Hiking Trail Guide: Mt. Hillyer Trail - from Horse Flats

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Mt. Hillyer Trail - from Horse Flats

Distance
3 miles

Elevation
900 feet gain

Difficulty
2/10

City
La Canada Flintridge ,CA (91011) 16.29 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
Take the Angeles Crest Highway East from La Canada to Three points. There is no sign for this, but it is approximately 1.5 miles from the restaurant and 5 miles east of Chilao. The sign for the road says Santa Clara Division Camps, Sulphur Springs, and PCT parking. The closer sign says Bandido campground, and Horse Flats campground. Follow the road for two and a half miles to the turn off to Horse Flats Campground. Drive to the east end of the loop road and park near the trailhead. This is where the Silver Moccasin trail meets the Mt. Hillyer trail. It should be very easy to find.

Description

This is a very easy hike, and a summit that small children can attain. It is a strolling trail through some chaparral near the trailhead, but that changes quickly. It becomes a boulder strewn forest in no time. A forest, I might add which is strikingly beautiful and unique to this part of the Angeles.

This is prime mountain biking country, and the trail is a bit worn and wide in places. So if you do bring small children on a busy day, watch out for bikers. This is also bear country, with lots of current ursine activity, so be wary of them as well. I always try to make noise to avoid unexpected encounters.

If you blink, you might miss the top, but once you are near you will have great views of Big Tujunga Canyon to the West, Twin Peaks and Mt. Waterman to the East, Pacifico staring you into the face to the north. I took this as a sunset hike, which was beautiful. The boulders off to the left of the summit were a nice place to enjoy the twilight.

Map / Directions: