Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness Loop

PVR Wilderness Loop is a 21.9-mile loop route that circumnavigates the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness in Angeles National Forest. This is a strenuous and challenging loop that traverses across rugged terrain with significant elevation gain and loss within the San Gabriel Mountains. There are aromatic pine trees, beautiful ridgeline trails, majestic mountains, and expansive views looking out across the Mojave desert. 

The Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness lies on the northern slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains, where the mountains meet the Mojave Desert, in the newly designated San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. In this area, there are high peaks, chaparral covered hillsides, stands of pine trees, and stunning views of the desert basin. 

The route passes through areas that are popular for trail running, hiking, and backpacking, as well as sections that are much more remote, offering plenty of opportunities for solitude. 

WILDLIFE IN THE AREA
Rattlesnakes, woodpeckers, Cooper’s Hawk, mountain chickadees, mule deer, mountain lions, black bears, lizards, hummingbirds, etc.

PLANTS COMMON TO THE AREA
Pine trees such as pinyon, Jeffrey, sugar, and california incense-cedar. There are also ferns, lupine, mountain mahogany, chaparral, yucca, and more. 

DIRECTIONS

The trailhead is at Islip Saddle, northwest of Wrightwood, California, off the Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2). From Islip Saddle, take the Pacific Crest Trail north for 1.70 miles. Follow the Mount Williamson Ridge Trail northeast for about .5 miles to Mount Williamson's summit.

Continue on the Pleasant View Ridge Trail, crossing Pleasant View Ridge and heading towards Burkhart Saddle. Take the Burkhart Trail east. Eventually, the Burkhart Trail winds southeast and connects with the High Desert National Recreation Trail (HDNRT). Take the HDNRT past the Devil's Chair to the junction at South Fork Campground. Head west and ascend the South Fork Trail to get back to Islip Saddle. 

TRAILHEAD INFORMATION

• Islip Saddle is located in the middle of Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2) which runs through Angeles National Forest from La Canada/Flintridge to Wrightwood / Cajon Pass.  

• The day use area features a moderately sized parking area with picnic tables and bathrooms.

ADVENTURE PASS

Parking may require that you obtain a national forest Adventure Pass.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness

San Gabriel Wilderness