The Idea
Rummaging through John Robinson’s Trails of the Angeles late one evening, I stumbled upon “Blue Ridge to Prairie Fork, Pine Mountain Ridge, Sheep Mountain Wilderness, Little Fish Fork, Upper Fish Fork”. In a flash, I fired into research mode with the definitive knowledge that this would be my next trip. It combined all the elements of my perfect adventure: isolation, beauty, and history. Also, the challenge of navigating an unmaintained trail added to the appeal.
Based on limited current information, I decided that we would make this an overnighter because getting to Upper Fish fork after Little Fish Fork seemed a bit of a challenge.
Blueridge Rd
Friday Night: I met Jeremy Boggs after work so we could carpool to Blueridge road to Guffy Campground. The plan was to car camp for an early start the next day. We were expecting to see the Guffy Campground gate closed but much to our surprise it was wide open! Since this was the case, we could park down by Lupine Campground, saving a few miles and elevation gain. Some paper signs were posted on the gate that warned of a closure half a mile from Lupine. Apparently, a wash had eroded part of the road making it impassable. Otherwise, we had no idea what kind of condition the rest of the road was in getting to that point but we didn’t hesitate to find out.
Guffy Campground gate is usually closed from here
So down we drove the poor camry. Initially it was ok, but the road progressively worsened. Jeremy got out a few times to move big rocks. Nevertheless, we managed to drive until the wash area where there were a few other cars parked along side the road. From here, it was car camping and throughout the night, several more cars passed on by.
Pine Mtn Ridge
Saturday morning: As we were packing up for our adventure, a few passing folks informed us that they were hunters and it was actually opening weekend for hunting season. Little did we know!! So this was the reason the gate was open and why there were so many cars parked down by Lupine. So much for expecting desolation! I felt disheartened for a little because I was looking forward to having Little and Upper Fish Fork camps all to ourselves. However, the fact that everyone was in cheerful spirits helped lessen the blow.
Walking on the rest of the road to get to the trailhead by Lupine Campground.
Jeremy leaning on the Pine Mtn RIdge sign. Now entering Sheep Mountain Wilderness!
Looking down at Lupine Campground
Jeremy on Pine Mtn Ridge Road. It used to be an old logging road
Fall Colors sprinkled everywhere
Finally, a one-of-a-kind portrait of Baden Powell FROM Pine Mtn. Ridge instead of from Vincent Gap 🙂
Me photographing Jeremy’s famous Baden Powell Masterpiece portrait.
Pointing towards Iron Mtn. Look at those notches
Jeremy checking out the East Fork country from Pine Mtn Ridge
Hunters on Pine Mtn Ridge
We took a breather at the ridge, naming as many peaks as we could while we stuffed down crackers with cheese and sausage. Eventually, we started the descent to Little Fish Fork by turning off the Pine Mountain saddle and heading down. Many game trails spurred from the main trail.
But before leaving the ridge we were looking for the old Fish Fork trail sign that was supposed to be there. But nothing but rocks?
Where is the Fish Fork sign?
Little Fish Fork
Just around where you leave Pine mountain ridge, we saw the last of the weekend crowd. The trail then begins to switchback steeply down a forested slope to Little Fish Fork.
Tons of spur trails!
Iron Mountain in the background
Sections of scree slopes
On the way to Little Fish Fork
Dawson Peak trail.
You can see the old roadbed that is called the Dawson Peak trail. Its has not been maintained in long time and it missing in some areas. It would be a long day to follow this trail (but sign me up!)
You can spot some parts of the Dawson Peak trail, now long vanished.
It was a bittersweet feeling arriving at Little Fish Fork campground because the stream was completely dry. Would there be water at Upper Fish Fork?
Lil’Fish Fork Victory. Imagine how old these Forest Signs are? They must be the originals!
After a little bit of discussion and encouragement we were on our way down to Upper Fish Fork no matter what but we were prepared to ration what we brought. We knew leaving Little Fish fork would come the real adventure….
