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Wasson Peak is the tallest mountain in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. This loop hike travels along ridges with grand desert vistas and through some of the thickest Saguaro forest in Arizona. The top of the mountain has nice views of Tucson, the Santa Catalina Mountains, and beyond!

Getting to the Trailhead

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 4,687′
Distance: 7.7 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,886 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Fall, Winter, Spring
Trail hours: Dawn to Dusk

There is parking for about 15 cars, and the lot fills up in cooler months. The trailhead has a dirt parking lot with no toilets or water, so stop at the visitor’s center if either are needed.

Hiking Wasson Peak

From the parking area, start hiking up the broad path. There is a split almost immediately at which you should stay right and continue through a gate after about another 200 feet. The trail is rocky but wide and lined with beautiful ocotillo, prickly pear, and saguaro, of course. Around mile 0.6 there is a ledge on the left that offers a great view up the canyon, toward the peak. After another couple tenths of a mile, the trail starts to go downhill and you’ll see a picnic area out to the left. Eventually you’ll come to a sandy wash and three-way intersection. Go straight through the intersection on the King Canyon Trail, staying in the sandy wash.

At the 1.0 mile mark is a turn that is very easily missed. The wash forks, and you should stay left, but then immediately turn right up the dividing ridge. There are man-made steps, but they are hidden in the bushes.

Go up the steps and follow the trail through all the beautiful desert plants there to distract you from the steady climb. This stretch continues up to mile 2.2, where you reach a saddle and intersect with the Sweetwater Trail.

As the trail sign says, turn left towards the peak. The trail starts to climb the ridge, passing some prickly pear with a sign in front of it that says “Foot Trail Only: No Stock”. If you’ve brought a burro, you’ll have to stop here.

The burroless may continue up this ridge of switchbacks, which is the steepest climb of the hike. The trail levels out just under the crest of the ridge, takes two more short switchbacks, and reaches another intersection at the 3.1 mile mark. Turn right at this intersection and follow the final ridge out to the top of Wasson Peak.

From the top you can see all of the Tucson Mountains, the city of Tucson, the Santa Catalina Mountains, the Rincon Mountains, and if you’ve already hiked Picacho Peak, you should be able to pick out its distinct shape out to the northwest.

To get back to the trailhead, return to the last intersection about 0.3 mile back. From here you can go left and return the way you came, or go right and use the following directions to make it a loop. The loop is about a mile further than doing it as an out-and-back, but you get to see new things!

If you are doing the loop, go right onto the Hugh Norris Trail when you get back to that last intersection near the peak. According to the sign at that intersection, it is the trail in the direction of the Sendero Esperanza Trail. There are some steeper switchbacks at first, then mellows out and passes just south of Amole Peak. Continue following the relatively direct trail, making an occasional short switchback until you reach the intersection with the Sendero Esperanza Trail. Go left at this intersection, following the sign for the Mam-A-Gah Picnic Area.

The trail descends about one mile to the junction with the Gould Mine Trail. Just before the intersection, you’ll pass by a covered up mine area and the foundation of an old building. Turn right at the intersection, following the sign towards the King Canyon Trailhead. After a little more than a mile, you’ll be back at the trailhead.

Wasson Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Wasson Peak Hiking Resources

• Plan Your Visit to Saguaro National Park
• Overview of the trails in the Tuscon Mountain District (PDF)
• Kings Canyon Trailhead information
• Saguaro National Park has a $15 entrance fee per vehicle, which you can pay at the visitor center or online.

Wasson 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.

Camelback Mountain is the most popular mountain to hike in the Phoenix area for good reasons. It’s a fun challenging hike from either side, it has good views of the Phoenix area, and it’s entertaining to compare its profile to a napping camel. There are two popular routes up this dromedary. The Cholla Trail is the more gradual, but longer route of the two.

Getting to the Trailhead

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 2,707′
Distance: 2.8 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,246 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Fall, Winter, Spring
Trail hours: Sunrise to Sunset

One alternative is to take a rideshare service (Uber, Lyft, etc.) If you live too far for that you can park in a shopping center nearby and use a rideshare service to get you to East Cholla Lane from there. If you do take a rideshare service, they are not allowed to drop you off on East Cholla Lane – you must get dropped off on North 64th Street. There are often rangers at the trailhead enforcing the no drop-off rule, the no dog rule, and checking that hikers are prepared.

Hiking Camelback Mountain via the Cholla Trail

Once you’ve finished reading all the rules at the trailhead, start up the gradual steps that lead beyond the signs. The trail is very mellow at first, but by mile 0.2 the incline is already turning up.

As it becomes steeper, it also makes a few switchbacks and gains the center of the ridge. At mile 0.6, the trail flattens out some as it begins to drop to the right of the ridge’s apex. The trail stays relatively flat on the north side of the ridge, steepens around mile 0.75, then regains the top of the ridge at mile 1.0. This is where the views get even better, and you now start to see the real climb ahead of you.

Beyond here the trail is significantly more difficult. You will want to use your hands in certain spots, and the route ahead can be unclear. Fortunately, there are some blue marks on the rock along the way, and in some really confusing places there are signs with arrows pointing you in the right direction. There are a few places where you will drop left of the crest, but in general you want to stay on top or close to the top of the ridge.

At mile 1.2 the trail drops down a little. If you look up from here, you may clearly see people standing on the summit – you’re almost there! Continue straight for about another tenth of a mile, then the route curves right and up to the very top of the mountain.

This peak is notoriously disorienting once you get to the top, so pay close attention to which way you came up. Many hikers begin descending the opposite trail by mistake.

Once you’ve taken all the selfies you desire, return down the way you came up. There are a few bottlenecks near the top, so watch for people coming up. Remember uphill hikers have the right-of-way, and give them space to safely pass.

Camelback Mountain via the Cholla Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Camelback Mountain Hiking Resources

• Camelback Mountain Overview via VisitPhoenix.com
• Official City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation page for Camelback Mountain
• Get turn-by-turn driving directions to the Cholla trailhead via Google Maps

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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.

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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DAY FOUR on the North Lake/South Lake Loop

We woke early and it was cold at Sapphire Lake.  There was ice all over the outside of the rain fly and it took a few minutes for me to warm my clothes inside my sleeping bag before I wanted to put them on.

Bishop Loop Day 4 Details

Distance: 11.1 miles
Time: 6-9 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Gain/Loss: +936’/-3,104′
Dogs: No
When to go: Late July-Early October

The gentle 500 vertical foot ascent to Wanda Lake was beautiful – the only thing slowing us down was a long wet crossing where we had to change shoes just below Wanda Lake.

At 11,426 feet in elevation, Wanda Lake is high and massive!  And, coming off this big winter made it even more so!  The peaks surrounding Wanda Lake were still spotted with snow, and the trail at the east end of the lake heading up past Lake McDermand to Muir Pass had several nice snow fields to cross, although the sun cups weren’t as big and high as they probably were a month earlier.

The anticipation of seeing Muir Hut for the first time doesn’t drag on – you can see it from a long ways a way as you slowly ascend from Wanda Lake.  It’s pretty cool to see it that far away and have it as an ascent target as you slowly make your way up the bowl and across the snow.

And just like that, there we were!!  Muir Hut at 11,955 feet!  Mountain pass #2 accomplished!  There were about 8 to 10 other people hanging out at the hut, and we got a nice girl to take our picture together.  We checked out the inside of the hut – and you would definitely appreciate having it if you got stuck on the pass in bad weather.

After a snack and some photos, we decided to chat with a few other folks as they got set to head down the east side towards Helen Lake.  There was a pretty large snow field and we wanted to make sure that we checked for the safest way down.  There was a good set of footprints well to the right of the main trail, and that appeared to be the snow path that everyone was taking.

The descent was pretty steep, but slushy enough to make microspikes not particularly helpful.  My wife put hers on – and it seemed to give her some good confidence.  We slowly made our way down the steep snowfield until it married up with the trail at the bottom after a bit of boulder hopping.  It was nice to get that out of the way!

The trail down to and past Helen Lake would be off and on snow fields and some partial route finding.  We used our GPS and kept our eyes open and slowly and safely made our way down and around.  We also encountered several wet crossings – some of which could be avoided with some bouldering, but for us it was easier just to put on the Tevas and plow right through.

A dozen or so hikers were coming up the other way, and we were glad to share our beta on the snow fields and Muir Pass.  As they were all going up, they would certainly have no problems with the snow.  As we continued down the trail, there were some amazing shots of the runoff melting away the snow – areas that were snow bridges and snow crossings a few weeks ago were now washing away fast.

Eventually we hit the tree line and started the long winding descent down into the gorgeous Le Conte Canyon.  It is really quite a spectacular and beautiful canyon, surrounded by majestic and jagged Sierra peaks on both sides.  Incredible waterfalls and water features – along with a few more wet crossings – followed us all the way down.

The first campsite at the north end of Le Conte Canyon features the famous Monster Rock – and so of course I had to take the obligatory photo in the mouth of the beast!

The next campground is Big Pete Meadow – but a group of backpackers had beat us to it, so we kept going in hopes that Little Pete Meadow would be empty.  Minutes later, we arrived at Little Pete – and it was all ours!  It was a great campsite with a great water source, a fire ring, and another family of deer to keep us company.

Little Pete is also just a short hike from the Le Conte Canyon Ranger station and the Dusy Basin / Bishop Pass trail junction – so again we had positioned ourselves perfectly for a morning ascent the next day up to Dusy Basin.

