Pony Express Trail
5.6 mi · ▲ 1,086 ft · 2 hr 25 min
Pony Express Trail is a 5.6-mile out-and-back near Phillips, CA. It climbs 1,086 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 7/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Pony Express Trail
5.6 mi · ▲ 1,086 ft · 2 hr 25 min
Elevation 6,574–7,313 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: 38.80375, -120.08442
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:02 PM
Transit-accessible: stop 473 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 1.1 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.6 miBear left onto Pony Express Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Sayles Canyon Road, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Pony Express Trail, heading S.
- 0.7 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Sayles Canyon Road, heading SE.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Pony Express Trail, heading SE.
- 0.4 miBear right, heading SE.
- 0.6 miBear left, heading E.
- 1.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.7 mi in (~19 min). Leave by 6:23 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:35 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 473 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Bryan Meadow Trail & Sayles Canyon Trail 12.6 mi · ▲ 2,419 ft
- Lake Audrian & Pony Express Trail 12.8 mi · ▲ 2,052 ft
- Pony Express Trail 7.5 mi · ▲ 1,579 ft
- Pony Express Trail 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,419 ft
- Pony Express Trail 8.7 mi · ▲ 1,861 ft
- Lover's Leap Trail via Pony Express Trail 7.3 mi · ▲ 1,419 ft
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Hikes near Phillips, California