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

Quick Links: San Bernardino National Forest - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Sep 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 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.

I usually take about 2L of water in normal conditions.
Bring extra layers in case the weather changes.
The trail has a good amount of shade.
The last 1.5 miles is on pavement, so having trail runners or non-clunky hiking footwear is a good bet.
In the winter the trail can be covered in snow and offers a great opportunity for snow-shoeing.

My Latest Gear Picks

Garmin inReach Mini 2 ( Amazon | REI )
HOKA Speedgoat 5 ( Men | Women )
Zpacks Sub-Nero Ultra ( Zpacks | Review )
Alpine Carbon Cork 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 September 2023 Top Gear Picks

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.

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

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

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

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.

It's impressive how healthy this area is after half a century of recovery from the 1970 Bear Fire, which burned 51,000 acres, including this hike route. Hopefully if you're still hiking in 50 years, the areas damaged by recent fires will be as healthy as this. Everything you see on the Exploration Trail has grown back in the half-century since then, and is called "second-growth forest."
The Exploration Trail was built in 2000, and included input from the nearby National Children's Forest Youth Leaders. Today they still help maintain the trail. There are several Children's Forests located in the USA, created to help kids and families connect with the outdoors.
As you approach the summit of Keller Peak, you'll see a memorial to a B-26 bomber crew that lost their lives here in 1941 when their plane slammed into the mountainside. Originally from a squadron in Virginia, the bomber had been rushed out west in the weeks after Pearl Harbor. The plane flew from Edwards AFB to March Field in Riverside when it crashed trying to navigate the Cajon Pass in bad weather. The rest of the squadron went on to fight in the battle of Midway.
There's still wreckage scattered around the peak, including two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines. It's a tough slog through the brush to see them, and not really worth it, so enjoy this photo and focus on the other great parts of the hike.
The Keller Peak Fire Tower, built in 1926, is the oldest standing fire tower in Southern California. It's still used today by fire watch volunteers, and is sometimes open to the public. It's also one of the only fire towers built before the Great Depression.
Click Here To View
Keller Peak is named for Ally Carlin Keller, the son of early pioneers and an employee of the Forest Service.

Exploration Trail to Keller Peak Hike Directions

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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!

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.

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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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