Our friends Mark and Brian arrived not long after us – and we shared a fire and dinner.  They were looking pretty beat up, and weren’t sure if they wanted to keep going all the way to Kearsarge and then Whitney.  We invited them to go out with us at Bishop Pass and they happily agreed.  Eleven days would be enough for them on their first backpacking adventure – and we were glad that we could help them exit safely and give them a ride back to Bishop.

Sapphire Lake to Little Pete Meadow Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Originally hiked on Wednesday, August 23, 2017.

Continue to Day Five: Little Pete Meadow to Upper Dusy Basin

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

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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.

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

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

Photo credit: Jeff Hester. Originally hiked on March 26, 2017.

Giant old-growth redwood trees, lush forest, babbling creeks and beautiful waterfalls–there is plenty to love about this nearly 11 mile loop hike to Berry Creek Falls in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park, and features the largest stand of coastal redwoods south of San Francisco. These are tall trees–some more than 300 feet tall and 50 feet in circumference–and they date back 1,000 to 2,500 years old.

Trail Details

Distance: 11 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,364 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round
Trailhead Directions

Berry Creek Falls is actually a series of four waterfalls deep in the park. This route will take you down a section of the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail to the Berry Creek Falls Trail, then return via the higher Sunset Trail to complete the loop. You’ll start and finish at the park headquarters.

From the parking area, I took the Redwood Loop Trail past the amphitheater and took the bridge over Opal Creek, where it joins the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail.

On the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, the trail climbs about 400 feet to Middle Ridge Road−a dirt fire road. The trail crosses the road and from here nearly all the way to Berry Creek Falls it’s all downhill. Of course means that you’ll be doing a lot of climbing to get back. Be sure you save some energy for the return trip!

The basin is lush, with mossy trees, soaring redwoods,  ferns and clover carpeting the forest floor.

It had rained the previous night, and moisture clung to every leaf. The trail itself was in great condition, though there were a few slick patches where trekking poles would have been handy.

As the trail descended the canyon along Kelly Creek, I spied a variety of flora and fauna, including my first sighting of a banana slug in the wild!

Banana slugs are brilliant yellow and rather large slugs that are quite common in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In fact, the lowly banana slug is the official mascot of US Santa Cruz. On this hike, I ended up counting twenty-four banana slugs in total.

Given the lush foliage, it’s easy to imagine how quickly these trails could be lost if they weren’t maintained. Fortunately, that’s not a problem. The trail is easy to follow with great tread, well marked signage and steep sections like this cut with steps to curb erosion.

Four miles into the hike I reached the double bridge over Waddell Creek. These are considered seasonal bridges that are removed when the creek runs high, but there was no issue for me at the end of October.

Another 100 yards further and the trail reaches a junction with the Berry Creek Falls Trail toward the right. I took it, and was soon rewarded with an amazing view of the biggest of the falls on Berry Creek.

There is a great viewing deck near the base of this waterfall, with benches that make a perfect spot for a break. I chatted with the first two hikers I had seen on this Monday morning−a pair of backpackers that had spent the night up the trail at Sunset Camp. We swapped hello’s and shared a bit about our respective adventures, and I continued up the trail.

The Berry Creek Falls Trail is a real gem, with a series of beautiful and different waterfalls as you ascend. The trail climbs about 500 feet in a mile, finally terminating at the junction to Sunset Camp and the Sunset Trail−the final trail in this loop.

The Sunset Trail is 5.3 miles of rollercoaster trail; lots of up and down. It runs well above the canyons in sections, giving you views out over the redwoods.

Along the way you’ll pass junctions with the Timm’s Creek Trail and a connector with the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail before finally crossing the Middle Ridge Road and the final descent to finish the loop.

Take your time as you walk through these ancient groves. Think about the centuries of history they have lived through. You and I and the others who have passed these trees through the millennia are connected through this shared experience.

Back at the trailhead, stop by the museum for a look at the history and the research that continues at the park. Be sure to check out the intricate wood model of the park that shows the topology and the distribution of the various kinds of trees in the park.

Skyline to the Sea/Sunset Trail Map and Elevation Profile

Berry Creek Falls Tips

• The bridge crossing Waddell Creek is removed when the creek is running high. Check with the ranger for current conditions. You can call the park to check before you go at (831) 338-8860.
• Hike this loop in a clockwise direction (as described) for the best views.
• The trail can be slippery. Wear trail shoes with good traction.
• There is a $10 per car day use fee, but no permits are required for day hikes. You will be given a slip of paper to note your planned route and time of return and leave on your car dashboard. Fill it out. The day before I hiked this, a mother and her two young children got lost in the park. They huddled under a redwood in the rain until (fortunately) the rangers found them.
• You can also backpack this loop, camping overnight at Sunset Camp (near the midpoint). Permits are required.

More Big Basin Redwoods State Park Resources

• Big Basin Redwoods State Park − Official website
• Driving directions to Big Basin Redwoods State Park − Google Maps
  21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA 95006
• Berry Creek Loop − Redwood Hikes

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”95006″]

I hiked this trail solo on October 31, 2016. 

The Nine-Peak Challenge is a really intense route that took two SoCal hikers up nine (yes, NINE) peaks including San Gorgonio — the highest in Southern California — in one really long day hike. Thanks to Jen and Dave for sharing their photos and this epic trip report.

Trail Details

Distance: ~27 miles
Time: 14-18 hours
Difficulty: Slightly crazy
Elevation gain:~8,300 ft
Dogs: Are you serious?
When to go: June-October

We hit the trail at 5:50 AM and started climbing immediately. The sun was rising over the mountains , so we were treated to stunning views, and a shady, cool trail.

The ground was mostly soft dirt, with flat open stretches interspersed between steeper climbs. We snapped a quick photo of Washington’s Monument and reached our first peak — the summit of San Bernardino Peak — in 3.5 hours, holding a steady, fast pace the entire way up.

From the summit, we had a 360 degree view for miles in every direction, with barely a cloud in the sky. San Gorgonio was only a distant ridge, mostly indistinguishable to our untrained eyes. I was able to point out San Jacinto, Mount Baldy, and Santiago Peak in the distance. We signed the register and headed to the next peak:

The trip from San Bernardino Peak to East San Bernardino Peak was a gradual sloping walk along a ridgeline trail all without losing too much elevation – maybe 200 feet or so over the course of about a mile, with a slightly steeper climb to the summit.

We were treated to similar views, including San Bernardino Peak where we had just been.  We stopped for a snack before continuing due east toward Anderson.  We crossed the Moymer Creek Trail junction and the Foresee Creek junction, and soon after encountered our first challenge – there was no trail on my topo map application, and no evidence of any cairns pointing the way.  Instead there was a steeply pitched hill, with a soft floor of pine needles shaded by big pine trees.  So… we just went up until we’d reached the top, or at least what we think was the top (we didn’t notice any USGS marker or register at the summit).

We sloped back down through the pine forest until we reconnected with the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail and continued east toward Shields.

After crossing the second intersection of the Foresee Creek trail at Anderson Flats, we could clearly see Shields Peak in front of us.  It was a pile of large boulders ~100’ higher than the trail.  We opted to approach the summit straight on, which would be steepest but shortest.  I had a blast hopping from boulder to boulder, doing mostly Class 2 scrambling.

Shields Peak was breezy and starting to get a little cloudy, a nice reprise from the heat of the day.  We headed down one slow step-hop at a time, angling northeast to save ourselves a few feet back on the trail.

The fifth peak, Alto Diablo, would have gone unnoticed if I hadn’t put the waypoint in my phone app ahead of time, as it was unnamed on the map.  Being so close to the trail, it was such a quick win to summit after the last two ascents that it almost felt like cheating!

From Alto Diablo, we turned south for about 1.5 miles, passing through the Dollar Lake saddle – back down to 10,000 feet and “only” about 14 miles from where we’d started, after ~7.5 hours of hiking without stopping for a snack.  I began to realize I had mentally prepared for the ascent up San Bernardino Peak, and for the long descent down San Gorgonio, but I had underestimated the distance from SB to SG, and the challenge of the 7 peaks in the middle.  This was not going to be a 10-hour hike, or even a 12-hour hike.

We wrapped east around Charlton looking for a path up through the brush, which meant hiking past it a bit almost to the saddle with Little Charlton.  From the summit, we could see our final peak in the distance, clearly for the first time.  We celebrated summit number six with a “packs off” break, and enjoyed apples.

From the summit of Charlton, with map in hand, it was pretty easy to see the path to Little Charlton, peak number seven.  We enjoyed apples along the way – which were extra juicy and delicious as we’d been rationing our water.

Three liters of water each turned out to be enough, but just barely given the heat and the duration of the hike.  We continued nearly due south to reconnect to the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail, instead of backtracking to the saddle to catch it where we’d headed up Charlton.

Jepson was another challenging ascent, because the only clear break in the brush to get up was about ¾ of a mile past the summit.  The path would have been easy to see if we’d done the peaks in reverse, starting with San Gorgonio, but at this point in the day, after walking around this mountain with Gorgonio easily in sight, the thought of backtracking even 0.10 miles was disheartening.  We took a moment to mentally regroup.

I was ready to simply call our adventure an “8-peak challenge”, but Dave (while he was fully ready to support my decision either way) said “well… we’ve come this far…”.  I agreed, and up we went, dropping our packs along the way to gain some speed.  The register was especially rewarding to sign after almost skipping it!  As an added benefit, I realized that we would only lose about 150’ of elevation, which was cause for added celebration as we headed back across the ridge.

After summiting eight other mountains, San Gorgonio seemed almost easy!  It was ~1.5 miles away, with only ~450’ gain from the saddle with Jepson.  Pretty much a walk in the park!  We passed the Vivian Creek trail intersection and again dropped our packs, grabbing just a bottle of water in the final summit push.  I was giddy to see snow (what tiny patches there were left), and a full 7 hours after we had been standing on San Bernardino Peak (10.5 hours after we’d started at daybreak), we thoroughly took in the 360 degree views from the highest point in southern California, noting each peak we’d climbed in the distance.

The way back down Vivian Creek Trail was as easy to follow as it was long – about 10 miles and 5500’ left to descend.  We were quickly losing light, and while we both were prepared with headlamps, we jogged a little along the not-too-rocky portions to gain as much distance as quickly as we could, since we knew the steepest switchbacks were near the trailhead.  Vivian Creek, at the High Creek campground, still had water flowing, but we opted to just keep going rather than to stop and replenish our dwindling supply.

We made it back down in about 4 hours, reaching the car at 8:20pm just as the last essence of daylight was fading – we had hiked from sun up to sundown.

Final figures? 14.5 hours total, over ~27 miles, gaining ~8300’ across 9 peaks.  What a great day!

But the challenge wasn’t quite done!  Driving back to Angelus Oaks in total darkness proved to be more difficult than we had expected, and it took us about 20 minutes to find the trailhead parking lot among a sea of bumpy dirt roads that seemed a LOT longer than they were in the morning.

Nine Peak Challenge Trail Map

Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.

Nine Peak Challenge Tips

• Take plenty of water. There is sometimes water available from the Columbine Spring (short detour en route to San Berardino) and sometimes at High Creek or Vivian Creek on your way down from San Gorgonio, but must of this trail is pretty dry. Don’t rely on refilling.
• Carry the Ten Essentials, and know how to use them. That includes a map, compass and the knowledge to navigate out of there.
• Have a bail-out plan. This is a long hike. Set a “turn-back” goal. If you don’t reach that point by the specified time, you turn back to where you started and try this again another time–good advice for any long hike.

More Nine Peak Challenge Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file
• View the trail in Google Earth
• Being a shuttle hike, you’ll need to drive two cars, leaving one at each trailhead. Here’s the Vivian Creek trailhead on Google Maps, where we exited, and here is the Angeles Oaks trailhead. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking.
• Permits are required for overnight treks, and recommended even for day hikes, and group size is limited to a maximum of 12. They checked us near the summit, so they mean business.
• San Gorgonio Wilderness Association
• Map of current trail closures in the San Gorgonio Wilderness (PDF)

Nine Peak Challenge Weather Forecast

Note that the conditions at the summit can be considerably colder!

[forecast width=”100%” location=”92339″]

Thanks to Dave and Jen for taking on this crazy challenge — and completing it successfully! 

You’ve been on the trail hiking for six hours. You made the summit all-smiles, and got back safely to the trailhead. You huffed and puffed. You sweat. Your body is complaining–“Why are you doing this to me?!”

What you don’t want to do is stuff your sweaty, grimy body into your car for the ride back home. And you definitely don’t want to scare of the rest of the customers when you stop for that well-earned burger, burrito or pizza.

You need an after-hike social survival kit. 

Ask any experienced day hiker and they’ll all have a version of this. A few simple supplies that stay in the car, but make the trip back home so much more pleasant. I call it my after-hike social survival kit. The people sitting at the table next to me appreciate it, even if they don’t know it. And I feel a whole lot better.

What’s in my kit?

The exact details will vary, but generally it includes the following.

• A reusable shopping bag. Any bag will do, but I like the durability of reusable bags. This carries all my stuff to-and-fro.
• Flip-flops or sandals. My feet want to be free! Taking the hiking shoes and socks off after a long hike is one of the great shared experiences. Your feet thanks you. Having sandals for the ride home gives them a chance to breathe.
• Wipes. I really like Action Wipes, but even baby wipes will do in a pinch. It won’t replace a hot shower, but it will cut the worst of the grime and you’ll feel refreshed.
• A clean, cotton t-shirt. “Cotton kills” or so the saying goes. While I always hike and bike in a tech t-shirt that wicks away perspiration, when I get back to my adventure mobile, nothing feels quite as comforting as a cotton t-shirt. Especially a SoCalHiker t-shirt.
• Cold water. I love my 32 oz. Hydro Flask. I fill it up with ice and water before I leave in the morning, and even after sitting in a hot, sun-baked car all day I know the water will still be cold and refreshing when I finish my hike. Best. Thing. Ever.
• A little spritz of body spray. And I mean a little. Nothing worse than the sour combination of sweat and grime with too heavily scented body spray. Just a skosh.

What’s in your post-hike social survival kit? Leave a comment and let me know. 

Several weeks ago when I was hiking the five summits again, I ran into this spry hiker putting up flyers on trees on some of the hiking trails in the San Gabriel Mountains. Don Viejo is his trail name, he is 85 years young and he’s looking for a female hiking companion. And we’re not talking about leisurely walks in the park. He expects candidates to handle hikes from 4-12 miles in length. Just to prove the point and weed out the slackers, he’s holding interviews atop 9,400′ Mt. Baden-Powell — a challenging hike in itself.

Here’s the full text of his flyer:

85 YEAR “YOUNG” MALE SEEKS
FEMALE HIKER, FOR SATURDAY HIKES.

SON AND DAUGHTER SAY “DON’T HIKE SOLO.”
A PAL ALONG IS FINE; TO HIKE WITH A LADY, IS
LIKE A GENTLE BREEZE AND WARM SUNSHINE.

TRAIL NAME: DON VIEJO. 5′ 6″ TALL. 130 LBS.

FEMALE HIKER QUALIFICATIONS:
1. SINGLE, OVER 40 YEARS OLD.
2. ABLE TO HIKE OVER 10 MILES.
3. HIKES RANGE FROM 4 TO 12 MILES.

PERKS: DOOR TO DOOR TRANSPORTATION.
LUNCH OR DINNER AFTER HIKE.

INTERVIEW DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2014.
HOURS: HIGH NOON TO 2 PM.

INTERVIEW SITE: TOP OF MT. BADEN-POWELL,
9400′ ELEVATION, NEAR BOY SCOUT MONUMENT

LOOK FOR “VIEJO” SIGN. O.K. TO BRING MAKE OR
FEMALE PERSON, AS COMFORT-ZONE BACKUP.

I’M NOT VERY FAST.
I’M NOT VERY SLOW.
I JUST KEEP HIKING,
TO GET WHERE I GO.

I’M PART WALTER MITTY.
I’M PART PETER PAN.
I HIKE PRETTY GOOD
FOR A “MIDDLE AGE” MAN.

HIKE WITH THANKS A MOUNTAIN HIGH,
UNDER A SUNNY BRIGHT BLUE SKY.

626-285-2520. GIVE FIRST NAME. LEAVE MESSAGE.

I’ve got to say, he’s got a lot of spunk for 85 years! Ladies? Any takers?

It was our second day of a 22-day thru-hike on the epic John Muir Trail. I was the ring-leader — I had organized the trip, recruited three willing hikers, obtained the permit and got us to Yosemite Valley a couple days earlier. I had been to Yosemite many times. I had even hiked the JMT before — 30 years earlier.

Outdoor Mistakes

Part of a series on Outdoor Mistakes where other bloggers share their outdoor mis-adventures. Be sure to check out all the posts over at Sierra Social Hub.

The young guns — Jeffrey and Hari — got an early start. The plan was to meet at  Sunrise Camp. If they got their early, they could snag the best campsite for our little group.

Joan and I took our time. As we were getting ready to break camp, we spied a bear ambling towards the campground, hoping to find an inattentive or lazy backpacker with their food improperly stored. We shot a few blurry photos from a safe distance, even as a family with children raced toward the bear to get a closer look. But that’s an outdoor mistake for another story.

We checked our gear and headed up the trail.

After 1.3 miles of climbing, we reached the junction to Half Dome. We had hiked here yesterday, so this part of the trail was still fresh in our memory. We took the right branch toward Sunrise, and hiked on.

Just 1/4 mile further we reached our next junction. Our map showed our trail continuing along the north side of Sunrise Creek, but the trail ahead looked to be heading toward a campsite. The trail to the left was much more travelled, and after a quick survey of the area, I headed up to the left.

We trudged along, climbing higher and higher. The sound of Sunrise Creek grew more and more faint. My girlfriend Joan began to question my navigation skills. “Didn’t you say this trail ran near the creek?”

I brushed off her question and reassured her that this was the right trail. “Sometimes the scale of a map can be deceptive.” Hah. We continued to climb. I was beginning to question my decision as well, but at this point, the thought of backtracking was unappealing.

One of the great things about backpacking is the community of the trail. When encountering other hikers headed in the opposite direction, it’s common to shout out a cordial “Hi! Where you headed? Where you coming from?” I used this to my advantage here. We encountered our first group…

“Hi! Where you coming from?” I asked hopefully. I wanted confirmation that we were on the right trail, and that we wouldn’t have to backtrack, and that the miles of uphill hiking weren’t in vain.

“Sunrise” came the answer. YES! I thought to myself. I turned to Joan and told her it was confirmed. I had basically doubled down on my commitment to this trail.

Still, we were climbing higher and higher. Soon we could see Half Dome. This didn’t smell right.

Then next group of hikers came heading down the trail. “Where you coming from?” I asked again. “Sunrise Lakes.” Uh-oh. Sunrise LAKES?! Could that have been what the other group meant when they said “Sunrise”?

