.35 miles. A short hike to a great view
of the valley

Mt. La Bare is an unassuming little hill northeast of Indian Rock above the Shotgun Range, but it offers the closest overlook across the valley--a sweeping panorama that takes in most of the camp. It was named in 1980 in honor of John La Bare, the longtime Director of Camping for the Orange County Council. Scouts have been climbing to the top since the 1970s, but the first trail up the mountain -- John’s Trail -- was not cut until 1982.

The trailhead is located along the old trail to Indian Rock, about 100 yards from the storage building on the Weatherby Shotgun Range. Until a new trailhead can be built, access to this trail must be cleared in advance with the Shotgun range staff.

0.0 John’s Trail leaves the trail to Indian Rock to the left and follows up the left side of a small creek.

0.07 The trail turns up to the left for about 20 feet, then cuts back to the right, continuing upstream as before.

0.12 The trail meets the creek and continues up across a small rock outcrop. From here it turns left up towards the last pine tree on the hillside. From the tree, the trail bears back to the right towards the creek and up.

0.18 From another rock outcrop near the top of the creek, the trail heads into the brush, bearing to the left towards the ridge. As you approach the top of the ridge, the trail swings to the right.

0.25 Top of the ridge. The trail turns left (north) along the ridge toward the peak. The trail loops toward the backside of the peak a short ways, then turns left towards the top along the south side of the peak.

0.35 Top of Mt. La Bare--4,980 feet. The best view of camp is from the western edge of the peak, where the entire valley is visible. Also, don’t miss the views of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains and down Agua Caliente Canyon towards Palomar Mountain.