Pleasant View Ridge
Sometimes the stars align. I had been keeping an eye on Pleasant View Ridge ever since I skied 8214' Mount Williamson, in the San Gabriel Mountains, two years ago.
Skiing Williamson got me interested in other ridge descents into the high desert, and one stood clearly above all the rest: Pleasant View Ridge, which is not just one of longest and most aesthetic ridges in the entire range—it also sits at plausibly-skiable elevations.
PVR extends for over six wonderfully winding miles, rising from the south end of Antelope Valley, elevation 4250', to a high alpine peaklet around 7980', and eventually concluding (arguably?) at Will Thrall Peak, elevation 7845', which is just west of Burkhart Saddle.
In addition to the massive distance and vertical, the main challenge is snow—catching the ridge in skiable condition.
For the past two years, every time I drove south through Antelope Valley, coming home from Mammoth, I looked longingly at Pleasant View Ridge, thinking surely, someday, if I could just be patient, the right storm would eventually come.
Last week the weather window finally cracked open. On Saturday I parked at the base of the ridge, put skis on my back, and started hiking up.
The ridge had snow along almost its entire length, with coverage dropping as low as 5000 feet or so. Overall, I found the ridge surprisingly gentle: mostly not too steep, often soft and sandy, and remarkably free of the usual bushwhacking challenges (with one major caveat*).
I made quick time ascending the lower part of the ridge, then enjoyed a long and airy traverse all the way to Will Thrall peak. I'd wanted to continue on to Pallett mountain, but the day was getting long and I was getting tired, so I climbed back to the ridge's apex and put on my skis.
The descent was spectacular. The ridge just goes and goes and goes—and the views are indeed pleasant. The terrain is relentlessly interesting, varied, and non-technical. I rank this easily among the most wonderful, serendipitous, sublime things I've ever done on skis.
Absolutely a personal high point for me.
*Warning: the lower part of the ridge is absolutely covered in Poodle Dog Bush, which is a toxic plant whose resin triggers severe skin reactions on contact. I'd been happily tromping through it for hours when I belatedly recognized it. As of now, 72 hours later, I feel "prickly" but haven't seen any blistering. Oh well—that's SoCal ski mountaineering for you.
— February 24, 2026
Andy Lewicky is the author and creator of SierraDescents
Dan Conger February 25, 2026 at 7:09 am
Another great trip report.
The San Gabriels have lots of amazing peaks, and so many Californians just aren't aware. I showed a co-worker of mine your site, he is also a ski mountaineer, and he was amazed at your photos and videos from the SoCal mountains. When I told them that San Gorgonio, at 11,500 feet, is 700 feet higher than Freel Peak, the tallest mountain on the Tahoe Rim, he was taken aback.
Keep sharing your great stories with us!