We stopped to check our map. Yes, it was certain we were on the wrong trail. We were en route to Clouds Rest and on to Sunrise Lakes beyond. I was eating my words.

It looked like we wouldn’t meet up with Jeffrey and Hari tonight. We went with Plan B. We bagged Clouds Rest and what are probably the best views of Half Dome and the Yosemite Valley. We resolved to hike on until we could find a good campsite, then we would start early tomorrow and meet up with Jeffrey and Hari at Tuolumne Meadows.

Jeffrey and Hari were self-sufficient. We had planned to stick together in pairs, and had food, fuel and shelter to do just fine. And yes, on day three we did meet up again in Tuolumne Meadows.

So while it wasn’t a disaster, it was a heaping serving of humble pie. And it was also the only wrong turn I took on the entire John Muir Trail.

What I Learned From My Mistake

I was over-confident — maybe even borderline cocky — about my choice at the junction. I should’ve taken time to check my maps and even break out my compass to make sure we were on the right trail. Being skilled and experienced doesn’t help you if you get a little cocky.

On the bright side, while we ended up doing way more vertical gain than we had planned, we were equipped and prepared physically to deal with it. We had the supplies we needed and were in no real danger. And we had a plan to rejoin our friends at Tuolumne.

Although a popular trail like the JMT is well-marked, take time to use your map and navigation skills. And skip the humble pie.

Outdoor Mistakes TweetChat

On Thursday, March 27, 2014, Andy Hawbaker from Sierra Trading Post will be hosting an #STPLive tweetchat at 3pm PDT. Fire up Twitter and point it at the #STPLive hashtag to join in!

At 12:01 AM, October 1, 2013, the federal government shut down. While we wait for Congress to do the right thing, National Parks are officially closed to hiking and camping. I’ve got many friends who had plans for visiting nearby National Parks, and for now, those plans are dashed.

Good News

As of October 17, 2013, the good news is that the crisis has been at least temporarily averted. The National Parks and National Forests have been re-opened.

Here’s what this means to hikers and outdoor lovers throughout Southern California, with the best details I can provide on where you can and cannot hike. I’ll keep this updated, but if you have new information, let me know in the comments.

The Closures

All National Parks are effectively closed. Hikers in the backcountry with wilderness permits are allowed to finish their hike, but new permits won’t be issued. In southern California this includes:

• Channel Islands National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
  • Areas that fall into State Park jurisdication may be open
• Death Valley National Park

This means that popular trails like Sandstone Peak and sections of the Backbone Trail are now off limits.

Mostly Open

The general consensus on National Forest is that it’s still open, but there will be no ranger services or permits, and hunting will not be allowed. It’s not clear whether any they will have enforcement agents to check for Adventure Passes at trailheads requiring them. Local National Forest areas include:

• Angeles National Forest
• San Bernardino National Forest
• Cleveland National Forest
• Los Padres National Forest

These areas include trails like Mt. Baldy, Mt. Wilson, San Gorgonio, San Bernardino and Santiago Peak.

Still Open For Hiking

All of the State, county, regional and local park systems remain open. This includes:

• Crystal Cove State Park
• Catalina Island
• Griffith Park
• Laguna Coast Wilderness
• Whiting Ranch
• And many more remain open

I know we all hope this is resolved quickly. Our National Parks are not just wonderful places for us to visit and hike, but the visitors they attract help support entire cities surrounding them. Write your congressman and tell them to take care of business.

Day 10 on the John Muir Trail…

Today was a special day. Today was a zero day — hiker-speak for a rest day or “zero-mileage” day. And Vermilion Valley Resort was the perfect place for it.

John Muir Trail Day 10

Distance: 0.0 miles
Cumulative Distance: 93.15 miles
Total Ascent: 0 ft
Cumulative Ascent: 24,300 ft
Harrison Map Sheet 8

When we arrived at VVR, we checked in and they opened a tab for our expenses. You settle up before you leave, and since we would be here for two nights, there would be plenty of opportunities to part with our money.

Last night, we set up camp in the free tent camping area, then feasted on steak and cold beer in the dining hall. The dining hall has a rotating menu and a few optional choices, and the seating is on long benches which you share with your new best friends.

This morning, I awoke at sunrise, and wandered down to the lakefront. The water was still and a mist swirled above it as the sun warmed the surface.

Joan and I managed to book a small room for the night. In addition to a free tent camping area, VVR also has tent cabin and actual rooms for rent. The first thing we did after checking into our room was shower. The second thing was start our laundry. Yes, VVR has a washer and dryer, too.

We picked up our resupply package and distributed it among Hari, Joan, Jeffrey and I. We at breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining hall, enjoying the extra calories and guilt-free eating. “Yes, I believe I will have a slice of pie, thank you!”

But the best part about VVR wasn’t sleeping in a real bed. It wasn’t the steak or the pie. The best part about VVR was the conversations we had with other hikers at the dinner table and around the campfire at night. These conversations enlightened, entertained and inspired us. The hiker community is bound by the experiences we shared, and those bonds are stronger for it.

We met many thru-hikers, some hiking it for their second or third time. One young  couple were headed northbound. The family who with the “missing” teen hiker on day 7 was there. All of us were glad to share a hot meal for once not cooked over a backpacking stove.

Plan B - Exit the JMT?

Coming off of Silver Pass yesterday, I was in a lot of pain. The blisters on my feet really hurt. I had serious doubts that I could continue, and was  considering exiting the JMT at VVR. Around the dinner table last night, I heard everyone sharing their own stories of blisters, aches and pains. Everyone shared their  remedies for treating blisters, and I was encouraged. I realized what I was experiencing was pretty typical.

That evening, Jeff told me he hoped I would consider continuing, but the decision would have to be mine.Today, I treated my blisters and rested, and made my decision… I would finish hiking the John Muir Trail.

Taking a zero day recharged our batteries, and the experience at VVR was memorable. We were ready to once again hit the JMT tomorrow.

Important! Check Lake Conditions with VVR

In 2010, Lake Edison was at capacity. In 2013, the water levels had dropped quite a bit, meaning a longer walk to the boat launch, especially on the west end of the lake. The moonscape below is actually the lake bed. No, it’s not dried up, but you can see the levels are way down.

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Tomorrow, we head to from Mono Creek to Rosemarie Meadow.

Originally hiked on August 5, 2010.

Day 7 on the John Muir Trail…

John Muir Trail Day 7

Distance: 6.5 miles
Cumulative Distance: 70.3 miles
Total Ascent: 2,067 ft
Cumulative Ascent: 19,456 ft
Harrison Map Sheets 10 and 9

As we broke camp, we said goodbye to our new friend and gracious campsite host Chris Ryerson. He was on a 45-day walkabout in the High Sierras. No specific agenda or route, just hiking up and down and over and about from one mountain to the next. We were grateful that he offered to share his campsite with us, and we still keep in touch.

The first stop was about 1/2 a mile away: Red’s Meadow Resort. They have a small market and you can ship resupply packages to them. We ate breakfast at their Mulehouse Cafe, and then divvied up our resupply package.

Sometime that morning, I got in touch with a friend who lives in Mammoth Lakes, and was one of the members of my first JMT thru-hike back in 1980. As it turns out, his mom (who was also part of that 1980 thru-hike) and dad were in town, and they surprised us with a visit at Red’s Meadow.

We ended up spending all morning hanging out with Don and Zandra, reminiscing about our 1980 JMT thru-hike and catching up. Before we knew it, it was lunch time… so back to the cafe we went.

Get the Milkshake

When (not if) you stop at the Mulehouse Cafe in Red’s Meadow, you must order a milkshake. With whipped cream.

It may very well be the best milkshake you have ever tasted. 

After lunch, with full bellies and full packs, we were finally ready to hit the trail.

There are quite a few trails criss-crossing the Red’s Meadow area, and getting on the right one is important. We found the JMT and headed south.

Almost immediately, we emerged in a fire-scarred mountainside. The area is full of new growth, with new pine trees, lupen, and ferns everywhere. And not a bit of shade for quite a while. Being the middle of the day, the sun beat down on us as we climbed out of the valley.

We came upon a mountain spring that percolated into a creek right before our eyes.

After two miles, we finally exited the fire damaged area and entered the cool shade of the forest again.

Crossing Crater Creek at the 3.6 mile mark, we stopped for a break in the shade of the forest.

Lost on the JMT

At the Crater Creek crossing, we met another group of JMT thru-hikers that we had crossed paths with a couple times before. This family group had a teen who it seems ended up on the wrong trail, and they were trying to locate him. Their story has a happy ending. They found the teen (he had headed north instead of south) and were able to continue their journey.

The lesson? Two heads are better than one. If you’re hiking with a group, have a plan to stick together, or meet up at trail junctions. 

The last three miles were easy and scenic. Most of the time we were near either Crater Creek or Deer Creek. There were wildflowers, meadows, and gentle grades. We were all glad to have had an easy “half day” of hiking.

Devil’s Postpile, Red’s Meadow to Deer Creek

JMT Day 7 Photo Gallery

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Tomorrow, we hike to Tully Hole.

Originally hiked on August 2, 2010.

Day 3 on the John Muir Trail and we were starting a long way from where we originally planned to camp. Our unauthorized off-trail camp dubbed The Middle of Somewhere was beautiful and quiet, but we had 3.5 miles to hike just to get to Sunrise High Sierra Camp, where we should’ve been starting. If you do the math, that means that yesterday’s little excursion to Clouds Rest turned today’s easy 8.6 mile trek into a more rigorous 12.1 miles.

