Trailhead: Silver Moccasin Trailhead 1

Trail: Silver Moccasin Trail from Angeles Crest Highway to Little Pines Loop

Stats: 11.6 miles, 2740′ gain and loss, last hiked on 2-18-2012

Option to Shorten: Silver Moccasin Trail from Angeles Crest Highway to Little Pines Loop (1810′ gain and loss round trip)

Option to Lengthen: Continue on the Silver Moccasin Trail toward Chilao Visitor Center.

Trail Segments: Angeles Crest Highway to JCT at Charlton Flats, Through Charlton Flats, Charlton Flats to JCT leaving fire road, JCT fire road to JCT Little Pines Loop and continuation of Silver Moccason Trail.

Photos: Angles Crest Highway to JCT at Charlton Flats,  Charlton Flats to JCT leaving fire road, JCT fire road to JCT Little Pines Loop

This hike is mostly through recovering burn areas.  Many burned trees stand relatively alone along hilly parts of the landscape with expansive views.  I often felt like I was trekking through a memorial simultaneously capturing the respect and admiration for what was and the sadness for what is now lost.  With some small patches that appear to have survived with little harm and the forest regenerating itself throughout, this hike offers a nice variety of landscapes to walk through.  The trail is maintained and easy to follow throughout.  At Charlton Flats however, portions of the trail are closed to all users and continuation is achieved by walking about a half mile along the paved road until it meets up again with the trail at the north end of the picnic areas.