Sugarloaf Trail Big Bear review for full-day summit hikers

The Forest Service identifies Sugarloaf Mountain as the highest point in Big Bear Valley and describes the first two miles as following a dirt road along Green Creek.

Reviewers describe a strenuous, low-traffic day and often prefer the ridge views to the more enclosed summit itself.

The route and surroundings

Sugarloaf Trail is a self-guided backcountry route starting from Forest Road 2N93, which is off Hatchery Road south of Big Bear City. This trailhead is a forest-road turnout. The path covers about 12.1 miles round trip and includes approximately 3,228 feet of elevation gain. It is classified as difficult, and the official visitor bureau considers it an advanced route. The trail begins on a rough, rocky road and at times runs alongside Green Creek. It ascends through forest toward the highest summit in Big Bear Valley. The summit itself offers views that are somewhat blocked by trees.

Trailhead amenities and access

The Sugarloaf Trailhead is a forest-road turnout and does not have a visitor center or staffed services. To park at the trailhead, you will need an Adventure Pass. National Forest trails are generally accessible throughout the year, but conditions like snow, fire restrictions, road conditions, and official closure orders can impact access. Drivers in the mountains between November 1 and April 30 are required to carry tire chains. The route is best suited for a full-day summit climb, making it a long, demanding option to reach the valley's highest peak.

Scoring criteria

Views and payoff measures what you see along the way and at the end. This section received a score of 7 out of 10. Strengths include strong ridge and mountain views, and the highest summit around Big Bear Valley.

Trail quality measures the tread, the markings, and the upkeep. It scored 6 out of 10. Limits include a lengthy dirt-road approach and an unmarked forest-road turnout.

Access and parking measure how easy the trailhead is to reach and park at. This criterion scored 5 out of 10. The approach is a long dirt road, and the trailhead is an unmarked forest-road turnout.

Crowds measure how busy the trail gets. It received a score of 8 out of 10. This trail is quiet compared with shorter options.

Overall assessment

The overall score is 6.6 out of 10, a weighted sum of the four criteria. The trail is a long and physically demanding route. Reviewers often prefer the ridge views to the more enclosed summit itself. The sustained climb, informal access, and long road section reduce its broader appeal.

Our verdict is that the high summit and quiet ridges reward strong hikers, but the sustained climb, informal access and long road section reduce its broader appeal.

The path ahead

The Sugarloaf Trail, also known as Sugarloaf National Recreation Trail 2E18, offers a substantial outing for those seeking a full-day climb to the highest point in the Big Bear Valley. This route is listed by the Forest Service as a 10-mile round trip, with an officially stated elevation gain of 1,200 feet. The trail reaches a stated summit elevation of 9,952 feet.

The trailhead is situated at a forest-road turnout on Forest Road 2N93, accessible from Hatchery Road south of Big Bear City. Hikers will need an Adventure Pass to park in this area. The page data lists a total round trip distance of 12.1 miles and an elevation gain of 3,228 feet. This designation places it in the difficult category.

Navigating the route

The Sugarloaf Trail is identified by the Forest Service as a route to the highest point in the Big Bear Valley. The overall journey is considered a long and demanding option for reaching the summit surrounding the valley.

This trail is best suited for individuals looking for a full-day excursion to the highest summit in the vicinity. The trail's access point is described as a forest-road turnout.