Frankish Peak Hike

EASY TO MISS, it’s not far past the Mountain Ave and Euclid Ave intersection but if you keep going past that intersection on Mountain the trial head is UNMARKED on your RIGHT hand side JUST PAST the water tower!
the trial head starts with a STEEP hill with a bunch of broken bricks (which is to the left of a yellow gate). you can park in the dirt area to the side of the road
the hike is short but ALL INCLINE, and at some points we had to use our hands just a little to brace ourselves onto the rocks. we weren’t able to reach the END of the trial because the wind started blowing so hard it was no longer safe to hike, but we were at the top!
views aren’t that amazing but it was definitely worth the uphill work out
NOTE: don’t get confused with the 2 yellow gates BEFORE the water tower because they aren’t it!

Tip: When you park (see other reviews), don’t go under the yellow gate (I accidentally did based off a previous review, that’s the wrong direction) but be sure to take the super steep road that goes straight up from where you parked (just left of the yellow gates)… don’t worry it kinda levels off a little bit.
If you need a quick hike that is uncrowded, single track and pretty darn steep but beautiful and well worth it, this is a good one. Great adventure hike!

This hike is 14 miles roundtrip with 2,794′ elevation gain/​loss starting from the Stoddard Barrett parking lot. It’s not a difficult hike, in terms of a killer incline/​workout, but it does require a lot of endurance and about 6 hours of your time. The trail is fairly wide a good portion of the way with some loose rocks under foot. Some of the trail, though, does have high brush.
At the turn to go up to Stoddard Peak, continue straight instead. Most of the way to Frankish Peak, the hike is actually pretty easy. It won’t seem like it, but most of the way there is a pretty steady, gentle decline. It is a pretty and meandering hike to get to the peak. About a mile or so before reaching the peak, there will be an option to go right or left. Go right and continue to ascend. You will see an option to go right, around the peak to get to the top, OR, go straight up. This will be the killer portion of the hike if you choose it. And it is REALLY TOUGH! If you go this route, once you get to the top, this is not Frankish, even though it will seem like it is. In the distance a few hundred feet more, you will see another peak at about the same elevation. Continue on to reach Frankish Peak.
On the return, most of the way back toward Stoddard will be at an incline. It’s not a tough climb, but the distance of the hike will make it seem tougher than it really should be. Make sure to stay well hydrated.
parking — adventure pass required

Distance: 4.26 miles
Elevation Gain: 1927ft
Total Elevation Gain/​Loss: 2014ft /​–178ft
Difficulty: ⁷⁄₁₀
Here is all you need to know to get to the top of Frankish Peak. I would say after conquering Potato Mountain, this is the next hike to do. Unlike Potato Mountain, this hike does not attract very high traffic and is not as well maintained. Just the kind of trails I like.
The trail head is located on the left 2200ft north from the intersection of Mountain ave and Euclid. Parking here does not require an Adventure pass.
The trail starts directly north of you to the right of the yellow gate, Yes, you will be going up that. In 350 feet, the trail will level to a small clearing, Continue north east on the single track for 0.5mi. Here you will see in intersection, you will want to head EAST which is to your RIGHT. Travel on the fire road until you reach a second intersection, Here you will want to travel WEST which is LEFT. Continue for another 1000ft and you will reach a rather large clearing. Here is where the fun starts!
Directly NORTH of you lies the trail that you will follow. It is for all intents and purposes a user made traffic trail; easily missed. and easier to loose. Go slow and pay attention to your surroundings. There are several places where there are rocky drops on ether side. This trail lasts for 1.07mi, at this point you will reach a fire road. Your path awaits to the EAST. Continue for roughly 1000ft and you’ll have arrived at Frankish Peak.
Return the way you came!

For a free small-​scale hike close to town, this is my go-​to.
The trailhead is easy to miss, the trail easier still to lose. Google it before starting off, and don’t have your heart set on making it to Frankish Peak itself (a small summit just below Ontario Peak). It’s easy to lose your way, but this area is so heavily roaded you can afford to get a bit lost. Consider it a small-​scale adventure… you’ll find some remote-​feeling overlooks no matter what happens, and some definite steep climbs.
The trailhead is on your right 0.4 miles past where Euclid and Mountain join. There is a yellow gate in a small turnoff, and the trail winding steeply to the left of that gate. Make your way up the trail until you hit a fire road. Turn right, then left at the next fire road about 0.1 miles later. At the end of that road head straight up a shoddy herdpath, continuing until you’re sick of climbing.
No parking fee — the trailhead is not yet in the National Forest.
As always, when hiking in remote areas, be aware of the weather, fire risk, and other hazards. Take precautions such as bringing a map, compass, GPS, etc, to avoid getting too lost.