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112.4

Miles

181.0

KM

Point to Point

9,242' 2,817 m

High

2,215' 675 m

Low

20,065' 6,116 m

Up

20,514' 6,253 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

30%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Section Of

Need to Know

If you are in need of water at Messenger Flat along the PCT, Deer Spring is a very close life saver. To access the spring, follow the road to the intersection with Mendenhall Ridge Road. There is a pump house directly below you with water running out from under the door, down the steep ridge. There is an old bulldozed trail if you go 0.25 mi south, which adds almost another mile (round trip) to the hike. Be sure to bring a trowel to make a capture basin, and a filter.

Flora & Fauna

Bighorn Sheep, Deer

Contacts

Shared By:

Hiking Project Staff with improvements by Jordan Brown and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 2 votes

#1168

Overall
  5.0 from 2 votes
5 Star
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Trail Rankings

#135

in California

#1,168

Overall
11 Views Last Month
2,719 Since Apr 26, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

A beautiful, 2000+ year old limber pine; amazing!
Jun 13, 2016 near Wrightwood, CA
Rounding Switchbacks. Nice elevated views after the 4th. Heavy packs going up.
Dec 1, 2017 near Wrightwood, CA
SPACEROCK Trail Race runners
Dec 27, 2021 near Agua Dulce, CA
Sunset view of the Bear Creek drainage.
Dec 21, 2025 near Wrightwood, CA
View from the PCT
Nov 10, 2015 near Wrightwood, CA
Mount Baden-Powell from just below the summit, with the Santa Ana Mountains in the distance.
Dec 21, 2025 near Wrightwood, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jan 25, 2026
Tilman Giese
Indian Canyon Trailhead to Bouquet Canyon Road 21.6mi — 8h 33m
Jan 11, 2026
Tilman Giese
Messenger Flats Campground to Indian Canyon Trailhead 15.2mi — 7h 17m
Jan 10, 2026
Tilman Giese
Mill Creek Summit to Messenger Flats Campground 16.3mi — 7h 41m
Dec 20, 2025
Tilman Giese
Three Points to Mill Creek Summit 18.4mi — 7h 26m
Dec 19, 2025
Tilman Giese
Burkhart Trail to Three Points 21.8mi — 8h 54m
Dec 13, 2025
Tilman Giese
Vincent Gap to Eagles Roost 16.8mi — 10h 30m
Nov 29, 2025
Tilman Giese
Inspiration Point to Vincent Gap 10.6mi — 4h 03m
Nov 28, 2025
Tilman Giese
Acorn Trail to Inspiration Point 11mi — 6h 27m
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