This is a great hike to do in Running Springs. In the early season there are several creeks that you pass as you are hiking. Late in the fall they are all dry. The trail starts at the bottom of Keller Peak road. You need a Forest Adventure Pass which is 5 dollars for the day or 30 dollars for the year in order to park at the trail head. If the road is open another option is hiking it down only by parking at the top of the trail 4 miles up the road. The trail does not follow close to the road and you can not hop on and off where you want. The views are also very different from the road drive so do not expect that you have seen it all by driving there.
The Exploration trail is one of the best graded trails I have ever hiked on. It is a very steady climb and it has beautiful rock formations and much of the hike is in the trees. It is also an excellent place for Mountain Biking and trail running. At the top of the trail you can go right and continue up to the top of Keller Peak which is 7781 feet. Or you can continue up to Slide Peak 7841 feet. Both offer a beautiful panoramic view of the entire Southern California area including Palomar Mountain, San Bernardino Peak, LA sky scrapers, Big Bear Lake and much more. The view is worth hiking all the way to the top.
My favorite times to hike this trail are in the early spring before the road opens and in the fall when the fall colors are out. There are many oaks around they are beautiful in the fall. It would also be a fun snow shoe hike in the winter time.
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