point you came from. This hike is definitely worth a try. Bring water, a partner, and the attitude that you are going to complete it, and don't loose that attitude during the last mile up when your legs go numb from the prolonged exposure to lactic acid build up.

Mt Lukens via Rim of the Valley Trail
Paolo H.

You can access Mount Lukens from various trails coming from the North, West and South. I chose to access it from the South from Deukmejian Wilderness Park located in Dunsmore Canyon in the City of Glendale. From this starting point you can take the Rim of the Valley Trail or the Crescenta View Trail to the summit. I chose the Rim of the Valley Trail. It was a 10.8 mile round trip hike and it took me 4 hours to complete. You can also complete a loop by combining both the Rim of the Valley and Crescenta View Trails. The summit reaches an elevation of 5,075 feet which is the highest elevation within Los Angeles City limits. I went on a Sunday morning and the parking lot at the Wilderness Park was pretty crowded. Fortunately parking is free and you don't need an Adventure Pass. Within the first mile of the hike you will descend into the canyon where you will encounter lush foliage and a small stream. At one point you will need to walk along a fallen tree and hop over various puddles. You will then approach some wooden stairs and a fallen bridge to begin your ascent up the mountain. The trail then transitions to steep switchbacks and a narrow cliffside trail that has some great views. The day I went the weather was cool and parts of the trail had some shaded areas. The final leg consists of some long switchbacks leading up to the communication towers. There is a definitely a temperature change the last mile of the hike and your sweat-soaked shirt also does not help matters. Be sure to bring along a lightweight sweatshirt if you plan to reach the summit. At the summit you'll encounter an antenna farm. I never like to hang out too long around radio and television broadcast antenna towers. I just don't know what effects the powerful high frequency radio waves are having on my body. There are even posted signs warning how you are exceeding the FCC limits of safety by being too close to the base of the towers. Before you descend down the mountain, be sure to try and find the Geocatch and the survey mark. I won't give away the location but it might be located somewhere near a propane tank.

The view from the top of Mt. Lukens
Al L.

Holy crap, now this is a serious hike!!! Lots of water, food, sunscreen are highly recommended. Our MapMyHike app said the distance was a little over 13 miles roundtrip starting from Haines Canyon Ave. Directions to this starting point are confusing on other online resources but I figured out that if you map yourself to this address, it takes you right to the entrance. 10501 Haines Canyon Ave, Tujunga, CA 91042 Park on that uphill street near the top of Haines Canyon Ave. It is an uphill residential street with a gated dead end at the top. The gate at the dead end is the entrance to the hike. You will see a dam as you walk in. As you keep following the trail, a couple of miles ahead, you will eventually notice a split and might ask yourself, "Which way to go?" Keep RIGHT when you see this split. Later on, you will cross over a dry creek and the approach a "ROAD CLOSED" gate. Go past this and it is ALL incline from there. The trail will continue up and keep going...and going...and going...on for MILES. The goal is to get to the very top where the few antenna towers are. Once you make it, after 6.5 miles up, you're at the highest point of elevation in LA city limits!!! Congratulations!!! Power through, drink water and feed yourself on this trek.

