April 20, 2026 — The hike to Sunset Peak is a very short but sweet outing, which makes it perfect for a recovery day. I had hiked the absolutely brutal Rattlesnake Peak the day prior with unrelenting exposure to the sun, so Sunset Peak was the perfect choice to flush out my legs for Mount Baldy the next day. It's somewhat easy to miss the trailhead (34.228066356100385, -117.67031274056403), but all you have to do is take Glendora Ridge Road up to that GPS mark, then take the steeper of the two trails you will see, both of which start from the same point. The steeper trail takes one of the fingers of Sunset Peak all the way to the summit, undulating along the way. The beginning of the hike just off the road may be the steepest and slickest part of the entire hike, which I found a bit challenging on the way back. The views along the entire hike are outstanding, especially of the ridgeline itself as you make your way along it. From the summit on a clear day, I am sure you can make out the ocean far into the distance, but the views into LA, Upland, and the San Gabriel Foothills are for certain. When looking back towards the trailhead, up on the skyline you will be able to see Mount Baldy and the Baldy Bowl. It was cool to be looking up at my objective for the next day.
