The Oregon Coast is rugged, beautiful and often uncrowded. This bluff-top out-and-back hike starts and ends in Sunset Bay State Park and follows a section of the Oregon Coast Trail south to the Simpson Reef Overlook. Along the way there are opportunities for short side trips down to hidden coves and beaches, as well as the manicured gardens at Shore Acres State Park. It is a great taste of the Oregon coast, with a side helping of history.

Trail Details

Distance: 8.75 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 786 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

We were car camping at Sunset Bay State Park, and started our hike right from the campground. If you’re driving to the trailhead, you can park in the lot near the grassy area at the south end of the beach. The trailhead is about 13 miles from Coos Bay and takes about 25 minutes to drive.

From Coos Bay, head north on 101, then turn left on Newmark St (OR 540). As you approach the waterfront, Newmark turns left on Empire (still OR 540). You’ll stay on this (it becomes the Cape Arrago Highway) for almost eight miles, traveling through Barview, across the bridge and through Charleston and eventually reaching Sunset Bay State Park. Get turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps.

Hiking from Sunset Bay to Simpson Reef Overlook

This trail generally follows along the coast along the bluff, sometimes ducking into the forest. Look for the trailhead at the south end of the park. It starts by climbing up the bluff. As with much of the Oregon Coast, it can be frequently wet and slick depending on the weather. It’s definitely lush and green. We spied blackberries, deer fern and wintergreen along the trail.

Just before the two mile mark, we reached a spur trail that headed down to a cove. At low tide, it was a great area for exploring. The fog cloaked the beach in mystery.

Climbing back to the main trail, we continue south. Another 1/2 mile and we veered right at the trail junction, heading to the bluff-top trail through Shore Acres State Park.

Shore Acres State Park was at one time the estate of a timber magnate, and some of the original buildings and the arboretum are still maintained. Dogs are not allowed in the park, except when passing through on the Oregon Coast Trail on leash. The extensive botanical gardens are not covered in this guide, but are definitely worth a visit while you are in the area.

Once you’ve passed the walled gardens, you soon reach the lovely Simpson Beach. While most of the coast is rocky with tide pools, this sandy beach is relatively well-protected and surprisingly quiet. We were the only ones there, probably because it’s a hike to get here.

Continuing south on the trail, you wander the coastal bluff until finally converging with the road at Simpson Reef Overlook. It’s very likely you’ll see other people who drove to this point to walk around and look.

The reef itself extends into the Pacific Ocean quite far, and is teeming with seals, sea lions and other wildlife. Binoculars or a telephoto lens would be helpful here, though you can hear their barking from a distance.

This was our turnaround point. After reading about the reef and ogling the wildlife, we turned around and started back on the trail. There are some options in the network of trails along the coast, and we opted to stick closer to the road for a more direct route back to the trailhead and eventually camp.

The trail back was still beautiful, and we encountered artifacts from the days when Shore Acres was an estate — like the gate posts to one of the old entrances.

John Muir was said to despise the word “hiking” as it sounded all too serious and driven. He much preferred the term “sauntering.” Though we logged nearly nine miles on this trail, it was more of a saunter than a hike, best enjoyed at a leisurely pace with plenty of exploration and just enjoying the scenery of this beautiful coast.

Simpson Reef Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Additional Resources

• Sunset Bay State Park – official website
• Shore Acres State Park – official website
• No water is available on the trail. Be prepared to carry what you need.
• Bring shoes that will give you some traction in slick wet sections of the trail, and a rain jacket just-in-case.
• The trail is not always well signed, but the area is well defined. With the coast on one side and the road on the other.
• We did not have cell service for most of the hike.

Originally hiked July 29, 2021 with Joan and our two labradoodles, Lucy and Farley.

Turtlehead Peak is a great way to get that big picture view of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Though technically outside the park boundary, this five mile out-and-back hike begins and ends in the scenic canyon near the Sandstone Quarry trailhead. This trail can be difficult to follow, with some light scrambling and navigation skills required. The payoff? Breathtaking views of the canyon and even the city of Las Vegas. .

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 6,323′
Distance: 5.24 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,015 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Avoid high temperatures and rain

Getting to the Trailhead

The entrance to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located at 1000 Scenic Loop Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89161.

Entrance to the park is $15 per vehicle. If you have an America the Beautiful National Parks pass, that will get you in for free. Note that timed reservations are required for vehicle entry to the Scenic Loop (which this trailhead is on) from 8am to 5pm, October 1st through May 31st. The gate to the park opens at 6:00 AM, and it’s advisable to get there when it opens to avoid the heat of the day. 

Follow the Scenic Loop Drive for three miles to the Sandstone Quarry Trailhead parking area. There are toilets available. The trail begins at the north end of the parking area and is signed. 

Hiking up Turtlehead Peak

At the north end of the parking lot you’ll see a large sign with a map of the the trail to Turtlehead Peak (that’s Turtlehead in the background). Review the sign for safety precautions and follow them.

The trail starts out fairly gentle, but pay attention to the trail markers. There are several trails criss-crossing the area as well as desert washes that make it easy to miss a junction if you’re not careful.

After a gentle half mile, the grade gets steeper and the trail climbs parallel to a wash. At 1.5 miles, the trail splits in to several trails. The easier ones are marked with green or white dots painted on the rocks.

We started early, so we had shade most of the first two miles, at which point you reach a ridge line. The trail follows the ridge and then around the back (northeast) side of Turtlehead Peak. Once again there are several use trails that will let you pick your way up to the summit.

Once you reach the top, you can explore different viewpoints with tremendous views of Red Rock Canyon.  It’s really satisfying to rest at the top, knowing that the rest of the hike is downhill.

Head back down the way you came. As you descend, be careful not to overshoot the trail back to the ridge line (it’s easy to do). You might want to use your GPS app to do a periodic map check.

The descent goes pretty smoothly. With our early start (we entered the park right when the gates opened at 6:00 AM), we had shade most of the way up, but on our way down, the sun had already risen above the ridge and we started to feel the full intensity of that flaming orb.

Our total time was 3 hours, 12 minutes, with 2.5 hours of actual moving time. Made it back into town in time for a late breakfast (and before the worst heat of the day).

Turtlehead Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Turtlehead Peak Tips & Resources

• Turtlehead Peak – Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas website
• Get reservations for timed entry (October 1st through May 31st; 8am – 5pm)
• Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area – Official BLM website
• Use sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)
• Do not attempt in rain or wet conditions
• Do not attempt in high temperatures
• Carry two liters of water. Aim to finish the first one by the time you reach the summit.

The Las Vegas Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Turtlehead Peak is part of the Las Vegas Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six iconic mountains, each a bit higher and harder. It’s a challenge in itself, or a great way to train for bigger adventures. And your registration help support some great outdoor-related non-profits.

Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked on June 8, 2022 with Ethan and Lucie.

Maiden Peak sits on the Cascade crest, straddling the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests. Many people hike up Maiden Peak from the Gold Lake trailhead on the west side, but the Maiden Lake Trail offers an alternative that starts in the east, passing through a variety of forested habitats and meadows with an optional side trip to serene Maiden Lake.

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 7,805′
Distance: 10.0 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,000 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: July-October

Getting to the Maiden Lake Trailhead

From the center of Bend, Oregon to the Maiden Lake trailhead it’s almost exactly 60 miles and 1 hour, 15 minutes driving time. From Bend, head south on Highway 97 for 17 miles, then exit right onto Vandevert Road (south of the main Sunriver exit). In about one mile, turn left on S Century Drive. Follow Century Drive south for 1.1 miles, then turn right to stay on S Century Drive. You’ll take this 22.8 miles to Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Turn left on Cascade Lakes, following it south for 11.8 miles. Turn right on NF-4600 and follow that for 5 miles. This forest service road ends at the Maiden Lake Trailhead. There are no facilities at the trailhead. There is space to park about six vehicles. At the time of writing, no pass is required for parking. Get turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps.

Hiking to Maiden Peak via the Maiden Lake Trail

The trailhead begins at an elevation of 4,922′ and climb steadily but gradually.

You’ll climb just half of the total vertical in the first three miles, where you reach the first trail junction. Maiden Lake heads to the left, but I recommend noting this for a potential side trip on your return down the mountain. For now, continue to the right.

Interesting to see the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) listed here as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCNST)

About a mile before the summit, the trail gets steeper, finally joining the Maiden Peak Trail for the remainder of the route to the summit.

As you come around the west side of the peak, you finally get above the trees and the views really begin to open up.

The summit of the peak is broad, and marked by a pile of rocks and rusty debris.

This is an out-and-back route, so return the way you came. If you have time and energy, take the side trail to Maiden Lake. It’s a hidden gem that is worth the short hike. There is no outlet for this lake, and it’s amazingly clear.

Maiden Peak via Maiden Lake Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Maiden Peak Tips and Resources

• Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and the other ten essentials.
• Also check out the route to the summit from the Gold Lake trailhead.
• Layer up! It can be cold and windy at the summit.

The Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Maiden Peak is part of the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six iconic mountains, each a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. And your registration helps support some great outdoor-related non-profits. Learn more and sign up here.

Originally hiked on October 20, 2020. 

Black Butte is an iconic mountain that stands alone, prominent and proud. The 6,436′ extinct start volcano lies 10 miles northwest of Sisters, Oregon along Highway 20. There are two ways to hike Black Butte. The shorter route from the Upper Trailhead is only four miles round trip, but requires a long drive up a washboard gravel forest service road. Starting from the Lower Trailhead is an easy drive, but a much longer hike. You begin at the base of the mountain and climb over three miles before joining the Upper Trailhead to continue your hike to the summit. The total roundtrip distance from the lower trailhead is 10.5 miles, with 3,400 feet of vertical gain.

Trail Details

Summit: 6,436′
Distance: 10.5 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,400 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring-Fall

The popular trail is well-maintained and can usually be hiked earlier in the season when the roads to other trailheads are still closed.

Getting to the Black Butte Lower Trailhead

From Sisters, Oregon head west on US Highway 20 for ten miles. Turn right to head north on Camp Sherman Road. Follow Camp Sherman for 2.6 miles, then turn right onto SW Metolius River Road. Turn right at 0.2 miles (the first possible turn) onto the dirt and gravel Forest Service Road 1430 (there is no sign). A few hundred yards on your right is the parking area, with room for about 10 vehicles. There are no posted requirements for parking fees or passes, and there are no toilets or water at this trailhead. Get turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps.

Hiking Black Butte from the Lower Trailhead

From the dirt parking area, look for the Black Butte Trail sign. You will see the mixed use trail heading due west, mostly flat for the first mile. This trail winds around the mountain at the base, so you’ll want to watch for the wood posts to turn on the hikers-only connector trails that head uphill. There are two options, and when you look at the map at the bottom of this trail guide, you’ll see we took the first option on the way up the mountain (~.75 miles from the trailhead), and the other on the way down (~1 mile from the trailhead). The second option is the more popular route.

From here, the trail begins a relentless but mostly gradual climb up and around the mountain. You will cross two forest service roads as you climb; watch for the hiker trail on the other side of the road and do a map check to make sure you’re on the correct route. At 3.2 miles you reach the Upper Trailhead. There is a picnic table and this is a great spot to take a break.  50 yards down the parking area here are pit toilets.

Note that the sign for the trail back down to the Lower Trailhead (from which you just hiked) is more prominent than any sign for the summit. On my most recent hike here, I helped two separate hikers parked at the upper trailhead who started hiking down the mountain until I asked them if they meant to hike to the summit.

For a detailed guide from the Upper Trailhead to the summit, read Hiking Black Butte from the Upper Trailhead. The trail for the upper section is the same for both routes. From here, it’s a bit over two miles to the summit. The trail up has one switchback, then spirals upward toward the summit.

As you climb above the tree line, you are rewarded with sweeping views of the Cascade Mountains.

You’ll see the tall fire lookout tower that is actively manned during the summer months. As you round the east side of the mountain, you’ll hike through the scars of two modern wildfires before finally reaching the broad summit.

Once on the top of the butte, follow the trail to the northwest to visit the historic cupola (look for the rock carved by the “Bachelor of Black Butte” a century ago). Continue past the cupola to the new viewpoint deck. On a clear day, you can see Mount Hood and even Mount Adams.

When you’ve finished soaking in the views, retrace your route back down the mountain.

Black Butte Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Black Butte Hiking Tips

• At the top, please stay on the marked trails to avoid damaging the fragile ecosystem.
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and the other ten essentials.
• Check out William Sullivan’s 100 Hikes / Travel Guide Central Oregon Cascades (affiliate link) for more on the history and flora on Black Butte.
• For a shorter version of this hike that still goes to the summit, read our guide for Hiking Black Butte from the Upper Trailhead.
• This mountain gets snow in the winter and becomes a more technical climb. Check the conditions before you go. I’ve used snowshoes on this trail during the month of January and microspikes and trekking poles can be helpful even into June depending on the snowfall.

The Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Black Butte is part of the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked on February 17, 2022 with David and Ethan.
Latest hike on May 21, 2022 with Scott.

A popular hike in north-inland San Diego County, Monserate Mountain provides a good workout with spectacular views from its summit. This moderate trail climbs 1,160 feet in 1.6 miles and is a memorial to honor all the fallen first responders who lost their lives on 9/11. The trail markers A1-A11 represent every 10th floor of the former twin towers.

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 1,553 feet
Distance: 3.1 miles (out and back), 4.4 miles (loop)
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,170 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead is just to the east of the I-15, just past the junction with Hwy. 76. Exit on Pala/Oceanside/Bonsall/Palomar Mtn. (Exit 46). Head east to Horse Ranch Creek Road, then turn left. Continue north for about 1.7 miles. You will find parking along the side of the road. The trailhead will be on the east side of the road. Get turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps.

Hiking Monserate Mountain

The hike begins under new trailhead signage, so make sure to stop and grab your photo with it. Shortly after that, you will pass through the actual gate into the preserve. The wide dirt trail will quickly rise up before you. It is a popular hike, so you should see fellow hikers and runners working their way up and down the trail.

This trail is also a memorial to honor all the fallen first responders who lost their lives on 9/11. You will see markers, denoted A1-A11, representing every 10th floor of the World Trade Center.

The trail is wide but can be a bit rocky and have some rain ruts to be mindful of as you continue your climb. After about 3/4th mile, you will reach a junction just after the A5 marker. Turn left if you want to take the direct route to the summit. If you want to do this hike as a loop, this is the junction where the loop will return to. The noise from the freeway should have faded away by now. 

As the trail turns north, you will pass junctions with two marked side trails. Stay to the right past Red Diamond Trail and Canonita Trail at 1.05 miles and 1.35 miles from the start, respectively. Just past the junction with Canonita Trail, the trail will make a sharp turn to the east. 

At about 1.5 miles into the hike, the trail will plateau just below the summit. You will reach another junction here as well. If you take the left fork, this will take you onto the summit proper. The right fork will be the one to use for the full loop. 

From that junction, you will have just 1/8th mile to go to reach the 1,567-foot summit of Monserate Mountain. Now enjoy the rewards of your efforts with some nice views of northern San Diego county. Off to the northwest, you will be able to see Red Mountain, with the Santa Anas beyond that. To the east are the Agua Tibia Mountains, which rise to 5,077 feet at Eagle Crag.

Once you are done, return back down the spur trail to the junction.

If you are doing the hike as an out-and-back, stay to the right and just retrace your route up. If you are doing the full loop, stay left and follow the ridge trail southward. This will take you toward the water tank, as well as offer up some nice views along the way.

The trail will descend down a flight of wooden stairs toward the water tank. After passing through a gate at the end of the Ridge Trail, you will find yourself on the paved service road for the water tank. Continue heading south until you come to another junction. When you reach the road, Pala Mesa Mountain Drive, head to the right and pass through a white gate marked with a Monserate Mountain Preserve sign. You will now work your way back to that first junction you encountered when you began your hike. Just beware, that this loop adds another 225 feet of elevation gain, as well as sometimes hiking on the pavement.

Once back at that first junction, you have a mere 3/4th mile to go to reach the trailhead. This is a popular trail, so expect to see fellow hikers and runners sharing the trail.

Montserate Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

As of December 2021, you will not be able to do this hike as a loop as some construction work has closed it temporarily. Check with Fallbrook Land Conservancy for updates as to its reopening (currently planned for December 2022). In the interim, you can still hike Montserate Mountain as an out-and-back.

Montserate Mountain Resources

• Fallbrook Land Conservancy’s Montserate Mountain Preserve
• Fallbrook weather forecast

Sutton Mountain gives you a sense of just how big Oregon is. Nestled between the Painted Hills unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and the tiny old town of Mitchell (population 142), this hike starts with a well-hidden trailhead, then follows an old jeep trail most of the way before requiring a short off-trail climb to the high point.

Trail Details

Summit: 4,692′
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,612 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: October-June

The Sutton Mountain Wilderness Study Area gets hot in the summer, so this trail is best hiked in the fall through spring. May and June are great months, when the wildflowers are blooming.

Getting to the Sutton Mountain Trailhead

From Bend, Oregon it’s about 92 miles to the Sutton Mountain Trailhead. From Prineville, follow US 26 East for 29 miles. Turn left on OR-207 N (just before you reach Mitchell, but after the turn to the Painted Hills). Follow OR-207 N for 9.3 miles and the trailhead is on your left. There is no sign for the trailhead, and the gravel drive to the parking is easy to miss due to the brush. Get driving directions with Google Maps or use the trailhead coordinates 44°39’50.3″N 120°07’26.8″W with the navigation software of your choice.

When you turn on the driveway, there is a wire fence that you’ll need to open (and close behind) you. The parking area is a flat area with dirt and grass that can accommodate at least a dozen vehicles. It can get muddy, so bring a pair of shoes to change into after your hike.

Hiking Sutton Mountain

Once you’ve found the parking area, head to the northwest following a faint jeep trail. You’ll see a sign marking the Wilderness Study Area. Follow this track up and around the hill.

When we hiked this in February, there was still snow on the ground. The ground itself was frozen on our way up, but thawed to mud on the way down.

Most of the trail is bare dirt and rock; the vegetation scraped away over years of use.

At the 2.1 mile mark you pass through and opening in a a fence (seen below) and turn 90-degrees left. Imagine the cattle roaming the plain.

Follow the old jeep track uphill another 1.2 miles. The ridge that comprises Sutton Mountain looms to your left.

From here, you leave the old road and choose your own adventure, zig-zagging up the brushy incline to the ridge.

Once at the ridge, soak in the views!

Looking south from Sutton Mountain

Cliff on south side of Sutton Mountain

Make your away along the ridge to the highpoint. There is a survey mark and a post. When we hiked, we were accompanied by a curious dog from a ranch near the trailhead. He followed us all the way up and back, escorting us to make sure we found our way.

After taking in the views, retrace your steps to return to the trailhead.

Sutton Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Sutton Mountain Tips

• There is no water nor facilities at the trailhead nor anywhere on the trail. Plan accordingly.
• Carry the 10 Essentials. We had no cell service for most of the trail, with spotty service at the summit.
• After the hike, stop in Tiger Town Brewing in nearby Mitchell. They have great sandwiches, wings and a namesake Sutton Mountain IPA.
• After lunch in Mitchell, visit the nearby Painted Hills unit of the John Day Fossil Bed National Monument.
• Check out the latest Sutton Mountain trip reports to see current trail conditions
• Find this hike and others in William Sullivan’s 100 Hikes: Eastern Oregon guidebook (Amazon)

Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Sutton Mountain is part of the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes in Central Oregon. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

The annual challenge runs between January 1st and October 31st.

Originally hiked on February 6, 2022 with David and Rebecca.

Sitting in the Pine Creek Wilderness in east San Diego, stands Corte Madera, or as some refer to it, San Diego’s Half Dome. This peak offers some impressive views of Baja California, Los Pinos, Anza Borrego, Mount Laguna, and Cuyamaca State Park. This challenging trail has some stunning vistas as it climbs toward the summit.

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 4,659′
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 1,700 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Spring, Fall, Winter

Getting to the Trailhead

From anywhere in San Diego, take the 8 freeway to the Buckman Springs Road exit (exit 51). There are no facilities at the trailhead, so stopping at the Buckman Springs rest stop might be a good idea. Head south on Buckman Springs Road for about 3 miles until you see the sign for the Corral Canyon OHV Area. Make the right hand turn on to it and continue for about 4.8 miles. This road will be a mix of dirt and paved sections, but most cars should have no issues driving it. You will come to a hairpin turn and should see a locked gate on your right, just past this on the left will be a small parking area. With care, five cars should fit.

There are some additional spots to park further up the road. You will need to display your National Forest Adventure Pass or similar pass on your windshield. The daily pass is $5 and can be purchased from several locations.

Hiking Corte Madera

The hike begins by making your way around that locked gate and then along the dirt road that passes through some dense coast live oaks and some tree-sized manzanita. The dirt road will make a hairpin and you will reach the junction with Espinosa Trail. There should be a metal garbage can with a trail sign to point you in the correct direction as past this point the road enters private property.

The Espinosa Trail begins a moderate climb toward the saddle between Los Pinos Mountain and Corte Madera. The coast live oaks and manzanita are replaced with chaparral.

Once at the saddle, you will see signs for the Los Pinos Peak to the left, Espinosa Trail straight ahead, and Corte Madera to the right. The Valley Fire in 2020 had closed the Espinosa Trail beyond this point, but it has since reopened. Here you get your first views of the impressive cliff face of Corte Madera.

Keep an eye out for raptors flying in the skies above you. That southern face is host to a number of birds of prey, including falcons, hawks, and golden eagles. In fact, Cleveland National Forest has seasonal closures along the mountain’s sheer cliff. While these closures will not affect your hike, if you are seeking to do some rock climbing, they will.

From this saddle, continue north on the Los Pinos road until it dead ends. Note that this is an active dirt road, so you may encounter dirt bikes or other off-road vehicles. There will be a forest service sign reminding you to be mindful of the nesting raptors that call Corte Madera home.

Your hike will now continue along a use trail to the summit. The condition of this trail varies from good to poor at times, so be prepared. It will get a bit rocky at times and you will have some minor climbing over some rocks.

The use trail wraps around a small peaklet before dropping down some. This is probably the toughest section as you have a short steep scramble to navigate.

Rocky section around the “peaklet”.

From here you have about another mile or so to the summit, the route weaving its way through the chaparral and boulders.

Eventually, you will come to a large cluster of boulders that denote the summit of Corte Madera. There should be a register in an old ammo box for you to sign.

The summit offers many spots to sit and take a well-earned break. You will have stunning views in all directions. Downtown San Diego will lie due west, and with some luck, you can spot Point Loma.

Many of the familiar peaks of San Diego should be visible as well; El Cajon Mountain, Mount Woodson, Cuyamaca Peak, Palomar Mountain, just to name a few. If the air is clear and if San Gorgonio has some snow on its summit you should be able to see it.

When you are ready to leave, just retrace your route back to the trailhead.

For the more adventurous, you can combine this hike with the summit of Los Pinos. If you choose to do this, at the junction with Espinosa Trail, continue south along the road toward the lookout tower atop Los Pinos. This will add about two miles each way and another 900 feet of gain. During the fire season, that tower is staffed and offers some great views.

Corte Madera Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Additional Resources

• Espinosa Trail – Cleveland National Forest website
• Corte Madera is part of the San Diego Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge.

One of the highest points in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness, Quartz Peak offers spectacular views from atop a unique summit block made of white quartz. This challenging trail has beautiful vistas of the Rainbow Valley as it climbs a rugged ridge from the valley floor to the crest of the Sierra Estrella.

Getting to the Trailhead

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 4,052′
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,400 ft
Dogs: Yes, but may struggle with last quarter mile
When to go: Fall, Winter, Spring

From Phoenix take the I-10 to Exit 124B for AZ-303 Loop S and continue South on S Cotton Tail Ln. When you come to a traffic circle, take the first exit onto Estrella Parkway. Go 4 miles to W Willis Rd and make a right. Go 1.4 miles and make a left onto S Rainbow Valley Rd., and after 5 miles turn left onto W Riggs Rd.

Go just 2 more miles and you’ll dead-end into the trailhead parking area. There is a pit toilet, but no running water at the trailhead.

Hiking Quartz Peak

From the parking area head northeast up the trail. You’ll pass an information stand and trail register where you can sign in and out. Follow the flat trail marked by cow pies and cairns for about a quarter mile, then it will turn left towards the base of the ridge on your left.

At 0.6 mile you’ll reach the top of the first ridge, and at 1.0 mile the second ridge. As the trail climbs it alternates between following the crest of the ridge, and dropping slightly side to side, lacing from notch to notch.

At mile 1.8 the trail becomes more rugged and a little harder to follow, then hits a couple switchbacks and gains the final ridge at mile 2. From here the trail hangs on the left side of the ridge until mile 2.3 where it pops back on top.

At the 2.5 mile mark the trail diminishes, becoming more rocky and slow. You should see some cairns to guide you to the left side of the ridge, then back to the center, then to the right, then centered again where the trail becomes more prominent at mile 2.7.

The clear path does not last. Stay near the crest of the ridge for the final quarter mile to the top. When you get near the summit there are two apparent summit blocks – Quartz is on the left. Complete the final scramble and you are there!

At the top you will be greeted by the biggest chunk of white quartz you’ve ever seen and truly appreciate the name of this peak. To the north is Phoenix, to the west is Little Rainbow Valley and to the east is the Gila River Reservation.

When you are done enjoying the views, return back down the way you came.

Quartz Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Driving Directions to the Trailhead

Quartz Peak Hiking Resources

• Bureau of Land Management’s web page with trail info.
• Bring plenty of water, as none is available at the trailhead.
• Carry the 10 Essentials.
• Pack it in. Pack it out. Follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Winter Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Winter Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the Phoenix and Tucson area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

The winter challenge runs between November 1st and April 30th.  Be sure to check out the summer challenge, too!

Appropriately named High Point is the highest peak in the Palomar Ranger District of Cleveland National Forest. This hike offers unique views of Toro and San Jacinto Peak, and a colorful variety of trees that isn’t often found in Southern California.

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 6,140′
Distance: 13.8 miles
Time: 7 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,509 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring, Fall, Winter

Getting to the Trailhead

Take Interstate 15 toward Temecula and exit at Highway 79 South. Follow Highway 79 South southeast  for 24 miles to the Oak Grove Fire Station. Turn right into the parking area across from the Oak Grove Campground, or just after the fire station. You can park behind the fire station, or in the lot for the building just north of the fire station.

The trailhead is not very obvious. Look for a waist-high post that says “Oak Grove Trail” at the north end of the parking lot – it has arrows on it pointing you in the right direction.

Hiking High Point from Oak Grove

From the sign that says “Resident and official vehicles beyond this sign only”, the hike starts on a dirt road northwest out of the parking area. The first half mile requires you to really pay attention and watch for trail signs guiding you toward the “real” trail. It’s mostly the posts with “Oak Grove Trail” written vertically on them, but there are a few signs that just say “Trail”.

You’ll know you’ve successfully navigated the labyrinth when you get to the large Oak Grove Trail sign indicating it’s time to depart from the dirt road and turn right onto the single-track.

Once on the narrower path, the real climb begins. First there are a few long sweeping switchbacks as the trail becomes a bit rocky and washed out in places. Then the switchbacks become shorter and the elevation gain intensifies.

As you climb, the reward for your hard work is the views that begin to appear behind you.

At the two mile mark the single track path ends and you turn right onto a dirt truck trail called Oak Grove Road.

Follow this broad dirt road to the 3.5 mile mark where you will find a locked gate. You should not encounter any vehicles up to this point, but keep a lookout for dirt bikes and 4x4s from here to the summit.

Continue around the gate and just around the corner the road splits. Go left, continuing on Oak Grove Road.

As the trail curves left, you may be able to spot the lookout tower perched atop your objective.

The incline is steady until around the 5 mile mark, where the road flattens out and arcs right toward the summit.

At 5.5 miles there is a junction at a “No Campfires” sign where you should turn right onto Palomar Divide Road.

This section continues relatively flat, makes a sharp right turn at 5.7 miles, and a 90 degree left at 6 miles.

At the 6.5 mile mark is your last junction. Turn left through the gate and you’ll soon see the lookout tower you’ve been aiming for. Continue up the path as it winds up to the summit, and look out to the right as the white observatory domes begin to dot your view.

Look northeast and admire the views of Toro Peak, San Jacinto Peak and San Gorgonio. Look west across the beautiful thick forest of trees blanketing the broad Palomar Mountain, of which you are standing at the highest point.

The lookout tower is usually occupied by forest service personnel, but public access is not allowed. If you happen to be there in the early afternoon, you may witness them come down out of the tower to weigh the fuel stick. This is a traditional method for assessing level of fire danger. The weight of the stick tells them how dry or damp potential forest fire fuel is. Once you’ve refueled yourself and enjoyed the view, return back down the way you came up.

High Point Trail Map and Elevation Profile

High Point from Oak Grove Hiking Resources

• Check the Forest Service web page for latest trail information.
• Check the weather forecast for Palomar Mountain.
• Be prepared to #RecreateResponsibly and follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles.
• Carry plenty of water. This is a long, dry hike with a lot of vertical gain.
• Carry the 10 Essentials.
• Read up on the background on the High Point Lookout

San Diego Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

This hike is part of the San Diego Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes in San Diego County. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

The annual challenge runs between January 1st and December 31st.  Be sure to check out the SoCal challenge, too!

Originally hiked on November 25, 2020.

Hot Springs Mountain in the Los Coyotes Reservation is the highest peak in San Diego County, with chaparral, oak and pine forests. On a clear day, you can see the Pacific Ocean over 50 miles away. Near the summit are the crumbling remains of a lookout tower, and the true summit requires a short boulder scramble. It’s an area of impressive natural beauty and biodiversity.

Trail Details

Summit: 6,533′
Distance: 10.2 miles
Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,118 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Hot Springs Mountain Trailhead

The nearest town is Warner Springs, and the drive to the trailhead takes about an hour from Temecula or an an hour and 20 minutes from Escondido. From Highway 79 in Warner Springs, you’ll turn onto Camino San Ignacio Road. This road travels 7.7 miles to the trailhead at the intersection with Sukat Road, but you’ll have to stop at the entrance to the Los Coyotes Reservation and pay a per-person day-use fee, which at the time of writing was $10 per person.

The trailhead is not clearly marked, other than a small sign identifying Sukat Road. The road can be found at the west edge of the campground (to your left as you enter the campground. The campground itself was still closed to camping due to the pandemic, but this made parking a breeze. Get turn-by-turn driving directions on Google Maps.

Hiking Hot Springs Mountain

The trail begins up Sukat Road, a jeep trail that was chained off at the time of our hike. Once you step over the chain, the climbing begins. Being a jeep trail, the trail never gets too steep, although having trekking poles would be helpful. Leaving behind the tall oaks in the valley, the are open patches interspersed with tall pines, cedars and chaparral.

As you climb, the buckwheat and manzanita give way to forest.

At 2.8 miles, you reach a junction with Hot Springs Mountain Road. It’s another dirt road, and you might not even notice it, as Sukat Road bends to join it nearly seamlessly. There is a sign pointing you toward the Lookout Tower, and that’s the direction you want to continue.

From here, the trail is forested and climbs gently with a few dips to keep it interesting. Towering cedar trees line the trail on both sides.

At five miles, the lookout tower comes into view, and the jeep trails opens to a large flat turnaround area. When we hiked this, there were colored flags tied to the branches to mark the trail.

Continue across the flat open area to the trees on the north side of the clearing, and the trail to the true summit continues as a single track that snakes through manzanita and trees to a large boulder pile. There’s a marker at the top of the highest boulder, but climbing up them is entirely optional, depending on your comfort level.

The summit can only handle a few people at the top at any one time. If you want to stop for a break, a better location is at the concrete steps leading to the base of the closed (and decaying) lookout tower. Though this side of the summit mount is slightly lower, the views are the same.

There are plenty of places to spread out for a snack break before retracing your steps back to the trailhead.

On the way back, the junction with Sukat Road is more obvious. Take a left on Sukat Road, following the sign directing you to the campground.

Hot Springs Mountain Map & Elevation Profile

Hot Springs Mountain Resources

• At the time of writing, a $10 per person use fee is required to enter the reservation
• Dogs are permitted, but must remain on leash at all times
• There is a porta-potty at the trailhead, but bring your own water and pack out all your own trash and Leave No Trace
• Be sure the carry the 10 Essentials
• Know how to #RecreateResponsibly
• Information on the Los Coyotes Reservation
• Weather forecast for Hot Springs Mountain

San Diego Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

This hike is part of the San Diego Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes in San Diego County. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

The annual challenge runs between January 1st and December 31st.  Be sure to check out the SoCal challenge, too!

Originally hiked on October 24, 2020 with Joan, Will, Shannon, Lucy and Farley. Special thanks to Will for serving tacos! 

Trail Details

Distance: 9.6 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,625 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October

One extra perk? After the first mile, you’ll leave the crowds behind. 

Getting to Tumalo Falls

The trailhead parking area is 13.5 miles west of downtown Bend. Take Skyliners Road to Tumalo Falls Road, crossing Tumalo Creek on a one-lane bridge, and following a washboard gravel road another 2.5 miles to the parking area. There is a fee station that takes cash or cards for day use parking. If the parking area is full, you can also park on the side of the road (obey all signs). The fee still applies. Get turn-by-turn driving directions via Google Maps.

There is no water at the trailhead, but there are pit toilets.

Hiking the Tumalo Falls to Farewell Loop Trail

Start with a a look at the Tumalo Falls viewpoint, just steps from the trailhead.

Head back to the trail and start up hill. After a short climb, you’ll come to a overlook trail with a railing. There are several viewpoints along the way to the top of the falls.

This is where most people stop and turn around, missing out on the beauty of Tumalo Creek and it’s many falls and cascades. Head back to the main trail as it parallels the creek and heads upstream.

At one mile, you’ll see a signpost for a viewpoint on the cliff, overlooking the aptly named Double Falls.

At the two-mile mark, you reach Upper Tumalo Falls.

A quarter mile past Upper Tumalo Falls, you cross the Middle Fork of Tumalo Creek via a log bridge.

There are numerous cascades and falls, now on the south side of the trail.

At 3.5 miles, you join the Swampy Lakes Trail.  Continue to the right towards Happy Valley. You get a break from the climbing as the trail continues. At 4 miles, you reach the junction with the Metolius-Windigo Trail. Here you turn north, crossing the creek on another log bridge and begin climbing towards the ridge.

Note that this is the last chance for water on the trail. The remainder of the trail is dry and has more sun exposure. If you do refill water bottles here, be sure to filter or treat it.

Near the ridgeline, the trail briefly joins Forest Service Road #4601. Turn right (east) and in about 20 yards, take the Mrazek Trail to the right.

The Mrazek trail parallels the Forest Service road, lower on the ridgeline. At ~6.25 miles you reach the junction with the Farewell Trail. Turn right and follow this trail back down to Tumalo Falls. The views begin to open up, give you a chance to see Tumalo Mountain (with Mount Bachelor peeking over it’s shoulder), Broken Top and South Sister.

This descent on the Farewell Trail has more exposure, and can get hot in the afternoon sun.

Tumalo Falls to Farewell Loop Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Tumalo Falls Tips & Resources

• Looking for something a little shorter? Hike up to the Swampy Lakes Trail, then turn around and turn it into an out-and-back. You could choose your own halfway point — Double Falls, Upper Tumalo Falls, or further.
• This route is also perfect for mountain biking. Note that while hikers can travel in either direction on the North Fork trail, bikes are only allowed uphill.
• Check the official Deschutes National Forest website for latest trail restrictions and conditions.

Originally hiked on July 4, 2020 with Joan and our two Austrailian Labradoodles, Lucy and Farley.

Beautiful Chush Falls on Whychus Creek is a local favorite in Central Oregon.

Trail Details

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 500 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October

Getting to the Trailhead

From Highway 242, in downtown Sisters, turn south on Forest Service Road 16, signed for Three Creek Lake (do not follow FR 15, signed for Squaw Creek, west of town). After 7 miles, turn right onto FR 1514, and proceed just under 5 miles to FR 1514-600. Immediately before crossing Whychus Creek on a large concrete bridge, and turn left. You’ve got five miles of gravel Forest Service road to reach the trailhead, but it’s well worth the car wash you’ll need later.

I was able to use Apple Maps and it got me there without issue.

Hiking the Chush Falls Trail

We reached the trailhead at 8:45am (a late start for us) and were just the third vehicle at the trailhead parking. The trailhead is clearly marked, and the sign suggests the distance to the overlook (end of trail) is two miles, though we clocked a bit more recording on GaiaGPS.

The initial trail is fairly flat, taking you the burned remains of a past forest fire, through manzanita and blossoming snowbrush. It may be bittersweet to see the charred trunks standing as a reminder of the wildfire, but it also opens up views of South Sister and Broken Top — both of which feed the Whychus Creek, making Chush Falls so spectacular.

Dogs are allowed, on leash.

Wildflowers were blooming in late June. We saw lupine, skyrocket and wild roses. What we didn’t see were crowds. On our way to the falls, we saw one other person and her dog on their way back to the trailhead. Other than that, we had the trail to ourselves.

There were a lot of downed trees across the trail (we counted about 27), but the dogs made a game out of finding the best way to pass them. Bounding over most and ducking under some, they made it look easy and fun. After a little more than two miles, we could hear the roar of the falls. The end of the trail came into view.

To the left of the sign is an overlook where you can see the falls through the trees, but you really need to do a little extra scramble to the base of the falls to get the best views.

Look for a social trail to the right of the TRAIL ENDS HERE sign. It descends fairly steeply through the tree-lined canyon. Taking our time, we were able to pick our route downhill using the trees as handholds at times. No butt-scooting required.

There’s not a lot of room at the base for many people, so were were grateful to be the only ones there. The dogs were more curious about the snacks they smelled in our backpack than the spectacular roaring falls.

When you’ve had a chance to take your photos and enjoy a moment of zen, it’s a scramble back to the top, then an easy hike back the way you came to the trailhead.

If you’re looking to extend the adventure, there is an upper cascade accessible via a social trail another half mile upstream.

On our return to the trailhead, we encountered numerous of groups making their way toward the falls. If you prefer solitude in the morning, start before 9am.

Chush Falls Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Chush Falls Tips & Resources

• A free wilderness permit is required, available for self-issue at the trailhead
• A valid recreation pass is required for parking.
• Official Deschutes National Forest overview of the Chush Falls Trail
• No water or toilets available at the trailhead.
• Get driving directions to the trailhead via Google Maps.
• Remember to follow the seven Leave No Trace principles.
• Dogs are allowed on leash.
• We had no cell service on this trail. I had downloaded the maps for the area into GaiaGPS for offline use, although the trail itself is easy to follow.
• After the hike, check out Three Creeks Brewing in Sisters. The back patio is dog-friendly.

Originally hiked on June 27, 2019 with Joan and our two labradoodles, Lucy and Farley.

There is something about an alpine meadow filled with wildflowers with craggy mountain peaks as a backdrop that gives me a sense of peace. Beautiful cascading creek? Check. Craggy peaks? How about Three Fingered Jack? Alpine meadow? Hit it in late July and you’ll have abundant wildflowers. Optional scramble to a saddle with even bigger views? Yes, this hike to Canyon Creek Meadows in Central Oregon’s Mount Jefferson Wilderness fits the bill. And if you’re lucky, you might even spy mountain goats, like we did!

Trail Details

Distance: 5-7.3 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous
Elevation gain: 980-1,580 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Summer

Getting to the Jack Lake Trailhead

This hike begins at the Jack Lake Trailhead, and part of the adventure is getting there. The trailhead is about a 85 minute drive northwest of Bend, Oregon. From Bend, head west on Highway 20 33 miles, turning right on Suttle Sherman Road. In one mile, turn left onto paved Jack Lake Road (NF-12) for 4.4 miles, then turn left on one-lane Road 1230. At the end of the pavement, fork left onto NF 1234 , following it as it twists, turns and climbs over a washboard gravel surface for the next six miles. There were plenty of sedans at the trailhead, so high-clearance isn’t absolutely required, but expect to go slowly and carefully in some of the rutted areas. Get turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps.

Hiking to Canyon Creek Meadows

Find the trailhead for Canyon Creek Meadows and follow it around the east side of shallow Jack Lake. Shortly after you reach a junction with Trail 4014. For now, keep left (the Forest Service recommends this to reduce crowds) and continue up the ridge and in the shade.

After a mile of climbing, the trail dips down  into Canyon Creek Meadows and begins to follow roughly parallel to Canyon Creek.

The trail continues climbing and passes through several meadows. Even in August there was still plenty of wildflower color to be found. You’ll find blue lupine, red paintbrush, and many other wildflowers.

Two miles in, the trail connects with another trail coming from the right. Stick left to follow the canyon uphill, but make a mental note of this junction. You’ll take this other trail on the way back for a change of scenery.

Along the way, there are a couple of wilderness campsites. While the trail is quite popular on weekends, you could come here on a weekday afternoon, and after a short hike have a beautiful spot for a quick getaway.

At roughly 2.5 miles, the maintained trail ends. This makes a fine spot to stop for a break, and if you’re hiking with kids, probably turn around for the return trip. In our case, we decided to continue to the junction, with a bit of exploring beyond.

It’s readily apparent that the trail is not maintained. It’s loose with scree, and it climbs higher towards the saddle, becomes a spiderweb of trails criss-crossing the steep incline. Trekking poles are extremely helpful.

Looking back at the Cirque Lake with Mount Jefferson in the distance.

As you climb, stop to take in the views of what once was the Canyon Glacier (now just a snowfield) with craggy Three Fingered Jack looming above.

From the saddle, there are views of the Three Sisters to the south, and Mount Jefferson to the north. Not pictured, but definitely felt were the strong winds. We were glad to have a shell to cut the brutal, chilling wind.

You might be able to spy someone climbing Three Fingered Jack (we did not). We opted to explore to the north east where social trails wandered to a little plateau, exploring a bit before heading back down. On our way down, we did see two mountain goats, and even caught one in the photo below.

Can you spot the mountain goat?

Heading down we turned left at the junction at the lower meadow to follow the creek and form the “loop” portion of this hike. At the junction with the trail from Wasco Lake, keep right. There are several beautiful cascades to enjoy before the trail head back toward Jack Lake through the new forest growth sprouting up from the 2003 fire that burned this area.

Canyon Creek Meadows Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Canyon Creek Meadows Resources

• Late July/Early August is the peak time for wildflowers. See what’s blooming there now.
• Depending on the season’s snowfall, there can be snow on the trail to the upper meadow even in late July. Flexibility and preparedness is key.
• Stay off the meadows (stay on the trails) and collect only photos of wildflowers, abiding by the seven Leave No Trace principles.
• Backpackers must camp 100 feet away from trails and water, and only on durable surfaces (not on a meadow).

Originally hiked on August 4, 2018 with Joan and Daniel. 

Named after a legendary Arizona mountain man, Bill Williams Mountain offers a beautiful hike through pine and aspen trees. Spring and summer are great times to hike this peak, but it’s even more special if you wait for the leaves to start changing. No matter the season, you can enjoy spectacular Northern Arizona views from this classic summit.

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 9,259′
Distance: 7.3 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,250 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Getting to the Bill Williams Trailhead

From Flagstaff, head west out of town on Rte 66 and hop onto 40 West. Go about 29 miles and get off at exit 161 for Golf Course Dr., last exit for the town of Williams. At the end of the offramp take a left onto Route 66, then take your next possible right onto Frontage Road. Go half a mile then make a left onto S Clover Rd. just after the sign with a ranger station icon. Go just a quarter mile down this road and as it curves left, you’ll see the trailhead parking on the right side. There’s a pit toilet next to the paved parking area, but no running water.

Hiking to the Bill Williams Mountain

You know you are in the right place if you see a sturdy Kaibab National Forest sign with Bill Williams Trail #21 written across the top. To start this hike walk the plank of pavement south out of the parking lot and into the forest. The blacktop path quickly turns to pine needles and dirt.

Flat at first, this inviting trail brings you away from the interstate and deep into a beautiful forest of tall pines. Just about a thousand feet in you hit your first intersection. The Clover Spring Trail #46 will be on your left, but you simply continue straight on your path.

A few hundred feet further the trail passes between two fences, and you’ll know you are on the right path.

At this point you will have also noticed diamond shaped green blazes along the trail. From here these blazes continue all the way to the summit. At the half-mile mark you will come to your second intersection – again the Clover Spring Trail (it makes a loop). Again, continue straight following the sign toward Bill Williams Lookout.

If you hike this in the Fall, this is where you can start to really appreciate the leaves changing. The pine trees relent a bit while aspens and other deciduous varieties start to show. It’s also where you come to the first mile mark which is conveniently indicated on a trailside post.

Another half mile or so up there is a dirt road to cross – again go straight through this intersection.

Again at the two mile mark there is a post indicating how far you’ve come. This is also where the beautiful aspen trees become even more abundant.

Just before the 3 mile mark the trail gets steeper and starts turning switchbacks. A quarter mile further up you will see another intersection, this time with the Bixler Trail #72. Once again continue straight on the Bill Williams Mountain Trail. About a half mile after passing that last trail junction you will come to a dirt road, and the peak’s towers will be in view.

Go right on the dirt road, then look for an almost immediate left back onto trail blazed with the green diamonds. This last section of trail will put you back on the dirt road again, which you then follow to the summit!

From the summit you can look southwest off the edge of the Colorado Plateau as it drops down, down, down to the Sonoran Desert. The views are extra special if you make it in time for sunset, which I think is the best time to hike this mountain. If you are comfortable hiking back down in the dark, those green trail markers you followed up are reflective, which makes it even easier to find your way back to the car.

The summit has a few communication antennas, but also a lookout tower. The top section is often locked, but you can still get up most of the way for an even higher vantage point.

Once you’ve enjoyed the view to your heart’s content, return back down the same way. Make sure you follow the green trail markers, and check that your following trail signs for Bill Williams Mountain Trail #21.

Bill Williams Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Bill Williams Mountain Tips & Resources

• Bill Williams Mountain Trail #21 – Kaibab National Forest
• Bring plenty of water, as none is available at the trailhead.
• Carry the 10 Essentials.
• Pack it in. Pack it out. Follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
• Things to do in Williams, Arizona – The Gateway to the Grand Canyon.

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the Flagstaff/Sedona area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Registration for the summer challenge runs between April 1 and September 15.  Be sure to check out the winter challenge, too!

Originally hiked October 27, 2018.

The Volcan Mountains are a relatively small range about 13 miles long and 7.5 miles wide. Located east of San Diego, near the town of Julian, this hike up Volcan Mountain gives you a perfect excuse for a weekend trip rewarded with a slice of Julian apple pie. The out-and-back double-track trail has and entrance designed by a renown sculptor, several marked view points, interesting historical sites, and views that on a clear day stretch from Catalina Island to the Salton Sea.

Trail Details

Summit: 5,353′
Distance: 5.1 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,170 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Getting to Volcan Mountain

The entrance to the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve is located at 1209 Farmer Road at Wynola Road, Julian, CA 92036 about 40 miles east of Escondido. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, though the preserve closes when there is 1/2 inch of rain or snow until the trails dry out, mainly to avoid ruts being created on a muddy trail. The preserve allows dogs on leash, bikes and equestrians on the main double-track trail, while the optional Five Oaks single track trail is for hikers only. Entrance is free, and parking is also free along the shoulder of Farmer Road.

Hiking Volcan Mountain

From Farmers Road, follow the entrance signs to Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve up a short gravel road. Note the hours and any travel restrictions or other rules before you head out on the trail. A short distance up the driveway you’ll come to the gateway designed by world-renown artist and Julian local James Hubbell and built by volunteers. Before proceeding through the gateway, note that there are a couple of port-a-potties off to the right; the only restrooms on this trail.

In front of the gateway, if you look down you may notice a plaque commemorating a time capsule placed there on the winter solstice of 2000, and to be opened on the winter solstice of 2100.

The main double-track trail can be used by hikers, bicyclists and equestrians, though we saw no tracks or signs of bikes or horses. Roughly 1/2 mile in you reach a junction with the Five Oaks Trail. This optional single-track route adds about 0.4 miles to the hike, and is a nice option. You can take it up, down or both ways; it eventually reconnects with the main trail so you’ll end up getting to the summit either way.

The trail is lined with manzanita, oak trees, and conifers, give you some relief from the brilliant sun. Most of this trail is exposed to the sun, so sun protection is essential.

The trail climbs to the rounded ridge of the Volcan Mountain Range, then heads south.

Along the way, take time to check out the remains of the Volcan Mountain Observatory Outpost.

This site was considered as a potential location for the Hale Telescope that was eventually located at the Palomar Observatory on Palomar Mountain. Astronomers used this an other outposts at potential sites between 1928-1932 to evaluate night sky conditions. The chimney and remnants of the foundation are all that remain of this structure today.

As you climb along the ridge, you’ll pass two viewpoints with information signs that help you identify the mountains you see. Looking to the west, you can see downtown San Diego, the Pacific Ocean, and even as far as Catalina Island.

To the east you can see Whale Peak, Mount San Jacinto and the Salton Sea.

Near the top of Volcan Peak, the trail forks. You can take either direction; they loop around the summit and meet.

Near the high point, you’ll see the Volcan Mountain Airway Beacon Light Tower. It was built in the 1920s by the Post Office Department as part of a nationwide navigation system used by Air Mail pilots. These beacons were placed 15-25 miles apart, and there were more than 2,000 of them in operation by 1946, helping pilots navigate across the country in darkness (and before modern electronic technology).

The true high point is obscured by a cluster of bushy oaks, but you’re essentially there. There is a survey benchmark on the far side of the loop, embedded in an elevated concrete pipe-like column.

On your way down, consider taking the optional Five Oaks Trail for a change of scenery, otherwise, head back down to the gateway to complete your hike.

Volcan Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Volcan Mountain Tips & Resources

• Get turn-by-turn driving directions to the trailhead via Google Maps
• Volcan Mountain Foundation – official website
• 1/2 inch of rain or snow will close the preserve until the trails dry out
• There is no water available at the preserve, so bring plenty. We carried a liter each, plus an extra for our dog. In warmer temperatures, carry more.
• After the hike? Head to Julian for a slice of their famous apple pie.

Volcan Mountain is part of the annual San Diego Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. For more information, visit sixpackofpeaks.com.

Julian Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”92036″]

Originally hiked on February 15, 2020 with Joan and Lucy. 

Gray Butte is not particularly rugged nor jagged. The soft-shouldered butte is home to a cluster of antennas and a utility road the climbs there. But this 13.3 mile out-and-back route begins and ends in beautiful Smith Rock State Park, taking you down across the Crooked River before climbing out of the park, across a private land easement, and into the Crooked River National Grassland where Gray Butte stands tall over Central Oregon.

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 5,108′
Distance: 13.3 miles
Time: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,830 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Fall through Spring

This trail is considered strenuous mainly for the net vertical gain and the distance, but the climb itself is moderate, with no overly steep or gnarly sections.

Getting to the Trailhead

We began at the Smith Rock State Park visitor center in Terrebonne, Oregon (get driving directions here). The parking at this popular park fills up early, especially on nice weekends. In late December, we had plenty of parking, although it was full by the time we returned to our car in the afternoon. If you don’t have an annual Oregon State Parks pass, there is a self-serve fee station where you can purchase a day pass to put on your dashboard. At the time of writing, it cost $5 to park for the day, a one-year Oregon Park State Pass was $30 and a two-year pass $50. Annual passes are available for sale in the Visitor Center when it’s open.

Hiking to Gray Butte

Beginning at the Visitor Center, head about 0.2 miles north on the Rim Rock Trail (parallel to the road), then turn left (northwest) on the Valley Trail. This begins as a paved trail and is a magnet for tourists as it’s the main route down to the river. There is a pit toilet just before the bridge should you need it. The views of the canyon from the bridge never fail to amaze.

Once you cross the bridge, turn right and follow the Wolf Tree Trail.

This trail winds along beside the Crooked River for about 1.25 miles before connecting with the Burma Road Trail. Now the climbing begins.

The trail exits Smith Rock State Park and follows Burma Road alongside a canal that actually tunnels through the mountain. You climb two switchbacks on this double-track utility road, with the views opening up as you climb higher. From here you get an incredible view of not only Smith Rock State Park, but the Cascade Range to the west.

Look closely at this photo and check out the “wave”-like clouds in the distance. I had never seen anything like them before.

At roughly 2.25 miles in you reach the junction with the Summit Trail (which descends to the left and you do not take) and the Gray Butte Trail to the right. The next three miles are relatively flat as the trail winds long the north-face of Eagle’s Nest to the Gray Butte Saddle Junction.

From the junction, you have two options. There is a trail that winds around the north side of Gray Butte, or you can take the double-track utility road up the south side. We opted to turn left on the dirt double-track and follow that to the summit, since there had been some snow recently and the north side was certain to hold more of it.

This winds its way up to the summit where there is a small cluster of antennas. This rounded summit of Gray Butte is 5,108′ high with 1,908′ of prominence, making it a great spot for 360-degree views of much of Central Oregon.

The summit is a great place to take a break and refuel. You have hiked half the total distance. The trip back is mostly downhill, with a climb out of the canyon from Smith Rock at the very end. This is also where Ben and agreed this would be a fun mountain bike trek, and in fact, mountain bikes and horses are allowed.

We hiked this in late December and once we headed uphill, only saw two people on the way. On our way back, we began to see more and more people, especially as we got back to Smith Rock State Park.

This trail was a great way to get a good overview of Smith Rock State Park, but kept away from the crowds for 99% of the route.

Gray Butte Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Additional Gray Butte Tips and Resources

• Smith Rock State Park – official website
• Crooked River National Grassland – official website
• Carry the 10 essentials
• Learn more about the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Smith Rock State Park Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”97760″]

Originally hiked on December 27, 2019. Special thanks to my friend Ben for joining me! 

The highest point in all of Arizona, Humphreys Peak towers above the surrounding region. Millions of years ago a massive stratovolcano called San Francisco Mountain stood around 16,000 feet tall, but it eventually collapsed leaving an arc of peaks which rim the Inner Basin. Hike through a beautiful forest of conifers and aspens up along the panoramic ridge that leads to the top of Arizona!

Trail Details

Summit Elev.: 12,633′
Distance: 10.5 miles
Time: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,406′
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Getting to the Humphreys Peak Trailhead

From Flagstaff, head north out of town on Hwy 180. After mile marker 222, turn right onto N Snow Bowl Rd. following the sign for the Arizona Snowbowl. Continue up the windy road for 6.5 miles. You will come to a sign pointing left that says “LOT 1 Base Area Parking Humphrey Trail”. Turn left into that parking area for the trailhead. There is no water at the trailhead, or along the trail, so make sure you show up with plenty. During summer, there are usually a few porta-potties in the parking lot.

Lightning Danger

In the summer season, thunderstorms are your primary concern. Check the weather forecast, start early, pack layers even if it’s hot in town, and keep an eye on the sky for developing storms. It gets windy and cold on the ridge, and sometimes you won’t see storms coming until you get to the saddle. Even if you don’t expect anything but blue skies, plan to be back down off the mountain by early afternoon. On summer afternoons, the summit area has reportedly been struck by over one hundred lightning strikes in a single hour. In July 2016, a 17 year old boy was struck by lightning and died at the summit. If there appears to be any chance of a storm while you are above tree line, turn back and get down as fast and safely as you can, and live to hike another day. The mountain is not going anywhere.

Hiking Humphreys Peak

Start your hike from the trailhead at the northeast corner of the parking lot. Cross the open meadow to the forest on the far side, and pass under one of the ski lifts along the way. In winter this meadow is the beginner’s slope.

On the other side, you’ll find a sign marking the boundary of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, and the trail heads into the trees.

The first half of this route is a series of long switchback, followed by a few short switchbacks, all below tree line. Flanked by birch and pine trees, this lower forest feels like a sanctuary. The trail is mostly clear, but some downed trees remain across the path.

A little beyond the half mile mark is the first switchback turn, and little before the one mile mark is the trail register. Fill out the register with your information, and take a break to drink, eat and adjust if necessary. Where the register pedestal is located is also a trail junction, so make sure you turn left onto the next switchback. If you go straight, instead, you would end up at the ski lodge.

The trail continues up through the beautiful forest hitting some rocky and root-covered sections at times, but overall smooth sailing.

The switchbacks remain rather long with a right switchback turn at 1.3 miles, a left switchback turn at mile 1.7 miles, and an easily missed right switchback turn at 2.3 miles. The last one is easily missed because it coincides with an old avalanche path.

When you come to this broad boulder field that runs up and down the mountainside, do not cross it. Turn right onto the next switchback.

At this point you start to get small views opening up in windows between the trees, especially if you step out onto the boulder field. Two more turns between long switchbacks remain – left at 2.8 miles and right at 3 miles. The trail then curves left as views of the ski runs and Agassiz Peak, Arizona’s second tallest, open up.

Around three and three quarters of a mile, the series of shorter switchbacks begins. After a couple turns you get to about 11,400’ of elevation, where there’s a sign explaining to not hike off trail or camp above this point. This is because you are entering an alpine zone. Many people are tempted to cut straight up to the saddle here, but you should continue along the switchback you are on. The terrain and ecosystem near and above tree line are very fragile. You should avoid hiking off-trail anywhere, but it can be especially harmful here.

At this point the saddle is so close, you can smell that view of the Inner Basin.The saddle sits at about 11,700’ elevation and a little beyond the 4 mile mark. With amazing views down into the backside bowl, here is a great place to take a break. It’s also a good spot to assess incoming adverse weather and decide if it looks safe to proceed.

Here you are firmly reminded of the fact that you are on the rim of an extinct volcano, looking down into its crater. You can just about see the true peak, but take note of how the ridge undulates up to the summit. When you’re on that ridge, you can be fooled into thinking you are at the top, when you still have a way to go. Also here is a trail junction, make sure you go left up the ridge.

The species of trees up here is the bristlecone pine, which in some regions grow to be thousands of years old. Continue on the path through these resolute figures, staying on the left side of the ridge. Among the final trees, and above them, there are wooden poles marking the trail at varying intervals. If in doubt, stay left and scan ahead for the next post.

As you climb, make sure to look back and to your left to appreciate the views to the south.

You will encounter a few small dips, but the trail is mostly up, up, up the rest of the way. Take small breaks to enjoy the view, try not to be discouraged by the false summits, and pay attention to your breathing.

Around five miles and a quarter from the trailhead, you will find yourself standing at the top of Arizona! Views of the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Bill Williams Mountain, Kendrick Peak, and the Inner Basin are all there for your ocular pleasure.

Take it all in, keep watching for developing storm clouds, and return down the way you came.

Humphreys Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Humphreys Peak Resources

• Forest Service page for Humphreys Trail No. 151
• To hike this in winter, a free backcountry permit is required
• As previously mentioned, lightning strikes are common, especially in the afternoon. Keep an eye on the weather and turn around immediately and head below tree-line if thunderclouds loom.
• Be sure to carry the Ten Essentials

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the Flagstaff/Sedona area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Registration for the summer challenge runs between April 1 and September 15.  Be sure to check out the winter challenge, too!

Take a hike up Mount Elden and perch yourself atop Flagstaff. This route starts out on the Fatman’s Loop, then splits off to climb all the way to Elden Lookout standing at over 9,000 ft. From the top you are rewarded with sweeping views of O’Leary and the San Francisco Peaks.

Trail Details

Summit Elev.: 9,299′
Distance: 5.3 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,398′
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Getting to the Mount Elden Trailhead

From downtown Flagstaff, head east on Route 66. About 4 miles from the center of town, continue straight onto US 89. Go just another mile and make a left into the parking lot for the Fatman’s Loop and Mt. Elden Lookout Trail. There’s no sign for the turn, but it’s your first left turn after the McDonalds and Safeway.

The trailhead has a good size parking lot, but it can get crowded. There is no running water or toilet at the trailhead, so plan accordingly.

Hiking Mount Elden with Fatman’s Loop

The trailhead is at the northwest corner of the parking lot. There is an information kiosk with a map of all the trails, some interesting history on the area, and a hiking register where it’s a good idea to sign in. The trail starts with an easy uphill grade, and after just a quarter mile you will get to your first intersection. Stay left, following the arrow for Elden Lookout. This gets you going clockwise on the Fatman’s Loop.

In another quarter mile you reach your second intersection, this time with the Pipeline Trail. Go straight through this three-way intersection, continuing to follow the arrow for Elden Lookout.

This stretch of trail is where you’re reminded you aren’t quite out of the desert. There are yucca and prickly pear mixed in with the typical pine trees of Flagstaff. The path becomes a little steeper around the 0.5 mile mark, and at the 0.8 mile mark you come to your next intersection. This is the turnoff from the Fatman’s Loop onto the trail that takes you up to the top. Turn left here, and prepare for the real climbing to begin!

The next half mile or so of trail makes six relatively long switchbacks, tightens up for a quicker back and forth, then stops messing about altogether and goes straight up the ridge. Fortunately this is also where the views begin to open up, so any huff-puff breaks are made exponentially more pleasant.

As you continue to climb the tighter switchbacks return, and around the 1.5 mile mark you encounter the steepest stretch of trail. After a quarter mile or so, the incline eases off a bit and the path traverses right until you gain a ridge around the 2 mile mark and at 8,700’ elevation. Just 600’ more to climb!

Continue following the trail as it switchbacks across the ridge, then traverses left to reach the saddle around the 2.3 mile mark. Here is where the trail intersects with the Sunset Trail, and climbs the final ridge to the peak.

Turn left at the intersection and continue following the trail up the ridge to the Elden Lookout. Through here you can really appreciate how devastating the 1977 Radio Fire was to the area. But between all the old tree carcasses, the beautiful aspens are taking over.

There is quite a bit of antenna and tower action going on at the summit, but the views are still amazing! You have Flagstaff below you to the southwest, O’Leary Peak to the northeast, and the impressive San Francisco Peaks to the north!

Once you’ve collected your spectacular photos in every direction, return down to the Fatman’s Loop intersection. Here you must decide if you’ve had enough for the day, or if you think you can handle a bonus half mile and some fresh scenery. To cut it slightly shorter, go right and follow the path you took up from the parking lot.

To make the hike a little longer, go left and continue following signs for the Fatman’s Loop until you return to where you joined the loop on your way up. Just after the trail for the KOA, you will turn left to get back to the parking lot.

Mount Elden Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount Elden Resources

• Forest Service page for the Elden Lookout Trail #4
• Forest Service page for Fatman’s Loop Trail #25

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the Flagstaff/Sedona area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Registration for the summer challenge runs between April 1 and September 15.  Be sure to check out the winter challenge, too!

One of the tallest mountains in the San Francisco volcanic field, Kendrick Peak offers spectacular views stretching from Humphreys Peak to the Grand Canyon. The trail begins in a quintessential ponderosa pine forest, travels up through a decades old burn area, and passes by a century-old historic cabin. At the very top, enjoy the scenery from the fire lookout built in the 60’s, or have a picnic in the sun on the platform just below.

Trail Details

Summit Elev.: 10,418′
Distance: 9.4 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,851′
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Getting to the Kendrick Peak Trailhead

From Flagstaff, head north out of town on Hwy 180. Continue on 180 for ten miles beyond the turn for Arizona Snowbowl. After mile marker 232, and just before mile marker 233, turn left onto FS 193 – a dirt road with a cattle guard at the start. Go about 3.2 miles until it ends at a T intersection with FS 171. Go right on FS 171, and continue about 2 miles. Turn right onto FS 190, go up about half a mile and you’ll see the trailhead parking area on the right side.

The lot is dirt and all roads from Hwy 180 are unpaved, but regular passenger cars typically have no trouble accessing this trailhead. The start of the trail is located at the northeast corner of the lot. There are garbage cans and a pit toilet, but no running water.

Hiking Kendrick Peak

Take some time looking over the trailhead signage to get your bearings, and learn some history about fires and fire prevention in the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness. Ponder where the Pumpkin name comes from, then pass through the fence to start your hike. The trail begins broad and easy in a forest of ponderosa pines.

The path wraps around the southeast slope of East Newman Hill, then turns north with four quick switchbacks. Here you see increasing evidence of the 2000 Pumpkin Fire.

Continue through the more severe burn area. Around the 1.5 mile mark the trail approaches the drainage dip one last time before switchbacking left. Without a noticeable increase in steepness, the trail climbs onto the southwest ridge of Kendrick Peak.

Once you are on the ridge, this is a nice place to take a break. It’s about the 2 mile mark, and the area is a broad flat shoulder with good spots to park it. After some noshing and sipping, continue switchbacking up the ridge. Somewhere around the eighth or ninth switchback, the trail takes a conifer respite and gives you some birch tree action.

The trail gradually moves east until the 3 mile mark where it crosses the south ridge, continues moving up the southeast side of the mountain, and switchbacks up to the expansive flat just east of the peak. A little beyond the 4 mile mark you will find an old cabin. Built in 1912, this cabin was saved from the Pumpkin Fire by fire fighters who wrapped the structure in fire resistant material.

After imagining the cabin wrapped up like a giant baked potato, continue west on the path toward the peak. There’s a sign along the trail after the cabin that says “Kendrick Lookout”, and about a half mile after that you reach the top of Kendrick Peak!

To the east is Humphreys Peak, and if you look to the north on a clear day you can easily see the Grand Canyon. There’s a fire lookout at the true summit, and a nice platform on the west side of the peak perfect for a summit picnic.

When your eyeballs have had their fill of the view, return down the same way you came up.

Kendrick Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Kendrick Peak Resources

• Forest Service’s web pages with info on the Kendrick Mountain Trail.

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the Flagstaff/Sedona area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Registration for the summer challenge runs between April 1 and September 15.  Be sure to check out the winter challenge, too!

Hiking O’Leary Peak will take you to the edge of a millennia old lava flow, and up high above to look down on the cinder cone that created it. From the lookout tower at the top of this lava dome, you’ll look into the heart of the San Francisco Peaks, marvel at the size of Humphrey’s Peak, and enjoy a birds eye view of Sunset Crater National Monument.

Trail Details

Summit Elev.: 8,916′
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,014′
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Getting to the Trailhead

From Flagstaff, head North on Hwy 89. Eleven miles passed the Flagstaff KOA, turn right following the sign for Sunset Crater Volcano Wupatki National Monument. Continue straight on Fire Road 545 for 1.8 miles, then turn Left at the sign for O’Leary Group Campground onto Fire Road 545A.

The road dead-ends at the gated trailhead after about a quarter mile and there are spaces to park on the right. There is no bathroom or water at the trailhead.

Hiking O’Leary Peak

To begin the hike, pass by the gate and start walking the wide black cinder path. The first mile is a combination of flat and slight downhill, as you approach and curve left along the edge of the Bonito Lava Flow. This vast flow was created by the Sunset Crater Volcano 1,000 years ago.

As the path begins to bend northward, Darton Dome then O’Leary Peak come into view. These peaks were all created from volcanic activity, but they are different types of structures. Sunset Crater is a cinder cone, while O’Leary Peak is a lava dome.

Feel free to leave the path and explore the lava flow – the Forest Service encourages it. After investigating the inky dollops, return to the trail and continue towards the peak. The incline comes on in fits and starts during the second mile, then holds steady for the duration. Just before the two mile mark you hit the first of six switchbacks. Here the trees start to become sparse, and the view of the lava field starts to open up.

The trail approaches a saddle, but doesn’t quite reach it before hitting the second switchback. This is by far the longest of the switchbacks. As you progress along this leg, look back to see Humphrey’s Peak rise above the trees.

This long switchback eventually ends at the saddle between O’Leary Peak and Darton Dome, around the 3.5 mile mark. If you look up from here, you can see the tower standing at the top of the ridge. Go left through an open gate, starting the third switchback.

This switchback is about as long as the first. The last three are all shorter, which you’ll find start at mile 4.0, mile 4.3, and mile 4.6 At mile 4.8 you will pass by a final gate. The tower is so close, it’s visible from here!

Continue up the final steep finish to the tower! There’s a sign next to the tower listing the hours it should be open and staffed, but I was there during open hours and it was apparently unattended. If you do hike it while there’s someone on watch, just holler up to ask for permission to climb aboard. If not, the view from around the base of the tower is certainly good enough.

Take in the panoramic view spanning from Sunset Crater to the south and Humphrey’s Peak to the west. Once you’ve finished contemplating the structural differences between cinder cones and lava domes, return back down the way you came.

O’Leary Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

O’Leary Peak Resources

• Dogs are allowed, but be aware that the dark gravel trails may get too hot for Fido’s paws.
• Forest Service’s web pages with info on the O’Leary Peak Trail

Flagstaff Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”86004″]

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the Flagstaff/Sedona area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Registration for the summer challenge opens April 1st! Be sure to check out the winter challenge, too!

With one of the greatest overlooks in all Sedona, Wilson Mountain is a must for any Arizona hiker. This northern approach offers a cool shady canyon start and an up-close perspective of beautifully stratified red and beige rocks, before climbing onto the broad grassy mesa. Pack some snacks, plan to stay up top for a while, and fully appreciate the panoramic view.

Trail Details

Summit Elev.: 7,065′
Distance: 7.2 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,331′
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Getting to the Trailhead

From Sedona, go north on 89A. Continue 3.4 miles past Midgely Bridge. The trailhead is on the left side at the Encinoso Picnic Area. You will see a sign for the picnic area 200 ft. before the parking lot entrance.

From Flagstaff, take I-17 South to exit 337 for 89A South. At the traffic circle, take the first exit following the sign for Sedona, then at the second traffic circle take the third exit onto 89A toward Sedona. Continue 19.4 miles on 89A. The trailhead is on the right side at the Encinoso Picnic Area. You will see a sign come up for the picnic area 100 ft. before the parking lot entrance.

The parking spaces inside the gate are day-use only, since it’s for the picnic area. But, there are a few spots just outside the gate if you are hiking outside normal day-use hours. A Red Rock Pass is required for parking and can be purchased for $5 with credit/debit card from a vending machine in the parking lot. There are bathrooms at the trailhead, but no running water.

Hiking Wilson Mountain

Wilson Mountain has two main routes to the top. The North Wilson Trail is the cooler of the two, so it’s the preferred route in summer. To start the hike go to the north end of the parking lot, near the lot entrance, and you’ll find a path next to a wooden frame displaying a trail map.

A few yards beyond the map display, there’s a metal signpost that reads “TRAIL 123 NORTH WILSON”, confirming you are in the right place. The start is a little rocky, but not too steep. Around a tenth of a mile in you pass under a power line, then the views start to improve both ahead and behind.

As you reach the half mile mark, tree cover increases and you begin to enter a broad area between two ridges. You’ll start to notice evidence that this area burned back in the 2006 Brins fire. About ¾ of a mile in, the canyon becomes narrower, slightly steeper, and the trail starts to curve left toward the south end of the red rock face ahead.

There’s a dip across a narrow streambed, then in another tenth of a mile a larger dip switchbacking left to cross the streambed again. Around the one mile mark, there is a section that can be confusing – the trail makes an abrupt left for a small switchback around some trees and boulders. Don’t be tempted to go straight or right, by the worn sidepath. Less than a quarter mile further you will reach the first of three larger switchbacks, which accelerate your ascent to the next plane. You can track your upward progress using the colorful layers of the  opposing rock wall for reference.

This section is followed by many tight steeper switchbacks which bring you up onto a large flat area referred to as the “First Bench” of Wilson Mountain. After about a half mile of travel along this “bench”, you’ll come to a three-way intersection. Turn right, following the sign arrow pointing to “WILSON MTN”.

Once you make the right turn, the trail heads uphill aiming just north of the peak. Half a mile from the junction you hit the first turn of a long switchback, then a quarter mile further you finish the switchback turning right and continuing up onto the mesa. A mix of trees returns, both standing and downed, as the trail curves gently left bringing you to the final saddle with another three-way intersection.

At this juncture go left, following the arrow pointing to “SEDONA OVERLOOK”. This is a good time to check that your socks are on tight, because the view ahead may knock them off. The trail rises up and over the highest elevation of the hike, but the real view is a quarter mile further at the plateau’s southern edge.

Be careful once you get to the rim, because it’s a precipitous drop to the bottom.

From the end of the trail you have spectacular views into Oak Creek Canyon and across Sedona. If you know where to look, you can see Midgely Bridge spanning Wilson Canyon.

Once you’ve filled your camera roll with enough pictures of the panorama, return down the way you came.

Wilson Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Wilson Mountain Resources

• A Red Rock Pass for parking is required and can be purchased at the trailhead vending
  machine – $5 for the day or $15 for the week – More info on Red Rock Pass
• Forest Service’s web pages with info on both trails used for this route:
  • North Wilson Trail #123
  • Wilson Mountain Trail #10

Sedona Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”86336″]

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the great Phoenix metropolitan area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Registration for the summer challenge opens April 1st! Be sure to check out the winter challenge, too!

A hike up Bear Mountain is full of rewarding views not just at the top, but all along the climb. You get quintessential panoramas looking across Sedona, up close and personal encounters with red cliff faces, and the most incredible perspectives peering down into Fay Canyon. With this hike, it’s about the journey and the destination.

Trail Details

Summit Elev.: 6,476′
Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,109′
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Getting to the Trailhead

From Sedona, head south on 89A. Turn Right onto Dry Creek Road, at the sign for Sedona Public Library. After 4.5 miles you’ll reach a stop sign. Go Left at the stop, following the sign for Enchantment Resort. Continue 1.2 miles and you’ll see the parking area on the left, and trailhead on the right side of the road. A Red Rock Pass is required for parking and can be purchased for $5 with credit/debit card from a vending machine in the parking lot. There are bathrooms at the trailhead, but no running water.

Hiking Bear Mountain

The trailhead is not on the same side of the road as the parking area, so be sure to cross over before you start hiking.

The trail begins by passing through a fence on the northwest side of the road, then undulates for a bit before the first steep section. It’s easy to get off course in a few spots, but navigating the red rock is made easier by white painted blazes along the route.

About a half mile up there’s a steep scramble to reach the first vista with beautiful views.

The next half mile is a better defined trail, wrapping around the left side of the rock wall you’ve been approaching.

Near the one mile mark, there is another steep ascent to get onto the plateau. The climb lasts about a quarter mile, and once at the top you get your first view of the peak and better views of the surrounding area.

Once on the plateau, the trail continues uphill through short brush, dipping down three times before reaching the final upward push around mile 2. All the while your perspective gets better and better. There are a few great spots to see the south face of Bear Mountain, but even more impressive is the view down into Fay Canyon. As the ridge your following narrows, the trail skirts just left of the end of the red rock gorge.

The last quarter mile of the hike takes you away from the precipice, up to the southwest section of the Bear Mountain summit. The end of the trail is marked by a sign which reads “END OF TRAIL”, in case the overwhelming feeling of joy isn’t enough indication.

To get back to the trailhead, return down the way you came.

Bear Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Bear Mountain Resources

• A Red Rock Pass for parking is required and can be purchased at the trailhead vending
  machine – $5 for the day or $15 for the week – More info on Red Rock Pass
• Forest Service’s web page with trail info

Sedona Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”86336″]

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the great Phoenix metropolitan area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Registration for the summer challenge opens April 1st! Be sure to check out the winter challenge, too!

Located in Lost Dutchman State Park of the Superstition Wilderness, Flatiron is one of the most challenging and spectacular hikes in Arizona. The Siphon Draw Trail brings you passed towering rock formations, up a basin carved smooth by water, and tops out on one of the most iconic rock formations in the Southwest. Keep an eye out for lost treasure as you scramble up this heart-pounding route, but know that the real gold is the view from the top!

Getting to the Trailhead

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 4,861′
Distance: 6.6 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,147 ft
Dogs: Yes, but need to be lifted/lowered in one section
When to go: Fall, Winter, Spring
Trail hours: 6am to 10pm

Pay the fee ($7 per vehicle), then continue on to the last parking area for the Siphon Draw Trailhead, about 0.7 miles from where you first turned into the park.

There is water at the trailhead, and there are restrooms at one of the other parking areas you pass on the way in.

Hiking Flatiron via Siphon Draw

In the southwest corner of the parking area there is a small but clear sign marking the Siphon Draw Trailhead. Begin hiking south along the trail, undulating from one wash to the next. Just a few hundred feet in you’ll see an intersecting trail on the left, but you should continue straight following the sign for the Siphon Draw Trail. A quarter mile from the trailhead turn left, again following the Siphon Draw Trail sign. Look up the canyon ahead and you can see your objective is now in view!

A little past this left turn, the trail passes near some buildings and crosses straight across a paved access road. Keep hiking uphill on the path, pass through a park boundary fence into Tonto National Forest, and around the 0.8 mile mark you’ll continue past the Prospector’s View Trail. The trail continues making its way to the mouth of the canyon, and about 1.4 miles in the incline increases and it begins to get rocky.

As the trail enters the canyon, it sticks to the left side until you eventually reach The Basin at the 2.0 mile mark.

This is where the trail becomes more challenging, both physically and to navigate. Climb out of this bowl feature on the right side, following a narrow chute. Continue up the slippery gravel covered slope until you find yourself in a notch with a spectacular view of the Flatiron. This is a good place to take a break, before you drop into the Siphon Draw. Descend carefully from the notch and start making your way up the very steep and rocky terrain.

Stay left in the draw when given a choice, and resist the temptation to go up the slope on the right. Soon after dropping in, you’ll come to a wall that you should simply climb up and over – it has plenty of good footing. Take your time, and look for the path of least resistance. If you find yourself struggling to find a clear route, take a moment and reassess.

The crux of this climb is a nearly vertical wall that’s about 10 feet tall, just shy of the final saddle. It’s jagged enough for decent foot and handholds, but still tricky figure out how to maneuver the first time. The best option is to go up the right side, utilizing the lower protruding rocks as steps.

Remember, coming down is always more difficult, so think twice before deciding to pass this point.

Once your over the crux, hike up a little further and look for a trail to the right that will take you out onto the plateau. It’s a relatively flat quarter mile to the edge of the Flatiron. From the vertigo-inducing edge the view of the valley is breathtaking!

Before dropping back into Siphon Draw, consider exploring the hoodoo rock formations back near the saddle. Once you’re satisfied, return carefully down the way you came.

Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Flatiron Hiking Resources

• Lost Dutchman State Park – official website
• The state park has an entrance fee of $7 per vehicle

Flatiron Peak Weather Forecast

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Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Winter Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Winter Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the great Phoenix metropolitan area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

The Maiden Peak Trail begins in the Willamette National Forest on Gold Lake Road, and climbs gradually and persistently to the 7,805′ high peak on the border with Deschutes National Forest. The trail is well-forested until very near the summit, and well-engineered and maintained. You will cross the Pacific Crest Trail, but the real pay-off is comes from the unusual lack of crowds and the amazing views.

Trail Details

Summit: 7,805′
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,000 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: July-October

Getting to Maiden Peak

The trailhead is roughly 73 miles from Bend, Oregon. Head south on Highway 97 for 47 miles, turning right at Crescent Road. Follow Crescent Cutoff Road for 12 miles, then turn right (west) on Highway 58. After about 11.5 miles, turn right onto NF-500 (aka Gold Lake Road). There is a gate on this road that may be closed in winter months. Follow this gravel road for 1.6 miles to a small trailhead parking area with room for about three cars. The parking area is on the left, and the trailhead is on the right. You can get turn-by-turn driving directions to the trailhead via Google Maps. There are no facilities at the trailhead or anywhere on this trail.

Hiking the Maiden Peak Trail

The trailhead sign informs you that Trail No. 3681 is open to hikers, bikers and horses. We saw mountain bike and boot tracks, but didn’t see any other people, bikes or horses on our entire hike–a pleasant surprise since so many of the trails get quite busy. No permits or passes are required to hike this until the Sno-Park opens.

For the first two miles, the trail follows the contour of the mountain, climbing very gradually. After you cross Skyline Creek, the climb gets a little more serious.

At very nearly the halfway point to the summit (about three miles in) you reach a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. The signage is minimal, so check your bearings and make sure you are continuing in the right direction.

The trail continues through tall forest, only giving way to the lower, sparse white bark pines as you get about half a mile from the summit. Finally the views begin to open up around you.

The summit is rocky and (when we hiked it) very windy. There is a rock pile at the summit (along with some rusted junk from yesteryear) and we were able to sit on the protected side to eat our lunch before turning around and heading back down.

The Maiden Peak Trail is in great condition. It’s a long hike, but the shady trail makes it a comfortable one. And the views were fantastic. I’d like to come back and try snowshoeing this on a bluebird winter day.

Maiden Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

After the hike, we took a five mile detour west on Highway 58 to check out Salt Creek Falls. Well worth it, if you haven’t been there before.

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It’s Waterfall Wednesday! Show us your most recent waterfall adventure. For us? It was the Salt Creek Falls near Oakridge, Oregon. We had just hiked Maiden Peak, but heard this was a worthwhile detour. The 286 foot waterfall was pretty impressive. 9.24.18

A post shared by SoCalHiker (@thesocalhiker) on Sep 26, 2018 at 7:32am PDT

Maiden Peak Tips & Resources

• Layer up! It can be cold and windy at the summit.
• Since you are in the area, be sure to stop by Salt Creek Falls after your hike. It’s only five miles further west on Highway 58, and it’s the second tallest waterfall in Oregon.
• Get turn-by-turn driving directions to the trailhead via Google Maps
• Book: This is hike #99 in William Sullivan’s 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades
• Forest Service description of the Maiden Peak Trail
• View Maiden Peak hike logs on SocialHiker.net

Maiden Peak Weather Forecast

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For more a more detailed forecast for the summit, check mountain-forecast.com.

Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

This hike is part of the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the great Phoenix metropolitan area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Originally hiked on September 24, 2018 with Joan. We didn’t see a single soul on the entire hike. 

Granite Mountain is said to offer great views, but at a price. The trail climbs nearly 1,000 vertical feet per mile. It’s steep, with only a few gentler slopes to catch your breath on. Access is straightforward, with the trail beginning off I-90 and less than an hour east of Seattle. Time your trip right (like I did) and you’ll enjoy an all-you-can-eat feast of huckleberries.

Trail Details

Summit: 5,629′
Distance: 8.6 miles
Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,800 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: After snow melts

Getting to the Trailhead

The trail begins at the Pratt Lake Trailhead. Heading east on I-90 from Seattle, take Exit 47, turning left at the stop sign to cross the highway, then left again at the “T” intersection. The Pratt Lake Trailhead is ahead on the right. You will need a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (like an annual National Parks pass) to park at the trailhead.

There is a pit toilet at the trailhead, and parking for about 35 cars. Get turn-by-turn directions to the trailhead via Google Maps. There is an information board at the trailhead with the latest on trail conditions and stern warnings about avalanche danger when there is still snow on the trail. A few yards further and you reach a self-issue permit station. Permits are free and there is no quota, but they are required here, even for day hikes (one per party). Take a moment to fill one out before hitting the trail.

Hiking Granite Mountain

You begin on the gentle, forested Platt Lake Trail, climbing through a shady forest on a soft trail with the occasional root or rock. On this particular Wednesday morning, I was the first to park at the trailhead, and had the mountain to myself. The light morning rain completed the forest bathing experience.

Roughly one mile in, you reach a sign informing you that you’ve entered the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

Another quarter mile beyond, you reach the junction to Granite Mountain. The trail to the left continues to Pratt Lake, but take the fork to the right and begin climbing in earnest. The trail quickly becomes steeper and rockier.

At about 4,000 feet you cross the avalanche chute, easily identified by the lack of trees.

From here you get a short respite, as the trail climbs more gradually along the side of the mountain, and the views begin to open up to the south and east. Here you see the first huckleberry bushes.

As the trail climbs over the shoulder of Granite Mountain, the lookout tower may come into view (not the case on this cloudy day). You travel through an alpine meadow on the east side of the mountain before the final, rocky push to the summit. It’s steep, but you’re nearly there, and before you know it, you’ve reached the lookout tower.

It’s been said that the views from Granite Mountain are the real payoff for the steep climb. Not so much the case on this cloudy, drizzly day, but it was still beautiful, and I had the summit to myself. I ran into about a half a dozen other hikers on my way back down the mountain, but nothing close to the crowds that can be found here on sunny weekends, when you might be sharing the summit with a hundred other hikers.

The solitude was wonderful, but the real pay-off on this particular hike? The huckleberries. I had never picked huckleberries before, and the bushes were abundant. Chatting with another hiker-forager on the trail, this year had been particularly good for the huckleberry crop. Picking them required patience, but I took an empty Nalgene bottle and filled it nearly half-way with the delicious berries before continuing back down the trail.

I made good time on the way back down, even breaking into a light jog when the trail smoothed out enough to do so safely. Though I didn’t get the amazing views Granite Mountain is renown for, it was still a beautiful hike.

What do the views look like on a clear day? Check out bikejr’s Granite Mountain photo album on Flickr.

Granite Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Note: my GPS tracker had a lot of “noise” interference from the trees, so the mileage shown on the elevation profile is exaggerated. My actual mileage total was 9.2 miles, about half a mile longer than the posted mileage, accounted for by meandering at the summit and picking huckleberries…and totally worth it.

Granite Mountain Tips & Hiking Resources

• Overview of Granite Mountain via WTA.org
• Get turn-by-turn driving directions to the trailhead via Google Maps
• Bring plenty of water. You’ll want at least two liters or more. Also bring the 10 essentials.
• Practice the seven Leave No Trace principles.

Granite Mountain Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on September 12, 2018.

The Superstition Mountains are a beautiful sight, looking in from any of the surrounding areas. But if you want to see what beauty lies within, you need to take a trip up one of its many  canyons.

Peralta Canyon gives access to one of the most breathtaking views in Arizona. At Fremont Saddle, you’ll have a spectacular vantage point of a massive and surprising monolith. Often playing a role in stories of the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, Weavers Needle is a 1,000 foot column of rock that protrudes impressively from the surrounding desert landscape.

Getting to the Trailhead

Trail Details

Max. Elevation: 3,766′
Distance: 4.8 miles
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,496 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Fall, Winter, Spring

The parking lot fits fifty to sixty cars, but does fill up at times. There’s more parking about 0.2 mile back down the road if the closer lot is full. The trailhead has a pit toilet bathroom, but no running water.

Hiking Fremont Saddle via Peralta Canyon

From the parking lot, head North on the Peralta Canyon Trail #102. Be sure to stay left at the very start – another trail splits off to the right direction from the same trailhead.

Around the quarter mile in the trail crosses right over the center wash of the canyon. This is probably the most confusing point along the entire hike. It’s not very obvious where the trail goes – just continue across and up the uneven rock.

The trail is quite obvious from here. It crosses back to the left side of the wash again around the 1.3 mile mark, and then again back to the right side around the 1.8 mile mark. The trail then switchbacks a handful of times before turning West for the final quarter mile to the saddle. You’ll know you’re there when you see Weaver’s Needle standing tall about a mile away.

When you’ve finished taking it all in, return the way you came.

Fremont Saddle Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Fremont Saddle Resources

• Tonto National Forest, official Superstition Wilderness website
• Group size limited to 15 people
• Get turn-by-turn directions to the Peralta Trailhead on Google Maps

Weather Forecast

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Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Winter Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Winter Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the great Phoenix metropolitan area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Looking for a short, after-work hike in Griffith Park with fewer crowds and great city views? This 3.8 mile loop hike with a stop at the easternmost peak in the Santa Monica Mountains might be exactly what you’re looking for. The trail follows broad double-track dirt trails that are perfect for trail running, dog walking and social hikes. The short loop can be hiked in about an hour and a half from either direction. We’ll take you “clockwise” in our guide.

Trail Details

Summit: 1,001′
Distance: 3.8 miles
Time: 1.5-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 590 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

Park at Merry Go Round Lot One. The Lower Beacon Trail begins just beyond and the the left of the gate you pass on the way into the parking lot. Get turn-by-turn directions here on Google Maps. Griffith Park is open from 5am to 10:30pm, and there is no cost for entry or parking.

Hiking the Beacon Hill Loop Trail

Start the clockwise loop on the Lower Beacon Trail. But don’t look for a trail sign; Griffith Park trails are notoriously poorly marked. Bring GaiaGPS and a copy of the Griffith Park Map (PDF) for reference.

The Lower Beacon Trail will climb and drop a few times as it skirts the eastern boundary of Griffith Park near Interstate 5. Soon, downtown Los Angeles comes into view in the distance.

At 1.25 miles, you reach a fork with a trail that heads downhill. Bear to the right, skirting the fence for the nearby driving range.

A short distance further, you reach a three-way junction as the Lower Beacon, Cadman and Coolidge Trails meet. Bear right once more, taking the Coolidge Trail. From here, the trail begins to climb more steeply, eventually reaching the junction known as 5-Points. Turn right once again to head up the short spur trail to the summit of Beacon Hill.

The top of the hill was flattened for the long-gone beacon, but you can linger here and watch the city lights begin to twinkle before heading back to the 5-Points junction. The Verdugo Mountains, Burbank, Glendale, and Downtown Los Angeles are all part of this panoramic vista.

At 5-Points, once again, take the first trail to the right. This is the Fern Canyon Trail, and will take you back to the parking area, closing your loop.

Beacon Hill Loop Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Beacon Hill Tips & Resources

• There is no water available on this route. Bring your own.
• Download the official Griffith Park Trail Map (PDF)
• Book: Afoot and Afield: Los Angeles County
• Book: Day Hiking Los Angeles

Griffith Park Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on July 15, 2015. 

Mount Pilchuck is a very popular hiking destination in the North Cascades despite the difficult, rocky climb to the top. The historic lookout tower is part of the appeal, but the real attraction are the million-dollar views. On a clear day you can see mountains for miles. Mount Baker, Mount Rainier and the Olympics fill the skies around you.

Trail Details

Summit: 5,327′
Distance: 5.5 miles
Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,300 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Mid-July to October

As a sign near the trailhead warns, “The Mount Pilchuck Trail is a steep mountain trail that is sometimes hard to follow. The weather on the mountain can sometimes be extreme. It is 3 miles each way and gains 2,224 ft in elevation.* Search and Rescue teams are frequently called to this trail to rescue hikers. Please, for your safety and that of those that may search for you, do not hike this trail unless you are prepared and know the route.” 

I had hiked Mailbox Peak the day before we hiked Mt Pilchuck, and met a fairly new hiker at the summit. She mentioned that she had recently hiked Pilchuck. When I asked her how it went, her only response was “the views were amazing.” After we hiked Pilchuck, I understood why.

*Note that our GPS data recorded a little less distance and a little more elevation gain. As they say, “your mileage may vary.”

Getting to the Trailhead

Head east from Granite Falls on the Mountain Loop Highway. About a mile past the Verlot Visitors Center, you will cross a bridge. Take the next right onto Mount Pilchuck Road. This takes you 6.8 miles and dead ends at the trailhead parking. The first 4.7 miles are very rough gravel, requiring slow and patient driving. The last 1.9 miles are paved.

You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at the trailhead, since it’s a state jurisdiction (a National Forest Discover Pass won’t work). You’ll find pit toilets and signs warning you to conceal valuables. Apparently break-ins are common here. You should bring a paper map for this drive, as once you leave Granite Falls, cell reception is unreliable.

You can get turn-by-turn driving directions here via Google Maps.

Hiking up Mount Pilchuck

Check the information board at the trailhead for the latest notices for the trail, then start up the forested trail.

A short distance in, you’ll come across the trail register. Please sign-in, as this helps the rangers keep track of folks on the mountain in the case that someone gets lost (as the warning sign indicates happens with regularity).

The first 1.25 miles is a pleasant, shady, well-built trail lined with lush greenery.

Then you reach this talus field. Look carefully at the photo below and you’ll see two orange poles ahead, roughly trail-width apart. While at first glance they look like goal posts that you should walk through, in fact, the have little arrows instructing you to switchback to the left. The key here is to pause, observe and look for clues that keep you on the actual trail, rather than just barreling ahead.

The orange markers are NOT goal posts to walk through. They tell you to “turn left” and look for the trail.

Once you switchback, the “trail” through these rocks becomes a bit more obvious.

This is also about where the trail becomes much more rocky, and stays that way for much of the remaining trek to the summit. Take your time and pause once in a while as the views begin to open up through the trees.

Three Fingers rises to the north

Near the top there is an overlook with mountains for miles. This was the closest we came to a snowfield. There was no snow on the trail for us to contend with, though in a different year or earlier in the season, snow is a reality. The trail is usually covered with snow until early to mid-summer.

While snow makes navigation more challenging, in some ways, the climb (with appropriate gear and experience) would be much more pleasant than the uneven, rocky trail.

The final push to the lookout tower requires some boulder scrambling.

The views are worth it. There is a ladder that climbs to the shelter. On this particular day, the shutters were open, the skies were clear, and the views were amazing in every direction.

The historic lookout at the summit was originally built in 1921. It has been rebuilt, first in 1942 and more recently in 1989, and is maintained through a partnership with the State Park and volunteers from the Everett Mountaineers.

Inside the lookout there are a few bench seats and displays that document the history of the shelter. It’s the perfect spot for a break.

Note that the Mount Pilchuck lookout tower is maintained entirely by volunteers. You are welcome to enter only if the doors are unlocked. If the shutters are fastened down, do not open them. Forcing your way into the lookout, leaving the doors or shutters open could cause irreparable harm to the structure. 

Heading down, you follow the same route you came up. It’s 2.75 miles with lots of ankle-twisting rocks and roots, so take your time.

Mount Pilchuck Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount Pilchuck Tips and Resources

• Bring plenty of water. You’ll want at least two liters or more. Also bring the 10 essentials.
• Practice the seven Leave No Trace principles.
• Mount Pilchuck – via WTA.org. Be sure to check the trip reports for current trail and road conditions.
• Official Mount Pilchuck State Park website
• Day Hiking North Cascades – Mountaineers Books

Granite Falls Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on July 25, 2018 with Joan and Jessica of You Did What With Your Weiner? Apparently your name must begin with the letter “J” to hike this. 

Mount Ellinor stands nearly 6,000′ above sea level, a prominent sentinel at the south-eastern corner of the Olympic Peninsula. The trail up Mt. Ellinor has a reputation for being steep, but rewarding with terrific views. It’s also considered one of the best places in Washington to spy mountain goats. Ellinor delivered on all points.

Trail Details

Summit: 5,952′
Distance: 6.6 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,286 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: July-October

There are two main trailheads that lead to the summit during summer months: the Lower and Upper trailhead. The Upper Trailhead starts higher at 3,500 feet, shaving 900 feet of vertical climb and three miles off the hike. But it also requires a Northwest Forest Pass for parking. We chose the Lower Trailhead. No special pass is required for parking, it’s a little more of a climb (let’s make it MORE challenging), and it starts out more gently, giving you a chance to warm up your legs before tackling the really steep stuff.

Getting to the Trailhead

Take North Lake Cushman Road west from Hoodsport for 9.2 miles. When you reach the “T” intersection, you’ll see a sign to the right for Mount Ellinor. Here the road becomes a washboard gravel road. In dry conditions, a 2WD sedan will have no issues, you’ll just need to take your time, as it’s 6.2 miles of dusty gravel to the trailhead, including a hard left turn that was unsigned when we drove up (thankfully we had programmed the directions into our iPhone beforehand). Your best bet? Get turn-by-turn driving directions via Google Maps.

There was plenty of parking when we arrived on a July midweek morning, but this is a popular trail, so expect bigger crowds on the weekends.

Hiking up Mount Ellinor

The Mount Ellinor Trail starts out with a relatively gentle climb through old growth forest. There is plenty of shade, ferns and even the occasional bench conveniently located when you need to rest.

After about 1.5 miles and roughly 1,000 feet of vertical, you’ll reach a junction with the Upper Trail.

From here to the top, both trails follow the same route. And it begins to get steeper.

The trail continues up forested switchbacks, reaching an overlook at about 4,500 feet. If you look closely, you can see Mount Ranier in the hazy distance.

From here, there’s only about a mile to the summit, but you’ll gain nearly 1,500 feet. And most of that is above the timberline.

Looking back toward Lake Cushman, you can see hikers ascending what looks like a scramble, but there are actually carefully crafted steps. Sometimes you have to pause to find them, but they are there, thanks to the excellent work of the Mount Rose Trail Crew.

The trail reaches a traverse with carefully built steps. It’s hot and exposed, but there are wildflowers and the notch ahead makes a great spot to rest for the final push to the summit.

And looking back down from the notch, at the hikers slogging their way uphill. You are almost to the top from this point.

From the notch, there are a few more steep switchbacks, then the trail winds around and up to the summit. On a clear day, the views are incredible.

Mount Olympus, as seen from the summit of Mount Ellinor

When I reached the top, I didn’t see any mountain goats right away, but other hikers confirmed that there were several in the area. Sure enough, this goat strolled right past the summit, and struck a pose nearby.

Oddly enough, these mountain goats are not indigenous to the area. They were introduced to the Olympic Peninsula for hunting, and there is talk about relocating them to the Cascades. Time will tell.

[vr url=https://socalhiker.net//wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Mount-Ellinor-360.jpg view=360]

The return hike required slow and steady footwork on the way down. Sections of the trail have loose gravel, and trekking poles would be a real plus. Once you reach the forested section, it’s smooth sailing back to the trailhead. Just be sure to take time to enjoy the views and appreciate the wildflowers.

Will Mount Ellinor make the cut for the Pacific Northwest Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge? Most definitely. It’s a popular, but challenge-worthy peak.

Mount Ellinor Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount Ellinor Resources

• Mount Ellinor on the excellent Washington Trails Association website
• Mount Ellinor from the Upper Trailhead via Last Adventurer
• Do you know what to do if you encounter mountain goats on the trail?

Mount Ellinor Area Weather Forecast

Note that the temperature and conditions can change considerably at higher elevations.

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Originally hiked on July 26, 2018 with Joan. 

Everyone needs a peak in their backyard, and 1,975′ Stanley Peak in Escondido’s Daley Ranch makes a great go-to hike that you can finish before lunch. This loop route gives you a fine overview of historic Daley Ranch, with sweeping views over much of north San Diego County.

Trail Details

Summit: 1,975′ 
Distance: 6.4 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 890 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

Daley Ranch can be reached at 3024 La Honda Drive, Escondido, CA 92027. The unpaved parking lot for Daley Ranch gets crowded on the weekends and people end up parking down the hill. It’s best to get there early to avoid the head of mid-day and the worst of the crowds.

The park is open from dawn to dusk. Dogs are allowed on leash, though the trails can get hot in the afternoon. The historic Daley Ranch House (which is on this loop) is open the second Sunday of the month from 11am to 2pm. For the latest park info, call 760-839-4680.

Hiking to Stanley Peak

There are 20 miles of trails in Daley Ranch, and a number of routes that you could take to get to the summit. We stitched together this loop with a short out-and-back segment to Stanley Peak, and passing by Mallard Lake and the old Daley Ranch House.

This counter-clockwise loop begins at the entrance to Daley Ranch, and follows the Creek Crossing Trail east for about 0.7 miles. This is a broad, dusty double-track that is shared by mountain bikes, horses and hikers. Creek Crossing ends at the East Ridge Trail. Turn right here (southeast) and hike roughly 300 yards to where it ends at the Sage Trail. Turn left (northeast).

You’ll stay on the dusty Sage Trail as it winds its way through the rolling, rocky hills. Continue past the junction with the Caballo Trail, Quail Run, Coyote Run and the Old Tank spur.

As the Sage Trail climbs, the views begin to open up.

Finally, when you reach the spur trail to Stanley Peak, turn right and follow it to the summit — roughly 0.7 miles each way. The trail starts with a fairly flat section.

Soon you climb higher, with a great view of the rusted Old Water Tank and the valley below.

At the summit, there are boulders to scramble on. If you’re lucky, you might find a scrap of shade to protect you from the sun. And there are the views. Looking east you can see Palomar Mountain, and south the city of Escondido.

After soaking in the views, refueling with snacks and water, head back down the spur trail.

When you rejoin the Sage Trail, bear to the right (west). This will take you past idyllic Mallard Lake.

Continue on Sage toward the old Ranch House, joining the Ranch House Trail – a smooth dirt road that sees occasional use from park vehicles. You’ll pass right through many of the historic buildings from the Daley Ranch.

In the ranch complex, there are restrooms, picnic tables and perhaps best of all on a hot, sunny day, ample shade trees.

From the ranch house, it’s under a mile of easy hiking back to the trailhead to finish the loop.

Stanley Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Local Tips

• Did I mention that there’s a lot of sun exposure on this hike? Bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. Start hiking before the worst heat of the day, and avoid altogether on really hot days.
• After the hike, head to Burger Bench in quaint downtown Escondido. Awesome burgers and local craft beers on tap, and the owner also happens to be a hiking blogger. Tell Derek that SoCalHiker sent you! 

Related Resources

• Official Daley Ranch website
• Printable map of the Daley Ranch trail system (PDF)
• Afoot and Afield: San Diego County – A classic guidebook updated by Scott Turner
• Stanley Peak – 100peaks.com
• Daley Ranch’s Stanley Peak Hike – Campfire Kam

Daley Ranch Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on February 27, 2016. Thanks to Joan, Alyx, Josh, Christopher, Kam, Derek, Traci, Paul, Yoko, Mark, Bev, and Amy for joining me on this hike. 

Mount Bachelor is best known as the sixth largest ski resort in the United States. When the snow melts, the lower half is turned into a mountain biking park. Less well known is the Mt Bachelor Trail, which let’s you hike from the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway all the way to the 9,056′ summit. Hiking Mount Bachelor gives you a great view of the surrounding area, and puts the mountain in a whole different perspective.

Trail Details

Summit: 9,056′
Distance: 6.4 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,664 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: When the ski resort closes

Getting to the Trailhead

The trail starts near the Sunrise Lodge, which is closed in the off season. In fact, the entire parking area is closed off, so you’ll have to park off of Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, walk around the gate and head for the area where the parking lot ends and the ski area begins.

In the trees along the last parking lot, you’ll find a dirt trail with an easily overlooked sign marking the beginning of the Mount Bachelor Trail (download the maps on GaiaGPS before you head to the trailhead).  This sole hiking trail leads directly to the summit.

Hiking the Mount Bachelor Trail

The first mile and a half the trail travels through forest with occasional views onto what would be ski runs in the winter. It’s a pleasant, easy-to-follow trail.

Once in a while you traverse an open area below the ski lifts. Covered in snow earlier in the year, now wildflowers bloom.

As you climb higher, the trees become thinner and the terrain rockier. Stone cairns such as the one below help mark the trail. When it’s dry, the trail is pretty easy to follow, but if patches of snow remain, these cairns help you stay on course.

The trees thin out at 1.6 miles as you continue across a dirt maintenance road. It’s not uncommon to find snowfields year round here, and the trail footprint may be obscured. Keep in mind that the trail stays roughly parallel and left (south) of the Summit Express lift. Watch for the rock cairns, and refer to your GPS.

As you near the top, the mountain becomes mostly talus, scree and chunks of basalt, but the path is fairly well defined. It pays to stop occasionally and turn around to soak in the views. You can see Tumalo Mountain (just off to the left in the photo below) across the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway in the valley below.

As you near the summit, you first reach the top of the Summit Express ski lift. The summit is northwest of the ski lift.

The large summit area has a couple of cauldrons with trails circling them, and no distinct peak.  It’s worth exploring the summit area and checking out the views in each direction before retracing your path back to the trailhead.

The return trip is 3.8 miles back down the mountain using the same trail you climbed up.

Mount Bachelor Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount Bachelor Hiking Resources

• Check the Mount Bachelor Events Calendar before planning your hike, to confirm that the skiing is over and there aren’t conflicting events (like the annual mountain running event).
• Carry the ten essentials. Conditions on the summit can vary greatly from those at the trailhead, with bitter cold and high winds.
• The main lodge further north on Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway has limited dining facilities open mainly to support the mountain bike park.

Bend Area Weather Forecast

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Get a more detailed forecast for Mt Bachelor from Mountain Forecast.

Commemorate your achievement with a replica benchmark!

The Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Mount Bachelor is part of the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked solo on July 26, 2017. All photos by the author. 

One of the best way to enjoy the mountains of Southern California is on an overnight backpacking trip. I have hiked both San Bernardino Peak and San Gorgonio Peak both as day hikes and as overnight trips, but since many of the trailheads closed by the Lake Fire were reopened in 2017, I wanted to explore other options. These two peaks were the last two I needed to finish out my SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, and with only two days on my schedule to hike, I knew it would be a challenge.

Trail Details

Distance: 30.2 miles
Time: 2 days
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 5,770 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June to November

In a nutshell, the plan was to follow the John’s Meadow Trail up to the junction with the main San Bernardino Trail that begins at Angelus Oaks, follow that to the summit of San Bernardino, then continue on the San Bernardino Divide Trail to camp. Early the next day, continue on to the summit of San Gorgonio, then descend via the South Fork Trail.

Getting to the Trailheads

You’ll need to either have a friend drop you off or, more ideally, have two vehicles. In our case, there were three of us, each coming from different places and arriving at different times, so we ended up with three vehicles. We parked the nicer two cars at South Fork, and the rental car at Forsee Creek. Why? South Park has nice, paved parking. Forsee requires about a 1/2 mile drive up a very bumpy, rutted dirt and gravel road. I was able to drive my sedan back there without incident, but if you have a Mini Cooper or a BMW sedan, you might not want to risk it.

Both trailheads are located off Jenks Lake Road, which is a partial loop that connects to Highway 38 on both ends. Driving up the mountain from Redlands, you’ll continue past Angelus Oaks, reaching Jenks Lake Road West on your right. The east end of  this windy, paved road reconnects with Highway 38 miles away.

The closest trailhead is Forsee Creek Trail. There is a sign for the turn-off to the right (south)  from Jenks Lake Road onto Forsee Creek Road. Note that this unpaved road is gated and may be closed during snow season. The dirt section is only about a 1/2 mile, so it could be walked. Get turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps.

The South Fork trailhead is on Jenks Lake Road East. There is a paved parking lot on the north side of the road, with the trail itself beginning on the south side. Get turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps.

The distance between the two trailheads is less than three miles, so if you only have one car, you could hike between the two.

Day 1: Forsee Creek Trailhead to San Bernardino Peak

At the Forsee Creek Trailhead, there’s a sign with a somber reminder that portions of this hike travels through area scarred by the Lake Fire in 2015. Dead trees still standing represent a hazard, as does hillsides with little vegetation to hold them together in a rain storm. Be aware of the weather and your surroundings, and be prepared to change your plans if conditions do not allow safe passage.

The trail climbs gradually for the first 0.5 miles, reaching the junction with the Johns Meadow Trail. Turn right (west) here. You’ll follow this trail for the next 5.7 miles with no other junctions.

The trail climbs gently for the first four miles of this hike, following the contours of the mountain while gradually climbing.

There are several small creeks near Johns Meadow Camp, so this would be a good camp option to do this route as a 2-night trip. Hike the easy 4 miles to Johns Meadow late on day one, and you’re well positioned for an early start on day two.

Once you pass Johns Meadow Camp the trail begins climbing quite steeply. The incline felt even steeper since we were carrying gear for overnight.

There are many places where the trail would be slippery with loose rock–easier to climb with trekking poles and much easier than going down. We all agreed that even though it was a steep climb, we were glad were weren’t coming back down this route.

At the 6.2 mile mark, you reach the junction with the main trail up San Bernardino, just a few yards from the rusted wheelbarrow that those who have hiked that route are no doubt familiar with.

From here, we followed a trail we had hiked before up to Limber Pines Spring, where we refilled all our water bottles and bladders. The water would need to last us up to San Bernardino, for cooking dinner and breakfast, getting us up to San Gorgonio in the morning and down to the next water at South Fork.

Note

There are a couple of springs downhill from the San Bernardino Divide Trail, but we didn’t relish the thought of going down to climb back up if we didn’t have to, and we had enough water storage to get us through.

As we neared the summit of our first peak, we took the short detour to checkout Washington Monument. We’ve been there before, but this historic point was used by surveyors in laying out many of the streets of Southern California back in the 1800s. To this day, it’s covered with benchmarks datum points, and an assortment of odd pins added by hikers.

After roughly 11 miles of hiking, we reached San Bernardino Peak. This was the perfect spot for a lunch break and socializing with other hikers, many of whom were hiking the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge.

From here, we followed the San Bernardino Divide Trail as it makes it’s way east along the ridge. The trail dips and climbs, but stays above 10,000 feet. There are several trail junctions along the way, all well signed.

The landscape is fairly desolate, but we still saw patches of wildflowers even late in September.

We considered hiking all the way to the San Gorgonio Summit Camp (our original plan), and we could have, but the spring in our step was gone and that goal didn’t sound so appealing any longer. We opted to camp at Red Rock Flat Camp, an ugly area at the edge of the fire-scarred forest, but with a beautiful view of the sunset to the west.

Day 1: Forsee Creek Trailhead to San Bernardino Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Day 2: San Bernardino Divide to San Gorgonio and Down South Fork

On the second day, we hit the trail just as the first rays of sunlight hit our campsite. From Red Rock Flat Camp, the San Bernardino Divide Trail descends to Dollar Lake Saddle at 10,000 feet.

Several trails converge at this saddle, so be sure to follow the sign for San Gorgonio Mountain. The trail climbs the west-facing slope of the ridge with spectacular views.

Rounding the corner, Mount San Jacinto comes into view across the valley to the south. I was standing at the top of that just two days earlier.

Soon we reached the trail coming up from High Creek. This is one of the more popular routes, heading up Vivian Creek to High Creek, then up to the ridge and across to the summit. It was still early, so we didn’t run into any day hikers, but we did see several who had camped at High Creek Camp and were making their way to the summit.

It’s a great feeling to reach the ridgeline to the summit, and this route made it feel really easy. The skies were cloudless and we enjoyed a rare, windless day atop San Gorgonio Mountain.

On the way back down, we took the Sky High Trail towards Mine Shaft Saddle. This wraps around the east side of San Gorgonio and is used for both the Fish Creek Trailhead (still closed at the time of this writing) and to our destination – the South Fork Trailhead.

The trail skirts the aptly named Dry Lake, then begins a steep descent toward South Fork.

This area had the most burn damage for the 2015 Lake Fire. While there were still some trees that survived, the area won’t look the same in my lifetime.

Thankfully, there was still plenty of water running at South Fork, even in late September. We filtered water and refilled our bottles and continued the descent.

We descended over 4,400 feet on day two, logging 15.5 miles.

Day 2: San Bernardino Divide to San Gorgonio Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Tips & Tricks for Overnight Trips in the San Gorgonio Wilderness

• Wilderness permits are required for both day hikes and overnight trips in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. At the time of writing, there are no quotas for day hike permits, and you can even fill out your own at the Mill Creek Ranger Station. For all overnight trips, there are quotas based on the camp site(s) and days you choose. For details, visit the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association.
• Water can be tricky. the camps at higher elevations typically do not have a nearby water source, so plan to either carry enough to get you through the night and next day until you reach South Fork, or taking a detour downhill to a spring (adding one or more miles and additional vertical gain).
• Cell coverage is unreliable on this route. There may be places where you can pick up a weak signal, but don’t rely on this.
• Carry the Ten Essentials, and practice the Seven Leave No Trace Principles.
• The San Bernardino Divide Trail is also the route for the Nine Peak Challenge. Instead of taking the trail alongside the various peaks, you scramble up to the top of nine peaks.

Alternate Routes

You can hike in and exit from any number of trailheads. The most popular alternate route would be the San Bernardino Peak Trailhead in Angelus Oaks, exiting either via South Fork or the Vivian Creek Trailhead.

You can also stretch this out into a 3- or 4-day trip to cut down the daily mileage and enjoy the journey a bit longer.

For example, camp at Johns Meadow, then Limber Pine, then San Gorgonio Summit for a four day trip that includes summit sunset and sunrise atop Old Greyback.

Be prepared for extreme fluctuations in weather. Mountain weather can be very different than what you experience in the valley. Check Mountain Forecast for a summit forecast on San Gorgonio.

Originally hiked on September 16 & 17, 2017 with Jason Fitzpatrick and Ric Serena of The Muir Project.

At 8,696 feet, Ontario Peak is one of several peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains, and lies within the Cucamonga Wilderness. It is one of the many peaks near Mt. Baldy which are accessible from the Icehouse Saddle. It is named after the nearby city of Ontario. On a clear day, Ontario Peak offers sweeping views of the spectacular San Gabriel Mountains, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County and Pacific Ocean.

Trail Details

Summit: 8,696′
Distance: 12.4 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,738′
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June – October

Getting to Trailhead

Start at the popular Icehouse Canyon Trailhead. There’s plenty of parking, but it fills up fast. Make sure to head out early before the crowds. We started our hike at 6:30 am. An Adventure Pass is required.

To the left of the trailhead, next to the sign, is a box for self-serve permits (bring a pen with you). Fill one out and leave white copy in the box, take yellow copy with you.

Hiking the Trail to Ontario Peak

Hiking up the Icehouse Canyon is a beautiful hike on its own. It is a well-traveled trail, with a creek that meanders alongside it. Surrounded by sugar pine forest, which shades the trail during the Summer months, massive boulders, canyon walls, and mountain peaks line up the trails. And if you’re lucky enough, you may see some of the resident big horn sheep.

Continue hiking up to 3.5 miles to the Icehouse Saddle, gaining 2,700 feet. Once there, it is a good spot for a quick break before you head up to the peak. At the saddle, you will find several trails with signs that lead to Cucamonga Peak, 3 Ts, Middle Fork, and Ontario Peak, which is to the right of the saddle.

From here, it’s a gentle climb for 1.0 mile to Kelly Camp, gaining only 260 feet.

Kelly Camp is a great spot to camp if you’re doing an overnight. This can be crowded though, especially on weekends. It is a historical place with remnants of foundations of a former trail resort. This was once owned by John Kelly, who built it in 1905 as a mining prospect, then turned into a trail resort in 1922 by Henry Delker. There is a spring nearby, but it is unreliable.

The trail continues on beyond the Kelly Camp ruins, then climbs up to a fire-scarred Ontario ridge. At this point, you will have the dramatic view of Timber Mountain, Telegraph Peak and Mt. Baldy.

If squint your eyes, you may even see the tiny blue-green speck of the Ski Hut just below Baldy Notch. As you continue your ascent, you will come upon a fork on the trail with a pile of rocks and a wooden sign that points to Bighorn Peak to the left and Ontario Peak to the right.

This is also a great spot for picture, with a panoramic view of the Inland Empire and beyond Orange County, with the Saddleback Mountain protruding from the distance. You will also have dramatic view of Bighorn Peak to the left and Cucamonga Peak on the right.

Continue following the trail as it contours around the two false summits, then zig-zagging up a series of switchbacks.

Eventually, you will arrive on a ridge again to continue your rather steep approach to the summit, but it levels out at 150 yards before Ontario Peak.

At the summit, you’ll find a large dead tree, which has become the landmark for Ontario Peak, and a tall heap of boulders. On a clear day, you’ll sweeping views of Inland Empire, Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.

On the way back, we took the spur trail to the summit of Bighorn Peak. This added about two miles to the trip, but gave us one more peak to add to our resume. If you decide to include the spur to Bighorn, the total mileage jumps to over 14 miles total. The elevation profile and map below show this additional mileage.

Ontario and Bighorn Peaks Trail Map

PRO TIP: I track all my hikes using GaiaGPS. It’s the best solution for staying on the right trail, it works even when you don’t have cell service, and there are versions for iOS and Android. The app is free, and you can get a discounted membership for maps here.

Tips & Tricks for Hiking Ontario Peak

• Go early to get first dibs on parking. An Adventure Pass is required for parking.
• There is a restroom at the parking lot area.
• Mind your steps. Though Icehouse Canyon Trail is picturesque, the first 2 miles of the trail surface has uneven footing and a lot of loose rocks which can make it slippery.
• Bring sun protection. Once above the tree line, you are fully exposed to the sun.
• Carry at least 3 liters of hydration. There are springs along the trail, it will need to be filtered and Kelly Camp spring is unreliable.
• If you’re camping overnight at Kelly Camp, you will share it many others, especially on weekends.

Ontario Peak Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on January 6, 2018 with Hike Beyond the Hills.

At 2,517 feet, Mission Peak towers over the southern arm of the San Franciso Bay. It offers a 360-degree panorama that extends from San Jose to Mount Tamalpais. On a clear day, you can even see the Sierra Nevada range to the east.

Trail Details

Summit: 2,517′
Distance: 6.2 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain/loss: +1,992’/-1,992′
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

“Perhaps the denizens of this valley are so accustomed to the sight of Mission Peak that they fail to appreciate the dignity and individuality which it gives to the landscape. Whether the outlines, snow-capped may be, are sharp and distinct on a clear, frosty morning in winter, or overspread with the purple afterglow of a summer sunset; whether rising grim and rugged agains black storm clouds, or emerging into the sunlight from unwinding fog wreaths, the mountain has a majesty of its own.”

Clearly the denizens have long since discovered Mission Peak, as anyone who has been to the Stanford Avenue trailhead can attest. Today, Mission Peak is a popular hiking destination appreciated by hundreds (thousands?) each day.

This guide describes the out-and-back route that climbs 3.1 miles to the summit and descends 3.1 miles back to the trailhead at the end of Stanford Avenue in Fremont.

Getting to the Trailhead

There is a small parking lot with 40 stalls at 680 Stanford Avenue, Fremont, California. The lot is at the very eastern terminus of Stanford Avenue, so you can’t miss it. You’ll pass by the remaining building from the long-gone Leland Stanford Winery on your left. Overflow parking is available on Vineyard Avenue (about 150 spots). Read the street signs and parking rules carefully to avoid a ticket, and keep the noise down; you’re in a residential neighborhood. Get turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps.

Note that the posted trailhead hours (6:30 am to 9:00 pm) agrees with the hours posted on the ebparks.org website, but conflicted with the schedule on the East Bay Regional Parks District map for Mission Peak. What is clear is that they mean business. There were several signs warning that “Hikers in the park and vehicles in the staging area when the park is closed will be cited. Citations cost a minimum of $300.” If in doubt, choose the most conservative times, and note that the closing hour changes depending on the time of year.

Hiking the Trail to Mission Peak

The hike begins through a swinging gate on the Hidden Valley Trail. You are hiking through an area where cows graze. Be sure to give them plenty of room. Don’t attempt to touch or agitate them.

The trail itself is a broad, gravel and dirt fire road. There are six benches along the route to the peak, giving you a chance to rest and enjoy the view along the way.

Keep an eye out for wildlife as you go. We spied a rafter of wild turkeys on our way up.

The Hidden Valley Trail is a small part of the Ohlone Wilderness Regional Trail – a 28-mile route that is popular for backpackers.

At about 2.6 miles, you’ll reach a junction with the trail that heads to Ohlone College. Easily within view and  short detour is a pit toilet and a bit beyond that, the hang glider launch area. It’s a worthwhile detour on your way back down if the winds are favorable for hang gliding.

Bear right around the ridge to the final approach to Mission Peak–a steep gravel incline.

The broad fire road finally ends about 0.25 miles from the summit. From here, there is a short, rocky section that requires careful foot placement and a single track trail to the summit.

The views from the summit? Amazing. You can see for miles in every direction.

There is a monument with siting tubes on the summit that is a popular place to pose for a summit selfie. The siting tubes are pointed at other landmarks you can see from Mission Peak.

Few people know that buried within the siting tube are a bottle of Zinfandel wine and five time capsules intended to be opened 100 years after they were placed.

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See how many landmarks you can identify. Wait in line for your selfie at the monument. When you’ve had your fill of epic views, retrace your steps, heading back down the same route you ascended.

Stanford Avenue Staging Area to Mission Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mission Peak Tips

• Top tip: Don’t hike this route! Instead, park at Ohlone College at 43600 Mission Blvd. There is a nominal day-use parking fee (currently $4) but there is ample parking, more shade and fewer crowds. The is a little longer, being just shy of 8 miles round-trip. Plus, this route remains open until 10pm year-round, making it perfect for a sunset hike. Here’s the better route on GaiaGPS.
• Go early and if possible, avoid weekends and holidays. It’s much easier to enjoy this trail when the crowds are lighter.
• Carry at least a liter of water, more if it’s hot. Better yet, save this hike for a day when it’s not hot. This route is almost entirely exposed. Don’t forget water for your dog, too.
• Bring sunscreen and sun protection (i.e. a wide-brimmed hat). Even if it’s hazy or overcast, the UV rays can burn you.
• Wear shoes with good traction.  The trail is steep and the gravel can make it slippery in sections. I wore trail runners; my wife wore hiking boots, and we were grateful for the traction.

More Mission Peak Resources

• Mission Peak Regional Preserve Trail Map (PDF) – Always carry a map in addition to whatever technology you use.
• Mission Peak: Silicon Valley’s “Big Hike for Beginners” – AlphaRoaming.com
• Why has Mission Peak Become the Thing to Do? – BayNature.org
  An thoughtful look at the popularity of Mission Peak, balancing environmental protection and safety.
• Official Mission Peak Regional Preserve website – Get the latest on parking, hours, rules and regulations.

Mission Peak Weather Forecast

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Black Crater is a “broken” cinder cone with a glacier-carved valley and quite possible the best views of the Three Sisters.  The 7,251′ summit was once home to a fire lookout, and when you hike to the summit, you’ll understand why. You can see for miles up and down the Cascade Range.

Trail Details

Summit: 7,251′
Distance: 7.3 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,260 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Mid-July to late October
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead for Black Crater is about 12 miles west of Sisters on the McKenzie Highway 242 (three miles east of the pass). The trailhead parking is well-marked, and there is only one trail heading from the lot.

You can get driving directions to the Black Crater Trailhead via Google Maps here.

Hiking to the Summit of Black Crater

The trail begins at the southwest corner of the gravel parking lot. Take a moment to review the trailhead information board for the latest on rules for this area.

The first half of this route is well-forested, with hemlock, fir and pine. You will see signs of the origin of Black Crater as you pass volcanic debris. To the north, watch for glimpses through the trees of Mts. Washington and Jefferson.

At 2.3 miles you crest a small ridge and enter the glacier-carved valley for about another 0.5 miles. You’ll see open meadows and plentiful lupine.

At 2.8 miles, the trail begins climbing reaching the eastern flank and switchbacking through sparse forest. We encountered several patches of snow in mid-July, but nothing that required technical gear. Depending on snow conditions and the time of year, this may require traction or even snowshoes.

Wildflowers and butterflies line the eastern flank of Black Butte in July. It was quite beautiful.

The views north and east are stunning, and on a clear day, you can see across much of Central Oregon.

The final push to the top is a gentle, winding trail across a barren cinder plateau. On one side, the twisted limbs of scraggly whitebark pines provide a wind break; on the other, the crater cliffs fall away steeply.

The very top requires minor scrambling to reach.

One odd note: the very highest point buzzing with a thick swarm of big flies. A fellow hiker said these are always here, and neither of us could figure out why. If you know the answer, let us know in the comments below!

The summit provides great views of the Three Sisters, Mounts Washington, Jefferson and (if it’s really clear) even Mt. Hood. There used to be a fire lookout on the flat area near the summit, but only a few foundation remnants remain.

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To finish the hike, retrace your steps back down the same trail.

Black Crater Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Black Crater Tips & Resources

• A $5 Northwest Forest Pass or National Parks annual pass is required for trailhead parking.
• Bring water (I’d recommend a minimum of one liter), sun protection, and the other ten essentials. There are no creeks or springs along this trail.

Sisters Weather Forecast

Sisters is the nearest town and provides a rule of thumb for the weather. Note that the summit of Black Crater is over 4,000′ higher than Sisters, so the weather can be 40 degrees colder.

[forecast width=”100%” location=”97730″]

Originally hiked with Joan on July 15, 2017.

South Sister is the third tallest mountain in Oregon. At 10,363′ it’s the highest of the Three Sisters, and also the youngest, geologically-speaking. The cauldron holds the highest lake in Oregon–when it’s not frozen and buried in snow. It’s home to eight glaciers, including Prouty Glacier, the largest in Oregon. And it’s a great non-technical ascent that caps the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge.

Trail Details

Summit: 10,363′
Distance: 12 miles
Time: 6-9 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 4,820 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Late July to early October
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

The South Sister Climber’s Trail begins at Devil’s Lake. A $5 Northwest Forest Pass is required, but if you have a National Parks annual pass and a hang tag, that will suffice. The parking lot fills up early, and overflow parking is available along the roadside. The trailhead is about 30 miles west of Bend on Cascade Lakes Highway. You’ll pass the Mount Bachelor Ski Resort, then Sparks Lake, finally turning left into the Devil’s Lake Campground turnoff.

You can get driving directions to the South Sister Climber’s Trailhead via Google Maps here.

Hiking to the Summit of South Sister

Follow the trail, exercising caution when crossing back over Cascade Lakes Highway. When you reach the information board, you’ll need to stop to fill out a free, self-issue wilderness permit. The original goes in the box; keep the copy with you on your hike.

The trail begins gently, but steepens as it switchbacks up the canyon to the plateau.

Just over two miles up the trail, you reach a junction with the Moraine Lake Trail and the beginning of a long, rolling section of easy hiking across a plateau. This is where Dan and I looked ahead at South Sister looming in the the distance and thought “we’re going up there?” Indeed, we were.

The Climber’s Trail skirts the edge of the plateau, providing a great view of Moraine Lake from above. There are campsites down there, and it would make an excellent place to camp on an overnight trip up South Sister.

At about 3.5 miles, the plateau gives way to the mountain once again, and climbing begins in earnest. In mid-July, we hit numerous patches of snow, but being a popular route, all had good tread. We were able to traverse them safely without traction or gear other than our trekking poles.

At 5.7 miles, the trail reaches the western edge of the largest glacier in Oregon, the Prouty Glacier. Over 1 square kilometer in area, it was an impressive sight.

At this point, there is less than a mile to the crater rim, yet the going is slow. The “trail” spiders into a series of multiple routes, scurrying up steep volcanic scree that takes half a step back for each step forward. The trail is fully exposed. We were thankful to be hiking in the cool air of the early morning, but we could tell that it was heating up. The sun was intense.