Eastward View to San Gabriel Mountains

Mt. Lukens is not as glamorous as Mt. Baldy or Baden Powell, but I come here often because it is much closer from where I live. At times, I feel like driving less and hike more even though the cost is "not so great views" or "less shades from mature forests." You can get there by 5 different ways - with approximate distance. 1)Stone Canyon Trail - 8 Miles, 3,200 ft gain 2)Haynes Canyon Trail - 10 Miles, 2,900 ft gain 3)Rim of the World Trail - 10.4 Miles, 2,800 ft gain 4)Crescenta View Trail - 9 Miles, 2,800 ft gain 5)From Angeles Crest Highway - 12+ Miles, Elevation Gain est. 2,600(?) ft. 1)Stone Canyon - I would not go there because trail is very fragile. It is not worth it. Trail head is from Big Tujunga Road from Sunland. 2408 Stoneyvale Rd. 2) Haines Canyon - Neither. Not well maintained and boring. TH is near Haines Debris Basin at Tujunga. 3)4)Rim of the World and Crescenta View - these two starts from the same trail head at Deukmejian Wilderness Park at Glendale. 3429 Markridge Rd. Glendale. RW veers to left at about .25 miles from start and CV veers to right. 5)From Angeles Crest Highway - not recommended. wery long and unspectacular. TH is about 5-10 miles from La Canada. If you want less steep and overall gain, then do RW. If you prefer steep hiking, then do CV. The first one and half hours is steep and very good workout. As for the location of Deukmejian Wilderness Park, you can google it easily. Free parking and clean bathroom. So my favorite path is going up via CV and coming down via RW. The whole thing will be about 10 miles. Lastly, make sure you hike early in the morning if you go there during Summer time. The park opens at 7:00 a.m.

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Review Highlights - Mount Lukens

ā€œI chose to access it from the South from Deukmejian Wilderness Park located in Dunsmore Canyon in the City of Glendale.ā€

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Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

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Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

This place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

Beaudry Loop Hike - Directions are easy to decipher. You go left and I go up or you go right and I go east. ;D

Beaudry Loop Hike

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This hike is not for the faint of heart. I believe it's a full 7 miles if you do the entire loop…read morebut we ended up taking a shorter route which made it a total of 5 miles. I've attempted this hike once before and failed to do the loop as I started later in the day and wasn't able to finish it; however, I just recently went again with a few of my friends and this time was able to accomplish it within, I want to say 3-4 hours? I wasn't tracking it but it was a good hike--recommend going early to beat the heat or maybe in the afternoon so it's not hot. My only recommendation is to take the path on the right first when you come across the split at the Beaudry Loop since there's shading from the trees and it's much easier, as it felt like it was a steady incline. Also, when coming back down from the other side, it was steeper but much easier to come down than to hike uphill, which I did the first time I did this hike. A great, challenging hike for anyone who is currently looking for new places to climb. Due to the fires in Eaton Canyon and Malibu, there are less options to trek at the moment but this is a solid choice. This is nestled in a neighborhood so you'll end up parking your car either at the front entrance or in front of other people's homes. Will definitely come back again next time to conquer the full trail but with more ample time of course.

May your trails be long, crooked, lonesome, rugged leading to the most magnificent view. Now…read morewithout further ado let's begin this glorious hike review. ;D Beaudry Loop Hike is a 5.5-mile loop trail located in Verdugo Mt near La Cresenta and Glendale, California. The trail is moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 hours to complete. Also, it has other interconnected trails within the loop. BLH is a popular area for hiking, mountain biking, dog walking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Furthermore, this loop trail has an elevation gain of 1,515 feet that provide gorgeous view of LA and surrounding cities. I hiked this loop trail on a cool Tuesday (12/06) morning where very little to no hikers on the trail. As you go deeper into the trail's bosom, you will see some wild plants and flowers and other creatures. The trails are very wide, well kept and has adequate shade on certain parts. The entrance of Beaudry Loop trail (intersection of Beaudry Terrace and Beaudry blvd) is somewhat hidden but a yellow metal thick gate is where you enter. There is one thing certain that no quiescent mind hiking this trailhead. As for parking, there are plenty of street parking around the neighborhood. In this voluminous review, it's time to make a conclusion. Overall, I enjoyed hiking this trail and it's magnificent view from the summit. I wholeheartedly recommend this trail.

