At 2,812 feet, Black Mountain looms large, way up, and behind, the smaller hills to the west of Highway 280 in Silicon Valley. On a clear day you can see the Pacific Ocean, as well as San Francisco, and the entire Silicon Valley at your feet. You can also gaze at some of the other peaks in the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, including Mount Diablo, Mount Umunhum, and Mission Peak.

It feels so far away, yet so close, to the busy valleys down below. Take the time to peruse the many ways to get to the top! Some are easier than others, and some can be a parking headache on pleasant weekends!

Trail Details

Summit: 2,785′
Distance: 11.5 miles
Time: 3-5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,800 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

Set your GPS to 28100 Laura Court, Los Altos Hills, and park in the residential area.

Notice the interesting lake nearby, and imagine what it looked like as a rock quarry, many years ago.

Hiking the Trail

Head uphill, past the gate. It’s quite steep for a bit, until the junction with the more popular Chamise Trail. Turn right onto the Chamise Trail.

After about a mile, the trail forks, then rejoins itself after ~0.2 miles. At that 4-way intersection, continue uphill, and to the west, on the Black Mountain Trail.

Over the next 3 miles, you’ll be climbing gradually towards the triple communication towers. Just when you think you’re getting close, there’s a 100 foot dip in the trail, followed by a steep final climb. You’re there!

The official summit is where the “moon rocks” are, one of which has the official USGS Benchmark.

Black Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Black Mountain Tips

• When you return, on the final stretch to your starting point. There’s a little sign that says “Private Property Ahead”. No worries! This trail is heavily used, and not blocked or discouraged in any way. It’s not on the official map, however. MidPen tries to reduce the impact on residential neighborhoods.
• It can get hot in the summer! Water, sunscreen, and good shoes are a must.
• Phone signals are available on the majority of the trails.

Alternate Routes

• The most popular approach is from Rancho San Antonio Preserve (22500 Cristo Rey Dr, Cupertino, CA). It’s about 12 miles and 3200 feet, round trip. Be aware that the parking lot fills-up quickly, particularly on pleasant weekend days. This is the main park entrance, on the eastern edge of the park map.
• Another approach, with a very limited parking lot, is from the Rhus Ridge Trail. The hike is about 9 miles, and 2500 feet. It’s at the top-left of the park map, and is accessed from Rhus Ridge Road, off of Moody Road.
• There are two easy approaches, via the neighboring Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. One is to drive up Page Mill Road, to the parking lots marked on the map, in the area of “#3”. Hike east on one of several trails, then north to Black Mountain.
• Last, but not least, is to get a permit (and gate code) to park on upper Montebello Road, from the Midpeninsula Open Space folks (“Waterwheel Parking” permit application).  The park map shows both the parking lot, and Black Mountain, on the right side.

The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

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

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

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

Trail Details

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

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

Getting to the Trailhead

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

Hiking to Gray Butte

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gray Butte Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Additional Gray Butte Tips and Resources

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

Smith Rock State Park Weather Forecast

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

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

A peak in the beautiful Mayacamas Mountains overlooking Napa Valley and beyond, Mount Saint Helena will give you the best views all around.  In Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, this hike is great at different times of the year and one of the few mountains in the Bay Area to get snowfall in the winter.

This out and back hike begins and ends at the Stevenson Memorial Trailhead just north of the Napa Valley Wine Country. The parking lot is easy to miss and looks like a large turn around spot.  Be sure to arrive early. I have seen it fill up before 7am in the winter. A recent summer trip was a midweek hike and I was the second car in the lot at 6:30am. This trail is popular for hikers, mountain bikers and rock climbers and since 6 miles of it is on the road, an occasional PGE vehicle.

Trail Details

Summit Elev.: 4,341′
Distance: 10.7 miles
Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,119′
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Mount Saint Helena Trailhead

From the majority of the Bay Area, it is quickest to take 80 East (though it goes mostly north) past Highway 29, and take 12 west until it intersects 29 at a stop light. Here, go right and drive through wine country!  Be sure to scope out ones you may want to visit afterwards.

In the town of Calistoga, 29 takes a right to the stop sign. Continue on 29 out of Calistoga where it begins to get windy. The road proceeds up the shoulder of Mount St. Helena.

At the top, there will be a pedestrian crossing sign promptly followed by parking areas on both the right and left sides of the road, they’re pretty easy to fly by, but that’s where you park.  I passed it on my first visit but it was still dark outside, just before sunrise. There is no fee for parking or entering the park but be sure to get there early if you don’t want to park on the busy bustling street.

