Sugarloaf Mountain

"Started from Highway 38, since the gate was locked. After walking the dirt road, I took the National Recreation Trail through Green Canyon. Once on the ridge, I included Peak 9775, which is right off the trail. After visiting sugarloaf Mountain, I returned the same way." — MikeTeeples • Aug 24, 2024

"Did this hike on 7/3/21. Kind of an eh hike, some nice viewpoints along the trail, and not a lot of people out which was weird on 4th of July weekend. Summit was rather insignificant, and a pretty steep and rocky trail the whole way. " — trevormaziek • Jul 3, 2021

"Spring conditions on Sugarloaf Mountain. Gate was closed, so I parked just off Hwy 38 and followed the standard trail all the way up. About two-thirds snow covered but melting fast. With this heat I'd give it another week or two. One steepish shoulder up to Peak 9775 where I used the ice ax; didn't use traction at all and probably could have just used poles. Bluebird day. The views of San Gorgonio are best along the ridge about a half mile before the wooded and underwhelming summit." — edg • Mar 28, 2021

"July 19, 2020. Trail running. My first time on this trail and it was very rocky and annoying to run on. Only one nice viewpoint of San Gorgonio at the last false summit. The actual summit did not have a view at all. The highlight was that I only saw three other people on the trail. This is a one and done peak for me; not worth the drive and not a nice enough trail. " — runningvegan • Jul 19, 2020

"Amazing, mild weather for a hike. Sugarloaf was lovely, with incredible views of snow frosted Gorgonio. Notes: The trail was rocky pretty much the entire way. There's still patches of snow lining on the north face. I found them fun but bring poles at least and be mindful. Although I feel like they're melting quickly now. Lastly, when I went the gate from the northern route was locked, adding maybe three plus miles of rocky drudgery. " — JustinB • Apr 25, 2017

"Moderately strenuous hike, about 10 miles round trip, and 2,700' elevation gain (including loss and regain on up and down trips). Sugarloaf Mountain is a beautiful hike through pines, junipers, and a very scarcely seen species of Maple- Mountain Maple (Acer glabrum var. diffusum), which is a large shrub with very tiny, maple-shaped leaves. There is a small colony of them just under a mile from the start from the Sugarloaf Trailhead. I had a very interesting hike. I tried to beat the afternoon monsoon thunderstorms to the top, but was unsuccessful. I got rained on 3 times, hailed on twice, and was worried about being hit by lightning on the way down as it was too late to turn around. However, I took it in stride and fully enjoyed this hike and the beautiful scenery out and back." — brianpowell • Jul 30, 2016

"Honestly i kept having to stop because this was definitely the longest and highest peak ive done yet!! But for my first time hiking up it took us just 1 1/2 hours, this was the first trip i took owney on when we got to the summit he starting acting nervous, and so knowing that his senses are better than mine we decided to take a photo of the elevation sign and head back down.. " — DonovanJ • May 18, 2016

"This has been on my short list for a long time. Went up solo after the rest in my group decided to spend the morning on the lake. Great views to Gorgonio along the ridge, but the summit itself was very wooded with poor views to the lake." — Christopher • Jun 29, 2013

"Give up hope, all feet that dare to walk this trail. Not a hard trail from a rapid elevation gain perspective, but it IS 10 miles of hardcore rocks. It's basically a gravel road the whole way, with gravel ranging from driveway size to softball size. My ankles took a beating on this trail, especially coming back down." — jimduvall • Sep 14, 2012

"Helped lead a group to the summit from down near Hwy 38. 14 miles round trip, 3900 elevation change (the gate to the fire road was closed for the season when we left, and open we came back later that night). Altitude sickness started affecting me at around 9300 elevation, but I was able to make it up to the top (with some breaks to acclimate a little)." — craigburdette • Apr 1, 2007