Thomas Mountain via Ramona Trail in San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Hike Thomas Mountain via Ramona Trail San Bernardino National Forest, CA

Class 1 13.3 miles 2400 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Apr 10, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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My first hike on a six-day peakbagging bender, Thomas Mountain got me immediately excited about a trip almost exclusively on trails after a winter of desert gnarliness. As it turns out, hiking doesn't always need to be miserable! I decided to hike Thomas Mountain using the well-maintained Ramona Trail #3E26. It's shared by mountain bikers, so the switchbacks are numerous and the ascent grade very relaxed. The Ramona Trail made its way up the west slope of the mountain, the foothills progressively shifting from shrubby stuff to coniferous forest. I could see snow-capped Mount San Jacinto just to the north for the majority of the hike.

After a bunch of miles I reached a trail junction with the Thomas Mountain Bike Trail #3E27. This trail is unmarked on most maps, so I was concerned it wouldn't be in existence anymore. The standard route to reach Thomas Mountain seems to be to ignore this deviation and just ascend past Tool Box Spring and onto Thomas Mountain Road above. However, knowing I'd be returning via Tool Box Spring later, I thought it would be fun to check this alternative trail out. I'm happy I did, since the Thomas Mountain Bike Trail was in good shape and had some really pleasant highlights. Plus, I always prefer hiking on a trail rather than a forest road. The Thomas Mountain Bike Trail gained elevation slowly as it made an arc and regained Thomas Mountain Road on its north side. The trail added a small amount of mileage, but it also gave me some excellent views and landscape variety.

Once I reached Thomas Mountain Road, a couple of switchbacks brought me up to the summit radio towers. I timed my trip with the snowmelt nearly perfectly, but I did have to contend with a small amount of that dreaded cold substance. Apparently the high point is just north of the radio towers by about a quarter mile, the road leading nearly up to it. I made a semi-loop by taking Thomas Mountain Road down to Tool Box Springs Campground and then met back up with the Ramona Trail.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Thomas Mountain
6825 ft
1945 rise

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Starting along the Ramona Trail. Thomas Mountain is up there somewhere.
Starting along the Ramona Trail. Thomas Mountain is up there somewhere.
View back after starting out, Mount San Jacinto seen top center.
View back after starting out, Mount San Jacinto seen top center.
Ascending up switchbacks through the foothills of Thomas Mountain.
Ascending up switchbacks through the foothills of Thomas Mountain.
The Ramona Trail is really well-maintained.
The Ramona Trail is really well-maintained.
Image 4 from gallery
Image 5 from gallery
The switchbacks are frequent and very gain elevation very gradually.
The switchbacks are frequent and very gain elevation very gradually.
Image 7 from gallery
Ascending through shrubby foliage up to conifers higher up.
Ascending through shrubby foliage up to conifers higher up.
Views along the Ramona Trail.
Views along the Ramona Trail.
Toro Peak seen in the distance on the left.
Toro Peak seen in the distance on the left.
Image 11 from gallery
Entering the forest, all the snowmelt from this year leaving the small creeks running.
Entering the forest, all the snowmelt from this year leaving the small creeks running.
Junction. I'll be returning here after. I decided to take the Thomas Mountain Bike Trail and return later from Tool Box Spring.
Junction. I'll be returning here after. I decided to take the Thomas Mountain Bike Trail and return later from Tool Box Spring.
Along the Thomas Mountain Bike Trail.
Along the Thomas Mountain Bike Trail.
The Thomas Mountain Bike Trail crosses a dirt road.
The Thomas Mountain Bike Trail crosses a dirt road.
Excellent, open views along the Thomas Mountain Bike Trail.
Excellent, open views along the Thomas Mountain Bike Trail.
The trail alternates between open meadow, forest, and shrubby views.
The trail alternates between open meadow, forest, and shrubby views.
Image 18 from gallery
Image 19 from gallery
Image 20 from gallery
As I neared Thomas Mountain Road, I ran into some snow.
As I neared Thomas Mountain Road, I ran into some snow.
On Thomas Mountain Road.
On Thomas Mountain Road.
A few road switchbacks led to the summit radio tower.
A few road switchbacks led to the summit radio tower.
But the true summit is about quarter mile away still.
But the true summit is about quarter mile away still.
View toward Mount San Jacinto and Lake Hemet.
View toward Mount San Jacinto and Lake Hemet.
View toward Cahuilla Mountain.
View toward Cahuilla Mountain.
I took Thomas Mountain Road back down.
I took Thomas Mountain Road back down.
I met up with the Tool Box Spring Campground.
I met up with the Tool Box Spring Campground.
And then follows a dirt road back to the Ramona Trail junction.
And then follows a dirt road back to the Ramona Trail junction.
Tool Box Spring along the way.
Tool Box Spring along the way.

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!