One visit where I rock climbed on Mount Saint Helena, I camped in a yurt at Bothe Napa State Park a few miles away.  A nice little campground and Yurtville where every group had a few bottles of wine. A nice way to unwind after a day of outdoor adventure.

Hiking Mount Saint Helena

The parking lot sits directly across the road from the trailhead and picnic area and is open sunrise to sunset.  Be sure to use caution while crossing this busy road.

Just off to the left of the picnic area is the sign for the trailhead, keep a look out for this sign since the trail can be easily missed because it is part of a creek in the early spring and can get quite overgrown. Go right from the sign to start the most challenging part of the climb.

From here, follow the gradually rising and mellow switchbacks up.  This first mile is a 443 ft gain and the steepest section of the entire hike.

This 2 mile section is under the Oak, Madrone and Douglas Fir canopy, which is a nice break from the hot sun. It’s just under a mile until you reach the Monument, shaped like an open book: this is where the newly married Stevenson’s cabin was located. I marked it at .8 miles.

Look to the right of this marker and you’ll see faint steps carved into the rock; this is the trail that leads to the fire road that will, in turn, lead to the peak.

When I hiked this trail in February, the snow-covered trees made this trail a winter wonderland.

The terrain is pretty rugged here but once you get through the narrow and rocky section, you will reach the road and follow it all the way up to the peak.

You will see a trail sign at the trail and road junction which directs you up, so stay to the left here.

Hike a couple hundred feet for some amazing views of Calistoga and Napa Valley.

Be prepared for sunshine the rest of the way.If you start you hike early, this section will be forgiving with shaded areas and a nice breeze to cool you down on your climb up.

Be sure to stop and take in the scenery as you make your around the south west side of the mountain looking out to Calistoga and Sonoma.

At about the 2 mile mark, you may see some rock climbers as you pass The Bubble, known for having the most scenic rock climbing views in the Bay Area. If you get a chance to climb, don’t forget to look behind you and take in the scenery.  It is pretty darn epic.

This was my favorite stretch when it was covered in snow in February.  Be sure to arrive early to enjoy it before the sun makes it slushy.

Follow the road all the way up and as you approach mile 4, you can see the peaks with the towers and there will be a junction on the trail.

Stay to the right here and you will be headed toward your summit. If you go to the left you will reach the lower south peak, continue straight to get to the highest (northern-most) peak with the red and white tower.

There are a few side trails that I haven’t explored yet and can be confusing to navigate.  Rest assured if you stay on the road you will reach your summit at 5.1 miles and be rewarded with 360 views of Sonoma, Napa and Lake Counties.

In the early winter I experienced gusty winds at the peak but in February it was the snow covered summit that made this place special.

When I hiked last week, it was about 90 when I reached the top.  I checked the weather and prepared with sun protection, 3L of water and a hearty brunch to enjoy.

There’s a mound of rocks that represents the actual peak, with a plaque commemorating the Russian expedition that reached the it in 1841, naming the mountain after Princess Helena de Gagarin, wife of the commander in charge of Fort Ross on the Sonoma Coast–another place to visit.

From the summit on a clear day you can see Mount Tamalpais, Mount Diablo, and the Sierras! The volcanic rock on top makes a great spot to sit and enjoy lunch while taking in the scenery.

In the Spring, gusty winds can be brutal and once I stood next to a small structure to take shelter from the shade while I enjoyed my lunch. On a hot day, finding a spot to sit on the rocks can give you a little relief from the sun while facing out to the beautiful mountains beyond.

As you make your decent, just retrace the same path you took up, but be sure to take in the views on your way down.

Soon after you pass The Bubble, keep an eye out for the trail sign on the right.  It can be easily missed depending on the time of you visit.  Make your way down the rocky section back to the Monument back to the picnic area.

Back at the Trailhead

Once you reach the parking lot, you may notice how full it can get.  While some have hiked the same trail you did, others hiked about two miles the other way to visit or climb Table Rock with wonderful views of Mount Saint Helena.

All trails in this park are open to the elements and should be taken into consideration all times of the year.  One thing I have realized over the past year is that there is no bad weather, just the wrong gear and being fully prepared with the 10 Essentials with enough water and snacks to keep this hike enjoyable.

The total roundtrip distance of the trail is a little over ten miles. (I have it marked at 10.7 both times I have recorded this hike on AllTrails and 10.31 on Gaia GPS) The grade isn’t extreme, so given the time (and water) most people in moderate shape will be fine. There is, however, added incentive to finish the hike: just down the hill in the town of Calistoga there are many great wineries and breweries.

