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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

#1167

Overall
  5.0 from 2 votes
5 Star
100%
4 Star
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3 Star
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Trail Rankings

#135

in California

#1,167

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

0%
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33%
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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
Mount Baden-Powell from just below the summit, with the Santa Ana Mountains in the distance.
Dec 21, 2025 near Wrightwood, CA
View from the PCT
Nov 10, 2015 near Wrightwood, CA
Sunset view of the Bear Creek drainage.
Dec 21, 2025 near Wrightwood, CA
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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

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Swarthout Canyon Road to Acorn Trail 21.1mi — 8h 41m
Oct 25, 2025
Tilman Giese
Cleghorn Road to Swarthout Canyon Road 18.4mi — 7h 49m
Sep 21, 2018
Sol Dog
10mi
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