John Muir Trail Day 3

Distance: 12.1 miles
Cumulative Distance: 30.5 miles
Total Ascent: 2,124 ft
Cumulative Ascent: 11,095 ft
Harrison Map Sheets 13 and 12
GPX file

The water on Sunrise Lakes was still, reflecting like a mirror.  We hiked quietly, passing only a few other backpackers, and felt as though we had the mountains to ourselves.

From Sunrise Lakes, we pass over a saddle and down to Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Finally we were back on the JMT. We stopped for lunch but didn’t linger — the mosquitos were as hungry as we were.

From here the trail winds along the perimeter of the meadow, slowly and steadily climbing towards Cathedral Pass — the first of many mountain passes on the JMT. From the pass it’s a well-shaded, downhill trek to the Tuolumne Meadows.

When we reached Tuolumne Meadows, it was tempting to think we had “arrived.” We caught glimpses of Tioga Road through the trees and could hear passing cars. There were more casual hikers in the area, but we still had a full mile yet to go before we would reach the backpacker’s campground. It was one of those times when a mile seems longer than it really is.

Hari and Jeffrey were already there and had staked out a spot for us. Unfortunately the Tuolumne Post Office had closed about 15 minutes earlier, so we would have to wait to pick-up our resupply package until the morning. Fortunately, the diner was open. We feasted on cheeseburgers and fries. We earned it.

Three days on the John Muir Trail were under our belts. We summited Half Dome and Clouds Rest. And we made it to our first resupply point — Tuolumne Meadows.

Resupply at Tuolumne

You might wonder why you would bother resupplying at Tuolumne — a mere three days into a three week trek on the JMT. Consider this: you will carry on average two pounds of food, per person, per day. The next resupply point is Reds Meadow — three days further. Skipping this resupply point would mean carrying an extra six pounds. The math says, resupply at Tuolumne.

Middle of Somewhere to Tuolumne Meadows

This map details our journey from our off trail camp to Sunrise High Sierra Camp, over Cathedral Pass and down to Tuolumne Meadows.

JMT Day 3 Photo Gallery

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Tomorrow, we head up Lyell Canyon.

Originally hiked on July 29, 2010. 

Precisely three years ago this day, my girlfriend and I and two hiking friends were driving up to Lone Pine, getting ready for a 22-day thru-hike of the epic 211-mile John Muir Trail. Over the next three weeks, I’ll be sharing a day-by-day guide to our JMT backpacking trek, with each day covered exactly on the three year anniversary of the actual hike. Each daily post will break down the route we hiked — with an interactive trail map; where we camped, what we ate and the stories that went with it.

Some of you are already planning your own JMT trip. For you, these day-by-day trail guides will give you a good sense of what to expect. You’ll learn what worked well, and what we will do differently the next time.

Some of you are day hikers and weekend backpackers, thinking about tackling a bigger goal. For you, I’ve got good news. The John Muir Trail is indeed an epic backpack trip, but it’s within the reach of mere mortals. While it’s not a trek to hike on a whim, if you are a fit hiker, you can do this. In your case, I hope these day-by-day posts give you the added push to seriously consider hiking part (or all) of the JMT.

A few of you are armchair adventurers, with no aspiration to spend three weeks in one of the most beautiful sections of the Sierra mountains, challenging your body and spirit and finding new confidence and strength. I hope you’ll follow along just the same, and find the stories that go with each daily post entertaining and engaging.

The Cast

Our motley crew included my then-girlfriend (and now my wife), Joan; San Diego resident Jeffrey, a recent hiking friend who discovered my desire to hike the JMT and connected to us via SoCalHiker; and a late-addition: Hari who just finished his degree at USC and was getting ready for grad school. Joan and I were in our late 40’s. Jeffrey and Hari were both in their 20’s. All of us had done plenty of hiking, but I was the only one who had hiked this far before.

The Story Begins

First leg — Driving 270 miles from San Clemente to Lone Pine.

We started our day in San Clemente. Jeffrey was dropped off at our home, and we piled into the Xterra and headed up to Los Angeles to pick up Hari. From there, we weaved through traffic, out of the city and headed north to Lone Pine.

The JMT extends from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mt. Whitney — the highest peak in the contiguous 48 states. You can hike it northbound  — or NOBO — but must hikers choose the south-bound (SOBO) route because you start at a lower altitude and work your way up. We were going to follow the traditional SOBO route, but were starting off by dropping off our car at the Whitney Portal.

The Dow Villa Motel

When we arrived at Lone Pine, we checked in at the Dow Villa Motel (map). While the rest of the group got dinner, I drove up to the Whitney Portal and parked. Parking here is free, but you need to check to make sure you’re parked in the right place. And you must make sure to clean your car of anything smelly or anything that looks remotely like food (or a food container). That includes coolers, empty food wrappers or cups, and even deodorant and toothpaste. This keeps bears from trying to pry open your car, and helps you avoid a costly ticket from the ranger.

Once I parked, I hitched a ride back down to Lone Pine with a couple guys who had just hiked down from Mt. Whitney.

We slept well that night, knowing that we had an early start in the morning with a shuttle to Yosemite, picking up our permit and getting one day closer to our JMT adventure.

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Next up: Day Two – Lone Pine to Yosemite Valley

Original date of travel July 25, 2010.

My curiosity about the AT was first piqued by Bill Bryson’s book, Walk in the Woods. But Bryson didn’t actually finish the AT. Recently, I’ve been listening to The Trail Show podcast, where everyone on the show has hiked the AT at one time or another. In spite of all of this, I had an impression that the AT was very likely the easiest of the Big Three long trails; being shorter than either the Pacific Crest and the rugged and lesser-traveled Continental Divide Trails.

Dim the lights. Pop in the DVD (or in my case, queue the digital download on my Apple TV). Sit back and enjoy Flip Flop Flippin’: One Man’s Search for Character(s) on the Appalachian Trail. Filmed entirely by Scott “Squatch” Herriott while hiking the AT, FFF provides a great feel for what it’s really like to spend nearly half a year hiking the Appalachian Trail.

What’s with the name? Squatch wanted to be able to film some of the same hikers over and over, so he planned his hike with multiple “flip-flops” — hiking for a section, then hitching up ahead and hiking back to where he left off — and repeating over and over. His theory was that this way he’d run into some of the same characters again and again, and be able to capture their impressions at different points along the trail.

It worked well. FFF captures the effervescent enthusiasm and nerves shared in Georgia. You experience the social, party spirit of zero days in town, gorging on food and resupplying. And you sense the weariness as weather, injuries, and a really tough trail begin to chip away at hiker’s spirits. And for those that make it the entire 2,180 miles to Katahdin, you celebrate with them!

The cast of “characters” proves that truth is stranger than fiction. You can’t make this stuff up.

There’s the couple who learn that they are expecting. They made it all the way, and their daughter was born healthy, happy and with the middle name “Katahdin” — naturally.

There’s the aging stand-up comedian, cracking wise about the weather in one of the AT shelters. The trumpet-playing mom and her two sons. A guy who packed a portable electronic cello and a battery-powered amp (he didn’t make it). There are solo hikers, friends, and many who share the trail on and off over the course of many months.

In the end, you’re left with a very real sense of what it’s like on the AT, and that’s exactly what I was looking for. Well done, Squatch. Hike on!

Flip Flop Flippin’ Trailer

The trailer gives you just a sample. But get the full movie.

[responsive_youtube tgN5-xML5ME norel]

Flip Flop Flippin’ is available on DVD, Blu-Ray or digital download directly from Squatch Films, where you’ll also find the aptly named sequel, Flip Flop Flippin’ 2, as well as films from his hikes on the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails. Next up for Squatch? He’s hiking the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain.

Postscript

I got to meet Squatch at the ADZPCTKO event in Lake Morena a couple weeks ago. It was a pleasure talking to him about his experiences. A very funny guy, and the real deal.

Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park is a rare area with beautiful geography and unspoiled trails. One of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, Limestone Canyon is best known for it’s iconic geographic feature “The Sinks” which have often been called the “Mini Grand Canyon” of Orange County. The area is normally closed to hikers, except for specific days each month. These open access days give you a chance to step back in time and see what Orange County looked like before it was overtaken by amusement parks and suburbia. 

Trail Details

Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,029 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Open access days

This 4.5 mile loop takes you down one of the newest trails, parallel to Santiago Canyon Road, then making a long climb up the Shoestring Trail to Loma Ridge. Here you’ll get panoramic 360-degree views to the Pacific Ocean and (on a clear day) Catalina Island. It’s a great trail that doesn’t get as crowded as some of the more popular routes in Limestone Canyon Wilderness.

I had a chance to hike this loop on the opening day of the new trail segment running parallel with Santiago Canyon Road. This single-track trail makes this loop possible.

Here’s the rub. Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park is usually open only for docent-led events. You have to check the event calendar on their web site and watch carefully for the rare open-access days, when you can go on self-guided hikes through the park.  It’s worth the effort.

When you’ve found an open access day, you must register at the staging area. For this hike, that was the Augustine Staging Area [urldisplaymode=nomap] at Hick’s Haul Road and Santiago Canyon Road. There was plenty of parking in a gravel lot, and there is shade and toilets available, but bring your own water.

Each hiker must sign in, although as of this writing, you won’t need to pre-register for the open access days. Note: other docent-led events listed on their web site require pre-registration and fill up quickly.

The trail heads north-west, running along the hillside parallel to Santiago Canyon Road. This single-track trail is shared with mountain bikers, so share the trail.

