John's Bench Trail

The trail to John's Bench follows a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Cajon Pass into the wild backcountry where the San Gabriel Mountains meet the high desert. This trail provides an interesting mix of scenic oversize landscapes with frequent railroad movement along a wide round bend as trains ascend or descend through the landscape.

While you may not be looking to cover the 648 mile distance of the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California, the hike to John's Bench provides a 3.3 mile round trip out and back along a popular locals' trail end at a scenic bench overlooking the awe inspring landscape of the area. Beginning at the Cajon Camp/Route 66 site, the trail immediately joins with the PCT route as it passes through a tunnel beneath Interstate 15, heads downstream alongside the railroad tracks before passing underneath the tracks and heading into the desert backcountry.

It takes a bit of hiking to escape the influence of the heavily trafficked I-15 corridor, as litter and highway noise line the route, taking about .75 miles before the trail crosses a saddle and the highway sound fades. This area has multiple railroad tracks built, as several railroad companies use this canyon on their cross country routes. An additional tunnel and over-track crossing lie along the hike, before the trail eventually begins to wind its way up the hills. Just before leaving the basin area, the trail leads to a single wooden bench perched with an epic view over the surrounding rocks and hills.

"John, We will take it from here," is inscribed on the bench. Lucky hikers might have the chance to see multiple trains pass up or down the three adjacent side by side tracks running below. The geological outcroppings are massive here, and this perspective is one that might make you realize how small those interstates and railroads are in relation to the land here.

From here, retrace your route back toward the trailhead. 

As portions of the trail pass through tunnels and over streams, hikers should be very aware of conditions and not try this hike following wet weather. There is a single over track railroad crossing on an active line, be very aware of railroad traffic.

Though not clearly signed, a US National Forest Service Adventure Pass is required for parking in the dirt lot nearest the trailhead.

There are no amenities and no shade at the trailhead or along the hike. However there are gas stations and fast food restaurants just uproad from the parking area. Parking is in a dirt lot near the dead end of Wagon Train Road. After parking continue down road until the trail marker beside the utility lot becomes visible. It is worth reading the interpretive signs at the parking area and learning this area's interesting history as Cajon Camp and its role during the heyday of Route 66.