Cleveland National Forest · California

Redtail Roost Loop Spur

2.6 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 5E17 · trail class 3 · typical grade 8-10% · hiking, horse, bike

Trailhead Red-tailed Roost Trailhead Drive there

Red-tailed Roost Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

Trail Views
Photo: US Forest Service

Red-Tailed Roost Trailhead

Distance

3.4 miles

Pets Allowed

Yes

Fees

None

Hike/Ride Time

Half day

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Seasons

Fall, Spring, Winter

Location

Near mile marker 22.5 on Sunrise Hwy. See Map

Ranger District

Descanso Ranger District - (619) 445-6235

A lovely area in the Laguna Mountains surrounded by black oaks and conifer, the Red Tail Roost connects not only to the Big Laguna Trail System via Escondido Ravine Rd, but also to a number of spur trails, easily recognizable through posted signage. Great area for picnicking or short family hikes. Connects to the Red-tailed Roost loop spur, consisting of 3.4 miles with moderate incline and downhill sections. Add .6 miles if connecting to the Big Laguna from Escondido Spur trail. Hiking the entirety of Big Laguna will add an additional 10 miles from this point.

For overnight camping enthusiasts, Burnt Rancheria Campground is a mere mile away and Wooded Hill Campground is a short half mile stroll.

For a list of more trails to explore in your area, please see our Recreation Trail Guide

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Cleveland National Forest

All 125 trails in Cleveland National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.