Soon, you part ways with the canyon, and head left up the long slow climb on the Shoestring trail. This dirt fire road is well maintained. It’s a long, steady climb up to the ridge, but well worth it. Pause along the way to look back down the hill and soak in the views.

When you reach the ridge line, you’ll turn left, heading south-east on the Loma Ridge trail. This winds up and down with roller coaster hills, but you’re rewarded with tremendous views across Orange County.

Watch for rattle snakes! When it’s warm, they like to sun themselves on the trail. They won’t generally bother you if you give them wide berth, but remember that they can strike at a distance equal to their length.

The next junction you reach will be with the Hick’s Haul trail. Turn left, heading north-east and back to the trailhead. You wind down the canyon through ancient oak trees and might even see artifacts from the days when this area was part of a working ranch.

The Shoestring-Hick’s Haul loop hike is a great workout, with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. It’s easy to follow, and offers beautiful views of a rarely seen corner of Orange County. You can also combine this loop with other trails in the park for a longer trek. Be aware, this trail has very little shade. Wear sun protection, and bring plenty of water.

Santiago Canyon – Shoestring – Loma Ridge – Hick’s Haul Loop Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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More Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park Resources

• Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks – Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park (official site) and Event Calendar
• Trailhead directions[urldisplaymode=nomap] via Google Maps
• Want more? Add mileage with a side-trip to The Sinks.

Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park Weather Forecast

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This past weekend we travelled down to Lake Morena to see what it was all about. And we had a blast!

First of all, the registrations for the event sold out in three days. No more camp sites available, so we stayed in Alpine, about 30 miles away. Thankfully, day visitors are welcome, so we drove down and spent all day Saturday at the event.

Over 686 people registered this year, including 256 thru-hikers for the PCT Class of 2013, 116 PCT section hikers, 161 previous PCT hikers, and an assortment of trail angels, staffers, and wannabe PCT hikers. The Kick Off actually starts on Thursday afternoon, and runs through Sunday, with speakers sharing their wisdom on trail conditions, gear advice, cooking, films and a whole lot more.

We started with a tour of the vendor area. Keen, A16, Go-Lite, One Pan Wonders, Stick Pic, Dirty Girl Gaiters and many others had booths, some offering advice and samples, others selling books, movies or equipment. I got a chance to meet Lawton “Disco” Grinter, author of I Hike (which I reviewed last week). He shared a bit about the fabulous beach he and P.O.D. camped at in Volcanoes National Park, and picked up a signed copy of his book to giveaway to one lucky SoCal Hiker reader. Stay tuned for more on that soon.

We finally got a chance to meet fellow SoCal hiking blogger Campfire Kam. She was helping out in the Keen footwear booth, and we scored some lip balm, Keen luggage tags, and best of all, a pair of the new Keen Olympus hiking socks. These bad boys are designed for hiking, with the seam under your toes, and the material guaranteed for life. I’m looking forward to putting them through their paces, so to speak, on Sandstone Peak this weekend.

Taking a snack break in the shade, we bumped into Scott “Squatch” Herriott. We had just watched his film about hiking the Appalachian Trail–Flip-Flop-Flippin– so it was great to get a chance to meet him in person and share our appreciation for his films. If you’re interested in getting a taste of life on a long trail, check out Squatch Films.

Also in the vendor area was a handy service called The Shakedown Shack. PCT thru-hikers would bring their fully-loaded pack to this area, where alumni would break it down and tell them exactly what they should leave behind. Some of the hikers shed 20 pounds of gear.  Imagine how much more fun the hike will be when your pack is 20 pounds lighter!

The Gear Contest was a blast. Each year, hikers bring their hiking inventions or hacks and the audience votes on their favorite. Some were wacky (a wooden spoon?). Others were nostalgic (a crocheted hat from the ’70s that folds up for easy storage). Some were entertaining (the portable bidet). In the end, the practical won with a tie between the Tyvek bivy sack and a do-it-yourself inline adapter for a water filter, made from two plastic screw-top caps.

Met up with Shane “Jester” O’Donnell. Jester is a Triple Crown hiker — having completed the Appalachian, the Pacific Crest and the Continental Divide trails — and the filmmaker behind Wizards of the PCT. We talk to Jester at length, and were surprised to learn that although the AT is about 500 miles shorter than the PCT, it is probably the most physically demanding. Best of all, we learned the secret behind the name of the film: a 4 lb brass “wizard” that he (and others) carried all the way to Canada on their PCT thru-hike. Insane.

In between the conversations, we hit the Pavilion and heard some great presentations. Teresa “Dicentra” Black, author of One Pan Wonders shares some awesome tips for putting together tasty meals on the trail, without breaking the bank. One of my favorites? Bring along fresh pearl onions or shallots. You can use them in entirety for a meal, without having to save a stinky, half-used onion in your backpack.

I knew that Kolby “Condor” Kirk was going to be at the kick-off, but hadn’t seen him all day. Then as we were taking pictures of the PCT Class of 2013 at The Rock, I literally bumped right into him. Condor gave us a great tour, introducing us to some awesome people, including the legendary Billy Goat, who has logged over 25,000 miles on the PCT.

Saturday festivities closed with the PCT Class of 2012 video. It’s become a tradition that each year, one thru-hiker volunteers to assemble a video that shares the experience of the entire group. They send thousands of photographs and hours of video, which is painstakingly edited and assembled into a film of the journey. This was really one of the highlights of the weekend. The film provided a great feel for what life was like on the PCT for last year’s crop of thru-hikers. You can download a copy for free, and burn your own DVD. If you’ve ever thought of hiking the PCT, you should check it out.

UPDATE: The video has also been uploaded to Vimeo, so you can also see it right here! It’s over an hour long, but well worth it.

Our weekend at ADZPCTKO 2013 was a blast. It was great to be a part of the community, and swap stories with other hikers. If you’d like to hike the PCT as either a thru-hiker or a section hiker, make plans to attend ADZPCTKO next year.

More Photos from ADZPCTKO 2013

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In 1980, I spent 25 days on a thru-hike of the 211-mile John Muir Trail. The JMT was my first taste of long-distance hiking. And it is a truly epic hike. But the JMT pales in comparison to some of I Hike author Lawton “Disco” Grinter’s backpacking trips. Grinter has hiked over 10,000 miles, including the “Triple Crown” of the hiking world: the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail (twice!) and the Continental Divide Trail. All of these trails take four to five months (or more!) to hike from one end to the other. What drives someone to hike one of these trails? What is it like to spend nearly half a year on the trail? I Hike provides a glimpse into what it’s like to hike one of these truly, long trails.

I got a copy of I Hike for my birthday last month (thanks to Mom, who checks my Amazon Wishlist). I’d first heard about the book through the always-entertaining Trail Show podcast, where Disco, POD, Mags and D-Low wax philosophical on the life of a a hiker. On the show, they go by their trail names — traditionally bestowed on a hiker by other hikers on the long-distance trails.

Unlike some of the other popular books representing these long trails, Disco chose to share anecdotes from here and there, not necessarily in chronological order. I Hike is not a journal of any particular journey, but a sampling of the experiences along the trail. It’s easy to imagine hearing these stories told around a campfire–some making you laugh out loud, others keeping you on the edge of your seat.

What happens when Disco hits the town and downs a 1/2 gallon of ice cream in one sitting (guilt-free, no less)? Let’s just say, there can be consequences that can come along with the indulgence.

You’ll learn that there really are angels among us — trail angels who give selflessly and generously to help thru-hikers along their journey.

Disco gives us a taste of what its like to be stuck in the wilderness in day after day of rain, or low on food and water. And the cast of characters that populate the trail, each hiking for their own reasons, and each with a unique personality.

What I loved most about I Hike? Disco’s description of the camaraderie on the trail in the community of thru-hikers. It rang true to my own experience on the JMT, and might even tempt you to consider a long hike yourself.

If you enjoy hiking–even the casual sort–you’ll enjoy I Hike. Get it. Read it. Thank me later.

• Get I Hike on Amazon
• Visit the official I Hike web site
• Follow Lawton “Disco” Grinter on Twitter @lawtong
• Subscribe to The Trail Show podcast (great for road trips)

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a located in the heart of Sonoma County wine country. Last month, we hit the road to Northern California, spending a few days enjoying Sonoma — my first time visiting. There are many wonderful wineries and restaurants in the area, and of course, one of the wonderful benefits of hiking, is the guilt-free meals that follow. What better way to whet our appetites than a hike up Bald Mountain. Note that this hike is not in Southern California, but within a one day drive.

Trail Details

Distance: 6 miles
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,540 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

We started off by reviewing the map, and decided to weigh our options when we came to the first junction. The trail system at Sugarloaf Ridge offers a number of options, including a great loop with markers that give you some insight into the distance between planets in our solar system (no joke!). As we reached the junction with the Vista Trail, we decided to continue onward and upward to bag the summit of Bald Mountain.

The trail itself winds through beautiful and varied woodland, meadows and chaparral. Some of the trails are single track, and other times, paved or gravel fire roads. But what really stood out was the sheer volume of moss! Nearly every tree was covered with moss, and the moisture hung thick in the air.

The trails are well marked, with vertical posts at each junction and the names and direction of each trail. We continued uphill, pressing on through a brief hailstorm, followed by a brief downpour a little later. Fortunately the trails never got muddy, and eventually the rain broke. The clouds with patches of blue sky peeking through provided a dramatic backdrop for the views.

