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Keller Peak Hike Featured
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Los Angeles Hikes

Hike Keller Peak on the Exploration Trail

  • 12.5 miles - Moderate Effort
  • 4-6 Hours (Total)
  • 2,200 Total Feet of Climbing
  • Max Elevation of 7,882 feet
  • Leashed Dogs Allowed

Off the radar of most hikers, the Exploration Trail to Keller Peak is a scenic adventure that's not too hard but also packs in some great trail highlights. The entire area you hike through was devastated by the 1970 Bear Fire; today, as you hike, you can experience what a half-century of recovery looks like (it's good). Along the way, you'll get some epic views of the Angeles National Forest and the surrounding high peaks. At Keller Peak, you can experience the oldest standing fire tower in Southern California, dating back to 1926.

In this Guide:
  • Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions to Keller Peak on the Exploration Trail
  • How to Get to the Trailhead (near Big Bear, CA)
  • Insider Tips, Gear Recommendations, and Maps for the Hike

Where is the Exploration Trail?

The Exploration Trail is point-to-point and has two trailheads. We're going to start this hike at the lower trailhead and then hike uphill to Keller Peak. You can find the quiet trailhead just off of busy Rt-18, past the Deer Lick Fire Station at:
Exploration Trail 2W09X, Keller Peak Rd, Big Bear, CA 92314

Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 2
There's a small parking area at the trailhead. While it's small, I've never seen big crowds here. The trail starts to the right of the parking area.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 3
I've also seen people parking across the street on the shoulder.

There are no bathrooms or water fills at the trailhead.

Gear For the Hike

While this isn't an extreme mountain hike, you are still in the high country and I recommend regular hiking gear.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.


Gear Inreach Mini 2
Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.
Gear Hoka Speedgoat 5
HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Trail Maps

The section of the hike on the Exploration Trail is a gradual uphill dirt trail. Keep your eyes and ears open for mountain bikes that share the trail. You'll have a short but very scenic walk up paved Keller Peak Rd to reach the summit and fire tower when the Exploration Trail ends.

Click Here To View

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

Elevation Profile

Exploration Trail Keller Peak Elevation
While the trail is uphill, it's very gradual with some rolling sections, and doesn't feel like a climb aside from some short inclines.

3D Map

Exploration Trail Keller Peak 3d Map
From this perspective you can see that the climb is gradual as the Exploration Trail approaches Keller Peak. Once at the peak, you have great prominence and views.

Hike Brief

Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 1
There's not much evidence left from the Bear Fire of 1970, but if you keep your eyes peeled, you can see some burned tree stumps like this.

Exploration Trail to Keller Peak Hike Directions

Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 4
Start the hike at the trailhead with the bench and trail board.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 5
The trail follows the banks of Dry Creek.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 6
And then starts to climb up to the ridge. There are steep sections, but they're very short.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 7
At the trail split, continue to the left. On the right three is a spur trail to a bench.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 8
Here's the view from the bench on the short spur.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 9
Go straight through the old 1N42A Forest Service road.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 10
As you hike you'll see these posts that used to contain interpretive displays created by children. Today whatever was there is gone.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 11
Hike straight through the 1N42 Mill Peak Trail, another old Forest Service road.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 12
As you get up to the ridge, look off to the right for glimpses of San Jacinto, Tahquitz Peak, and Black Mountain. The last two peaks also have fire towers.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 13
The trail rolls along the ridge with nice views to the right.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 14
The hike is nice and shady through the second-growth forest and massive boulders.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 15
Keep right at the clear cut.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 16
And then continue past the old 1N42D Forest Service Road.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 17
Now you'll get some incredible panoramic views of Angeles National Forest. From left to right you can see Cucamonga Peak, the 3 Ts, Mt Baldy, and Mt Baden-Powell.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 18
Hike through the boulder field.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 19
And there's another bench with a view of Angeles NF, a great place for a break.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 20
And then you'll reach the end of the Exploration Trail.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 21
There's a big Forest Service sign for the Exploration Trail.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 22
Make the right turn on Keller Peak Road.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 23
As you climb the paved road you'll see the summit of Keller Peak in front of you.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 24
Hike past the Yellow Post campsite on your right.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 32
The campsite is free and first-come, first-serve.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 25
Off to the right you'll get views of (left to right) Sugarloaf Mountain, Andersen Peak, San Bernardino East, and San Bernardino Peak.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 26
And as the trail winds around you'll see the twin peaks of Saddleback Mountain, (left to right) Santiago Peak and Modjeska Peak.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 31
As you get toward the top, keep your eyes open on the left for a dedication to the B-26 crash. It's a little above the road on a boulder.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 27
And soon after that you'll reach the summit area, which has radio antennas and the fire tower.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 28
The fire tower is occasionally open to visitors, check at the stairs.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 29
You can climb around the boulders at the summit. There are two USGS summit markers up here.
Exploration Trail Keller Peak Directions 30
Enjoy the views and then just return the same way that you came up!

Need More Info?

  • Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
  • When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.