Cleghorn Pass Trail
Pioneer trail with modern-day challenges
Cleghorn Pass follows the original Mormon Pioneer Trail blazed in 1847, cutting through the rugged terrain between Cajon Pass and Silverwood Lake. The route starts innocuously enough from the Cleghorn Road exit off I-15, but quickly turns serious with loose rock climbs, off-camber sections, and tight squeezes between granite boulders. The trail’s signature challenge is Devil’s Backbone — a narrow ridge with steep drops that demands precise wheel placement and steady nerves.
This is solid intermediate to difficult terrain requiring high clearance and low-range gearing. Rock sliders recommended for the tighter sections. The trail sees heavy weekend traffic, so weekdays offer a better experience. Spring and fall provide the best conditions — summer heat can be brutal. What you’re rewarded with are sweeping views of the Mojave Desert, San Gabriel Mountains, and a genuine piece of westward expansion history. Multiple camping spots exist along the route, though water is scarce.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4200 ft |
| Best season | October-May |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Cajon, California |
| Land manager | San Bernardino National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle Cleghorn Pass, or does it need to be built?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it through, but the rock gardens will punish low-hanging skid plates and stock all-terrain tires. Lockers or a limited-slip rear diff help significantly on the loose rock sections — don't bring a lifted truck with street tires and expect a good time.
When does Cleghorn Pass close, and is summer driving a bad idea?
The trail stays open year-round but summer heat in the Cajon Pass area is brutal — temps regularly push triple digits and there's almost no shade on the exposed rock sections. October through May is the sweet spot; winter can bring snow above 3,500 feet, so check road conditions with San Bernardino National Forest before you go.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to run Cleghorn Pass?
No permit is required for the trail itself, but you'll need a valid Adventure Pass ($5 daily / $30 annual) to park on San Bernardino National Forest land. Dispersed camping is allowed under standard National Forest rules — 14-night max, 200 feet from water sources, pack out everything.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The technical rock gardens mid-trail are where rigs get hung up — large embedded boulders with little room to pick your line and steep approach angles that will test your breakover clearance. Plan on slow, deliberate driving with a spotter; this is not the place to carry momentum through a section hoping for the best.
Is there water or gas anywhere near the trail, and how's cell service if something goes wrong?
There's no water on the trail itself — carry everything you need. Gas up in Cajon or Devore before you head out, as the trail sits between two ends with nothing in between. Cell service is spotty at best and drops to nothing in the lower sections, so bring a satellite communicator if you're running it solo.
Trail track
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