Potato Mountain Hike (Angeles National Forest)

4.5 miles - Moderate Effort
2 Hours (Total)
1,270 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 3,422 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

For a quick mountain fix without driving into the mountains, try the Potato Mountain hike, right at the beginning of Angeles National Forest. It's a moderate climb through some beautiful oak forests. The hike ends at the Potato Mountain summit, which offers views of the high peaks in Angeles NF, including Mt Baldy. And of course, there are the potatoes that everyone decorates and brings to the summit. It's a fun hike that especially great for beginners who want to train or get a taste for the bigger mountain peaks.

In this Guide:

Turn by Turn Directions and Video for Potato Mountain
Directions to the Potato Mountain Trailhead
Everything You Need To Know To Do the Hike

Quick Links: Angeles 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.

How Do I Get to Potato Mountain?

The trailhead for Potato Mountain is unmarked along the side of Mt Baldy Road. It's about 0.7 miles after you pass the last housing development on Mt Baldy Road. After the housing development, about 0.5 miles up the road, you'll pass a huge dirt area on your right. Shortly after that (0.2 miles) you'll see another area with parking on either side of the road, which is the trailhead.

The City of Claremont has not been too kind when it comes to parking for hikers. There are a few big parking lots close to the trailhead, and they've put "No Parking" or "No Stopping" signs in them because of excessive vandalism and thefts in parked cars. So what you have to do is park a few minutes up or down the road and walk to the trailhead, which can be dangerous, so be careful.

Use this address:
Potato Mountain Trailhead, Claremont, CA 91711

Don't park in front of the trailhead. People are getting ticketed there.

Potato Mountain Parking 2 — Assuming there are not now "no parking" signs, you can park in this lot down the road from the trailhead. The lot is free.

Potato Mountain Parking 1 — The better bet if you have a parks pass is to probably drive past the Angeles NF border and park in the next lot.

There are no bathrooms anywhere on the hike.

Gear for the Hike

The trail is wide (a fire road) and easy to follow. Light hiking gear is ideal, but you can get away with fitness clothes too. Trekking poles will be helpful on the steep sections. In the summer it can get really hot, bring at least 1L of water.

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

Potato Mountain Trail Maps

There are a few ways to climb Potato Mountain, and this route describes the most popular route from Evey Canyon.

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

Potato Mountain Elevation — Aside from a small dip or two, you basically just climb uphill about 500 feet each mile. It's a long, gradual climb that's challenging but not harsh.

3D Map

Potato Mountain Hike Directions

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Potato Mountain Hike Directions 4 — Look for the yellow gate that marks the beginning of the hike. Head through the gate.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 5 — You're treated to a slight downhill at the start as you hike through an oak wonderland.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 6 — But after a short stretch the trail starts to climb and then keeps on climbing.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 1 — You might here the creek flowing as you climb. There are some steep viewpoints to your right where you can see the shady canyon and babbling brook.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 7 — After about a mile the oak trees will thin out as you gain in elevation and continue climbing.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 8 — And at 1.4 miles you'll see the turn up to the summit. Make the sharp left here.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 9 — At the sharp left continue up the trail to Potato Mountain.

The trails you are on are part of a few park areas. Overall you're in Angeles National forest, but you are also in Claremont Hills Wilderness Park and the (ex) Herman Garner Biological Preserve. This area was saved from development by Herman Garner, who donated it to the Pomona College biology department on condition that it remain pristine wilderness. In 2017 the college gifted it to Claremont Hills Wilderness Park.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 10 — As you climb from the junction you'll start to see the big mountains (or the clouds surrounding them!). You can also see the trail in front of you climbing up Potato Mountain.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 11 — You go down a small, steep hill. Stay left on the big trail.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 12 — And now you have the final stretch of climbing. The trail is steep here so take your time and enjoy the views.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 13 — When you see the triangular sign, you're almost there.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 14 — Here you are, the summit of Potato Mountain!

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 15 — If you go straight you'll reach the concrete water tank. You can also walk around the summit area for more viewpoints.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 16 — Bring a decorated potato, take some photos with it for social media, and leave it in the dirty potato pile.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 17 — On a clear day you can see the major peaks in Angeles National Forest and in the distance, Saddleback Mountain, San Jacinto, and San Gorgonio.

Potato Mountain Hike Directions 18 — From here you just go back down the way you came up. And that's the hike!

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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