Free — you'll pick up right here.

California

Exploration Trail

8.8 mi

Distance

1,301 ft

Gain

No verdict for this trail

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside San Bernardino National Forest

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

Out & back

Here's your day, mapped

Exploration Trail

AI-suggested draft · review before you go

Building your full AI plan…

Meals

Building your meal plan…

Gear for the day

Building your gear list…

Elevation & route

Distance
8.8 mi
Elevation gain
1,301 ft
Highest point
7,301 ft
Lowest point
6,023 ft
More about this trail ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Get Directions

Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this trail

Exploration Trail offers a moderately challenging 8.76-mile journey through California terrain with nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. This well-rounded hike provides a solid workout for intermediate hikers seeking a full day adventure with sustained climbing and descent. The trail's name suggests diverse scenery and exploration opportunities typical of California's varied landscapes.

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Trail of the PhoenixPhoto: Yue Wu, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Trail of the Phoenix

~4 min drive

Easy 1.6-mile loop with 205 ft gain, ideal for beginners and quick outings.

Alder CreekPhoto: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Alder Creek

~5 min drive

4.50-mile out-and-back trail in California with 798 ft elevation gain.

Clark's RanchPhoto: Michael Dorausch from Venice, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Clark's Ranch

~10 min drive

6.09-mile out-and-back trail at Clark's Ranch in California with 7,780 ft of elevation gain.

Coxey Truck TrailPhoto: Jacob Montgomery, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Coxey Truck Trail

~16 min drive

30.3-mile out-and-back trail in California with 4,251 ft gain and 6,850 ft max elevation.

Little Green ValleyPhoto: Yue Wu, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Little Green Valley

~5 min drive

2.66-mile out-and-back trail in California with 651 ft of elevation gain.

AqueductPhoto: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Aqueduct

~5 min drive

4.17-mile out-and-back trail in California with 1,081 ft elevation gain.

Government Canyon

~9 min drive

3.16-mile out-and-back trail in California with 652 ft gain.

Glory RidgePhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Glory Ridge

~9 min drive

Glory Ridge is a 1.30-mile out-and-back trail in California with 150 feet of elevation gain.

Cram Peak Ridge TrailPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cram Peak Ridge Trail

~12 min drive

3.98-mile out-and-back hike in California with 2,390 ft gain and 4,128 ft max elevation.

Siberia Creek

~11 min drive

13.60-mile out-and-back trail in California with 7,378 ft elevation gain.