There is nothing like sipping a glass of wine while looking back at the mountain you just climbed.  Maybe next time I’ll drive down and try a mud bath.

Mount Saint Helena Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount Saint Helena Peak Resources

• Robert Louis Stevenson State Park – official website
• Be sure to carry the Ten Essentials

NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

This hike is part of the Northern California Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes in the San Francisco Bay 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.

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

Trail Details

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

Getting to the Mount Elden Trailhead

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

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

Hiking Mount Elden with Fatman’s Loop

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mount Elden Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount Elden Resources

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

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

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

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

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

Trail Details

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

Getting to the Kendrick Peak Trailhead

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

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

Hiking Kendrick Peak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kendrick Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Kendrick Peak Resources

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

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

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

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

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

Trail Details

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

Getting to the Trailhead

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

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

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

Hiking Wilson Mountain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wilson Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Wilson Mountain Resources

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

Sedona Weather Forecast

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

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

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

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

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.

Picacho is one of those peaks that you look at and can’t tell how there’s possibly a trail to the top, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the most exciting two and a half mile hikes out there. Once you make it beyond the halfway saddle, it’s a rollercoaster of a mountain and emotion. You’ll be thankful for the system of steel cables there for you to cling to along all the steep, bare rock sections. Don’t forget to pack a pair of gloves!

Getting to the Trailhead

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 3,374′
Distance: 2.4 miles
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 1,986 ft
Dogs: Only to the half-way saddle
When to go: Fall, Winter, Spring
Trail hours: Sunrise to Sunset

The trailhead has no toilets or water, so stop at the visitor’s center if either are needed.

Hiking Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail

There are two trails out of the parking area, so make sure you start on the one that goes right and up towards the peak. There is a very obvious sign next to the correct trail that says “Hunter Trail To the Top of the Peak”.

Out of the parking lot, the trail starts with a gentle uphill grade and a few slight turns. There are a lot of man-made wooden steps, some obvious trail signs to guide you, and a few sections of cable that you’ll later laugh at on your way back down from the summit.

After a half mile of this easier terrain, you get up to a rock face and the trail makes a left turn. You’ll drop away from the wall briefly, then climb back up towards the next larger rock face. Around mile 0.65 you’ll come to the base of the wall where there’s an overhang carved out making a shallow cave, and the trail will make a sharp switchback to the right. Continue up for about another tenth of a mile where you’ll reach a saddle.

The view south opens up nicely here, and there’s even a bench for you to rest a moment before the real challenge begins.

As the sign next to the bench points out, the trail turns left here. Walk towards the towering rock face on your left, and you’ll see a cable railing system begin and curve down, down, down along the base of the wall.

The trail drops about 300 vertical feet here. As you drop you’ll have a single cable, two cables, wooden steps, or all three at the same time. At the bottom of this drop, the trail turns left and traverses relatively flat for a moment then begins to curve uphill again. There are a few mellow cabled parts in this stretch, trail signs and small white arrows painted on the rock to guide you through some switchbacks, then around the 1.0 mile mark there’s a junction with the Sunset Trail.

Keep left at this junction, following an obvious “TO PEAK” sign. From here to the peak the cables get serious.

They look a little scary at first, but once you’re in them you feel quite secure. Take your time through each, and use them to help you navigate. Once you clear one set, look up ahead for the next.

After about 150 vertical feet of cables and rock, you come to a large amphitheater dotted with saguaros.

Follow the trail clockwise and up around the inside of the bowl. On the far side you’ll come to the steepest cabled section on the mountain. The cables feel nearly vertical here, but there is decent footing up and through the metal doorframe. At the top of this section, go left to traverse through the final cables. Ahead you’ll find a straight drop to the parking lot side of the peak. Turn right, switchbacking through the final stretch to the summit. Take in the 360 degree view from the top of this dramatic peak!

Once you’ve mentally prepared to go back down through the gauntlet, return the way you came.

Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Picacho Peak Hiking Resources

• Official Picacho State Park website
• Don’t forget to pack some light gloves to help protect your hands on the cables
• The state park has an entrance fee of $7 per car
• Get turn-by-turn driving directions to the trailhead via Google Maps

Picacho 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.

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

Trail Details

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

Getting to the Trailhead

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

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

Hiking Granite Mountain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Granite Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

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

Granite Mountain Tips & Hiking Resources

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

Granite Mountain Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on September 12, 2018.

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.