Upper Fish Fork
The trail becomes considerably much harder to follow and disappears in a few areas. It narrows with steep drop-offs. Accordingly, we bush-whacked, climbed over trees and nervously crossed steep scree slopes.
We made our way down by what felt like an interminable amount of time until suddenly, we could hear the roaring sounds of Fish Fork! Hearing the waters made us jump for joy. This meant that we would have enough water to be comfortable during our overnighter.
The last quarter mile down to Upper Fish Fork camp becomes only a subtle series of foot tracks on the ground. The trick was to keep trekking down in a gradual and diagonal fashion. However, falling was inevitable and we both took several bad falls (it was hilarious and totally worth it!)
I present to you: UPPER FISH FORK CAMPGROUND!!
We made it!
Happy Adventurers
Camping & Exploring
I was stunned at the abundance of vibrant foliage scattered along the unspoiled creek. It truly felt desolate. The beauty made me ache with emotion so I succumbed to a few tears…It was unlike anything I had ever came across in the San Gabriels and I already knew that it was my favorite place.
Feeling very emotional at this overwhelming beauty.
Magical Fish Fork
We decided to explore up and down Fish Fork for a bit before setting up camp. Foliage was unreal!
Jeremy amongst colorful foliage.
smiles amongst this foliage
Walking through my dreams
Boggs taking a jaunt, thinking about how long this has been on his list!
The sun light radiating through the canyon
Perfect camp spots next to Fish Fork.
In time, after exploring, we came back to our camp spot. We set up our tent, and relaxed the rest of the evening, our minds racing from the day’s events until fatigue took over.
The Adventure Out
The next day we opted for an early start since most of our elevation gain would be done that day. After our ridiculously delicious oatmeal and essential cup of mountain coffee, we were ready to go.
The mile getting to Little Fish Fork would be difficult to retrace but luckily, Jeremy has some amazing navigation skills and a great memory.
Going up the first section was really difficult the weight of my pack, requiring some climbing on all fours.
Heading back up
For awhile, I was leading us and Jeremy got a sense that we missed a turn. He was completely right: we almost ended up following the Dawson peak trail. So we turned back and got on the right track.
Section of bush-whacking on trail
We passed by garbage that some novice hikers decided to leave because they no longer could bear the weight. Some of these items included: air mattresses, BBQ lid, and a chair. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the space or energy to carry out these heavy items and stayed there cursing out loud for a few moments.
Traces left behind
Before we knew it, we were at Little Fish Fork again. We were really relieved because the hardest part was done and the rest of the way would be a sure way!
Making it back up to Little Fish Fork
Back up towards Pine Mountain Ridge
Rescuing the old fish fork sign
Back at Pine Ridge we were wondering why the old “Fish Fork trail” wooden sign wasn’t there so we decided to put our packs down and look for it. Maybe it had fallen over nearby? I peered down a slope and indeed the wooden sign was hiding amongst the brush.
I filmed Jeremy retrieving the sign from the slope. We cheered loudly as we planted the sign down and the hunters at the ridge stared at us as if we were nuts. Nonetheless, we felt heroic. After taking some pictures, we didn’t waste anytime on the descent portion.
I blasted through the downhill section but waited for Jeremy to cross the official finish line together. There was still a long drive on Blueridge Rd but we didn’t mind it at all. We now had this beautiful adventure to share around the next campfire.
I last did this hike about 4 years ago, with conditions similar to those described. While this area is really beautiful and remote, the trail from Little Fish Fork to Upper Fish Fork was almost completely gone. I contacted Doug Christiansen, who has taken over from John Robinson with the book “Trails of the Angeles”, and suggested to him that this hike shouldn’t be recommended for amateur backpackers.
Note: A series of technical waterfalls start about 1/2 mile downstream of Upper Fish Fork campsite. I’ve rappelled below the first one, but have heard from others that there are about 6 more waterfalls below, which have been negotiated by a very few mountaineers.
