|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
         
 Reporter |
Summary: 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. 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. (Lat:34.34944 Lon:-118.01583) Trail Guides for Mt. Hillyer Trail - from Horse Flats: Best Hikes With Dogs - Southern California by Allen Riedel (Mountaineers books) Trails of the Angeles - 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) California Hiking by Tom Sinestra and Ann Marie Brown (Avalon Travel) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses, Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest (626)574-1613 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 2 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by cycletod on 3/4/2007 hiked this trail this morning with my daughter. we left chilao about 8 and made it to the top and back by 11. lots of snow patches. beautiful morning for a stroll past horse flats and on up the rocks. i would recommend this trail to any body.
Reviewed by Dwight on 2/10/2007 A friend and I hiked this trail starting at the locked gate at Chilao Visitors Center at the highway. This added one mile each way to our hike. We had to park at the small parking area on the highway between Chilao and the Devils Canyon parking area. The hike is well described in the various books (McKinney; Robinson; Stienstra). We started at 8am and it took us 2 hours with the added mileage. On the way up we didn't see anyone but we ran into mountain bikers and a scout troop on the way down. The weather was outstanding, with a light cloud cover and sunny skies. Not typical for winter. No snow or ice. The trail was very well maintained, and marked well. The summit is a pile of boulders on the left of the trail,
Reviewed by Barry B. on 7/29/2006 This hike needs a new review, it is terrific. I hiked it from Chilao this morning at 7AM. It took me about 40 minutes to walk the mile from the parking area in Chilao at the beginning of the Silver Moccasin Trail to Horse Flats Campground, then another hour to make the 2 miles to the top of Mt. Hillyer. From Horse Flats, the trail starts in a meadow and ascends through incredible, enormous granite boulders--they are stunning. Finding the summit can be confusing because it is not marked at the site, and the trail continues past it to the Santa Clara Divide Road. I spent an hour on the summit ridge walking north and south, climbing rocks and looking at great views. 
Reviewed by JTJ on 7/16/2004 I am extremely irritated. Hiked this 7/7/04 with my 4-year old, due to the "great for small children" thing. The only trail marking was at the trailhead. There were no ribbons or any other markings. The hike up was non-eventful and pleasant. The hike down was another story. Due to the fact that the only trail marking is a rut, we got completely turned around. The fact that what is marked as West on the map is actually South didn't help either. Phooey on us for not getting a real map. After bushwhacking down with blood running down all of my limbs from protecting my son from the sharp razorlike vegetation, and avoiding about three rattlesnakes, we finally hit a road. We were in Sulphur Springs! Never again. Get your own map!! 
Reviewed by RVN on 4/17/2004 hiked 04/16/04. weather was pleasant. had the whole mountain to myself. fairly easy. look for purple ribbons. i went off trail for a while.
Reviewed by BLT on 11/17/2003 The boulder fields are great, but mountain bikers have transformed the trails into V-shaped channels. Be happy if you escape without an ankle injury.
Reviewed by jdfromla on 8/26/2003 Another great hike for every age and ability. Start at Chilao just down the road from the outdoor center instead, adding 1 1/4 miles each way. There's a shallow drive-through culvert, then a small parking area on the right. The "summit" is underwhelming but the hike itself runs through spectacular boulder fields. Perfect for top-roping and introducing friends to rock climbing. At least 25 great lunch spots. Spotted a rare Western Bluebird there a year ago. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||