Throop Peak

Throop Peak is a mountain summit in the San Gabriel Mountains that rises to approximately 9,138 feet above sea level. The slopes are covered with coniferous forest including Jeffrey Pine, Sugar Pine, Lodgepole Pine, and White Fir trees that create dense woodland throughout the upper elevations.

The peak was named after Amos G. Throop, founder of the California Institute of Technology, which was originally established as Throop College in the late 1800s. This naming honors a pioneering figure in California's educational development.

The mountain forms part of the Hundred Peaks Section, a collection of summits that attract mountaineers from across Southern California.

The hike typically starts from Dawson Saddle and follows established trails through the forest zone and above the tree line. Visitors should prepare for high elevation conditions and bring water, as the terrain is exposed and weather can change rapidly at this altitude.

From the summit, visitors can look out over both the Mojave Desert and the Los Angeles Basin with the Pacific Ocean visible in the distance. This far-reaching view connects desert, urban sprawl, and ocean in one panoramic sweep that few mountain peaks in the region provide.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 34.35043,-117.79923

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:28