Yes, I’ve heard about the canyoneering part of fish fork canyon as there is a long string of posts on the San Gabriel Forum about that canyon. This hike will definitely be dropped in the next edition I’m sure!
Has anybody been on the Upper Fish Fork trail since this was posted in 2015? Thinking of doing the hike Memorial Day (2019) with the boy scouts. Any better trail conditions? Is the gate from Guffy still open, and how far realistically can you drive toward Lupine?
Joel Did you end up going to UFF im planning to head up there in August. I was just on that road to Lupine and had to turn back because my wife was getting nervous but ill give it a go once you get passed a down tree it looked ok but the wife had enough lol.
Luis,
Thats really funny. Only that in this situation, my boyfriend is like your wife- all super cautious. We made it down there twice. First time was to check out Little and Upper Fish Fork, both very adventurous trips. The first time we took a camry and made it all the way to a wash= which seemed pretty permanent. We hikes the rest.
Second time, we left my car at Guffy we walked down to Lupine with our heavy packs to check off Wildview Peak and Pine Mountain Ridge, both in the HPS lists. I would not recommend taking a regular vehicle down there.
If you are planning an overnight trip anywhere in that area, I highly recommend a high clearance. And you should should go during hunting season= which I believe is sometime in October. Thats when the gate down to Lupine is open. The way we did it was- hitch a ride from a random hunter on the way up. They are all very kind, they help fund the forest after all 🙂
Joel, I went last year, 2018 to hit Wildview Peak and Pine Mountain Ridge for the HPS list. We backpacked down and stayed at Lupine, hit the peaks the next morning, then hitched a ride with the hunters to Guffy, where we left our cars. I don’t really recommend doing UFF with boy scouts. Are you very versed in navigation? I know Memorial Day has come and passed,so I’m curious we you ended up doing? There are far better backcountry sites than UFF, it seems too much of a liability, navigation can be tricky sometimes. What did you end up doing?
Just found and read this trip report while reminiscing about this hike…
I last hiked this trail with my (then-girlfriend-now-) wife 41+ years ago. We drove in from Angeles Crest Highway in my ’73 Beetle, and while we didn’t have to move rocks I gritted my teeth the entire way, praying that I wouldn’t high-center on a rock. Back then you could *drive* from Lupine campground up Pine Mountain Ridge and park in the flat area where the sign for the trail head is. There was more vegetation on the slopes then (pre-fire). We hiked down past upper Fish Fork and then bushwhacked down to the the water for lunch. Not another soul around, until we climbed back ou and were nearly back to the trail head.
A lovely mid-summer day that I will remember for the rest of my life. Great to see pictures of the area as it is now!
Eric,
This is such a lovely comment… I often reminisce on how accessible parts of the forest used to be…. but I guess it’s for the better so people stay away from certain areas… maybe this hike foreshadows longevity in partnerships!
Thanks for reading
Missy
I first did this hike in 1967, when you could drive from Lupine Campground to the top of Pine Mountain Ridge, just as Eric describes. I drove my Plymouth Valiant there. The old logging roads would have been a fast and easy descent to Little Fish Fork Camp, but my friend and I bushwhacked directly down to Upper Fish Fork from where the logging road jogs East, and we ended up in Fish Fork Canyon just above the first waterfall. After camping and catching a couple of trout, we hiked up the trail (now almost completely gone) back to Little Fish Fork camp, which had space for at least a couple groups at the time, but now has room for 1-2 tents. In 2008 I contacted the Angeles National Forest Supervisor, who advised me that these trails were scheduled for maintenance the following year. However, the Station Fire burned 25% of the Forest in 2009, and no doubt disrupted this schedule, and the work was not done.
Edward,
Thanks for sharing this tidbit of history, thats so fascinating. I always wondered how to get more information on those logging roads. Do you have any vintage pictures you can share with me? Missyisabell@gmail.com
The Forest Service is so underfunded, trails and campgrounds disappear, especially this corner.
Thanks, Missy