The hike ascending Poop Out and Punk Out trails takes hikers up 1632ft of elevation in just under 2 miles. This is a memorable hike to be sure, and not just because of the unforgettable trail names. If you’re looking for a steep and challenging climb in the lower front range of the San Gabriels, you’re going to absolutely love this one. In this guide I’m going to provide directions, gps tracks, maps, key points and a hike description. I’ll also provide information to make this hike a bit of a figure eight loop, by descending the less steep Upper Monroe Trail and Mystic Canyon Trail.
Directions And GPS Tracks:
- Take the 210 freeway towards Glendora. From the west, exit Grand and head north. Turn right on Sierra Madre Ave, then left on Glendora Mountain Rd. Look for the pull out on the west side of the street. From the east, exit Lone Hill Ave and head north. Go left on Foothill, right on Valley Center Dr, left on Sierra Madre, then right on Glendora Mountain Road. Click here for directions on Google Maps
- Download GPX
- See my track on Strava
Key Points:
- Distance 5.5 miles (4 miles if you descend Poop Out and Punk Out)
- Elevation Gain 1632 ft
- Minimum Elevation 1188 ft
- Maximum Elevation 2715 ft
- Time 2-4 hours
- Difficulty Intermediate
- Dog Friendly Yes
- Permit Required No
- Season Year Round
- Trail Condition: Well maintained trail. Very steep ascent.
Make sure to hike with the right gear. See my current hiking gear list.
Hike Map And Elevation Profile:
Hike Description:
After parking on the west side of Glendora Mountain Road, cross the street and look for a danger sign and the wooded trailhead marker for “POOP OUT TRAIL”. Make sure you’re warmed up and stretched out, because this trail gets climbing right away.
*Poop Out Trail is the first mile of this hike. After Poop Out Trail ends, you’ll take Punk Out Trail the final mile. I’ll provide photos and information for all junctions and trail signs in this hike description.
Poop Out Trail gains 500ft in the first 3/10 of a mile. The trail is a bit rutted in certain areas, so make sure to focus on your balance and foot placement. As tiring as this trail can be, make sure to take breaks and look back. The views of Glendora are pretty spectacular. Looking forward, you’ll be able to see the road ahead, with Punk Out Trail a distant ridge on the horizon.
At just past half a mile in, the trail reaches a junction marked by a flag waving sign post and a large mound. The sign post reads “MYSTIC CANYON TR”. This is the trail you will take back to your car if you want to avoid the steep downhill of Poop Out Trail later. Do not turn left onto Lower Monroe Trail, and do not turn right onto Mystic Canyon Trail. Stay on the center trail on the right side of the mound to continue on Poop Out Trail.
At one mile into the hike you’ll be at the end of Poop Out Trail. There will be a sign post for Punk Out Trail to your right, and the trail will follow a ridge. To your left will be Upper Monroe Truck trail. This is the trail you can descend to avoid the steepness of Punk Out Trail on the way down. Take a right and follow the ridge upward to ascend Punk Out Trail.
As you follow the ridge up Punk Out Trail, the final uphill climb presents itself before you. If you thought Poop Out Trail was rough, get ready, because Punk Out Trail kicks it up another notch.
Punk Out Trail ends when it meets the Upper Monroe Trail. Take a right hand turn at the perpendicular junction of Punk Out and Monroe Truck Trail. It’s just a few more feet to a lookout of the entire area. You can take a left hand turn if you’d like to start heading downhill. Descending the Upper Monroe Truck Trail will avoid the steepness of Punk Out Trail.
After leaving Punk Out Trail and heading right on Monroe Truck Trail, keep your eyes open for a use trail on the hill to your left. This will take you to a lookout, and the end of this hike.
For the return leg of this hike, it’s best to avoid the steep terrain of Poop Out and Punk Out Trails. Return to the Junction of Punk Out Trail and Upper Monroe Truck Trail. Instead of heading left to head down Punk Out Trail, continue on Upper Monroe Truck Trail.
Upper Monroe Truck Trail will take you past the Punk Out Trail starting point and back to the Mystic Canyon Trail junction I mentioned earlier. When you get to the Mystic Canyon Trail junction, take a left hand turn and follow the Mystic Canyon Trail.
Follow the Mystic Canyon Trail until it terminates at Big Dalton Canyon Road. Once you reach Big Dalton Canyon Road, take a right and follow the road back to you car.
Are you looking forward to this hike? Have you already completed this one? Leave me any thoughts or questions in the comment section below!
I love these trails. Were are so lucky to live here!
It’s a beautiful place, indeed!
Hoping to do this hike on Thursday. Thanks for your detailed descriptions. It will be my first time. I wonder if the snakes are out yet. I hike with my dog and she loves to be off leash.
Thanks for reading! I saw one snake a few weeks ago. My dogs love being off leash as well.
Nice hike today . . . no lie re first half mile being steep. Didn’t do punk out, a me down lower Monroe for a great llop. nice and fair amount of water still in little Dalton sream.
Heading down Dalton with hitting Punk Out makes for a very nice loop!
I’d like to thank you for the directions on how to get to the trail head. I also greatly appreciate the very detailed description on the trails and which way to go. I learned about this trail on alltrails.com, but I couldn’t find directions to the trail head from there and while the reviews were helpful about the steepness of the hike, the hikers/reviewers seemed confused as to where to hike and some got lost, making the hike longer than necessary.
You’re welcome, Ana. I’m glad you found this guide useful! Alltrails is great to find new trails, but not always the best to actually help you hike the ones you select.