Segment: From Mt. Hillyer to Horse Flats at campsites 1-3 and then following the road through the campground to the junction with the Mt. Hillyer Trail and the spur trail near campsite 10 that leads to the Silver Moccasin Trail. This segment is mostly a “hiker’s trail” that is faint is areas and requires some minor route finding skills to navigate.
Stats: From Mt. Hillyer to the junction near campsite 10: 1.1 miles, 10′ of gain, 565′ loss. From the junction near campsite 10 to Mt. Hillyer: 1.1 miles, 565′ of gain, 10′ of loss. Round Trip: 2.2 miles, 565′ of gain and loss.
Last Hiked: 4-21-2018
Hikes:
- Rosenita Saddle to Mt. Hillyer Lollipop, 4.2 miles, 845′ of gain and loss.
- Chilao to Mt. Hillyer Lollipop: 4.8 miles, 1,025′ of gain and loss.
- Little Pines Loop to Mt. Hillyer Lollipop: 6.8 miles, 1335′ of gain and loss.
- Three Points to Mt. Hillyer Lollipop: 8 miles, 1615′ of gain and loss.
- AC MM 54.10 to Mt. Hillyer Lollipop: 11.8 Miles, 2,130′ of gain and loss.
Trailhead approach from Mt. Hillyer
The view coming down from Mt. Hillyer toward Rosenita Saddle. The trailhead is just beyond the large boulder on the right.
Trailhead view from the direction coming up from Rosenita Saddle nearing Mt. Hillyer
Trailhead approach as seen coming up to Mt. Hillyer from Rosenita Saddle. The trail leading left off of the main trail is the hiker’s trail.
View at the trailhead.
Trailhead view at Mt. Hillyer.
The hiker’s trail starts off easy to follow until it makes a sharp left turn down what looks less like a trail than going the path going forward does. I passed this turn both times I’ve gone down this trail and had to double back. Missing the turn leads to an open area that looks like some people camp in. There are interesting rocks to explore there, but, no easy way down. The path down is close to the open area.
View from the open flat area (potential campsite) just past the turn that continues following the trail down to Horse Flats.
View from the area where the sharp left turn occurs as seen heading down from Mt. Hillyer.
The area where the sharp left turn occurs.
Head down the mountain and turn right around the large boulders near the bottom to pick up the trail again.
View looking down the mountain from the sharp left turn.
Further down the trail reaches an area with some large boulders. There is a path that leads down on the left that didn’t appear to me to lead anywhere. Follow the path around the foot of the boulders.
The view toward the large boulders. Stay to the right going around them.
Partway around the boulders, the path continues by either going over a downed tree or around a few boulders. Both choices lead to the same continuation of the trail.
Continue by going over the downed tree at the lower left of the photo or around the boulder closer to the center of the photo (to the left of the last tree pictured). If going around the boulders, turn left as soon as the option presents itself.
The trail will lead down to an area that flattens out and meanders around chapparal. Continue heading downhill until you reach another set of large boulders along the trail.
The view heading downhill once the trail flattens out significantly.
The trail eventually leads to some boulders that appear to cross the trail. The trail itself follows a path below the boulders. However, it is also easy to go over the boulders and then look for a way down to meet the trail.
At this point, it appears the trail goes over the boulders. It actually continues down on the left below the boulders.
The trail then continues pretty straightforwardly to Horse Flats.
View from the trail going around the boulders mentioned above.
The trail ends at the road in front of campsites 1-3 at Horse Flats. From there continue following the road through the campground to campsite 10 where there is a junction with the main Mt. Hillyer Trail and a spur trail leading to the Silver Moccasin Trail.
View looking up trail from the road in front of campsites 1-3.
More photos of the Mt. Hillyer North Hiker’s Trail here
Hiking Angeles Forest 