I don't consider Whittier Hills exactly mountains,but whatever.Next time you ride to Crystal Lake or the trail head at East Fork,or ride up to HWY 2,those are mountains.Chantry Flats is about 13-14 miles from El Monte(Valley/Rosemead) and almost 20 miles from Downey.

Still sounds like fun....I just never thought about camping in the local hills,stealth camping at Legg Lake,Turnbull Canyon,Chantry Flats,Fish Canyon,Santa Susana Canyon or something....I have to run that though a couple times....