As you reach the ridge, the trail to Bald Mountain climbs to your right (the south), winding up and around the crown to the summit. The views from the top are amazing, with Calistoga, Sonoma County, and the Sierras. Even the Bay Bridge and the towers of the Golden Gate bridge are visible — as long as it’s clear out. We could just make out the Bay Bridge, but the Golden Gate towers were shrouded in fog.

And the view in the other direction:

The hike back to the trailhead went quickly, as it was almost entirely downhill. We modified the out-and-back route slightly, taking the main Bald Mountain trail back towards the park entrance (about 100 yards north of the parking lot).

Bonus Hike to Sonoma Creek Falls

Although it’s not on the trail map shown below, the Sonoma Creek runs through here not far from the park entrance. If you ask at the visitor center, they’ll tell you how to get to the trail to the falls — roughly a one mile round trip (in addition to the 6 mile round-trip to Bald Mountain). To get to the falls you’ll hike down, down, and down along the creek. Which means getting back to the trailhead will be up, up and up. ‘Nuff said.

The Sonoma Creek Falls are beautiful, but check to see if they are running first. They are seasonal, and will slow to a trickle in the summer. They were flowing well when we hiked this in late March, and the hike through the woods was remarkable. The woods are covered in a thick, green moss that made it seem almost otherworldly.

Bald Mountain Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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More Sugarloaf Ridge Trail Resources

• Trailhead parking and driving directions via Google Maps
• Official Sugarloaf Ridge State Park website
• We stayed in Kenwood at an amazing cottage booked through AirBnB. The hosts were gracious, and the place itself was fantastic. If you are looking for a place to stay in the Sonoma area, I highly recommend the Happy Hound Cottage.
• More hikes in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park on EveryTrail
• The Bay Area Ridge Trail – I noticed that portions of the Bald Mountain Trail included markers for something called the Bay Area Ridge Trail. This is a planned 550 mile loop trail that encircles the entire San Francisco Bay. Over 300 miles of the trail are already open, but the loop hasn’t been completed (yet). This will be a fantastic long trail hike that’s easily accessible to everyone in the bay region.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Weather Forecast

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Postscript

Where did we go for aprés-hike refreshments? To the Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, where they have Pliny the Elder on tap, and some pretty awesome pub food to go with it. Highly recommended.

Trail Details

Distance: 6.5 miles
Time: ~2 hours
Difficulty: Medium
Elevation gain: 1596 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Back in 2011, several of us hiking bloggers planned our first-ever get-together. The initial group consisted of Derek of 100 Peaks, Casey from Modern Hiker, Kolby The Hike Guy, Pete of  East-West Hike, Campfire Chic and myself.  In the end it was just Derek, Pete an myself hiking Whale Peak in Anza Borrego. And apple pie. But that’s another story.

For 2012, the group grew and the Southern California Hiker Tweetup–or SCHT— (don’t try to pronounce it) was born.

We are a go! #socalhikingtweetup See ya soon! @greeneadventurs @CampfireChic @zachbehrens @walksimply @jcmcnair @TheSoCalHiker @swiftcinema

— ADKinLA (@ADKinLA) November 10, 2012

Beautiful morning for the #SoCalHikingTweetup with @ADKinLA @WalkSimply @TheSoCalHiker @ZacApplegate @JCMcNair… http://t.co/gK1NQzW4

— Greene Adventures (@greeneadventurs) November 10, 2012

Thanks to Pete’s persistence and Colleen and Jeff Greene’s organization, we finally met — many of us for the first time — today.

Our gathering spot was Schabarum Regional Park, straddling the hills bordering LA and Orange Counties. Starting out of Rowland Heights, we followed a figure-eight loop that took us through over 6 miles with oak shaded canyons and ridge-line vistas.

Our route took us sharply uphill on the Schabarum Trail. At mile 1.3, we veered left under on the Buena Vista Trail–a .2 mile short cut to the top of the ridge, connecting to the Purple Sage Trail. At the top, we soaked in fantastic vistas. The skies were clear, there was snow dusting the top of the San Gabriel Mountains to the east, and we could even see the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island in the distance.

We headed east and mostly downhill for almost a mile, turning south on the Powder Canyon Trail. This is the crossover for our figure-eight. Turning left at the Black Walnut trail, we headed up a small hill and back down the other side. Watch closely for a marker for the Nogales trail. While most of the trails here are fire breaks, the Nogales Trail is a single-track and easily missed. If you hit Fullerton Road, you’ve gone too far.

Nogales is a short hop that connected us back to the Powder Canyon trail. This is serene and shaded by ancient oaks, with a gentle climb to the saddle (our crossover point) and back north, down towards are trailhead. At the horse stables, we turned left over the bridge to the short Wildcat Loop, and back to where we began our hike.

Meeting the others was a real treat. I love hiking with other people. Hikers are good people, and this group was no exception. It was fascinating to hear about their own hikes, their lives, and what they do when they’re not hiking. Not surprisingly, the second-most discussed topic on the trail? Food.

And food was waiting for us when we returned to our trailhead. We shared a well-earned potluck lunch spread that left everyone satisfied.

Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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@greeneadventurs @adkinla @walksimply @thesocalhiker great to meet everyone thanks for setting it up!

— Josh McNair (@jcmcnair) November 10, 2012

@jcmcnair @greeneadventurs @ADKinLA @WalkSimply @TheSoCalHiker so happy to meet you all! can't wait for this spring!

— David Swift (@SwiftCinema) November 10, 2012

@greeneadventurs @adkinla @thesocalhiker @zacapplegate @jcmcnair #socalhikingtweetup Perfect temps. for #hiking!

— Traci Lehman (@WalkSimply) November 10, 2012

@TheSoCalHiker @WalkSimply @greeneadventurs @ADKinLA @jcmcnair Here ya go GPX http://t.co/Kow6aP3j & EveryTrail Map http://t.co/x2GO22zl

— Zac Applegate (@ZacApplegate) November 11, 2012

Who’s Who?

Here’s who attended this 2nd Tweetup. Show them some love! Check out their hiking blog, and follow them on Twitter.

• Pete: East-West Hike | @adkinla
• Jeff & Colleen: GreeneAdventures | @greeneadventurs
• Traci: Walk Simply | @WalkSimply
• David: Red Tail Trails | @redtailtrails
• Josh & Amie: California Through My Lens | @CaliFromMyLens
• Zac: RansomedMan | @ZacApplegate
• Jeff & Joan: SoCalHiker.net | @TheSoCalHiker

Special thanks to Pete, Jeff & Colleen for bringing us all together. To those who couldn’t make it this time, hopefully we’ll see you at the next Tweetup in the Spring!

There’s really no better way to get to know a city than walking through it, and in that spirit, I’ll be joining a few hundred others for this year’s Great Los Angeles Walk on Saturday, November 17th. This 17 mile walk extends from the steps of the Disney Concert Hall downtown all the way to the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. Now in it’s 7th year, this route will follow the entire length of Melrose Avenue — on the roads I take to-and-fro the gym on a regular basis. Getting to know it more closely will be a treat.

The Great LA Walk is free and there is no official registration. They are asking that people RSVP via the Facebook event page. And you can follow @GreatLAWalk on Twitter for updates.

I’ll be bringing my camera and photoblogging the walk. Just to prove that people really do walk in LA.

Last December, my grandmother passed away at the age of 95. Up to the end, she walked several times a week, lived in a regular neighborhood home which she kept up herself.

As we were going through the books, artwork, photos and other memories at her place, I came across a well-worn 1986 copy of Jerry Schad’s Afoot and Afield in San Diego County (the first edition). Being an avid hiker, this struck a sentimental chord with me, but what I really liked were the faded strips of paper used to bookmark their favorite hikes.

In honor of their memory, I’m hiking my grandma and grandpa’s favorite trails in San Diego County.

In contrast to many of the LA area mountain hikes, these are easier and more family-friendly, which manageable distance and elevation gains.

Which hiking trails in San Diego County were their favorites?

Here’s the list:

• La Jolla Shores to Torrey Pines Beach – 5 miles
• Lake Poway Loop – 2.5 miles
• Lopez Canyon – 4 miles
• Doane Valley Nature Trail
• Cedar Creek Falls – 4.5 miles
• Azalea Glen Trail – 3 miles
• Rock Tanks Loop – 7.5 miles
• Bow Willow Canyon – 7.5 miles

This mixture of trails provides a great tour of San Diego hiking, from the stunning coastline to the serenity of the desert. There are waterfalls, views and forest. And as I hike along these trails, I’ll be walking with the memory of my grandparents close to my heart.

When you think of hiking in Orange County, you don’t usually envision dramatic waterfalls. But during the spring, there are a number of wonderful seasonal waterfalls that are just a hike away. One of my personal favorites is Chiquito Falls.

Trail Details

Distance: 8.6 miles
Time: ~4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 1,409 ft
Dogs: OK
When to go: Fall–Spring

The trailhead parking is across the street from The Candy Store on Ortega Highway (Route 74). Being in the Cleveland National Forest, you’ll need to display an Adventure Pass to park. If you don’t have a pass, you can purchase one at The Candy Store. They also have a few free parking spaces behind the store.

At the northeast corner of the parking lot, you’ll see this sign marking the San Juan Loop trailhead.

There’s a map of the trails in the area as well as the usual warnings about rattlesnakes and wildlife. Note that dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash.

The trail climbs for a short distance, then bends around the ridge taking you by the San Juan Falls. These falls see a lot of visitors due to their close proximity to the parking lot. There are a lot of people who aren’t serious hikers. It’s also a great place to take kids to give them a taste of the wilderness.

