Mount San Gabriel, Mt. Disappointment & Mt. Deception via Bill Riley Trail “Three Peaks” (12/12/21, 10:09:47AM)

Hiked with the huskies: Lark & Storm. Trail: took Bill Riley Trail, which is about 0.25 miles from Redbox, off Mt.Wilson Road, on the right side. Trail climbs up from the start & until it meets the road to Mt. Disappointment, it us mostly shaded, going through a forest canopy. Is beautiful & a blessing on a hot summer day. From where it meets the road, you go a short distance & you pick up on the left the trail to Mt. San Gabriel. It is mostly switchbacks, steep and today trail was great. Summit gives views in all directions. There is a bench! The sign in box, had no empty notebook to sign in today. Maybe someone could bring one. We descended back to the saddle & went on to Mt. Disappointment taking the road up. At the summit there are some towers, etc. I really don’t mind them, they must have a purpose. Ignoring those, we went to the rocky point & took our summit photos. Then descended back to the saddle, the flat area & took the road down to Mt. Deception trail, on the left side. Going up on Mt. Deception trail is steep, sandy, rocky. Use trekking poles & good hiking shoes and will be ok. It is not too long. Today we went on a bit past the summit, to scout the area. Super amazing views! We descended back to the road, which we followed it for a short while, then picked up the Bill Riley Trail on the right side. I made an arrow sign on the ground. Surely the snow coming up in two days will kill it. Weather: when we started hiking was 45 F crisp & cool, smelling like winter. The ground was frozen at the beginning of the hike. Higher up, where is exposed was better. So I didn’t use micro spikes, but from today on, most surely might be needed. Storm coming Monday & Tuesday. Water Source: none Other Hikers: I passed a family of 4 on my way up. Passed by a male hiker with his unleashed-dog. I had to ask him to leash him, Lark wasgoing crazy!!! Met a couple at first summit. Nobody the rest of the hike. Wildlife: birds, lizards Highlight Of The Hike: 1) No injuries 2) Got 3 peaks with the huskies. Not an easy task. 3) Beautiful wether, the calm before the storm. Things To Remember: 1) Good hiking shoes, trekking poles, layers, headlamp, emergency kit, batteries. 2) Hydration & food. 3) Have a turnaround time. Now is winter & days are shorter. It can feel pretty dark after 4 pm through the woods. Might consider taking road down if not headlamps available. 4) Need parking pass or scout for an off road spot to park.