Red Box

Red Box is an important junction of three roads: the Angeles Crest Highway, the Mt. Wilson Road, and the Red Box - Rincon Road. It is located at a 4,666' saddle that separates the upper Arroyo Seco drainage from the West Fork of the San Gabriel River, and Mt. Lawlor from San Gabriel Peak. The view from the parking lot shows the dramatic linear alignment of the East and West Forks of the San Gabriel River with the upper Arroyo Seco drainage, due to the San Gabriel Fault.

Red Box is named for the large red box where fire fighting tools were stored in the early part of the twentieth century. The box is still there.

This location is also known as Red Box Gap or Red Box Divide for its position between the San Gabriel River and Arroyo Seco watersheds, and as Red Box Station or Red Box Ranger Station for the now-closed US Forest Service Station there.

There is a large parking lot, picnic tables, portable toilets and drinking water.

Access

Map: Mt. Wilson Region (RB near the top center of the map)

See also: USGS 7.5' x 7.5' Map: Chilao Flat (34° 15' 28" N, 118° 06' 16" W)

By Car: Red Box is 14 miles north from I-210, about 20 - 25 minutes driving time on the Angeles Crest Highway, SR2, at Mile Marker 38.4. The paved road to Mt. Wilson begins here. A dirt road with a locked gate, known as the Red Box - Rincon Road, leads down the canyon of the West Fork to Camp Hi-Hill and beyond.

By Trail: Gabrielino Trail east from West Fork and west from Switzer's Picnic Area. Strawberry Peak Trail from north across the highway.

Season: All

Hikes

Warning: This list does not get updated as often as the hikes listed in the region tables. Consult Mt. Wilson Region Hikes for the latest listing. No. RT miles Elev. gain Season Name
29 7 1400 all Red Box to San Gabriel Peak, Mt. Disappointment
29.1 9 1700 all Red Box to Commodore Switzer Trail Camp
37 7 1500 all Red Box to Strawberry Peak, Josephine Saddle, Colby Canyon
38 8 1400 all Red Box to Strawberry Spring, Strawberry Meadow 47 28
(1 way) 4800 nov-jun Gabrielino National Recreation Trail - Chantry Flat to Big Santa Anita Canyon, Newcomb Pass, West Fork of San Gabriel River, Red Box, Arroyo Seco, Altadena

Source: T. Chester & J. Strong

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