Finally at about six miles, we reached the crater rim. The summit itself is on the far north side of the crater, but it’s an easy hike with a short section of boulder scrambling.

Some chose to forge straight across the snow-filled cauldron, but the snow conditions were questionable and we made better time on solid ground.

Numerous groups of hikers were resting near the summit. The high point is atop a cluster of boulders.

The views on this crystal-clear day were incredible, with a stunning vista of Middle and North Sister and well beyond.

Heading back along the crater rim, the views of Broken Top and Mount Bachelor were amazing, too.

Making our way back was much easier. At times, multiple footpaths through snowfields required us to check our bearings to choose the most efficient and direct route to the actual trail, but it was pretty straightforward.

South Sister Trail Map & Elevation Profile

South Sister Tips & Resources

• A free wilderness permit is required and can be self-issued at the information board about 100 yards into the trail. A $5 Northwest Forest Pass or National Parks annual pass is required for trailhead parking.
• Bring plenty of water (I’d recommend a minimum of three liters), sun protection, and the other ten essentials. There may be water available along the trail depending on snow melt, but be prepared to treat.
• Carry food to keep your body fueled. This is a grueling trek, both in mileage and vertical climb.

South Sister Weather Forecast

Here’s the forecast for the summit of South Sister.

The Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

South Sister is part of the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked with Daniel on July 15, 2017.

Paulina Peak is the highest point on Newberry Crater, one of the largest shield volcanos in North America. The 7,985 feet tall summit sits on the edge of a 21 mile-long crater rim. The geology of the area is fascinating. Well east of the Cascades, Paulina Peak offers views that extend from Mount Shasta to Mount Adams. You’ll see not one but two “crater lakes”, an obsidian lava flow and the steep, craggy crater walls. If you’re so inclined, you can soak in a natural hot spring or visit an 80-foot waterfall afterwards.

Trail Details

Summit: 7,985′
Distance: 4.3 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,393 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Mid-June to early October
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

The Paulina Peak Trailhead is 23 miles south of Bend, Oregon on Highway 97, then 13 miles east on Paulina Lake Road. Turn south (right) on Forest Road 2100 500 and you’ll find the trailhead parking about 3/4 mile on the right. A $5 Northwest Forest Pass is required for entry to Newberry National Volcanic Monument, though they also take the National Park annual pass.

You can get driving directions to the Paulina Peak Trailhead via Google Maps here.

Hiking to the Summit of Paulina Peak

The trail is well-engineered, beginning with a gentle, persistent climb through shady forest. The trail to Paulina Peak is part of the longer Crater Rim Trail that’s popular with mountain bikers, though this segment is off-limits to bikes.

The trail actually follows the crater rim pretty closely as you’ll see on the topo map below, but the first half mile looks much like a typical forest trail, with a few glimpses of the lake.

At about 1.1 miles in, the view opens up and you see Paulina Peak towering above as well as the steep-sloped caldera of the Newberry Crater.

Here the forest becomes more sparse, dotted with old snags of Whitebark Pine that are over 500 years old. The trail returns to the rim of the crater briefly.

At about the two mile mark, watch closely for the true trail, which veers away from the rim. There is a false trail that hugs a steep section along the rim that should be avoided to prevent erosion. A fall here could be fatal.

At the summit, you are rewarded with tremendous view over the crater, the Cascades to the west and a good portion of Central Oregon. You can even catch a good view of the Big Obsidian Flow.

There’s also a parking lot and a restroom. Oh well.

When you’ve finished soaking in the views, return to the trailhead via the same trail you ascended.

Paulina Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Paulina Peak Tips & Resources

• At the time of writing, no permits were required. A $5 Northwest Forest Pass or National Parks annual pass is required for entrance to the park.
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and the other ten essentials.

Newberry National Volcanic Monument Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”97739″]

The Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Paulina Peak is part of the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked with Joan on July 14, 2017.

Tumalo Mountain is a shield volcano that lies just northeast of Mount Bachelor.  This trail begins at the Dutchman Flat Sno-Park, and climbs steadily up the west flank of the cinder cone. Tumalo gives you great views of not only Mount Bachelor, but also Broken Top and South Sister.

Trail Details

Summit: 7,779′
Distance: 4.2 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,312 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Mid-July to mid-October
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

This part is easy; head to the Dutchman Flat Sno-Park lot. If you’re heading west on Cascade Lakes Highway (trust me, you are), it will be on your right about 1/4 mile past the Mount Bachelor Sunrise Lodge entrance. You can get complete turn-by-turn driving directions to the Dutchman Sno-Park via Google Maps here.

Hiking to the Summit of Tumalo Mountain

The trail begins at the north end of the parking lot near the restroom. It immediately crosses a mountain bike trail and proceeds to wind up and around Tumalo Mountain.

Initially the trail views are obscured by the forest, but turn around once in a while to capture a glimpse of Mount Bachelor to the west.

As you climb, the forest thins and wildflowers like lupine abound.

The dirt trail winds among the gnarled ghosts of whitebark pines, giving way to reddish cinder.

The “summit” is relatively flat, sloping upward to the highpoint on the far north end. Follow the rock-lined path that loops around the top of Tumalo Mountain and avoid trampling the fragile crust and the ecosystem it supports.

From the top of Tumalo Mountain, you have a great view of Mount Bachelor to the west.

To the north, South Sister, Middle Sister and Broken Top give you plenty to soak in.

You will also find a large cairn near the high-point.

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Tumalo Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Tumalo Mountain Tips & Resources

• At the time of writing, no permits were required.
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and the other ten essentials.
• Tumalo Mountain is also a popular destination for snow-shoeing in the winter.
• Check out William Sullivan’s 100 Hikes / Travel Guide Central Oregon Cascades (affiliate link) for more on the geology and flora of Tumalo Mountain.

Bend Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”97701″]

The Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Tumalo Mountain is part of the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked with Joan on July 21, 2017.

Black Butte is an extinct stratovolcano that sits east of the Cascades, rising 3,076′ above the surrounding plain.  This symmetrical cone-shaped butte is home to an active fire lookout tower, as well as a historic cupola that you can easily imagine must have been the coolest summer digs ever, with spectacular views of Mt Washington, The Sisters and beyond.

Trail Details

Summit: 6,436′
Distance: 4.4 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,443 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Mid-June to early October
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

There are two options for hiking Black Butte. The Upper Trailhead starts roughly half-way up the butte. It requires several miles of driving on a bumpy gravel road that narrows to one lane in sections, and results in the shorter hike described here. The road does not require high clearance or 4WD in dry conditions. The trailhead has plenty of parking and pit toilets. There is no water available. The Lower Trailhead begins just off Highway 20, and doubles the length and vertical gain. The route you choose is up to you.

You can get driving directions to the Upper Black Butte Trailhead via Google Maps here.

Hiking to the Summit of Black Butte

The trail is well-engineered, beginning with a gentle, persistent climb through shady forest.

Many of the trees are covered in moss, giving the forest a moody feeling that’s a perfect start for our morning hike.

About a mile up the trail, the forest clears and the wildflowers abound. This area on the south side of the butte is shady if you hit it early enough, but fully exposed as the sun rises higher in the sky.

At the 2 mile mark, the trail wraps around the east end of the butte, traveling through the remnants of a wildfire as you make the final ascent to the summit.

The top of Black Butte is broad, with an active fire lookout tower on the east end, and a historic cupola on the west end. There used to be a cabin just west and directly below the cupola, but it was removed. You can still see the foundation.

On a clear day, you can see up and down the Cascade Range, and east over much of Central Oregon.

[vr url=https://socalhiker.net//wp-content/uploads/2017/09/AEON6497.jpg view=360]

Retrace your steps to return to the trailhead.

Black Butte Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Black Butte Tips & Resources

• At the top, please stay on the marked trails to avoid damaging the fragile ecosystem.
• At the time of writing, no permits were required, but a Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead May 1 to September 30. You can purchase a pass at the trailhead with $5 cash. If you have a hang tag with an annual National Parks pass, that will also work.
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and the other ten essentials.
• Check out William Sullivan’s 100 Hikes / Travel Guide Central Oregon Cascades (affiliate link) for more on the history and flora on Black Butte.
• Want more of a challenge? Start at Camp Sherman for double the mileage and the vertical climb!

Sisters Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”97730″]

The Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Black Butte is part of the Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked with Joan and Dan on July 14, 2017.  

Mount Bierstadt is considered one of the most accessible 14ers in Colorado, nearby Denver and well maintained, but that doesn’t mean it’s a stroll in the park. You’ll climb over 2,700′ over the course of just over three miles, including a boulder scramble up the final stretch to the peak.

Trail Details

Summit: 14,060′
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 4-4.5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,776 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Mid-June to early October
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

The trail begins at Guanella Pass, about an hour from Denver and 11.5 miles south of Georgetown. There is a no-fee parking lot as well as off-street parking. There are pit toilets at the trailhead parking, but people were waiting 30-40 minutes in line to use them. And most of the trail is completely exposed with no privy privacy. You’ve been warned.

Get driving directions to the Guanella Pass Trailhead via Google Maps.

Hiking to the Summit of Mount Bierstadt

The trail starts with a gentle warm-up, as you pass Deadman’s Lake and descend to Scott Gomer Creek. Keep your eyes peeled for moose and other wildlife.

There is no way to cross the creek without getting wet. We hiked about 30 yards upstream to a more shallow section, and the ice-cold water still came up to our knees. Most people will take their hiking shoes off for the crossing.

From here, the trail climbs steadily. About two miles in you traverse a rocky bench where you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a mountain goat.

Above the bench, the trail makes a bee-line to the saddle to the southwest side of Mount Bierstadt. It’s straight-forward hiking.

From the saddle, the final 1/4 mile to the summit requires following rock cairns up the steep talus- and boulder-strewn slope. There is no well-defined path through this ever changing landscape of rock, but when in doubt, head up.

The summit rewards you with spectacular views of Mount Evans and the sawtooth ridge that connects it to Bierstadt, as well as Grays Peak and Torrey Peak to the west. There is room at the top to break for lunch, an summit benchmark and a register to sign.

To return, retrace your steps. Take care to properly orient yourself as you descend to the saddle.

Mount Bierstadt Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount Bierstadt Tips & Resources

• At the time of writing, no permits were required.
• If possible, avoid hiking this on weekends or holidays when it can get quite crowded. For the same reason, please stay on the trail and follow Leave No Trace principles.
• This trail has spectacular wildflowers.
• Be prepared for cold air and windy conditions.
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and the other ten essentials. This hike is entirely above the tree-line.
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and plan to summit by noon. Afternoon lightning storms are a very real risk.

Idaho Springs Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”80452″]

The Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Mount Bierstadt is part of the Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked on July 15, 2017.

At 14,270′, Grays Peak is one of only two fourteeners that actually sits on the Continental Divide. The ninth-highest mountain in Colorado has a well-defined trail to the summit and its proximity to the slightly lower Torreys Peak (14,267′) make this a popular mountain destination, especially on summer weekends, so start your hike early. We started at 3am.

Trail Details

Summit: 14,270′
Distance: 8.6 miles
Time: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,939 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Late-June to early October
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead to Grays Peak and Torrys Peak is about an hour from Denver, and just over 10 miles from Georgetown off Interstate 70. Take exit 221 from I-70 west and follow Stevens Gulch Road. The road is a rough, gravel road that travels three miles to the trailhead. While there were plenty of sedans at the trailhead, I recommend a high clearance vehicle and, in wet conditions, 4WD.

Another option is to park at the beginning of Stevens Gulch Road and hike in to the trailhead, though this adds a total of six miles to the trip. Get turn-by-turn directions to the Stephens Gulch Trailhead via Google Maps.

Hiking to the Summit of Grays Peak

Early starts are always advisable, especially on popular 14ers like Grays Peak. You’ll get parking and you will summit before noon to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. We hit the trail at 3am, hiking by headlamp.

It was a clear sky, and the Milky Way was visible to the naked eye (but sadly, not my iPhone). The trail up the valley is clearly marked and easy to follow, even by headlamp. You will likely see other flickering headlamps bobbing up and down the trail in the distance.

The first three miles of the trail head straight up the valley with only a few switchbacks. When you reach the end of the cirque, the grade gets steeper but well-engineered switchbacks keep the climb steady and manageable. We hit patches of snow and ice in early July, easily manageable without traction devices.

The real payoff for the Alpine start? The sunrise views. 

At 3.5 miles you reach the junction with the trail from the saddle. This is used for the return from Torrys Peak. Bear left at this junction, and continue following the switchbacks and occasional cairns to the summit.

The summit of Grays Peak is surrounded by a small stone wind shelter. The views? Epic.

[vr url=https://socalhiker.net//wp-content/uploads/2017/08/USNN3845.jpg view=360]

The return route is simple. Just retrace your steps.  Keep an eye out for mountain goats on the way. Can you find the mountain goat we saw on our return in the photo below?

Bonus Peak

Many people combine a trip up Grays Peak with Torreys Peak (14,267′). From Grays Peak, there is a faint trail down the ridgeline to the saddle, and up the ridge to Torreys Peak. Coming down, return to the saddle and take the connector back to the main trail down to the trailhead.

Adding Torreys Peak to the trip adds 0.9 miles to the total distance and another 894′ in vertical gain.

Grays Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Grays Peak Tips & Resources

• Check out Michael Restivo’s blog post for this hike. He joined me to help scout the trail.
• Grays Peak is a Colorado Mountain Club Classic. For more details, check out Colorado Summit Hikes for Everyone (affiliate link).
• At the time of writing, no permits were required.
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and the other ten essentials. This hike is entirely above the tree-line.
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and plan to summit by noon. Afternoon lightning storms are a very real risk.
• DID YOU KNOW? Grays Peak and Torreys Peak are the only fourteeners that lie directly on the Continental Divide.

Silver Plume Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”80476″]

The Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Grays Peak is part of the Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked on July 2, 2017. Thanks to Michael Restivo for joining me. 

Horseshoe Mountain scrapes the clouds at 13,898′ – just shy of being a 14er. Even so, the glacier carved cirque remains one of Colorado’s 100 tallest mountains, and the views are coveted by peak baggers. Just west of Fairplay, Horseshoe Mountain straddles Park and Lake County and is dotted with abandoned mines. Epic views, fascinating geology, and a rich mining history make this uncrowded hike a gem.

Trail Details

Summit: 13,898′
Distance: 6.4 miles
Time: 4-4.5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,254 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Mid-June to early October
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

The adventure begins with an 11 mile drive on a bumpy gravel road called Fourmile Road (CO-9). Sedans should be fine, but you’ll need to allow additional time. When you pass the crumbling remains of the ghost town of Leavick, you are almost there. You can park on the side of the road, or take a left and follow the dirt road up another 0.5 mile, at which point you are at timberline. Get driving directions here.

Hiking to the Summit of Horseshoe Mountain

This trek began with a hike up a gravel Forest Service road. After about a 0.5 miles you pass the last of the cabins and the “road” becomes a rough double-track. You could drive to that point and park on the side of the road, but you may want a high clearance or 4WD vehicle.

Continue onward and upward.

One mile in, the namesake cirque of Horseshoe Mountain comes into view. Keep following the trail as it winds upward.

As you near the base of the cirque, you’ll see the headwaters of Fourmile Creek–Leavick Tarn.

Pick your way up the myriad of trails, aiming towards the saddle north of the cirque. Along the way, you’ll see the remains of many abandoned mines. Though it may be tempting, I advise against exploring these unstable and potentially dangerous structures.

At 2.7 miles, you reach the saddle which begins at 13,110 feet. From the saddle, follow the ridge-line toward the south.

In late June, a foot path was easy to follow towards the summit, with just a few patches of snow to traverse.

The summit of Horseshoe Mountain is marked by a small mound of rocks. Keep heading south until you reach it.

The views from the summit are phenomenal.

[vr url=https://socalhiker.net//wp-content/uploads/2017/08/MEPQ4319.jpg view=360]

The wind on the ridge is powerful and cold. Be prepared to layer up.

Retrace your steps back to your vehicle, roughly 6.5 miles roundtrip.

Horseshoe Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Horseshoe Mountain Tips & Resources

• Horseshoe Mountain is a Colorado Mountain Club Classic. For more details, check out Colorado Summit Hikes for Everyone (affiliate link).
• At the time of writing, no permits were required.
• Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and the other ten essentials. This hike is entirely above the tree-line.
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and plan to summit by noon. Afternoon lightning storms are a very real risk.

Fairplay Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”80440″]

The Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Birthday Peak is part of the Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked on June 30, 2017.

Birthday Peak is in the 12er family. At 12,730 feet, it sees less foot traffic than its taller cousins, which means you’ll have more solitude but still have epic views of the surrounding mountains in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. This hike requires some additional navigation skills and includes a fun boulder scramble to the summit. If you’re lucky, you might enjoy the company of a mountain goat or two.

Trail Details

Summit: 12,730′
Distance: 10.3 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,827 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Mid-June to early October
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike begins at the North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead, about 8.5 miles west of the rustic town of Buena Vista. Much of the road is gravel and dirt, but easily passable in a sedan during normal summer conditions. Get turn-by-turn driving directions using Google Maps. Parking is free and no permit is required.

Hiking to Birthday Peak

There is only one trail from the trailhead, and it begins with a gentle climb that parallels and occasionally crosses Cottonwood Creek, heading towards Kroenke Lake and Browns Pass.

At 2.7 miles in, an improvised log crossing of Horn Fork Creek was the sole challenge along the Kroenke Lake Trail. There was still a lot of snow melt, so the water was running strong and I was grateful to have brought my trekking poles.

At about the 4 mile mark, I reached the unnamed creek that led up towards Birthday Peak.

Rather than follow the Kroenke Trail as it continues across this tributary and continues alongside Cottonwood Creek, we tu, ned right to follow this unnamed creek up to the cirque below Birthday Peak. Some guide books describe the trail here as “intermittent”, but there was hardly a trace in late June. This off-trail section requires good map reading skills, but as long as you follow the little creek, you will do pretty well. Having the route and maps downloaded on GaiaGPS helped tremendously.

Climbing above the tree-line, the creek grew smaller and smaller, replaced by the occasional snow field.

Soon the saddle to the south of Birthday Peak was in clear view. There were some footpaths through the snow and rock that made provided a good target as I aimed for that saddle.

At the top of the saddle, straddling the Continental Divide, looking back on what I had just climbed.

From the saddle, make your way north along the ridge to Birthday Peak. The final 0.25 miles required boulder scrambling to reach the summit. It looks more intimidating than it really is. Take your time and test each rock before putting your full weight on it.

The summit of Birthday Peak itself has a grassy knoll spotted with wildflowers. The summit register is protected by a small rock cairn.

The views from Birthday Peak are sublime.

Heading back down was easier, and I knew where I had to aim. Picking your route is much simpler when you have your GPS track to follow, and can see the area from above.

Once you reconnect with the Kroenke Lake Trail, follow it downhill back to the trailhead.

Alternate Route

A longer, but easier route to navigate that some people prefer is to follow the Kroenke Lake Trail all the way to Browns Pass. From there, veer north and pick your way along the ridge-line, eventually reaching Birthday Peak. This adds some mileage but eliminates any bushwhacking.

Birthday Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Birthday Peak Tips & Resources

• Birthday Peak is a Colorado Mountain Club Classic. For more details, check out Colorado Summit Hikes for Everyone (affiliate link).
• At the time of writing, no permits were required.
• Bring plenty of water and sun protection.
• Dogs are allowed, on leash.
• After the hike, grab lunch in downtown Buena Vista and stop in at The Trailhead–a great local outdoor store.

Buena Vista Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”81211″]

The Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Birthday Peak is part of the Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked on June 29, 2017.

Yes, Rocky Mountain is an actual mountain. Located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, this 9,250′ peak is often overshadowed by the trail that climbs it: the famous Manitou Incline. This route forms a loop that ascends the incline, but then continues climbing to the little-traveled summit of Rocky Mountain before descending via the gentler grade of the Barr Trail.

Trail Details

Summit: 9,250′
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,483 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Late-April to Late November
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

You have two options to reach the summit of Rocky Mountain: the short-but-steep Manitou Incline, or the longer, gentler Barr Trail. This guide describes a loop that takes you up Manitou Incline and back down the Barr Trail, but you could easily modify this to go out-and-back via the Barr Trail. The two trailheads are only about 100 yards apart, so the parking will be basically the same. You can get turn-by-turn driving directions to the Incline trailhead on Google Maps, and here is the Barr Trailhead.

Speaking of parking… it’s a problem. Both the Incline and the Barr trails are popular, plus the Pikes Peak Cog Railway starts in the same area. If you find parking, you will pay through the nose for it (imagine $10/hour). I recommend parking in downtown Manitou Springs and walking up Ruxton Avenue to the trailhead. It adds about 0.8 miles each way, but I paid just $10 for about 5-6 hours of parking. And it’s a nice walk.

Hiking to Rocky Mountain

There are two routes up Rocky Mountain; the Manitou Incline and the Barr Trail. This guide describes the route up the incline, returning via the Barr Trail. You can modify this to go out-and-back via the Barr Trail if desired. Going down via the incline is not recommended. It’s bad for the knees and bad for traffic flow.

The Manitou Incline is an impressive sight. It’s a series of steps that goes quite literally straight up the mountain. It starts out with gentle steps, but steepens quickly.

At roughly the halfway point up the incline, there is a “bail-out” point where you take a break or cut over to the Barr Trail.

Looking down from here, it’s hard to believe you’re only half-way up Manitou Incline.

Shade is precious on this trail. There is some, but the steps are largely exposed, making an early morning start advisable in warm weather. Still, there are little nooks where you can duck off the steps and catch your breath in the shade.

In places, the trail goes from steep to ludicrous.

After a mile and 2,000 feet of vertical climb, you reach the top of the incline. Go ahead. Pose for that selfie, drink some water, and eat a snack. You may be done with the Incline, but you’ve still got more hiking to reach the summit.

There is a well established double-track trail that heads towards Rocky Mountain, although are no trail signs. Head uphill past the crumbling concrete foundations that remain from the old incline rail, and look for the wide trail bearing left and uphill.

At 1.5 miles, take a faint single-track trail up to the right.

Follow this as it winds up the mountain, aiming for the summit. There were a few downed trees to cross over, but nothing to difficult.

Finally, you’ll see the boulder-strewn summit of Rocky Mountain. The high point itself is atop a large boulder formation, easily identified by the wood beam anchored at the top. This used to be part of a ladder that climbed to the top, and which has decayed and fallen to bits that you can see nearby. Climbing to the top is not difficult.

To head down, retrace your steps down the single-track trail until you reach the wider double-track section. Here you’ll turn right, heading down and west to the junction with the Barr Trail. Turn left at the Barr Trail and follow it down the switchbacks to the trailhead, about three miles.

Manitou Incline to Rocky Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Rocky Mountain via Manitou Incline Tips & Resources

• Rocky Mountain is a Colorado Mountain Club Classic. For more details, check out Colorado Summit Hikes for Everyone (affiliate link).
• At the time of writing, no permits were required.
• Bring plenty of water and sun protection.
• Dogs are allowed, on leash.
• After the hike, grab lunch in Manitou Springs.

Rocky Mountain / Manitou Incline Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”80809″]

The Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Rocky Mountain is part of the Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked on June 28, 2017.

Bergen Peak in the Jefferson County Open Space is a short 30 minutes from Denver. At an elevation of 9,708′ it provides a good view of Mount Evans to the west, as well as a good portion of the front range.

Trail Details

Summit: 9,708′
Distance: 9.6 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Elevation gain: 1,890 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Mid-April to Late November
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

The trail begins at the Elk Meadow Park trailhead on Stage Coach Boulevard, just north of the town of Evergreen (map). Most of the trail is within the Jefferson County Open Space, but a portion crosses into neighboring Bergen Peak Wildlife Area, where hunting is allowed in season. There is a restroom a short distance from the parking lot, but no other facilities on this trail. Bring your own water.

Hiking to Bergen Peak

The trail begins at the north end of the parking lot. At about 0.3 miles, take a left at the junction to follow the Meadow View Trail.

After another 0.6 miles, bear left again to take the Bergen Peak Trail. This climbs close to the ridge line before veering north.

Bear left again at the final trail junction with the Too Long Trail and the final mile to the summit.

You can take the same route back, or if you want to extend the hike, take the Too Long Trail back down toward the meadow and back to the beginning.

Bergen Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Bergen Peak Tips & Resources

• Bergen Peak is a Colorado Mountain Club Classic. For more details, check out Colorado Summit Hikes for Everyone (affiliate link).
• Dogs are allowed, on leash. There’s also an off-leash dog park in a meadow south of the parking lot.
• The trail is shared with mountain bikes and equestrians. Hikers yield to horses and bikers yield to both, although it’s often more courteous to allow bikers to pass, especially when they’re climbing. We came across one couple biking and no horses on our hike.
• Get the latest on the trail at the official Elk Meadow Park website.
• After the hike, grab a burger at the Little Bear Saloon & Restaurant in Evergreen. The stage at this old-time western venue has hosted John Denver, Willie Nelson and many others.

Bergen Peak Weather Forecast

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The Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Bergen Peak is part of the Colorado Rockies Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge that takes you up six, iconic peaks–each one a bit higher and tougher.

It’s a challenge in itself, or great training for still bigger adventures. Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked on June 27, 2017.