The second tallest in the Phoenix Mountains, Piestewa Peak has a lot to offer considering its location and length. It has great views into the rest of the Phoenix Mountain Range and into the city of Phoenix. It has easier flat sections, challenging steep sections, and a short scramble to the true summit. Previously known as Squaw Peak, this mountain was renamed in 2003 to honor Lori Ann Piestewa, the first known Native American woman to die in combat in the U.S. military.

Getting to the Trailhead

Trail Details

Summit Elevation: 2,608′
Distance: 2.2 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,112 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Fall, Winter, Spring
Trail hours: 5am to 11pm

If there are no spaces, there is more parking across the street. There is also parking along part of East Squaw Peak Drive, and around the corner on North 24th Place. The trailhead has porta-potties, but no running water.

Hiking Piestewa Peak

From the trailhead begin making your way up Trail 300 – Summit Trail. The path starts out wide with periodic man-made steps and cement curbs on either side, and at a gradual climb. Depending on the time of day and year, there is little to no shade along the route.

The trail has long steadily climbing switchbacks, then around mile 0.5 there is a flat stretch that leads to the small saddle. This saddle is the only trail intersection you need to watch out for. Stay right, following the sign post that says “300 Summit”.

You’re halfway to the top! At mile 0.65 you reach another saddle, but this time the Summit Trail crosses over to the left side of the ridge, and climbs along the Northwest face of the ridge. Short steep switchbacks begin around mile 0.8 and climb until mile 0.9 where a longer switchback brings you around again to the right side of the ridge.

This longer straight stretch leads you to another set of tight switchbacks with a few railings, then puts you up and over to the other side of the ridge one last time at mile 1.0. Drop down a large step, cross North to the bottom of the final section of steep steps to the summit, and finish the climb.

The true summit is a short scramble up the right side, but there is more area to sit and enjoy the view on the left. Once you’re done enjoying the views of Phoenix and the other surrounding mountains, return down the way you came.

Piestewa Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Piestewa Peak Resources

• Official City of Phoenix website for Piestewa Peak
• Overview of Piestewa Peak via Visit PhoenixWeather Forecast
• Get turn-by-turn driving directions 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.

If you’ve hiked up a peak many times before, taking a new route to the top keeps the adventure fresh. That was my goal as I hiked Mount San Jacinto via the Devil’s Slide Trail from Humber Park in Idyllwild.

I’ve been up Mount San Jacinto more times than I can remember, and I’ve hiked from Humber Park, but I hadn’t combined the two. For my fourth time taking the SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, this provided the fresh scenery I was looking for.

Trail Details

Summit: 10,834′
Distance: 15.5 miles
Time: 7-9 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 4,125 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: May-October

Getting to the Trailhead

The hike begins in Idyllwild’s Humber Park. An Adventure Pass is required to park, and a wilderness permit for hiking to the summit can be picked up from the ranger station in Idyllwild. There’s quite a bit of parking here, but it is a popular trailhead for hikers, climbers and backpackers that fills up on the weekends, so get there early.

Hiking Mount San Jacinto via Devils Slide

The trail begins at the southeast corner of the Humber Park parking area. As always, check the information board for any notices and warnings about the trail conditions before heading out.

The Devils Slide Trail climbs about 2,000 vertical feet over 2.5 miles. The trail itself is well-engineered, with a steady climb that is best enjoyed before the sunlight hits it later in the day. As you climb, pause to take in the views of Suicide and Taquitz Rock on opposite sides of the valley.

The trail levels off at Saddle Junction, and this is a good place to regroup and take a break. There are several trails that converge at this junction, so look carefully for the PCT trail and signs for Wellmans Divide and Mount San Jacinto before taking off.

Over the next 2+ miles you will be on a section of the famed 2600 mile Pacific Crest Trail. If you hike this in May, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter thru-hikers making their way from the Mexican border to Canada.

At 5.45 miles you reach Wellman’s Divide, just 2.3 miles from the summit. This is where you meet up with the trail from Long Valley. If you’ve hiked from the tram, this spot is one of the first with a sweeping view.

The trail climbs the eastern slope of Mt San Jacinto, switching back to a saddle where the Marion Mountain Trail joins before heading past the stone shelter and the final boulder scramble to the summit.

Even on a weekday, it’s not uncommon to run into other hikers, even other Six-Pack of Peaks Challengers. And as John Muir said, “The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth!”

The peak is a great place to rest and refuel. Remember that this is the halfway point of your hike, so be sure you’ve saved enough energy for the hike back down.

