Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Guide - Big Bear

12 miles - Hard Effort
5-7 Hours (Total)
3,360 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 9,952 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

Although Sugarloaf Mountain, at 9952 feet, is the highest point in Big Bear Valley, this mountain peak is often overlooked by hikers today. That's good news for you because the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail is rarely crowded, offers a good climb with excellent views, an old-growth forest, and another peak to add to your list. And while the summit doesn't have a viewpoint, you do get some of the best panoramas of the San Bernardino high peaks along the way.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
How to Get the Start of the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
Gear, Tips, and Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links: San Bernardino National Forest - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (May 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Where is Sugarloaf Mountain Trail?

Sugarloaf Trail is set back from the paved road by about a mile or so, up a rocky Forest Service road which is tough on most cars. So the safe bet is to park just off the (paved) Rt-38 at the beginning of the Forest Service Road 2N93, and then walk up the road to the official start of the trail.

There's not an address for the parking area, so use this lat/lon: 34.231438, -116.806414

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 4 — There are some wide shoulder areas when you first pull onto the dirt road where you can park. Pull off the side of the road so that you don't block other traffic.

Gear For the Hike

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 2 — The trail is very rocky. A shoe with a thicker or stronger sole will do well here. Some of the upper sections are 100% small rocks.

This is a mountain hike so bring clothing and a shell for changing conditions.
I bring 3L of water which is on the conservative side.
Trekking poles will help on the steep sections.
In the winter the trail can be covered and ice and snow. If you're familiar with the trail already, it's best not to do the hike in those conditions.

Top Spring 2023 Gear Picks

Osprey Stratos and Sirrus 24 Daypack ( Amazon | Sirrus REI | Stratos REI )
Garmin Mini 2 Satellite Communicator ( Amazon | REI )
Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles ( REI | Amazon )
As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My May 2023 Top Gear Picks

LAST DAYS ➤ Biggest REI Sale of the Year

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Maps

One of the neat things about this hike is that once you leave the Forest Service Road, you are actually on the Sugarloaf National Recreation Trail (NRT). NRT Trails are part of the National Trails System Act of 1968, the same one that created the (official) PCT and AT. You can read a more about the history of the NRT trail system in my guide to the Gabrielino NRT.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 1 — You'll see some old trail signs, but otherwise the trail is largely unmarked.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 3 — On the upper elevations you'll see these old-school notch trail markers in the trees. Follow the notches and you'll be good.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Free Nav Tools: GaiaGPS - AllTrails

Guides to Help You Navigate

How To Use the AllTrails App (Beginners)

How To Read a Topographic Map

Elevation Profile

Sugarloaf Mountain Hike Elevation — As you might have guessed, you're going to be climbing to reach Sugarloaf Mountain. The trail is consistently uphill until the end, where you have a short downhill before climbing again. The undulations near the top create a few false summits.

3D Map

Sugarloaf Mountain Hike Directions

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Video Directions

Turn by Turn Directions

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 5 — Go straight up road 2N93, also known as Wildhorse Meadow Road, from the parking area. On the left is 2N93B; don't get confused.

Wildhorse Meadow, where this road goes, was named after World War 1 when the US Cavalry realized that modern warfare made fighting on horseback obsolete. They decided to let their horses go, and the herd settled in the meadow southeast of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 6 — Keep going straight on 2N93. There are a few turn-offs to picnic areas.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 7 — 2N27 splits off to the right, bear left to continue on 2N93.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 8 — The road dips down and loops to the left.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 9 — And soon you'll see the official trailhead parking area and sign. If you want to shave some miles off and have a high-clearance vehicle, you can also just drive here and park.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 10 — Just past the last sign, look for the turn to the right. This is the official start of the Sugarloaf National Recreation Trail.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 11 — Hike through the gate. No more motorized vehicles past here.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 12 — Right after the start is this unique rock formation, and I'm just showing it to you because it's cool. There are several abandoned mines off the route of this hike.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 13 — The hike up Green Canyon is, well, green. Enjoy the old-growth forest and small stream crossings as it winds up along Green Creek.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 14 — Soon the trail gets steeper, wider, and rockier. Before this was designated as a National Recreation Trail, it was open to 4WD vehicles.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 15 — Go straight over the log. There's a small trail back to the left, which is the abandoned 2N92 road, now largely overgrown.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 16 — At the top of the climb the trail levels out.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 17 — And soon you'll come to an intersection. Make the hard right to continue up the ridge to Sugarloaf Mountain.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 18 — You can see the old NRT marker on the trail sign here.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 19 — As soon as you make the last turn, look off to the left for an incredible view of San Gorgonio Mountain. You'll get more of these views in a mile or so.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 20 — The trail is uphill but not as steep as the last section.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 21 — And you'll wind through some lodgepole pines and shaded areas.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 22 — The flat sections are periodically interrupted by short, steep climbs.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 23 — You crest a high point by some exposed rock, the first of the false summits. And that bump in the distance is another false summit.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 24 — As you follow the ridge you'll get more great views of the high peaks in San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 25 — There are no trail signs, just notches, except for this old NRT marker getting overtaken by bark.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 26 — You crest another false summit (Peak 9775) and the trail levels out.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 27 — And then you have a short descent to a saddle The bump in the distance is another false summit, but a closer one.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 28 — After descending to the saddle, you'll climb again towards the real Sugarloaf Mountain summit.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 29 — Catch you last nice views of the high peaks.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 30 — The trail levels off and you hike through some gnarled and twisted pines and junipers.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 31 — And then the summit appears. There are no views here, but there are lots of trees and a peaceful vibe.

What's the triangular marker at the summit?

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 32 — There are several markers at the summit. The summit register usually sits in the rock pile by the survey marker.

07 23 10 38 07 000 — If you walk about 30 yards south from the summit you'll get great views of San Gorgonio! Thanks to Robert D for the pic and recommendation!

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail Directions 33 — From here, just go back the way you came. Remember that you have a small climb pack up to Peak 9775 (behind me here).

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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!).

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