Trail Canyon Falls

Trail Canyon Falls

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This hike was interesting, but for me it was definitely more difficult and a lot more dangerous…read morethan I expected. The first part of the trail, down to the creek and along the creek, was not too hard and actually pretty enjoyable. Crossing the creek several times was fun, and there were some nice shaded areas along the way. We also saw a California newt, which was really interesting -- but please do not touch them. Later, when we finally had internet again, we read that their skin produces a toxin, so it's best to admire them from a safe distance. The harder part starts after you climb above the creek. From there, the trail leading toward the waterfall becomes narrow and slippery, and on the right side there are steep drop-offs almost the entire way. The final descent to the waterfall was the biggest challenge for me. You have to go down along the rock with a rope for support, but honestly it did not look safe at all, so we decided not to go all the way down to the base of the waterfall. I would not bring children on this hike. Also, be prepared that the round trip can take around 3.5 hours depending on your pace. A few helpful things to know: * parking was along the road * there are no restrooms * tickets/permits need to be purchased in advance in a different place * internet service was very poor, so it's better to download your map ahead of time * there were not many people, which was nice The waterfall was full and rushing, and the views were beautiful, but personally I would not do this hike a second time.

A scenic trail nestled in the Tujunga Mountains, this hike was the perfect choice for my friends…read moreand me. We picked this spot because it's slightly removed from the fire damage of last year, yet still close enough to LA for a convenient trip. First things first, this trail is located in the Los Angeles mountains and requires an Adventure Pass ($5). You can pick one up at designated spots (which, by the way, supports the forest), and it must be displayed on your dashboard with the date scratched out. I saw many cars without the Adventure Pass, but from my understanding, you could get a ticket, so it's your call. I would rather get the $5 Adventure Pass than a ticket which could cost you maybe $50+. Also, I highly recommend getting there early for two reasons: 1. To secure a parking spot 2. To beat the heat. We arrived early enough to find parking, and as we set out on the trail, I was struck by how beautiful it was. The hike is about 4 miles in and out. At the start, there's little shade, but as you continue, you'll cross several streams and find shaded spots along the way. There's even a section where you'll need to use ropes to descend, eventually reaching the base of a waterfall. The trail is quite popular, so by the time we got to the waterfall, there were lots of people taking photos. The descent was manageable, but be prepared to wait for others when you head back up the ropes. There was a bit of a line to ascend, which slowed things down a little before we headed back to the car. All in all, it's a fantastic trail. Having lived in the area for many years, I'd definitely consider it one of my favorites. The variety of trails, different terrains, and water crossings make it a unique experience. Just don't forget to bring waterproof hiking boots for the water crossings. Enjoy!

Whiting Woods Motorway

Whiting Woods Motorway

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Whiting Woods Motorway offers spectacular views of the Crescenta Valley as it ascends the Verdugo…read moreMountains. It's a well-maintained trail and is pretty much uphill out, downhill back. It's definitely on the urban/nature border and you'll never feel that you're out in the countryside but it's a great outdoor workout. If you hike all the way to the top and back, it's almost six miles round trip. Whiting Woods itself has an interesting history, including having been home to a brothel, a speakeasy and an opium farm. You just never know what goes on in the suburbs. Parking is free at the end of Whiting Woods Road. Park hours are more generous than some (closed between 10 pm and 4 am.)

Verdugo Mountain Range trail with views of DTLA and Burbank. Came here on a Saturday morning and…read morethere were only a few other people hiking, so there was a peaceful atmosphere. The trail was exposed so be sure to wear sunscreen! It's a wide track made of compact dirt - sneakers are fine to wear. There are quite a few bikers however so be mindful of them. Dogs are allowed. There are no bathrooms or water stations. Parking is free and available along the street, although it's limited since it's in a residential neighborhood. The trek is a steady upward ascent and there are various trails that branch off once you get to the top (denoted by the power station). It's a good workout but the trail is still family-friendly. There was even a bench at the top facing the mountain in case you needed to sit. I really liked the views you can see of LA. It did get chilly towards the top (probably because it was a windy day when we went) but it's a great SoCal hike for those looking to get a solid workout in.

Mount Lukens - hiking - Updated May 2026

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