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Potato Mountain
4.8 ★★★★★ 422 Google reviews · Running trail in Claremont, California · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 4 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Potato Mountain's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Hiking area with scenic views, oak trees, and a peaceful atmosphere.
What runners say about Potato Mountain
“If you’re looking for a local hike that gives you both a workout and beautiful scenery, Potato Mountain is definitely a go-to.”
“Shade cover is good for most of the hike until you work your way out of the canyon.”
This is a beautiful, peaceful hike. There's a small stream (in February anyway) that you parallel for the first 3/4 mile or so. The sound of it running just added to this hike. The ground is pretty smooth overall, but does have ruts from water runoff and a number of sections that are more rocky/rough.
Love this hike! There is a small parking area near the trailhead, but according to the reviews online and the people we talked to there, parking there will get you a ticket. You want to park about .25 mile up the road on the side, right before the Angeles National Forest sign. The hike is about two and a half miles.
The trail has two way to go up one is OK, the other is challenging.. I took the wide ,which was ok for a regular hike, the only problem is the parking, you ve to park on the road, not by the entrance of the trail..
Potato Mountain has become my go-to spot for a quick but solid hike. It’s a great out-and-back trail with just the right elevation to get a good workout in. I’ve had countless early mornings and sunrises up here, and it never disappoints—the views are worth every step.
Trail conditions & character
“This is a great trial if you want a really good workout as you have about two and a half miles straight uphill but the views along the way make it all worthwhile.”
“The trail is 4 miles round-trip from Mt Baldy Rd gate and over 800 feet of elevation gain on the way up.”
“There is a small parking area near the trailhead, but according to the reviews online and the people we talked to there, parking there will get you a ticket.”
“Shade cover is good for most of the hike until you work your way out of the canyon.”
“The ground is pretty smooth overall, but does have ruts from water runoff and a number of sections that are more rocky/rough.”
“Very dog friendly and lot's of parking right by the entrance about 30 cars.”
“Solid hiking trail especially if you're looking for something less crowded than the Claremont Loop.”
Plan your run at Potato Mountain
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance4 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Claremont
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Potato Mountain Baldy Trailhead
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Joatngna Trailhead
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Padua Avenue Park
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Claremont Wilderness Park, 5 Mile Loop Trail
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Claremont Hills Wilderness Park
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