I prefer to take a look from above, then leave the crowds behind and continue on to the more secluded and beautiful Chiquito Falls.

While you’re in the canyon, enjoy the shade of the oak trees. Most of the hike has full sun exposure.

Watch for the turn off to your right at about the 1.1 mile marker. Note that there is an unofficial turnoff before the official trail. Both cross the creek — an easy boulder hop usually — but only the second turn off has the official trail marker.

If you miss the turn and find yourself connecting back to Ortega Highway, you’ve gone too far.

Once you cross San Juan Creek, the trail parallels another tributary with good shade and a gentle climb. You’ll cross this tributary at about mile 2, and begin your ascent up the ridge.

The remaining 2+ miles to Chiquito Falls is exposed to the sun. As you climb up the ridge, you’ll be treated with some awesome panoramic views to the southeast, including Sitton Peak.

At 3.7 miles, you’ll reach the highest point on the trail — just shy of 2,700′ above sea level. Once you round the second bend, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Chiquito Falls.

As you near the falls, watch for the spur trail to the left. The main trail continues on connecting with the San Juan Trail.

The spur leads to the top of the falls, There are some great places to sit, enjoy the views and share lunch.

You can easily climb down to the base of the falls for a view from below. See the photo gallery below for more pics.

Trail Map and Elevation Profile

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead parking lot is directly across the street from The Candy Store on Ortega Highway 74, about 15 miles east of the 5 Freeway and San Juan Capistrano.

Chiquito Falls Trail Tips

• Remember you’ll need an National Forest Adventure Pass for parking
• Watch for rattlesnakes, particularly when the weather gets warmer
• Be sure to bring The Ten Essentials. This isn’t a walk through the ‘burbs!
• Watch for mountain bikers. This is a popular downhill route. If you see one, there are probably more following. Ask how many are behind them, and let them know how many hikers are behind you!
• The Candy Store now has a grill going on the weekends for a post-hike burger in addition to homemade fudge and cold drinks. Check their website for hours and details.
• Do you use the EveryTrail app on your smart phone? Download this guide and take it with you on the trail!

Photo Gallery

Special thanks to my girlfriend Joan for joining me on this hike, and for John from Hiking OC for introducing me to this trail.

3/26/18 Update: We’ve reduced the total vertical gain to 1,409′ thanks to SoCal hiker Paul Okada’s updated GPS data.

Crystal Cove State Park is nestled in the coastal hills between Newport and Laguna Beach. This hiking trail traces the boundaries of the inland section of the park, climbing up and down ridge and valley through coastal scrub. I love this park, not only because it’s so well located for Orange County, but because you really do feel like you’ve been transported to another place and time. As you enter the wilderness here, you soon forget that you are only a mile away from a sea of suburban tract homes. A hike through Crystal Cove is like a mini-vacation from suburbia.

Trail Details

Distance: 9.1 miles
Time: 3-5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 1,800 ft
Dogs: No
Hours: 6am-10pm daily
Parking: $15

This loop is sometimes referred to as the Perimeter of the Park hike. The trails form a loop surrounding the backcountry of Crystal Cove State Park, and provides a grand tour of its features.

The route begins at the top of the El Moro Visitor Center parking lot. Pass around the gate and head up the double-track trail known affectionately as No Dogs. (Odd only because dogs are not allowed on ANY of the trails in Crystal Cove’s backcountry). Note that the sign calls this No Name Ridge, but the maps all call it No Dogs here.

As you head up the ridge, you’ll come to a couple of junctions heading right at the power poles (the aptly named “Poles” trail). Stay left and continue up and down the roller coaster hills of No Name Ridge.

At mile 2.25 you will reach the junction with Ticketron. This single-track trail veers to the right, winding down to the Deer Canyon trail. Turn left at Deer Canyon, watching for the campground on your left.

The Deer Canyon campground is one of three backcountry campgrounds at Crystal Cove. All have picnic tables, but do not allow open flames. There are a few chemical toilets, but no water; if you want to camp here, you’ll have to backpack in with everything you need!

I wondered who would go backpacking so close to civilization, but a friend pointed out that the backcountry campgrounds at Crystal Cove makes a great location to do an equipment check. It’s close by, so you could even hike in on a Friday afternoon. And if things go awry, you’re not far from the comforts of civilization.

Follow the Deer Canyon trail all the way up to the back of the park, passing through the gate to the Bommer Ridge trail. Technically, Bommer Ridge is part of neighboring Laguna Wilderness, but this trail is preferable to the parallel Fences trail that gets a lot of mountain bikers.

At about mile 4.75 you’ll reach Moro Ridge. Turn right through the gate and follow this ridge back towards the coastline. Along the way, you’ll pass two campgrounds on your right (Upper and Lower El Moro).

This ridge gives you great views of the ocean, Moro Canyon to you right and Emerald Canyon to your left. If you’re alert, you may also see artifacts from the days when this land was used for cattle and sheep herding.

Eventually you’ll turn right on to the affectionately titled BFI (Big F-ing Incline) trail, descending to Moro Canyon and the final hill back to the visitor center.

Reward yourself with a milkshake at the Shake Shack about a mile north on Coast Highway.

Trail Map

Photo Gallery

Essential Crystal Cove State Park Resources

• Official Crystal Cove State Park website
• SoCal Hiker’s Inside Crystal Cove State Park
• Crystal Cove Interpretive Association
• You can pay your Crystal Cove day-use fees using the Passport Parking app after you safely park your vehicle. Complementary ParksWiFi is available to assist with processing your payment.
• Ruby’s Shake Shack

The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth! – John Muir

Trail Details

Distance: 11.4 miles
Time: ~9 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 4,689 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: June-October

This hike is the fifth in my Six-Pack of Peaks series of training hikes that I originally used to train for the hiking the John Muir Trail. 

There are several routes up San Jacinto. Most people take the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up from the desert floor and begin their journey in Long Valley. It’s a route I’ve taken many times before, and I was itching for something different and a more challenging.

The Marion Mountain trail fit the bill perfectly.

The Marion Mountain route begins a few miles north of Idyllwild. It’s the shortest route up Mt. San Jacinto. It’s also steep, relentlessly climbing over 4,600 feet in just 5.7 miles.

As you can see here in this Google Earth image, the trail climbs almost continuously, with a short breather at Little Round Valley before the final ascent to the saddle and the summit.

I felt great on the hike, though. First of all, unlike my last big hike I hydrated and slept well the night before. But the other reason was the scenery. Almost the entire hike is under the cover of pine forest that was bursting with wildflowers and dozens of little snow-fed rivulets. The visual feast kept our minds busy.

And though I planned this hike many weeks in advance, it turns out the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. One pair of hikers I met on the trail told me they had been up this trail just a couple weeks earlier and had to turn back at Little Round Valley because of the heavy snow. Only those with crampons were making it to the summit.

On this weekend, the snow had mostly melted, though we still saw patches such as this one feeding the many seasonal creeks.

Not far below the junction to the summit lies Little Round Valley. It has a beautiful alpine meadow and a number of primitive campsites. None were occupied on this particular weekend, and I’ve heard that bugs are a real issue here. There is, however, a chemical toilet (we marveled at how they got it up there!) and it’s worth taking a short break here to enjoy the view and rest before the final climb.

We regrouped at the junction with the trail coming up from the tram, and made the short hike up to the stone hut and on to the summit.

The hut contains four bunks and a place to deposit any extra supplies you might want to share, should others need them in an emergency. As the sign on the door reminds you, be sure to leave the hut in better condition than when you arrived.

Beyond the hut it’s a boulder scramble to the summit, which on this particular day had a crowd of people. Joan and I literally had to wait in line for the obligatory “here we are at the top” photo.

We ate lunch, took photos, and gave thanks that we didn’t take the trail from the tram — it was obvious that was how most of the people up here came. To return down the mountain we simply retraced our steps. The long descent was greatly aided by trekking poles. Finally back at the trailhead, we drove a couple miles back to Idyllwild for dinner at the local Mexican restaurant, Arriba’s — good food, reasonable prices and hiker-friendly patios. Highly recommended.

A few tips for anyone planning this hike. First, allow sufficient time to get to the trailhead. This place is not freeway-close by any measure. It took us a full two hours to get there from Orange County. Add your driving time to the hiking time, and you’ve pretty nearly filled your day. Second, if you’re meeting your hiking partners, plan to meet at the Ranger Station in Idyllwild, then caravan to the trailhead outside of town. It’s easy to find the Ranger Station; but not so easy to find the trailhead.

Mount San Jacinto via Marion Mountain 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

Click any image for a larger version.

Additional Mt. San Jacinto Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file (right-click and save as)
• View the trail in Google Earth
• The Marion Mountain trailhead can be reached off of CA 243 a few miles north of Idyllwild. There are signs indicating where to turn for the Fern Basin and Marion Mountain campgrounds. The trailhead begins on road 4S71 between the campgrounds. Trailhead parking on Google Maps. You must display an Adventure Pass in your car.
• Self-service permits are required for day hikes, obtainable at the Ranger Station in Idyllwild at 25905 State Highway 243

Idyllwild Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”92549″]

Bag the Six-Pack of Peaks

1. Mt. Wilson 
2. Cucamonga Peak
3. Mt. San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) 
4. San Bernardino Peak
5. Mt. San Jacinto (you are here)
6. San Gorgonio

What is the SoCalHiker Six-Pack of Peaks?

A special thanks to my hiking companions Leslie, John R and Joan!

Title photo credit: Chuck Coker