Hikes We Like | Stoddard Peak, Mt. Baldy, California

One of our favorite things to do is hike, especially in the San Gabriel mountains just a hop, skip and jump away from our home. We are by no means expert hikers, but we’ve discovered the best hikes by talking to people that know the area and by going with friends who have more experience than us. I’m going to start sharing a few of our now go-to hikes that we do with our kids. Our kids are pretty great hikers. The youngest we’ve had them on this trail is age 6. It’s also awesome to have some hikes that just take a few hours vs an entire day, and this is one of those that we love – Stoddard Peak.  Barrett-Stoddard Rd,  Upland, CA 91784

We love it for it’s majestic views, easy parking and the fun little scramble at the top. You’ll also pass some fun houses in the beginning of the trail – specifically one I call the “Hansel and Gretel” house. You’ll need a National Forest Adventure Pass to display when you park.

The first time we hiked this trail, it was a cloudy day, so we missed out on the views, and we still enjoyed it! If you hike it on a sunny day, be sure and wear lots of sunscreen. Large portions of the trail are in full exposure.

When you get to the climb for the peak, the trail is really overgrown, so it’s helpful to be wearing long pants. My husband’s done it every time in shorts, but he comes away with scratched up legs! You might be tempted to skip the climb to the peak, but you’ve come this far, so I say go for it! The views are totally worth it.

I look forward to sharing more of our go-to hikes in future posts! As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment!!