Sugarloaf Mountain Trail is a 11.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Big Bear City, California that features a river and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
During the winter months, the parking lot is closed and there is an option to park on 38th adding two miles. Located in San Bernardino National Forest, the trail up to Sugarloaf Mountain offers great views of San Gorgonio, southern California's highest peak. Although the summit area does not offer all-encompassing views, hikers will find good views along the ridge-line climb. The parking area can be accessed south of Sugarloaf where Wild Horse Meadows Road intersects with Route 38. From here it is a nice hike down a dirt road to the trailhead. Sugarloaf trail will meander alongside Green Creek for the first two miles. If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can get 1.5 miles closer to the trailhead, by continuing up the dirt road. Those interested in plants and trees will enjoy diverse species including the the mid-mountain White Firs, Jefferys and Ponderosas and the upper-mountain's Manzanitas and Sugar Pines.
February 22, 2021Had to walk a few miles to the trail because parking to the entrance was closed. The most difficult hike I ever had because of the weight of the snow attire, backpack, and I was hiking in snow. We underestimated the time of the round-trip hike and it became dark on the way down. If you're going to hike this trail go early and be well prepared this app was very helpful in to not getting lost.
February 13, 2021Hiked on Feb 13, 2021, starting at 6:15am Gate to trailhead is closed for winter, so expect to park near HW38 and walk in a few miles. Decent snow cover even at starting elevations, with snow shoes becoming very helpful. Instead of heading to the east on the trail, I stayed due south and climbed the creek bed towards the peak. 30-40 degree grades with 2-3 feet of unconsolidated snow made climbing slow. Very little/no ice; I never put on my crampons. Views were great however, especially at the rock outcroppings. Stopped at 150 vertical feet from the summit, as snow was transitioning to mixed/bouldering, and I was hiking alone. Some rockfall was heard on the way down (around 10am), towards the east. Overall a fun hike, even though I didn't summit. I've heard views are not great from the summit anyway, but I may try the trail again in the future.
January 31, 2021January 23, 2021January 17, 2021forgot to turn off recording
January 8, 2021A great hike and scenic mountain drive! Microspikes helpful, snow packed, temperate weather, trail easy to follow, nice views too.
January 7, 2021Logged at 12.3 miles, about a foot of snow in some places, beautiful views. Only saw 3 other hikers, didn’t need micro spikes. Only bummer no view at the summit other than that bad ass!! Great summit to kick off the new year!!
January 6, 2021Definitely worth the work but spikes are an absolute necessity. The views are stunning, just a bit rocky and snowy.
January 3, 2021north side is Steep 1 set of other tracks , no tracks on south side.
December 27, 2020I did this trail on Christmas Day right after it had snowed the night before. It was beautiful and very peaceful. I used microspikes on the way down which helped a lot. Only saw 1 other person. I dropped my right hand brand new Lululemon glove in the first mile on the way back down. If anyone finds it please let me know. Would highly recommend this trail!
December 23, 2020I was able to park right off the 38th the gate is closed it's about a two-mile hike up. pretty straightforward watch out trailhead is a little tough to find on your right hand side after about two and a half miles. it was on and off windy and cold but very manageable if you're layered up. not one person on this Trail which I usually love but lots of parts on the way up feel like you are Backcountry hiking, which is amazing but scary at the same time. ice patches on and off I would definitely wear them on your way down that's what I did. it took me a little longer to get to the summit for a number of reasons but I got there. there are so many different colors everywhere these mountains have so much to offer during sunrise and sundown colors just Brighten as you go along. the best part was about two and a half miles before the summit beautiful views of the mountains and then Big Bear Lake behind you. the terrain does change like I said with the eyes but also it's a bit Rocky from teeny tiny Pebbles the boulders nothing you have to climb over though. enjoy I would write more but I am beat! PS I did a little more mileage because I had to backtrack about a mile my phone died and I went the wrong way, having said that please make sure you have some kind of GPS with you because the trail gets hard to find sometimes.
December 21, 2020Hiked on 12/21/2020 Started at 10:30am and summited at 1:15 ish. Some icy sections in the beginning and near the end of the trail. Micro spikes are not required but recommended. Rangers have close the gate, you will have to walk about .75 of a mile to the trailhead. I wanted a Trail that had great mileage, and moderate elevation gain I don’t think one could go wrong with Sugarloaf Mountain. Not a single soul was witnessed on the trail.
December 7, 2020Great trail! Super fun gradual elevation. definitely tough at some points. Lots of snow and ice but definitely doable with hiking poles. None of us had crampons but I'd recommend the ones have spikes for the icy section.
November 22, 2020super rocky road. started late at 930am.
November 21, 2020Lovely hike. The views of San Gorgonio, Big Bear, and the Mojave desert are spectacular. Trail is a pretty straight climb and easy to follow. The summit was a nice place to have lunch; it wasn't too windy and there were some good views through the trees. Did it two weeks after a snowfall in November and the snow was still about 4 inches deep on the ridge.
November 2, 2020November 1, 2020No poles used able to eat lunch above 10,000ft Did 2 lower elevation hikes previous 2 days
October 19, 2020Hiked this today (Monday) and it was great. Only saw two other groups on the trail, and zero people all the way to the summit. There is good shade almost the entire way. Trail is well maintained and marked. It's not too steep but still a good workout. There are some rocky patches, but it's not that bad, and coming down was no issue. It was a hazy day so no great views in distance, but still very nice. There is running water in creeks for the first few miles only. Also, I drove about a mile up the dirt road which is well maintained but still best to have high clearance.
October 18, 2020October 17, 2020October 17, 2020September 1, 2020
