Hiking Trail Guide: Mount Bliss via Van Tassel Fire Road

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Mount Bliss via Van Tassel Fire Road

Distance
8.6 miles

Elevation
2900 feet gain

Difficulty
6/10

City
Azusa ,CA (91702) 22.14 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From the I-210 Foothill Freeway: Traveling west, exit at Irwindale Avenue in Irwindale. Turn right (north) and go .2 mile. Turn left (west) on Foothill Blvd. and go .7 mile to Encanto Parkway. Turn right (north).

From the I-210 Foothill Freeway: Traveling east (or the I-605 traveling north), exit Mt. Olive Avenue in Duarte. Turn right (east) on Foothill Blvd. and go .6 mile to Encanto Parkway. Turn left (north).

Drive north on Encanto Parkway 1.3 miles. Turn left onto a dirt rood, the entrance to Encanto Equestrian Center (marked with a yellow sign). Drive about .5 mile and park on the left side of the road across from the horse stables. The hike starts at the north end of the equestrian center. No Forest Adventure Pass is needed since this hike begins outside the forest boundary

Description

Mount Bliss (3720') stands as a prominent summit in the San Gabriel front ranch above Monrovia, Duarte, and Azusa. The route follows a broad fire road (1N36) all the way until you get to the summit ridge. As you climb, you'll have nice views of the San Gabriel Valley to the south, and the surrounding canyons, ridges, and summits of front range. Once on top of Mt. Bliss, you have an unobstructed 360 degree view. There is no shade in route, so hike when it's cool.

From the north end of the equestrian center, take the fire road left as it crosses the creek bed. Follow the road for 4.2 miles to the junction southwest of Mt. Bliss summit, where the power lines cross the ridge. Turn right (southwest) onto the side road. After a couple minutes the road curves left around the ridge. At that point, leave the road and follow the use path up the ridge to the left. Hike along the ridge northeast until you reach Mt. Bliss, in 10 or 12 minutes.

Map / Directions: