Mt Hillyer Trail Hike

6.5 miles - Moderate Effort
Or: 5 miles out-and-back
3 Hours (Total)
1,240 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 6,203 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Mt Hillyer Trail hike takes you on a mellow summit loop through a little-hiked area of Angeles National Forest. The climb isn't tough, the distance isn't extreme, and that's part of why it's great. You'll hike through the old stomping ground of 1860s horse bandits, complete with a hidden pasture and boulder hideout. And at the summit of Mt Hillyer, you're rewarded with sweeping views of the eastern San Gabriels. Oh, and there are two different summits with two different views. So you got that going for you, which is nice.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn by Turn Hike Directions
Which Mt Hillyer Trailhead to Use
Gear Recommendations and Tips for the Hike

Quick Links: Parks Pass - Angeles National Forest - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Dec 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.

Getting to the Trailhead

The Mt Hillyer hike trailhead can be confusing; other guides have a variety of starting points. This guide follows one of the more traditional routes for the hike, and you don't have to worry about washed out roads or high-clearance vehicles. As long as Angeles Crest Highway is open, you should be able to get here.

There's not a good physical address for the trailhead, so follow these instructions instead.

Use this address:
Chilao Visitor Center, 1 Moccasin Trail, Palmdale, CA 93550

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 2 — Look for the Chilao Visitor Center signs from Angeles Crest Highway, the drive in.

Instead of going to the visitor center, drive straight through until you reach the Silver Moccasin Trail parking area, which intersects the road.

Mt Hillyer Trailhead Parking Map — Here's a map showing the trailhead relative to where you drive into the visitor's center. Just drive straight past all the picnic areas and parking lots.

Here is the Google Maps latitude and longitude map link for the parking area.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 3 — This is the trailhead parking area. It's not a big lot, but there's usually not a lot of people here. If the lot is full, park in one of the earlier parking areas that you passed.

You need to display your Parks Pass or Adventure Pass to park here.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 32 — There is no water or toilets at the trailhead, but there are primitive toilets at Horse Flat Campground, 1 mile into the hike.

Gear For the Hike

Overall the hike is fairly exposed, so you should use sun protection and bring at least 1L of water (I bring 2L). And bugs can be around; plan accordingly.

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 December 2023 Top Gear Picks

Mt Hillyer Trail Maps

The trails are generally well marked and easy to follow. The climb through the boulders can be tricky; there are many small use trails to bouldering spots. I'll tell you what to look out for in the directions that follow.

Some GPX tracks and apps out there have this loop going in the opposite direction as I do. I find this (traditional) clockwise direction to be more enjoyable; it avoids doing the main ascent on a paved road. And if you want to avoid the pavement altogether, just hike to the second peak, turn around, and go back the way you came.

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

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

Where is the Real Summit?

Two Mt Hillyers On Topo Map — Why is the official Mt Hillyer, at 6162 feet, lower than the 6200 feet ridgeline that's about 300 yards away?

Once you dive into the map, you might notice that the official summit marked by the USGS is not the highest point, which is the higher ridgeline to the southwest (6200 ft). The Sierra Club has been using the higher 6,200 point as the summit since 1946. In this guide I'll take you to both spots; each summit offers unique views and is worth a visit.

Elevation Profile

The climb has a small respite when you get to Horse Flat Campground, and then you head up again. The descent is an easy cruise back to the start.

3D Map

Hike Brief

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 33 — The campground at Horse Flat features hitching posts, a direct tie-back to when the area was used to pasture stolen horses.

This hike goes through the hideout area of Tiburcio Vasquez (1835-1875), the bandit who the character Zorro is loosely based on. The hidden pasture at Horse Flat Campground is where the bandits would keep their stolen horses, and the boulders of Mt Hillyer offered a fortress that they could retreat to if discovered. Vasquez was caught and hung in Runyon Canyon.
The peak is named after Mary Hillyer, a beloved clerk who worked for the Forest Service in the 1920s.
The loop is popular with mountain bikers, so keep an eye out. The tire tracks can come in handy. If you are in doubt of which trail to take, follow the bike tracks.

Mt Hillyer Hike Directions

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Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 4 — Start the hike at the Silver Moccasin trailhead by the parking area.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 5 — The trail starts to gently climb, and you'll get some great views to the south and west.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 6 — After about a mile, you'll reach this intersection. Make the left to leave the Silver Moccasin Trail and head toward Horse Flat Campground.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 7 — When you reach Horse Flat, make the hard left onto the Mt Hillyer Trail. We'll be coming back here on the return loop.

If you need to use the toilet, do it at this campground.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 8 — From here we're taking the Mt Hillyer Trail to the summit, two miles away.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 9 — The trail twists uphill.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 11 — As you enter the boulders, you'll get some views to the south. That's Santiago Peak in the distance.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 10 — Avoid the side trails to the left that lead into a popular bouldering area.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 12 — And when you get to this big switchback, make the hard right. It's easy to not cut back and go straight into a maze of boulders.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 13 — The trail goes through lot of boulders. If you're in doubt of where the trail is, look for the mountain bike tracks.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 14 — There are dozens of nice spots among the boulders with overlooks and places to pitch tents.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 15 — Eventually you'll gain the ridge and the peaks to the west, including Mt Wilson (with the towers and observatory), will become visible.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 16 — The summit area of Mt Hillyer is broad and flat, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the views.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 17 — The first summit (6200ft) is off to the left at this split. Look for the big pile of boulders ahead. The main trail continues down to the left.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 18 — This is the Sierra Club summit for Mt Hilyer. Climb up the boulders to enjoy the views.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 19 — To the west you'll get wide panorama that includes Mt Wilson, San Gabriel Peak, Mt Disappointment, and Strawberry Peak.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 20 — And to the north Pacifico Mountain looms large.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 21 — When you're done at the summit, head back to the trail as it starts downhill.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 22 — Head through the little meadow as the trail twists around toward the second summit.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 23 — There's a small trail to the second summit (6162ft) on the right. It's only few minutes hike and is worth the views.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 24 — Soon you reach the summit, which offers another pile of boulders to climb and has views of Mt Waterman and Twin Peaks.

If you don't want to hike on (small) paved roads as part of the upcoming loop, just turn around and go back the way you came.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 25 — Head back to the trail and start the descent.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 26 — When you get to the trailhead at Rosenita Saddle, make the hard right onto the small paved road.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 27 — Head downhill on the road that winds through the pines and scrub.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 28 — When the road splits, bear right.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 29 — You'll see a sign for the Horse Flat Campground, the next landmark on the hike.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 30 — Hike past the pay station.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 31 — When you reach the loop road split, you can go either way. The righthand option is a little flatter.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 34 — At the far end of the loop road you'll see the turnoff for the trail that you arrived on earlier. Head back on that trail to retrace your steps back to the start.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 35 — When you get to the Sliver Moccasin Trail, bear right and hike back down the hill to the trailhead.

Mt Hillyer Trail Directions 36 — And eventually you'll reemerge at the parking lot!

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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