The regular route utilizes the California Riding and Hiking Trail starting from Keys View road and traverses barren, burned desert 4.5 miles (7.2 km) to Juniper Flats.

From there it is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) more of cross-country hiking to the flat summit which is marked by a large cairn.

Quail Mountain was previously covered with old-growth California juniper (Juniperus californica) and Single-leaf Pinyon (Pinus monophylla), Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), and Coastal sage scrub oak (Quercus dumosa) woodland.

Several wildfires burned over the mountain, leaving it very barren of taller woody plants, which continues while their slow natural regeneration occurs.

A few Desert Bighorn Sheep live in the Little San Bernardino Mountains, and seeing one or a herd is a rewarding experience.