In the Shadow of a Giant: Crafton Hills Hiking Offers Great Southern California Day Hikes

Like a child at the feet of its parent, the Crafton Hills rise modestly above the plain.

What most people don’t know is that this humble mound of Southern California foothills offers great hikes, and admirable 360 degree views of the surrounding valleys, cities, canyons, and mountains.

I admire places that give me perspective, where I can “feel” myself in the local geography. A Crafton Hills hike gives me that feeling.

In the (occasionally) rainy California winter, the Crafton Hills are mostly bare, green hills reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands.



In the summer they are desert-like and brown with dry grasses and native scrub. There are few trees, mostly Coast Live Oak, but they are worth finding and afford a quiet reading spot.

Summer is probably the least enjoyable time to hike in the Crafton Hills. Temps are in the 100’s on a daily basis, and the hazy smog that accumulates from the L.A. basin acts like a brown curtain hiding the mountains just a few miles away.

Once the Santa Ana winds come in September and October, the curtains unfold to reveal the towering mountains.

When the rains come in the winter, the mountains are topped with an icing of snow, and the atmosphere is clear: great for views from the Crafton Hills.

About the Trails:

The Crafton Hills feature a network of dirt trails with lots of climbs and descents. In about an hour and a half, you can get to the two small peaks from the trailhead at Crafton Hills College.

The trails are mostly unmarked, but are pretty easy to navigate since you have a clear view in most directions at any given time.

The Crafton Hills Ridge Trail is hard to miss since it follows the East-West ridge, the "backbone" of the hills, and is generally wider than the other secondary trails.

Level getting to the peak is moderately challenging: lots of ups and downs. The trails themselves are pretty wide and easy on the feet though.

How to Get There:

The hills stand in between Redlands, Yucaipa, and Mentone, California. You can park at a free trailhead at the corner of Creekside Drive and Oak Glen Road in Yucaipa.

Trails are also accessible from Yucaipa Regional Park (fees required—even for walk-ins) and from Crafton Hills College at Sand Canyon Road and Campus Drive.

One great day trip, if you like biking, is to ride through the orange groves of Redlands up Sand Canyon Road to Crafton Hills College. Park your bike there and continue hiking up to the peaks. (Mountain biking is a good option in the hills, too.)

If on bike, start in downtown Redlands or the University of Redlands and head due East towards the Crafton Hills. Half of the route will be through the scenic orange groves along country roads.

Best time for a Crafton Hills hike is from September to May, and January – February for the most photo-worthy sights.

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