Trail Run Project Logo

Run up to, and enjoy the views from, the oldest fire lookout in the San Bernardino Mountains.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

12.6

Miles

20.3

KM

90%

Runnable

7,864' 2,397 m

High

6,010' 1,832 m

Low

2,022' 616 m

Up

2,022' 616 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The lookout is open to the public from Memorial Day to first snow; 9 am - 5 pm.

Overview

This route will take you to the oldest fire lookout in the San Bernardino Mountains. From here, on a clear day, you can see from the Mojave Desert to Catalina Island! The volunteers are incredibly friendly and happy to answer questions and demonstrate their equipment.

Need to Know

You can drive your car up to the lookout (though parking is VERY limited) if you have children or other family members who can't make the journey on foot.

Description

From the trailhead, take the trail to the right where you'll see an information sign and a half-log bench. Follow this path as it traverses some creek beds and climbs a rocky ridge before entering a black oak forest community. Enjoy the shade of the oaks and admire the towering sugar pines as you ascend the western flank of Keller Peak. Between miles 3 and 4, scenic vistas of the high San Gabriel Mountains open up to the west. Just after 4 1/2 miles the Exploration Trail ends at Keller Peak Road. Follow this one lane paved road 1 1/2 miles to the peak of the mountain and the fire lookout that is perched here.

History & Background

Just below the lookout, along the road, look for the memorial plaque for the WWII aircrew that lost their lives when their B-26 crashed into the peak on Dec. 31, 1941.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jason Ethridge

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 3 votes

#1093

Overall
  5.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#172

in California

#1,093

Overall
17 Views Last Month
6,970 Since Jun 27, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
67%
0%
33%
0%

Photos

Looking across the San Bernardino Mts, at Mt. San Antonio (Baldy), in the San Gabriel Mts, from the Keller Peak Fire Lookout.
Jun 27, 2016 near Running…, CA
Looking up at the northern side of Keller Peak from the Exploration Trail.
Jun 27, 2016 near Running…, CA
A majestic sugar pine stands along the Exploration Trail in the National Children's Forest, on the way to Keller Peak.
Jun 27, 2016 near Running…, CA
The Keller Peak Fire Lookout.
Jun 27, 2016 near Running…, CA
The friendly volunteers at Keller Peak Fire Lookout.
Jun 27, 2016 near Running…, CA
Keller Peak Lookout. with permission from aliandjgohiking
Jun 30, 2016 near Running…, CA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.