Thanks to Bryan Martin of Big City Mountaineers for joining me on this hike. 

Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon is a rock climber’s playground. The Crooked River carved through layers of hardened volcanic ash to create a landscape that reminded me of Utah. Hiking here is a treat, and the Misery Ridge Loop is the perfect way to tour Smith Rock. It takes you across the river and up to the panoramic views on Misery Ridge. You will get a front-seat view of the popular climbing areas like the Red Wall, Monkey Face, Morning Glory Wall, and the Phoenix Buttress. And you might even spy otters frolicking in the river.

Getting to Smith Rock State Park

Trail Details

Distance: 5.0 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 850 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring-Fall

You enter the park at the top of the southeast bluff. There are restrooms, picnic tables and a climbing area for youngsters. And lots and lots of people, especially on the weekends.

Hiking the Misery Ridge Loop

After picking up a free map at the Welcome Center and hanging our pass on the rear view mirror of our rental car,  we followed the Rim Rock Trail north to the Canyon Trail. There are some great views of Smith Rock, so take your time and soak it in.

The Canyon Trail begins as a broad paved trail that allows stroller-pushing parents to access the bottom of the canyon, but we cut off at The Chute — a steeper, shorter section that heads pretty much straight down toward the Crooked River and the bridge crossing. Look across the river and you’ll see the switchbacks of the Misery Ridge Trail.

At the bottom of the canyon there is a information kiosk with a map of the area — which you don’t really need because you brought your free map from the Welcome Center, right? It also has all the typical warnings about carrying plenty of water, watching for rattlesnakes in hot weather, staying on the trail and leave no trace.

This is also a good place to ponder the phrase “misery loves company” because when you cross that bridge over the river, you’re going to soon find out.

Immediately across the bridge you’ll see the initial steps of the Misery Ridge Trail climbing in front of you. Take a deep breath and head up. Take a breather below the Red Wall, one of several popular climbing locations you will hike past on this loop, and watch the climbers defying gravity. In case you catch the climbing bug, Smith Rock is also a great place to learn climbing, with a number of schools leading courses here.

The Misery Ridge Trail climbs pretty relentlessly, but is well engineered with steps to help prevent erosion. Remember to stay on the established trails, and be sure to stop every so often and soak in the ever-changing views. Soon, you’ll well above the bluff you began on.

Looking back down on the trail you’ve climbed you get a sense of how steep it is, and why they call it Misery Ridge. The geology of the park is on full display, with multi-colored layers of compressed volcanic ash.

The top of the ridge makes a great place for a break. You’ve hiked about 2-1/2 miles and reached the high-point of this loop. And the views are pretty nice, too.

Looking west, you can see the snow-capped Cascade Mountains.

Follow the signs for the Misery Ridge Trail to the west. At about the 3.0 mile mark, you’ll see use trails that lead to an overlook of the icon Monkey Face column. Bear right at that junction to stay on the loop and begin the descent via a dozen steep switchbacks.

If you have trekking poles, this is a good time to use them. The loose gravel and sand can make this steep trail slippery.

When you reach the bottom of the canyon, bear left to follow the River Trail back to the bridge. It’s normally an easy, rolling trail, but with higher-than-usual water levels, parts of it were submerged. We had one section that involved a light scramble to follow the detour. It was fine for us, but could be tricky with young children or dogs.

As you get closer to the bridge, you’ll pass by several other popular climbing area and see more and more people on the trail. The River Trail is the only trail in the park where mountain bikes are also allowed, so be alert for bikers.

Take time to enjoy the river and watch for wildlife. Otters, geese and deer all call this area home.

Misery Ridge Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Smith Rock State Park Tips

• The best time for taking photos at this beautiful park will be early morning and the golden hour before sundown. Note that the park closes as sundown, so be respectful.
• Even though this is a popular park, I recommend bringing the 10 essentials. Weather conditions are unpredictable, and it’s better to be prepared.
• Please stay on all marked trails. This will help minimize erosion.
• A day use pass is $5, but if you think you might come back here, one-year and two-year passes are also available.

More Smith Rock State Park Resources

• There is no backpacking at Smith Rock State Park, but there is a walk-in tent camping area near the entrance
• Official Smith Rock State Park website
• Get directions via Google Maps

Smith Rock State Park Weather Forecast

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Photo credit: Jeff Hester. Originally hiked on March 26, 2017.

La Tuna Canyon Trail is a little gem on the northwest side of the Verdugo Mountains. The trailhead is officially in Sunland, and easy to reach from both the 210 and 5 freeways on – what else – La Tuna Canyon Road.

Trail Details

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,126 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

There are no permit or parking fees. Just find a place to pull up and park. The trail begins on the south side of La Tuna Canyon Road, 1.2 miles west of the 210 freeway. Look for the big, brown Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy sign marking the start of the trail.

The trail meanders back and forth, zig-zagging through several canyons as it slowly and steadily climbs. This side of the Verdugo Mountains faces north, so it gets much more shade than the Vital Link Trail. On a January morning, it was cool and the hills were turning green from the winter rains.

After a mile and a half of meandering and gentle gains, the trail climbs out of the shade, into the sun, and the vertical gains come more steadily.

The last mile to the top the trail climbs 600 feet. Once you reach the “top” of this this trail, you’re granted a restful lounge chair with the name “Chuck” carved into the back. You get a great view of the 210 snaking it’s way through the mountains and the taller San Gabriel range just beyond.

Here the trail hooks up with the Verdugo Motorway – a fire road the weaves closely along the crest of the Verdugo Mountains, ultimately connecting with both the Vital Link Trail and the Beaudry Motorway Loop. If you’re looking to extend your hike, you can follow this road in either direction, but be sure to save energy and water for the return trip.

After a rest break at “Chuck,” we headed back down the La Tuna Canyon Trail, but on our return we followed the steep single-track down the ridge. It begins innocently enough.

The last section of this “short-cut” adds an element of adventure, requiring hand-over-foot scrambling. Trekking poles, hiking shoes with good grip and a willingness to get a little dirty come in handy on the steep, rutted descent. We shaved about half a mile returning this route, but had to take it slowly.

La Tuna Canyon Trail Map & Elevation Profile

La Tuna Canyon Trail Tips and Resources

• Get driving directions to the trailhead via Google Maps
• The trails in the Verdugo Mountains are also popular with mountain bikers. Be alert!
• There are no facilities or water on this trail.
• Download our GPX track

La Tuna Canyon Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on January 16, 2016.

Crystal Crag looms above beautiful Crystal Lake, surrounded by steep granite peaks and dotted with pines. And this short hike to Crystal Lake in the town of Mammoth Lakes gives you a taste of the Sierra Mountains without the long miles or an overnight backpack, making this a perfect morning day hike. 

Trail Details

Distance: 3.2 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 685 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October

Getting to the Trailhead

The Crystal Crag trailhead begins near Lake George directly off of Lake George Road (directions via Google Maps), about five miles from the town center. Free street parking is available along Lake George Road — but make sure your car is entirely off the pavement to avoid being ticketed.

Better yet, you can take the free Mammoth Lakes Tram which runs approximately every 30 minutes.

We arrived fairly late by our normal standards, getting there around 9:30am, but when we got back from our hike, parking was much worse with cars parked even further down the hill. As always, my recommendation is to start earlier to beat the crowds. Morning is a perfect time to explore this trail.

Hiking to Crystal Lake

The Crystal Crag trailhead is well signed, and the trail very easy to follow. You’ll steadily climb a series of well-engineered switchbacks that make the grade fairly easy by Sierra standards. The trail is mostly shaded, giving you some relief from the brilliant mountain sun.

As you climb, pause to look back over Lake George, Lake Mary and even glimpses of Lake Mamie through the pines.

This is a popular trail, and you’re likely to see trail runners, people hiking with dogs and entire families with kids in tow.

At about 1.3 miles, you’ll reach the only junction on the trail. Bear left (straight) to continue towards Crystal Lake. The other route continues up to Mammoth Crest.

At this point, you are nearly at the high point of the trail. Once you reach the crest (about 9,730′) you descend 120′ to the outlet of Crystal Lake.

From the outlet, you have some choices. There some use trails that travel part way back the steep-sloped western shore with access to the lake and boulders to stretch out on. But most people will travel around the east side of the lake, where the slope is gentler, offering more options to spread out for a picnic or even take a plunge in the icy cold water.

We found a boulder to sit on and soak in the views of the crag, the lake and the surrounding peaks. It was an idyllic spot for a snack break, but more than that, it replenished our souls.

Fully recharged, we headed back down the trail, retracing our steps to the trailhead.

Crystal Lake Trail Map

Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.

Crystal Lake Tips

• No permits are required for this hike
• Start early. This is a popular trail that can get crowded.
• Consider take the free tram from town

More Crystal Lake Resources

• You can also climb Crystal Crag via several routes, including a Class 3 route that doesn’t require any equipment. Get details on the routes from SummitPost.
• Download the GPX file

Mammoth Lakes Weather Forecast

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A collective of artists serruptitiously erect a teahouse on the side of an obscure peak in Griffith Park, and you get the zen moment.

The Griffith Park Teahouse was assembled on the side of Taco Peak at the end of June. The teahouse was constructed from redwood scavenged from the 2007 Griffith Park fire, thoughtfully designed and fabricated atop an existing concrete pad. It’s a wonderful little reminder of what makes LA special, and you should hike to it while you can.

The future of this fun little teahouse with the big views is still up in the air as park officials decide what to do with it, so go now.

UPDATE: The teahouse was moved from this location on July 28th. Not sure where it’s going to be moved to, but it wasn’t demolished. You can still hike to the site of the teahouse, enjoy the views, and imagine what was.

Thank you, LA. We’ll see you again. (Photo by Jeff Adam Ingalls.) pic.twitter.com/YkE1HbMGWv

— GriffithParkTeahouse (@GParkTeahouse) July 28, 2015

Trail Details

Distance: 2.4 miles
Time: 60-80 min.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 505 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Start at the Griffith Observatory parking lot, heading into the trees at the end of the parking lot directly across from the famous observatory. You will pass through the Berlin Forest — named in honor of LA’s sister city in Germany — and continue across the tunnel “bridge.”

Here’s where your grippy shoes come in handy. 

The main fire road veers left, but a steeper, shorter route peels up the slope. This trail is for the sure-footed. Follow it up to the next fire road, then turn right.

You’ll continue past Dante’s View and follow the main fire road as it curves left around Mt Hollywood. At the junction, continue straight across the ridge-line toward Taco Peak. When you see the trail with a big pipe in it (it almost doesn’t look like a trail)–take it. It continues for about 50 yards to a level clearing with a cluster of trees and…the Griffith Park Teahouse.

Breathe in deeply. Write your wish for LA on a shingle and hang in on the pegs inside, or read the wishes others have made. Then ring the bell, sip some tea, and enjoy your moment of zen.

The shingles are each stamped with one of several patterns, and visitors are encourage to write their wish down on and hang it on one of the pegs lining the inside of the tea house.

When you’re done soaking in the views and the positive vibes, retrace your steps to the trailhead.

Griffith Park Tea House Trail Map

Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version.

Griffith Park Tea House Tips

• The Griffith Observatory is closed on Mondays, but the parking lot still fills up with people who come just for the views. Well worth stopping to enjoy.
• There is a bathroom at the Griffith Observatory parking lot, and a cafe at the observatory.
• Early morning and late afternoon are my favorite times to hike here. Avoids the worst heat of the day, and makes for more colorful skies.
• Follow @GParkTeahouse on Twitter and Instagram
• Tag your photos with #gparkteahouse

More Griffith Park Tea House Resources

• Directions to the trailhead via Google Maps
• Download the GPX file
• A longer loop route via Modern Hiker
• Sign the petition to keep the Griffith Park Teahouse standing
• LA Times article on the opening of the teahouse

Griffith Park Weather Forecast

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On April 12th, I had the privilege of hiking up 10,064′ Mt. Baldy, raising money for The Heroes Project. The annual event is called the Climb for Heroes, and the money helps wounded veterans — soldiers who have lost one or both legs in service — redefine who they are as they summit the highest peaks.

There were nearly 1,000 hikers participating, many of them hiking all the way to the summit. This was my first year participating, and in fact, I organized #TeamSoCalHiker. We had 49 SoCal hikers sign up, and together we raised $7,550 for The Heroes Project.

Our team was unique in that with only a couple of exceptions, many of us had never hiked together before. There were some couples, families and groups of friends on the team, any many of the team I’ve “met” through the SoCalHiker Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram. But this was our first hike together.

It was also unique in that this was my first time at the event. I learned a few things in the process, but I’ll get to that later. First the good stuff.

Trail Details

Distance: 12 miles
Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,535 ft
Top elevation: 10,064 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring-Fall
49 hikers
$7550 raised

Just finding all the team proved to be our first challenge. If you count the folks in the photo above, you’ll note that many team members are missing. Some team members got an early start and some we saw on the way up (or down… or not at all). The more experienced teams had t-shirts and a better plan for meeting. Next year…

The first half mile was steep! We ascended 500 feet in that first half mile, climbing to the fire road from Manker Flat. Once we reached the fire road, it felt like we found some new legs.

Camp 1 was at the first mile marker and we’d already climbed 770 feet vertically. We queued up to shake hands with one of the wounded vets, who also handed out custom poker chips. We would earn a new chip at each camp all the way to the summit.

Camp 2 was at 2.5 miles — just beyond The Notch at the junction with the 3-Ts trail — and we climbed another 500 feet to 7,800′. From here we took the service road that winds around the Mt Baldy ski runs, snaking our way up to…

Camp 3 — This camp was a turnaround point for some hikers. But those who made it this far could opt for a cold PBR (I declined… knowing what was still ahead). My reward would have to wait a while longer. Camp 3 was at the 3.6 mile mark and an elevation of 8,537 feet. This also marked the beginning of the Devil’s Backbone Trail.

The Devil’s Backbone Trail is one of the most scenic sections of the trail. It’s also the most treacherous. The wind whips you as it howls over the ridge line from east. The trail itself balances right along that ridge — when it’s not traversing a steep slope of ever-changing scree. Trekking poles are a great plus here (a must-have in my book) but the event organizers went a step further and put a rope up to provide a handhold across the gnarliest section.

Once you pass the backbone, you make a bee-line to Mt Baldy, climbing diagonally along the western side of Mt Harwood. Poor Mt Harwood. Everyone hikes on it, but they’re mostly just passing by en route to Baldy. Very few visit the summit. Another time.

Camp 4 sat in the saddle between Baldy and Harwood. At this point, you’ve hiked 5.5 miles and are only half a mile and 750 vertical feet away from the summit. The altitude becomes a factor. And if you haven’t been drinking enough water, you’ll really feel it here.

The final push to the summit is steep, and a slow, steady pace is the best approach. The “trail” is really just a spiderweb of goat trails. You have to pick your way along, but mostly you go up… up… UP!

Finally we reached Summit Camp, and were greeted by Gyalbu Sherpa and Linville himself.

The summit of Mt Baldy is usually crowded on weekends, but I’d never seen it like this. There were hundreds of hikers up there, and a steady stream of folks coming and going. I had a chance to thank Linville for his service and wish him well on his quest to summit Everest, then we headed back down.

Our route back retraced our steps, but included a stop for lunch at The Notch — which graciously provided BOGO lunches for Climb for Heroes participants. We had the option of riding the ski lift back down, but decided to hike that last two miles to make it an honest 12 mile trek.

Usually I would make a loop out of this, but in this case, it was worth going back to Base Camp and exchanging our tokens for shwag.

Special Thanks

I’m honored that so many people joined #TeamSoCalHiker, and many of you raised more than the minimum $100 target. I’d like to extend a special thanks to our top three fundraisers:

• Mike Simms raised a whopping $1500! Way to go, Mike!
• Susan Tracy raised $660!
• Roxane Bukacek raised $560… and she made awesome red-white-and-blue paracord survival bracelets for the team and the soldiers on the trail.

Thanks to everyone on the team. I really appreciate meeting so many of you and hope to catch up with those I missed on another hike in the future. You all rock!

Follow Charlie

Charlie Linville is already already in Nepal. You can follow along on his Everest climb via updates on The Heroes Project’s Facebook page.

Climb for Heroes 2015 Trail Map

Climb for Heroes Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.

Mt Baldy Tips & Trivia

• Mt Baldy’s real name is Mt. San Antonio
• The Mt Baldy Ski Resort hosts full-moon hikes when the snow melts (i.e. now). They have special packages that include a BBQ buffet, live music at The Notch and the option of adding a lift — up, down or both. Not a bad way to explore the area and catch the sunset.
• For more details on the area an my recommended loop hike, read Hiking Mt San Antonio (Mt Baldy) Loop.
• Find more photos from the event on Instagram: #TeamSoCalHiker

Final Notes

To all the #TeamSoCalHikers out there who summited Mt Baldy, you’ve bagged one of the Six-Pack of Peaks. Which one will you summit next?

The Rancho Palos Verdes peninsula is a prominent feature in Southern California geography. It protrudes into the Pacific Ocean as if it could almost touch Catalina Island. The hills of Palos Verdes really stand out against the flat terrain surrounding it, making it instantly recognizable from a hike on nearly any hill or mountain in SoCal.

Trail Details

Distance: 3.1 miles

Time: 60-90 min.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 855 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round
Download the GPX

Getting There

The trail begins at the top of the park. Yep, it’s one of those inverted hikes where you hike downhill in the beginning and uphill at the end. Don’t let that dissuade you from checking it out. There is free street parking along Crenshaw Boulevard near Burrell Lane (heed the street signs).  You can calculate turn-by-turn directions here on Google Maps.

The Trail

Once you’ve parked, you’ll walk to the end of Crenshaw where you’ll see a gate that marks the entrance to the park. Beyond, the road becomes a dirt double-track trail called the Burma Road Trail. This is one of many mixed-used trails in the park, shared by hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers and horses.

At 0.5 miles, bear right on the single track trail marked as Peacock Flats Trail. You may see evidence of restoration still underway from a wildfire in the park in 2009. The trail reconnects with the Burma Road Trail, where you’ll bear right and follow the broad trail as it curves south.

At 1.7 miles, we reached the junction with the Rim Trail. This trail is steep and can be slippery, but gives you an up-close view at Ailor’s Cliff — one of the most interesting geological features in the park.

At the top of Ailor’s Cliff — and right at the 2.0 mile mark — you’ll reach a junction with the Paintbrush Trail. Turn around, soak in the views and catch your breath. Then bear left on the Paintbrush Trail. The rest of the uphill will be much more gradual.

Another 0.3 miles down the trail you’ll reach the Ishibashi Trail. Follow this uphill back to the Burma Road Trail. You’ll find a pit toilet near this junction — the only break you’ll find before you reach your car.

This was a great park, and if you live in the area, it’s definitely worth checking out. It was cool to see how close Catalina Island seemed. It almost looked like you could swim there.

This trail would be an easy trail. I’ve labeled it moderate only for the steep, sketchy Rim Trail. As you can see from the map, there are lots of options in the park, so you can remix this hike to make it easier, longer or whatever you’d like.

Portuguese Bend Trail Map

More Portuguese Bend Resources

• Portuguese Bend Reserve – official website
• Portuguese Bend to Sacred Cove – A longer hike that goes all the way down to the tide pools of Sacred Cove.

Portuguese Bend Weather Forecast

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The beautiful Santa Anita Loop

Trail Details

Distance: 9.6 miles
Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,100 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: October to June
Download the GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike begins at Chantry Flats — a popular and especially crowded spot on weekends. If you’re here on the weekend, get here early or you’ll end up parking down the road and extending your hike even further. Get directions on Google Maps. To park in the area, you’ll either need an Adventure Pass or you can park at the Adams Pack Station for a fee. The pack station also sells Adventure Passes. If you don’t have one, get one. It’s worth avoiding a ticket.

The Santa Anita Canyon Loop

The trailhead begins on the downhill side of the road near the entrance to the Chantry Flats parking lot. The first half mile is paved and often crowded with families and children looking for an escape from the city. You might even see a few serious hikers. Don’t let the crowds dissuade you! This trail is worth hiking.

When you reach the bottom, you’ll cross a steel-and-wood bridge, then take the Gabrielino Trail toward Sturtevant Camp. Along the way, you’ll criss-cross the creek a number of times. It’s a fun rock-hopping exercise, but if you’re feeling insecure, use your trekking poles for added support and balance.

Sturtevant Falls are worth visiting, although it’s a short out-and-back on a spur trail to reach them. This 50-foot waterfall can be quite beautiful after the winter rainstorms roll through.

You may see some people climbing the scree up the north side of the canyon to “shortcut” back to the trail. Don’t do it. It’s a short hike back to the actual trail junction, and this accelerates erosion and damages the hillside next to the waterfall.

Instead, retrace your steps back to the Gabrielino Trail junction. You can go either way here (they both end up at the same place) but stick to the right. It follows the creek more closely and is much more beautiful. The high trail is mainly for the pack mules.

After four miles, you’ll reach a sign pointing to the Sturtevant Camp. Remember that this is private, so be respectful of the guests. On the day we hiked here, no one was staying there, so we explored a bit and even tried out the giant swing.

Back on the trail, and just across the creek from Sturtevant Camp is the junction with the Zion Trail — the next leg of this loop.

The Zion Trail climbs 1.25 miles to the summit of Mt. Zion, then descends on the other side of the ridge to Hoegee Trail Camp and Winter Creek. There was one downed tree we had to clamber over, but otherwise the trail was well-maintained and easy to follow. Most of the route to the summit was shaded.

The Zion Trail was built by Wilbur Sturtevant back in 1896 to provide direct access to his resort. This was the primary route to Sturtevant Camp until 1916 when the canyon trail was constructed. During the 1960’s the trail fell into disrepair, became overgrown and impassable. It was reopened in 1985 thanks to the efforts of the Sierra Club and local volunteers to rebuilt the trail.

View from Mt. Zion

The trail down to Hoegees Trail Camp descends the south-facing ridge to Winter Creek. This section of the trail had several sections with direct sun exposure. It’s fascinating to note the change in plant life — and in temperature! It was about 10 degrees warmer in the sun than in the shady canyons.

At Hoegees, you have the option of taking the Upper or Lower Winter Creek Trail. We opted to follow the Lower Winter Creek Trail (and I recommend you do the same). This follows a more scenic route along Winter Creek with numerous water crossings, the cool shade of the Alders and the sounds of gurgling water cascading down the canyon.

Several places along the way you’ll pass cabins of various sizes and conditions. These cabins are all privately owned and on land leased from the Forest Service. They were built between 1907 and 1936, and while at one time there were hundreds dotting the canyons, today only about 80 remain. They have no electricity or utility services, and everything must be either hand-carried or brought in by mule train, as they have been for 100 years.

Finally you’ll reach the bridge that you crossed near the beginning of your hike. It’s just half a mile uphill on the paved road back to Chantry Flats. And yes, it’s normal for it to feel longer going up than when you went down it this morning.

Santa Anita Canyon Loop Trail Map

Santa Anita Loop Tips

• When Zion Trail reaches the Winter Creek Junction, you can optionally take the Upper Winter Creek Trail back to Chantry Flats. This adds one mile to the total distance, but comes down at the parking lot rather than descending all the way to the canyon (with the half mile climb up the paved road to the lot). I’ve done both routes, and in spite of the final uphill climb, I still prefer the scenery of Lower Winter Creek Trail.
• If you’re feeling ambitious and want a longer, more challenging hike, you can take the Sturtevant trail at the junction to Mt. Zion and continue your climb up the canyon to Mt. Wilson. I’ve got a full guide to that route here: Chantry Flats to Mt. Wilson. It happens to be the first of the SoCal Hiker Six-Pack of Peaks.
• The Chantry Flat Road is gated. The gate is open from 6am to 8pm, so plan accordingly.

More Chantry Flats Resources

• Adams Pack Station – They sell Adventure Passes, but also offer some parking on their own lot for about $10. They have a market that sells drinks and food, and sometimes on the weekends they have a grill outside cooking up burgers. They also have a mule pack service that can haul gear and supplies up to your campsite or cabin. Many of the small, privately owned cabins in these canyons use their service to lug supplies up.
• Staying at Camp Sturtevant – The camp was established in 1893 by Wilbur Sturtevant. Today, it’s owned by the Methodist Church, but managed by the Adams Pack Station. You can reserve cabins at Camp Sturtevant for your personal or family retreat, or for a group outing.
• GPS User? Download the GPX file.

Chantry Flats Weather Forecast

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Special thanks to my hiking partners Ric, Jason and Bruce from the Muir Project. Great hiking with you! 

The Bridge to Nowhere hike is a quintessential SoCal trail. The trail criss-crosses the East Fork of the San Gabriel River many times. In the spring, the water can run fast and deep. Sometimes it’s waist high in places, making crossing a wet proposition. The river crossing make this trek more fun, and on a hot summer day, cooling off in one of the pools at the turnaround point is a perfect respite. But this hike has a bonus history lesson. It roughly follows the route of a road that attempted to provide a shortcut to Wrightwood. A flood in 1938 wiped out all but a few remnants of the road, but the “Bridge to Nowhere” remains.

Trail Details

Distance: 11 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,140 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round
Download GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

To get to the trailhead from Azusa, head north on San Gabriel Canyon Road for about 11 miles, then turn right at East Fork Road. Take this about 6 miles to the end and the parking lot. Note that the lot gets crowded, but you can park along the sides of the road. Pay attention to the signs. There are a few sections where parking is not allowed. Get detailed driving directions.

Hiking the Bridge to Nowhere Trail

The trail is clearly marked. You start out heading north up the canyon on a gravel road that hugs the east side of the canyon, parallel to the river. In the early morning, the mountains provide shade from the sun — a welcome relief on hot days, as most of this trail has full exposure.

At 0.5 miles you’ll reach the Heaton Flat Campground. I would probably never camp here personally — too much of a zoo.

The trail crosses the river several times along the route, and each time you’ll be shaded by alder trees. It’s quite beautiful.

As you continue along the river trail, notice that at times there are traces of the road that once wound through the canyon. This is the very road that once cross the bridge. Mother Nature has done her darnedest to erase all evidence of the road, but look closely and you’ll see a patch of asphalt here and there.

At about 3.5 miles, you scramble up the side of the canyon to a ledge with remnants of the old road. Watch closely to your right and you might see little spur creek feeding the river. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can scramble up this creek to a hidden waterfall that few ever see.

Soon you come to a sign with a long list of rules and a stern warning that you entering private property. Yes, the Bridge to Nowhere is on land leased to a company that runs bungee jumps off the bridge. For a fee, you too can wait in line and jump off a bridge.

As we approached the bridge, we spied several big horn sheep making their way down the canyon wall on the opposite side of the river — quite appropriate sense we were in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness.

The Bridge to Nowhere is a beautiful structure oddly out-of-place. As it’s name suggests, it really is a bridge without a road, in the middle of nowhere. The bungee jumping crowds can be big on the weekends in warm weather. We threaded our way through the crowd to the opposite side of the bridge, then picked a route down to the river.

The area just beyond and below the ridge is the beginning of The Narrows. There are lots of pools, waterfalls, shady Alder trees and boulders to hop across or stretch out on. This is the perfect spot to kick off your boots, eat your lunch and take a refreshing dip in the surprisingly cool water.

Bridge to Nowhere Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Bridge To Nowhere Tips

• An Adventure Pass used to be required here, but that has since been change. If in doubt, check with the Ranger Station.
• Bring plenty of water, or a means of purifying or filtering water from the river.
• When water is high, wear hiking shoes that are not waterproof, and just wear them through the water. The stones in the river are slippery. Going barefoot or even in sandals is not advised.
• Trekking poles are very useful, particularly for the water crossings.

More Bridge to Nowhere Resources

• Huell Howser’s video history on The Bridge to Nowhere
• Afoot & Afield Los Angeles County – Wilderness Press

Originally hiked on June 21, 2014.

The sky was a deep, cloudless blue. The only sounds came from the occasional wind through the sparse trees and the crunching of my boots on the trail. I had just climbed nearly 3,000 vertical feet to the summit of Mt. Baden-Powell (9,406′) — one of the highest mountains in the San Gabriel mountains. The stunning 360° views made those 40 switchbacks worth climbing.

Trail Details

Summit: 9,406′
Distance: 8.7 miles total
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,900 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October
Download the GPX

Getting to the Vincent Gap Trailhead

Vincent Gap is a popular trailhead a few miles outside of Wrightwood on Highway 2. There is plenty of parking and there are pit toilets. The Vincent Gap is on the backside of the mountains from the LA basin, so it takes some time to get there, but it’s worth it. Get your driving directions.

Vincent Gap to Mt. Baden-Powell Trail

The trail begins at the west end of the parking lot, and immediately begins a relentless ascent up the north ridge to the summit. You are actually hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail — the 2,600 mile trail from Mexico to Canada.

The trail follows a well-engineered series of switchbacks through shaded forest. And just at the moment when you think “Wow, I could use a breather,” this bench appears.

As you continue climbing the forty switchbacks, you’ll see a spur trail that leads 200 yards east to the dribbling pipe known as Lamel Spring.

Hiking this trail you can watch the climate zone change as you gain elevation. The thick forest thins out, and closer to the summit are replaced by weathered and twisted limber pines.

When you reach this ridge line, you’re almost to the summit. The trail here skirts the top of the ridge, with steep slopes in both directions. When covered with ice and snow, this can be particularly treacherous, as you can imagine.

On the far end of the ridge, but before the final climb to the summit you’ll see the gnarled and twisted roots of the Wally Waldron tree. This 1,500 year old limber pine is said to be the oldest in the San Gabriel mountains, and named for a noted Boy Scout leader and volunteer.

One last push and the rounded summit of Mt. Baden-Powell comes into view. When you see the monument, you have arrived.

There summit itself is quite exposed, but there are a few clusters of trees where you’ll find shade and a great spot for a lunch break. When you’ve had your fill of the views, retrace your steps to Vincent Gap.

Hiking Mt Baden-Powell is a challenging hike, a great workout with rewarding views. Hike this!

Mt. Baden-Powell Trail Map

PRO TIP: I track all my hikes using GaiaGPS. It’s the best solution for staying on the right trail, it works even when you don’t have cell service, and there are versions for iOS and Android. The app is free, and you can get a discounted membership for maps here.

Photo Gallery

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All of these photos were from our hike on July 5, 2014.

Mt. Baden-Powell Tips

• This trail can be hot. We hiked this on a moderately warm day, but started early. By afternoon, I was glad that we were headed downhill and not up.
• Bring the ten essentials, and carry 2-3 liters of water. I carried 3 liters and drank it all by the time we finished.

More Mt. Baden-Powell Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file.
• After the hike, eat at the Grizzly Cafe in Wrightwood

Mt. Baden-Powell Video Fly-by

Wrightwood Weather Forecast

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South Orange County is often dismissed as a snooty, well-to-do slice of suburbia filled with malls, expensive cars and cookie cutter houses. It may fit that stereotype on the surface, but there is much more to explore. There are hidden trails like the Aliso Peak Trail above Laguna Beach.

Trail Details

Distance: 1.6 miles
Time: 60-80 min.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 533 ft
Summit elevation: 683 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Aliso Peak Trail

The Aliso Peak Trail is officially part of Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness Park, but you won’t find it connected to the more familiar parts of the park. The entrance is at the west end of Seaview Park in Laguna Niguel. There is free street parking along Talavera Drive. View in Google Maps. The park’s hours are 7am – 9pm March 1 through October 31, and 7am to 6pm November 1 through February 28.

Hiking to Aliso Peak

From the green grassy Seaview Park, make your way to the west end (closest to the guard shack for the gated community beyond). You’ll see drinking fountains and information signs about the park. From here, the wide dirt trail follows the ridge line with condos on your left, and Aliso Canyon on your right.

The plants you see along this trail have been maintained in their natural condition. This is one of the few areas where plants of the inland mountains and north coastal California grow side-by-side with plants from San Diego County and Baja California. Many of the plants have been identified with markers along the way.

At about 0.3 miles you reach the last picnic table, with awesome ocean views.

From here, veer to the left to find a steep, gravely trail that heads down towards Aliso Peak. Yes, this is one of the few peaks you’ll ever bag where you start out looking down at it.

Veer to the left here

The trail opens up along a street lined with McMansions. Watch for the posts on the right that indicate the trail down. Take it.

At 0.7 miles you reach a saddle junction with the Toovet Trail, which ascends from Laguna Beach below. Stick to the right and head up the fairly steep final push to the summit of Aliso Peak.

When you reach the summit of Aliso Peak, you’re rewarded with great views of the Laguna coastline. And a bench to catch your breath on, or to sit while you watch for whales, or enjoy the sunset. Take some time to just be. That’s where this little trail excels.

Going back, you simply retrace your steps. Although I’ve classified this trail as easy due to the short length, it’s not really for hiking beginners. The hills are steep, a little treacherous and really get your heart pumping.

You can modify this to just take in the easy top section and skip the peak. Then it’s family- and stroller-friendly and a perfect picnic spot. You can also string this together with the Aliso Summit Trail (with a little sidewalk time) and turn this into a longer more serious hike.

Aliso Peak Trail Map

Aliso Peak Tips

• Dogs are allowed, but must remain on leash. There are drinking fountains and a dog bowl at the trailhead.
• There are a number of picnic tables on the first part of the trail, and most of them have great views.
• Aliso Peak is a great spot whale watching during the annual migration, January through April.

More Aliso Peak Resources

• A great spot to take kids for a geology lesson is the nearby Badlands Park.
• Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness Park map (PDF)
• Official Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness Park web site
• Download the GPX file

Aliso Peak Weather Forecast

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Cooper Canyon Falls is a beautiful waterfall that flows almost year round, but roars in April-May as the spring snow melts. The falls can be spectacular when you time your hike right, and I’m surprise more people don’t talk about this trail.

This hike includes a side trip to Cooper Canyon Campground — a wilderness campsite right on the Pacific Crest Trail — making this an easy hike to modify for an overnight backpacking trip. It’s not long, but it it has some great features and makes a great shake-down trip for testing your gear and getting comfortable with your pack weight before a longer trip.

Trail Details

Distance: 6 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 907 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring to Fall

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead is found at the very back of the Buckhorn Campground, about 33 miles back from La Cañada-Flintridge off Highway 2 in the Angeles National Forest (Google map).

Trail Description

Start at the Burkhart Trail and head down. Yes, this is one of those trails where the elevation gain is all on the way out. Some people prefer to get the vertical out of the way first, but that’s not really an option for this trip. But it’s worth it. 

The trail descends down a mostly shady canyon with a babbling creek at the bottom. The Buckhorn Campground provides car camping, and a lot of people were exploring and playing in the creek not far from the trailhead. We soon left them behind as we traveled further down.

I was surprised to see a number of redwood trees — an unusual site in southern California.

At the 1.2 mile mark, the trail reaches a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. The falls are to the right only  a few hundred yards down the trail. You’ll have to scramble down the embankment to reach them, and there was a handy rope to make getting down (and back up) a bit easier.

Look for the steep scramble down to the base of the falls.

I was surprised to see fairly decent-sized fish swimming in the pool below the falls! The waterfall and creek were beautiful in spite of the drought. In wetter years as the snow melts, Cooper Canyon Falls are spectacular.

Here’s a shot from Kolby “The Hike Guy” Kirk taken during his 2011 hike on the PCT:

Doubling back to the junction, we took the PCT toward the Cooper Canyon Campground. This was about 1.5 miles up another canyon, and we ran into a group of PCT thru-hikers headed the same way. The campground itself feels quite developed, even though you have to hike back there. There are two pit toilets, picnic tables and plenty of area for tents — making it suitable for groups. And the creek runs just behind the camp area, providing a water source.

Personally I wouldn’t choose this camp for a quiet getaway, but for a group looking for an easy way to test the waters and give backpacking a try, this could be ideal. And it gives you a chance to actually backpack a section of the epic Pacific Crest Trail.

Cooper Canyon Falls Trail Map

Cooper Canyon Photo Gallery

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Cooper Canyon Tips

• No permits are required for the Cooper Canyon Camp. There are six, first-come, first-serve hike-in sites.
• Water is typically available from the stream at Cooper Canyon Camp, but should be treated. Flow may be low or non-existent in dry years during the height of summer.
• An Adventure Pass is required to park at the Burkhart Trailhead.
• After the hike, grab a burger and a beer at a favorite biker destination — Newcomb’s Ranch on your way back.

Cooper Canyon Weather Forecast

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Today was our fourth and final day on the Lost Coast Trail. The last day of any backpacking trip is always bittersweet. We looked forward to sleeping in a bed and eating a meal that wasn’t rehydrated. Yet we want to linger and savor the sense of peace and connectedness we’ve enjoyed on the trail.

Trail Details

Distance: 10 miles
Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 75 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Our tide chart told us that high tide peaked at 7:45am. We broke camp in the morning mist and headed south down Miller Flat. One mile south of Big Flat Creek, the terrace ends and the trail heads down to the beach. We arrived a bit early, and the surf still lapped the rock outcrops. We dropped our packs and enjoyed the smell of the salt air and the sound of the waves crashing. The cobbled beach stones chattered as the surf pushed and pulled them down the beach.

Soon we were joined by two other groups of backpackers. The first — an older group of four brothers and their father; the second a group of three twenty-somethings — one hiking barefoot. One by one each group started back down the Lost Coast as the tide began to recede. We unconsciously created space between each party, so we still had the sense of having the trail mostly to ourselves.

The entire Lost Coast Trail is beautiful and surprisingly diverse. But this 4.5 mile section from the south end of Miller Flat to Gitchell Creek may have been my favorite section of the trail. You walk on the beach. The mountains and the forest drop precipitously down to the beach itself. At high tide, the surf meets the forest.

The close proximity of thick forested hills provides hiding spots for the deer, bear and other creatures whose prints you will often see in the sand. It’s odd to think of a bear or a deer on the beach, but here its quite normal. And who can blame them!? The scenery is absolutely breathtaking.

Along this section are two popular camp areas at Shipman Creek and Buck Creek. These often fill up, which was one reason we stayed at Miller Flat.

The next mile beyond Gitchell Creek shows signs of signifcant erosion — a reminder that the sea is continually reshaping the coastline.

At mile 8.2 there are two significant boulders on the beach. When you reach these, you’re in the home stretch. Beyond these rocks the beach widens, and on a clear day you can pick out a few homes on the bluffs of Shelter Cove two miles away.

The Black Sands Beach trailhead parking is on a bluff between Telegraph and Humboldt Creeks. Continue past Telegraph Creek, then head up the north side of Humboldt Creek and you’ll see the walkway.

Lost Coast Trail: Day Four Trail Map

Day Four on the Lost Coast: Photo Gallery

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After the Hike

We stowed our gear and I put on a fresh shirt that I left in the car, then headed for lunch in Shelter Cove. From there, we drove the long, windy road back to the 101 and turned south. Our destination? A civilized finish to the trip with a stay at the Glendeven Inn in Mendocino. Highly recommended.

Shelter Cove Weather Forecast

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The Lost Coast Trail

Overview of the Lost Coast Trail

• Day 1: Mattole Beach to Sea Lion Gulch
• Day 2: Sea Lion Gulch to Spanish Flat
• Day 3: Spanish Flat to Miller Flat
• Day 4: Big Flat to Shelter Cove – You are here

The Lost Coast Trail has several sections which are impassable at high tide, and it is essential that you bring a tide chart along to avoid becoming trapped in one of these spots.

Trail Details

Distance: 7.5 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 100 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

I was the first one up, and took some time to play with my Olloclip macro lens for an early morning micro-adventure, cataloguing the various wildflowers right at our campsite. It never ceases to amaze me how brilliant and beautiful the world is, and often hidden in plain sight.

No more than half a mile down the trail we passed another Lost Coast cabin further down Spanish Flat, looking well-kept and lived in.

At the one mile mark, we crossed through a shady thicket of low trees at Oat Creek. The fog kept the temperatures perfect for hiking.

At two miles, we crossed Kinsey Creek, and marveled at how many creeks there were running this late in summer during a drought. You are never far from fresh water sources on the Lost Coast. In southern California, we’ve grown accustomed to carrying all the water we’ll need for a hike, and it took us while to realize that no, we don’t need to carry three liters of water. One will do.

At three miles, the ancient jeep trail we’d been following on Spanish Flat disappeared — a victim of erosion and the ever-changing coastline. We dropped down to the beach and started hiking on cobbled stones that crunched under our boots.

At 3.6 miles we paused and took a break at Big Creek. Someone had built a rather elaborate structure out of driftwood. This practice is frowned upon by the rangers, as it runs counter to the leave no trace philosophy.

It was at Big Creek that we also saw our first sign of other people in almost two days. A tent was setup at a campsite not far away.

We picked our way down the coast. Hiking on these rocks was difficult and slow, so we tried to stick as close as possible to the base of the bluffs where the ground was at least a little bit more solid.

At 4.6 miles, the trail climbed atop a terrace. We had reached the northern limit of Big Flat. The trail begins to climb, reaching the highest on our trail — a mere 100 feet or so above sea level — through thick, twisted pine trees.

When we finally emerged we came down to the broad terrace of the flat. The trail travels straight through grassy fields. We were wary of rattlesnakes and ticks, but had no problems with either.

The trail widens from single track to double track, eventually becoming a makeshift dirt air strip at mile six. We had heard about this air strip, and it was interesting to finally see it. Not much more than flat, straight dirt road that passed right by the nicest cabins we’d seen yet. The one was definitely inhabited, with solar panels for power and at least one person working in the yard. What a life.

Deer grazed nearby, and one young fawn passed in front of us, completely unfazed by our presence. Not far past the cabin the trail turns abruptly 90 degrees and heads straight toward the ocean before turning to follow near the top of the bluff.

At 7 miles, we reached Big Flat Creek. It’s a big creek, and there are a number of good camp sites on both sides of it. We dropped our packs and scouted out the best. I had my eye on the tall forest of trees on the south side of the creek on Miller Flat, and found an idyllic spot out the hot afternoon sun.

While there really isn’t a bad campsite on the Lost Coast, this was the most comfortable. It was a fitting site for our final night on the trail.

We were the first in the area to set up camp, but we were not alone. Over the next few hours several other small groups of backpackers showed up. It was the most people we had seen yet, but even so we were spread out. Sitting on the beach watching the sunset we saw other people, but back in our camp we had solitude and privacy.

Lost Coast Trail: Day Three Map

Day Three on the Lost Coast: Photo Gallery

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Shelter Cove Weather Forecast

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Come back tomorrow for Day 4 on the Lost Coast Trail!

The Lost Coast Trail

Overview of the Lost Coast Trail

• Day 1: Mattole Beach to Sea Lion Gulch
• Day 2: Sea Lion Gulch to Spanish Flat
• Day 3: Spanish Flat to Miller Flat – You are here
• Day 4: Miller Flat to Shelter Cove

We arrived at Mattole Beach early in the evening. The trailhead has a scattering of car campsites, which we were eager to leave behind. We donned our backpacks, hit the trail, and promptly lost ourselves in the vast beauty of the coast. It feels somehow primal; the convergence of sea and land on this solitary, rugged section of the Northern California coastline. There are no roads on this section of the coast–the terrain is too rugged. There is no cell phone coverage. And we saw very few people. We were disconnected from the modern world, and reconnecting to the land, the sea and ourselves.

I breathed in deeply, the moist, salty air filling my nostrils and renewing my energy with each step. We were off the grid in the best way possible. We were on the Lost Coast Trail. 

The Lost Coast is so named because this section of this section of land was too steep and rugged to build a road. Big Sur was tamed by Highway 1, but not the Lost Coast. Highway 1 veers inland 20 miles around this remote section of coastline. There are no roads or cars. Just getting to the trailhead is a journey in itself.

Trail Details

Distance: 25 miles
Time: 3-4 days
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous multi-day
Elevation gain: 50 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

We hiked the Lost Coast Trail over four days and three nights — a comfortable pace that allowed flexibility in our hiking schedule to accommodate the high tides. We started with a rough itinerary, but with the exception of the third night, changed every planned camp location. Have a plan, but plan to be flexible. The Lost Coast demands it.

An Overview of the Lost Coast Trail

The first day on the trail we started out about 5:30 PM, and hiked an easy 5-1/2 miles. Along the way, we stopped by the beautiful and historic Punta Gorda Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1910 after numerous fatal shipwrecks off the coast, and was in operation until 1961, when it was replaced by more advanced navigation technology. There used to be a number of beautiful cottages and out buildings, but these were tragically burned down by the forest service in the early ’70s. Today, only the concrete structures of the lighthouse and the fuel house remain.

The trail, such as it is, mainly involves following the coastline. The terrain often is soft sand that slows down your pace to a slog, or rocks that force you to carefully choose each step. There are two large flats along the route that offer solid ground–a welcome respite from the rocks, sand and gravel.

Water is never far away. Even in a dry year like this, we met sources of fresh water every mile or less along the trail — from small rivulets to full-fledged creeks.

Note: in storms and during the rainy season, these creeks can swell to waist-high depth and crossing can be treacherous. 

Where is the Lost Coast?

The Lost Coast Trail in the King Range National Conservation Area is about five hours north of San Francisco. To get to Shelter Cove, take the Garberville exit off Highway 101, heading west on Shelter Cove Road. Right right on Beach Road, and continue about a mile to the Black Sands Beach parking lot. Get Google Maps directions to the Black Sands Beach trailhead.

To reach Mattole Beach on the north end of the Lost Coast, take Lighthouse Road west from Petrolia, all the way to the end. Get Google Maps directions to the Mattole Trailhead.

Note that the drive to either of these trailheads takes patience. It can take 1-1/2 hours to drive from the 101 to Shelter Cove, and the road can be harrowing. It’s all part of the adventure.

The Lost Coast Trail Map

Lost Coast Trail Tips

• Bear canisters are required throughout the King Range National Conservation Area. While we didn’t see any signs of bears, two guys we shared the shuttle with had seen bear tracks on the beach on their last day of the trip. Yes, there are bears on the Lost Coast. Fortunately, you can rent canisters from the ranger station for $5 per canister, per trip at these three locations.
• Where to go when Nature calls… This one blew me away, but the rule on the Lost Coast Trail is to dig a hole on the beach below the high tide mark and make your deposit right there. Everywhere else I’ve ever hiked the rules typically have you do this well away from water, but in this case, the rangers want you to do it in the ocean. In fact, its right on the permit.
• Rangers will check and fine for violations. Violations include not carrying a bear canister, not carrying a permit, or not following the rules regarding campfires. Read the rules, and follow them. We met a ranger on our fourth day, and he checked our permit and canister and actually quizzed us to make sure we read the rules.
• Which direction to hike? North or South? This one is easy. Hike from north to south. The prevailing winds will be at your back. Start at Mattole Beach and head south to Shelter Cove.

Permits

Permits are required to hike the Lost Cost Trail. Check availability at Outdoor Status.

Lost Coast Resources

• Getting to the trailhead is a challenge in itself. You could plan a yo-yo (out-and-back) trip, but that turns it into a challenging 50 mile hike. Most people plan to take a shuttle. There are two shuttle companies that serve the area: Lost Coast Shuttle and Lost Coast Adventures. We used Lost Coast shuttle and were super-pleased with the service. We drove to the Black Sands Beach trailhead on the south end of the trail in Shelter Cove, where the shuttle met us and drove us up and around to the north end of the trail — a windy hour and a half drive. The benefit to this approach is that when you get to the end of the trail, your car is waiting for you, rather than you waiting for the shuttle. The shuttle is pricey, but understandably so since each round trip takes about four hours total. Keep in mind that the more in your group, the lower the overall cost of the shuttle–as long as your group fits in one shuttle.
• GPS user? Download our Lost Coast GPX file.
• Download the King Range Wilderness Map  (8.5 MB PDF)
• Monthly weather averages. Note: it gets wet here during much of the year.

Should you hike the Lost Coast Trail?

Follow the links below for my day-by-day trip report and guide for our Lost Coast backpacking trip. I highly recommend this trail to anyone with a sense of adventure and a love of rugged wilderness.

• Day 1: Mattole Beach to Sea Lion Gulch
• Day 2: Sea Lion Gulch to Spanish Flat
• Day 3: Spanish Flat to Miller Flat
• Day 4: Miller Flat to Shelter Cove

If you’ve got questions about the Lost Coast Trail, let me know in the comments below.

The Big Parade is an awesome urban walking/hiking experience that takes place each year in Los Angeles. This two-day event covers over 35 miles, including 80 public stairways, numerous neighborhoods and landmarks. This is a free even with no registration required. It’s organized by Dan Koeppel, who runs it on a timetable so you can join for the whole thing, or jump in just for a section.

The Big Parade is not just a walk — it’s an experience. In addition to seeing LA the very best way possible (on foot) and meeting your neighbors, there is a full program that includes art, music, history, guest speakers and usually more than a few surprises.

Last year I joined for a portion of Day 2, and met the one-and-only Bob Inman. Bob is the creator of what is the first (and possible only?) urban thru-hike: The Inman 300.

This year’s Big Parade kicks off with a 10-mile Prologue on Friday led by none other than Bob Inman himself. The main events are Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1st.

You can get all the details of this epic annual event — including the route maps and schedule — on the Big Parade blog.

And you can also follow Big Parade LA on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr.

Will I see you this weekend? Leave a comment and maybe we can have a mini-SoCalHiker meetup within the Big Parade!

Trail Details

Distance: 16.5 miles
Time: ~9 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 4,702 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October

This hike is the fourth in my Six-Pack of Peaks series of training hikes. I used them to train for hiking the John Muir Trail, but others are doing it to prepare for hiking Whitney, or simply just for the adventure, the scenery and the mountain views.

The first challenge with this hike is finding the trailhead. I was able to find it on Google Maps, but the directions Google gave me neglected to point out that many of the streets in Angelus Oaks are missing street signs. Not helpful. The key is to look for the fire station (it’s on Manzanita). Turn torwards the station, then an immediate left on the frontage road. That’s where you’ll see what might be the most detailed road sign I’ve ever seen.

You’ll drive about 1/4 mile along a bumpy dirt road. You can take a passenger car up there driving slowly, though I was glad to be driving my Xterra.

The trailhead parking requires an Adventure Pass. There is a message board and the ranger regularly posts updates (“rattlesnake seen on the trail” or “be sure to carry your permit”). Check the board for any special notices before heading up the only trailhead which begins just to the left.

Permit Availability

Permits are required to hike this trail, even as a day hike, and group size is limited to a maximum of 12. Permits are free, and can be obtained online on the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association website.

You can also backpack overnight up San Bernardino Peak, coming either at Limber Pine Bench.