Cajon Pass to Silverwood Lake

Cajon Pass to Silverwood Lake is a 30.5-mile out-and-back route in Angeles National Forest that hugs the northeastern edge of the San Bernardino Mountains. The route begins at Cajon Pass, a mountain pass that separates the San Bernardino Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains, and follows the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to Silverwood Lake Recreation Area. It consists of a well-maintained singletrack trail that winds through canyons and crosses scenic ridgelines lined with California chaparral. Panoramic views include the Mojave Desert, San Gabriel Mountain Range, and San Bernardino Mountains. If you visit this area following a recent rain, you may find lush green hillsides, distant snow-covered mountains, and flowing water in some of the otherwise dry riverbeds.On the way to Silverwood Lake, there are many opportunities for solitude on this less-frequented section of the PCT. It is a moderate to easy route with an elevation gain of 3,941 feet and is suitable for trail runners, hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders. DIRECTIONSThe trailhead can be found off Highway 15 at the Cajon Pass exit. A small parking area can be found off the service road / Wagon Train Road. From there, take the Pacific Crest Trail south through Crowder Canyon. You'll walk along ridgelines, cross dirt roads, and wind your way up and down hills as you make your way to the Silverwood Lake Recreation Area. The trail skirts just above the northeastern shore of the lake and then reaches a dirt road junction. Turn left and head back to the park entrance, then follow the Pacific Crest Trail north to Cajon Pass.CAMPINGThere are backcountry camping opportunities between Cajon and Silverwood Lake, as well as campgrounds at Silverwood Lake. WATERVisit the crowd sourced water report for information about water sources along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONSilverwood Lake Recreation AreaUSFS - Lyle Creek and Cajon Pass Recreation AreaPacific Crest Trail Association