
Where is Mount Disappointment?
Usa, north-america
0.8 km
1,797 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: Mount Disappointment, sitting pretty at almost 6,000 feet in the San Gabriel Mountains, just an hour outside of Los Angeles. Fun fact: back in the day, some surveyors thought it was the tallest peak around, but turns out, San Gabriel Peak was higher. Hence, the name!
The road up, Mount Disappointment Road, is paved, but not exactly smooth sailing. Think hairpin turns galore! It's about 3 miles from Mt. Wilson Red Box Road to the top, and it's a climb, gaining over 1200 feet with a pretty noticeable incline. Unfortunately, the road is blocked by a gate and closed to private vehicles.
So, what's at the top? Well, back in the 50s, they lopped off the summit to build a missile site. Now it's got telecommunication towers all over it. But here's the kicker: the views! Seriously, you get a full 360-degree panorama, from the sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles all the way out to the Pacific. Plus, you can check out the old missile pad and some cool rock formations. Nestled in the Angeles National Forest, this drive is surrounded by pine trees and killer scenery. Definitely a unique spot with a wild history!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 0.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,797 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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