Keller Peak and Slide Peak via Exploration Trail in San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Hike Keller Peak and Slide Peak via Exploration Trail San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Class 1 13.7 miles 2400 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back May 20, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Keller Peak and Slide Peak via Exploration Trail GPX Track

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Keller Peak is a prominent summit in the San Bernardino Mountains near Lake Arrowhead, featuring a fire lookout tower. Although you can drive to the summit, Amanda and I wanted to get some miles in and decided to take advantage of a maintained trail called the Children's Forest Exploration Trail. We felt a little silly since this trail parallels the paved Keller Peak Summit Road for a fair distance, but it turned out to be a very scenic hike regardless. It's always more enjoyable to walk when a trail exists rather than drive.

The hike begins through the forest, crossing Dry Creek and weaving through various rock formations that hug the trail, gradually gaining elevation. A large portion of the hike is forested with gentle grades, featuring only a few small switchbacks. We were able to enjoy some beautiful views of the surrounding hills as we neared the end of the Exploration Trail.

Next, we followed the paved road to the summit of Keller Peak, where the lookout personnel informed us that they had just closed the tower to the public for the day. Nonetheless, we took in the views from the summit boulders, especially towards Mount San Gorgonio to the southeast and down toward the Santa Ana River canyon.

We decided to tack on Slide Peak, accessed via a social trail about halfway up Keller Peak Road from the end of the Exploration Trail. This unmarked trail leads up a sandy slope, over a hump, and down to the southwestern base of Slide Peak. From there, a steep and sandy road leads almost to the summit, and an easy scramble brought us to the top. While it might be tempting to descend directly to the paved road from here, the land between Slide Peak and the end of the Exploration Trail is privately owned, so I recommend simply retracing your steps.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Keller Peak
7882 ft
1042 rise
2
Slide Peak
7841 ft
321 rise

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Starting along the Exploration Trail.
Starting along the Exploration Trail.
Crossing Dry Creek.
Crossing Dry Creek.
Nice rock formations and views toward the surrounding hills along the exploration Trail.
Nice rock formations and views toward the surrounding hills along the exploration Trail.
A pleasantly rolling trail with a tame grade.
A pleasantly rolling trail with a tame grade.
Image 4 from gallery
Much of the hike was forested, but with occasional views.
Much of the hike was forested, but with occasional views.
A nice lookout point along the Exploration Trail.
A nice lookout point along the Exploration Trail.
View back.
View back.
Image 8 from gallery
Ascending through the forest.
Ascending through the forest.
A switchback along the Exploration Trail.
A switchback along the Exploration Trail.
Higher up the forest became more sparse and we had nice views again.
Higher up the forest became more sparse and we had nice views again.
View back along the trail.
View back along the trail.
A bench in place at a great viewpoint.
A bench in place at a great viewpoint.
Image 14 from gallery
Image 15 from gallery
Nearing the upper trailhead.
Nearing the upper trailhead.
End of the Exploration Trail.
End of the Exploration Trail.
We continued hiking up the paved Keller Peak Road.
We continued hiking up the paved Keller Peak Road.
Progress up to Keller Peak.
Progress up to Keller Peak.
Keller Peak ahead.
Keller Peak ahead.
Mount San Gorgonio seen from along the Keller Peak Road.
Mount San Gorgonio seen from along the Keller Peak Road.
View down toward the Santa Ana River.
View down toward the Santa Ana River.
Keller Peak ahead.
Keller Peak ahead.
Keller Peak Lookout Tower boulders.
Keller Peak Lookout Tower boulders.
Close-up west.
Close-up west.
Summit of Keller Peak, view toward Slide Peak (center).
Summit of Keller Peak, view toward Slide Peak (center).
Onward to Slide Peak, taking an unmarked social trail.
Onward to Slide Peak, taking an unmarked social trail.
View back toward Keller Peak as we head up to Slide Peak.
View back toward Keller Peak as we head up to Slide Peak.
Passing over a small lump leading to the base of Slide Peak, seen ahead.
Passing over a small lump leading to the base of Slide Peak, seen ahead.
Steep, sandy road up to Slide Peak. Keller Peak seen center.
Steep, sandy road up to Slide Peak. Keller Peak seen center.
Summit boulders of Slide Peak, view toward Mount San Gorgonio.
Summit boulders of Slide Peak, view toward Mount San Gorgonio.
View toward Keller Peak from the summit of Slide Peak.
View toward Keller Peak from the summit of Slide Peak.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!