Hiking Trail Guide: Wildhorse Canyon - Sugarloaf Overnighter

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Wildhorse Canyon - Sugarloaf Overnighter

Distance
15.2 miles

Elevation
3500 feet gain

Difficulty
10/10

City
Angelus Oaks ,CA (92305) 70.18 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From LA/Inland Empire areas: Take 10 Fwy east to Redlands, exit Orange Street. Turn left to Lugonia (Hwy 38), turn right and follow through Mentone, past Mill Creek Ranger station. Continue up Mill Creek, bearing left at fork for Forest Falls. Continue past Angelus Oaks, through Barton Flats area. A few miles past Barton Flats, look for signed Wildhorse trailhead on left side of road. If you see the turnoff for Heart Bar campground on right, you've gone too far.

Description

The trail climbs continously but usually gently up to the lip of Wildhorse Canyon, then drops down to a designated site. (Dispersed Camping permit required, but usually east to get). Small creek was running in June, reputed to trickle nearly year round. From the camp, it climbs moderately, then gently to the head of the canyon. Turn left at the "Sugarloaf Trail" sign for a moderately steep pitch to another signed junction with a trail coming in from the Big Bear area. Turn left again and follow the ridge, alternating level stretches with moderate climbs, through open forest to summit of Sugarloaf peak. Views of San Gorgonio on one side, and Big Bear Valley/Lake on the other. On a Friday night/Saturday in June, we did not see any other hikers, while all overnight and day permits for San G. Wilderness trails across the canyon were taken.

Map / Directions: