Chilao to Horse Flats to Mt. Hillyer - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | Chilao to Horse Flats to Mt. Hillyer |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | California |
| Nearby Town: | La Canada-Flintridge |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | Approx 27 miles N of La Canada on Angeles Crest (HWY 2). Trailhead found at Chilao picnic grounds (day use portion). Enter campground and drive beyond the Visitor Center (worth checking out). |
| Total Hike Distance: | 5.00 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Easy |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | In & Out, Backtrack Hike |
| Hike Starts/Ends: | Chilao |
| Trails Used: | Silver Mocassin, Mt. Hillyer trail |
| Backcountry Campsites: | No |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | Streams |
| Management: | U.S. Forest Service |
| Contact Information: | Angeles National Forest 701 N. Santa Anita Avenue Arcadia, CA 91006 626-574-1613 www.r5.fs.fed.us/angeles |
| Best Season: | Winter, Spring, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads |
| Hike Summary: | #58 in John W. Robinson's "Trails of the Angeles" 1000' Elevation gain This is not a peak-baggers hike. You won’t get the feeling of conquest or a “top of the world” sensation. What you will get are broad panoramic views of surrounding peaks, and desert-esque landscapes mixed with open pine forest. Because this hike has little to no shade, it is best reserved for Fall through Spring. The trailhead is located in the Chilao day-use campground, about ½ mi. in past the visitor center. Parking is on a cleared shoulder to the right. Look for the trailhead sign. There is some additional roadside parking several feet ahead. Don’t park in the campground spaces. You switchback up and around a ridge to a junction about 1 mile. Go left following the arrow on the marker "horse flats". Another several yards brings you just outside the horse flats. There will be a few corrals on your right. Follow the trail left again. You will soon cross a streambed. In spring the stream is loaded with tadpoles. In summer it is crawling with toads. From here proceed a little less than two miles. From here the scrub gives way to a forest of pines, chapparal and huge boulders. A very unique combination. The summit itself is rather elusive. the mountain is more a large rolling hill with clusters of boulders. The views don't happen all at once but, you can take them in throughout your ascent. Climbing up on top of boulders gives you excellent views of the broad rolling landscape of Chilao. The summit itself is forested and does not offer much of a view in itself. If you continue and begin to descend the Norheast, you have passe the summit. you can explore further or return the way you came. |
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