Hiking Path from San Juan Trail to Sugarloaf Peaks Excursion

Let's Hit the Los Pinos Trail, Baby!

Dive into the Rugged Cleveland National Forest and Climb Los Pinos Peak

Evidently, we're venturing to the Los Pinos Trail in the Cleveland National Forest—prepare for a challenge! This beast of a trail boasts staggering views and is a hotspot for mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts alike.

Where's the Los Pinos Trail, Homie?

You'll find the Los Pinos Trail in the halfway point of Hot Springs Trailhead, Hot Spring Canyon Rd, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. Pro tip: A National Parks Pass or Adventure Pass is a must to park here.

What Gear to Bring on Ya' Journey?

Osprey Hikelite 26 - My go-to daypack. Light, tough, and keeps my back dry with the trampoline mesh.

The Los Pinos Trail is an exposed, tough climb and is quite similar in terrain to the Santa Anas. You'll need the right gear for a comfortable hike, especially when temperatures get high. Don't forget 3L of water, insect repellent, long pants, long sleeves, and a trusty trekking pole for traversing this trail. I made the mistake of wearing shorts and short sleeves once, and let me tell you, I got scratched (nothing too severe, though). So, go full ninja and dress for battle!

What's the Gear I Should Be Packing?

Norda 001 - Like a monster truck and a comfy pillow had a featherweight baby, for your feet.

Osprey Hikelite 26 - My go-to daypack for hikes. It's light, tough and keeps your back dry with trampoline mesh.
Norda 001 - Think of it as an off-road vehicle and a comfy pillow had a love child, perfect for your feet.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 - When I'm out in the wilderness, I need solid SOS coverage, and this little bad boy handles that wonderfully.
AllTrails Plus - Stay updated with fresh trip reports. The Plus version adds offline maps, off-trail alerts, and even Garmin sync for a seamless experience.
Garmin Fenix 8 - After a few updates, this bad boy has been my reliable sidekick for maps, tracking, and routing on the trails.

For a full breakdown of how and why I use these gears, check my Top Gear Picks page (last updated June 2025).

Garmin inReach Mini 2 - When I need 100% reliable SOS coverage, this is what I take in the backountry.

Say Goodbye to Boring Trail Maps

San Juan Trail Map - Hungry for a visual? View the hike on CalTopo or download the GPX file.
Elevation Profile - Get an idea of the trail's terrain at a glance.
3D Map - Feel like you're right there on the trail!

AllTrails Plus - (30% off link) Up-to-date trip reports. Plus adds offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.

Hike Brief

Did you know there are 19 other "Sugarloaf" mountains in California? We've got a couple more right here in our adventure, but don't confuse them with the popular mountain near Big Bear or Sugarloaf by Mt. Baldy. Curious about other sugarloaf mountains worldwide? Peakbagger lists 100 officially named "Sugarloaf" peaks[1].

Garmin Fenix 8 - Took a few updates to get right, but now it's rock solid for me. I use it for maps, tracking, and routing.

Interestingly, Pleasants Peak, north of Santiago Peak, was once called Sugarloaf. But to avoid confusion, a fire lookout personnel suggested renaming it after J.C. Pleasant, a mountain pioneer who resided there since 1860[2].

Want to try a real off-roader of a trail? Consider the Los Pinos Trail running along the ridge in the previous image. The trail's overgrown nature makes it difficult to access; thus, you need to call ahead and obtain parking approval at the trailhead from the Lazy W Ranch[3]. I did it once, and lemme tell ya, it was a real treat (not for the faint-hearted, kiddo!). If the trail conditions improve, I'll definitely create a guide for it[3].

Enrichment Data:- Location: Los Pinos Trail is in the Cleveland National Forest, located near Los Pinos Peak in Southern California[3][4].- Sugarloaf Mountains: There are 19 other "Sugarloaf" mountains in California, including the popular one near Big Bear. Peakbagger lists 100 officially named "Sugarloaf" peaks around the world[1].- Pleasants Peak: Originally named Sugarloaf, renamed after J.C. Pleasant, a mountain pioneer who resided there since 1860[2].- Los Pinos Trail Difficulty: The Los Pinos Trail is known to be challenging, suitable for intermediate to expert hikers and mountain bikers[3][4].- Guides: Local guide services likely exist and can be found through local outdoor providers or by checking with forest visitor centers for the Cleveland National Forest[3][4]. However, the search results do not explicitly mention official guided tours or services for the Los Pinos Trail.

Embarking on the Los Pinos Trail within the Cleveland National Forest promises a vigorous adventure.
This trail intersects with the Los Pinos Peak, offering breathtaking vistas and attracting mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts.
The trailhead for Los Pinos Trail can be found halfway on Hot Springs Trailhead, Hot Spring Canyon Rd, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. A National Parks Pass or Adventure Pass is essential for parking.
Essential gear for the journey includes the Osprey Hikelite 26 daypack, Norda 001 footwear, 3L of water, insect repellent, long pants, long sleeves, and a trekking pole.
The Osprey Hikelite 26 is a lightweight, durable daypack with trampoline mesh for back comfort. The Norda 001 is a versatile footwear option, providing off-road capability and comfort.
For emergency situations, carrying the Garmin inReach Mini 2 addresses reliable SOS coverage and the AllTrails Plus app offers updated trip reports, offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.
The Garmin Fenix 8 is a reliable companion for maps, tracking, and routing during hikes, providing useful tools for navigating the trail.