Box Springs Mountain

Terrific view of the big San Gabriel Mountains over their namesake valley. Baldy or Mount San Antonio is in the background.

13 JANUARY 2024 W6/CT-180

Elevation:	3,045′
Route:	Good trail and access road
Hike Distance:	4 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:	700′
Navigation:	Tricky
Steepness:	Extremely steep
Vehicle:	Passenger car
Road:	Paved
Cell Coverage:	Just below the summit Verizon

Despite the heavy RF environment due to a massive, unlovely communications complex, I give this one two stars due to the interesting hike up and unusual view. You can do it from a trailhead off Hidden Springs Drive that is a bit longer with more elevation gain, or you can do what I did and go from the Box Springs Mountain Reserve trailhead at the end of Pigeon Pass Road.

The park opens at 7am I got there just at 7 and was the first car there. As I drove up Pigeon Pass Road I spotted a warning sign that had the picture of a donkey on it. Weird, I thought.

As I started hiking the sun came up and started to warm the hillsides after a chilly winter night, I head the sound of braying! Sure enough herds of wild donkeys were everywhere. Cassie KG6MZR had a saddle mule – Kentucky Darla – for years and would’ve loved this. I took the Springs Trail shortcut and I got pretty close to three of these creatures. I suggest if you want to seem them you plan on being there early as I saw very few on the way down.

This summit has an interesting location that sports fine views of not only San Jacinto and San Gorgonio, but novel views of Palomar, Santiago and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Stations reported hearing me on 2m but I heard nobody due to my FT-5D’s receiver getting totally de-sensed by the RF environment. Others have suggested setting up on the south side to avoid this problem. I tried several spots down the mountain with no joy. Likewise with cell reception. I had to use my Garmin InReach Mini’s Iridium satellite network to put up spots. HF was not a problem.