Oak Grove Trail to High Point

The Oak Grove trail to High Point is the perfect winter hike. It is low enough in elevation (6,140 ft) that it can be hiked all winter long, and long enough (13+ miles r/​t) to keep you in shape for spring. The elevation gain (3,500 ft) is moderate, but 1,200 ft of that happens in a strenuous 1.2 mile stretch toward the beginning of the hike.
Parking for the trailhead is located at the Oak Grove Fire/​Ranger Station (25 miles east of I-​15 on Hwy 79). As the hike is in the Cleveland National Forest, you will need an Adventure Pass for your car ($ 5/​day, $ 30 annually). The trailhead can be found at the back edge of the fire station property, on the western end. The Oak Grove trail is well marked by brown signs and wooden posts. You will need to watch for these markers for the first mile, as the trail makes a few unexpected turns.
~2 miles into the hike you will reach the end of Oak Grove trail and turn right onto Oak Grove Road. At this point you will be done with the steepest/​rockiest stretch of the hike. The rest is moderate, and on well maintained fire access roads.
At ~3.5 miles you will pass a gate, after the gate turn left at the fork in the road. At ~5.5 miles you will reach the signed Palomar Divide Road on the right. This road will lead you through an oak forest that is particularly lovely in the fall. ~1 mile up this road you will make one more obvious left hand turn to reach the fire tower at the summit.
The views along the way up are mostly of the San Bernardino National Forest to the north, but once you reach the top you will have excellent views to both the south and east. The view of the Palomar Observatory from above is especially rewarding.