Mt San Jacinto via Humber Park Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount San Jacinto Resources

• As with any trip in the wilderness, carry the ten essentials and follow the Leave No Trace principles.
• There is a seasonal spring below Wellman’s Divide, but I recommend that you don’t rely on that. Bring enough water for the full hike.
• The Devils Slide trailhead can be reached at Humber Park, at 24559 Fern Valley Road, Idyllwild, CA 92549.
• You must display an Adventure Pass in your car.
• Free, self-service permits are required for day hikes, obtainable at the Ranger Station in Idyllwild at 25905 State Highway 243

Idyllwild Weather Forecast

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Originally solo hiked on September 15, 2017. All photos by Jeff Hester. 

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

Trail Details

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

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

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

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

Getting to the Trailhead

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

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

Hiking the Trail to Mission Peak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mission Peak Tips

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

More Mission Peak Resources

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

Mission Peak Weather Forecast

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

Trail Details

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

Getting to the Trailhead

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

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

Hiking to the Summit of Black Crater

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The very top requires minor scrambling to reach.

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

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

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

Black Crater Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Black Crater Tips & Resources

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

Sisters Weather Forecast

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

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Originally hiked with Joan on July 15, 2017.

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

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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! 

The beautiful Santa Anita Loop

Trail Details

Distance: 9.6 miles
Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,100 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: October to June
Download the GPX

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike begins at Chantry Flats — a popular and especially crowded spot on weekends. If you’re here on the weekend, get here early or you’ll end up parking down the road and extending your hike even further. Get directions on Google Maps. To park in the area, you’ll either need an Adventure Pass or you can park at the Adams Pack Station for a fee. The pack station also sells Adventure Passes. If you don’t have one, get one. It’s worth avoiding a ticket.

The Santa Anita Canyon Loop

The trailhead begins on the downhill side of the road near the entrance to the Chantry Flats parking lot. The first half mile is paved and often crowded with families and children looking for an escape from the city. You might even see a few serious hikers. Don’t let the crowds dissuade you! This trail is worth hiking.

When you reach the bottom, you’ll cross a steel-and-wood bridge, then take the Gabrielino Trail toward Sturtevant Camp. Along the way, you’ll criss-cross the creek a number of times. It’s a fun rock-hopping exercise, but if you’re feeling insecure, use your trekking poles for added support and balance.

Sturtevant Falls are worth visiting, although it’s a short out-and-back on a spur trail to reach them. This 50-foot waterfall can be quite beautiful after the winter rainstorms roll through.

You may see some people climbing the scree up the north side of the canyon to “shortcut” back to the trail. Don’t do it. It’s a short hike back to the actual trail junction, and this accelerates erosion and damages the hillside next to the waterfall.

Instead, retrace your steps back to the Gabrielino Trail junction. You can go either way here (they both end up at the same place) but stick to the right. It follows the creek more closely and is much more beautiful. The high trail is mainly for the pack mules.

After four miles, you’ll reach a sign pointing to the Sturtevant Camp. Remember that this is private, so be respectful of the guests. On the day we hiked here, no one was staying there, so we explored a bit and even tried out the giant swing.

Back on the trail, and just across the creek from Sturtevant Camp is the junction with the Zion Trail — the next leg of this loop.

The Zion Trail climbs 1.25 miles to the summit of Mt. Zion, then descends on the other side of the ridge to Hoegee Trail Camp and Winter Creek. There was one downed tree we had to clamber over, but otherwise the trail was well-maintained and easy to follow. Most of the route to the summit was shaded.

The Zion Trail was built by Wilbur Sturtevant back in 1896 to provide direct access to his resort. This was the primary route to Sturtevant Camp until 1916 when the canyon trail was constructed. During the 1960’s the trail fell into disrepair, became overgrown and impassable. It was reopened in 1985 thanks to the efforts of the Sierra Club and local volunteers to rebuilt the trail.

View from Mt. Zion

The trail down to Hoegees Trail Camp descends the south-facing ridge to Winter Creek. This section of the trail had several sections with direct sun exposure. It’s fascinating to note the change in plant life — and in temperature! It was about 10 degrees warmer in the sun than in the shady canyons.

At Hoegees, you have the option of taking the Upper or Lower Winter Creek Trail. We opted to follow the Lower Winter Creek Trail (and I recommend you do the same). This follows a more scenic route along Winter Creek with numerous water crossings, the cool shade of the Alders and the sounds of gurgling water cascading down the canyon.

Several places along the way you’ll pass cabins of various sizes and conditions. These cabins are all privately owned and on land leased from the Forest Service. They were built between 1907 and 1936, and while at one time there were hundreds dotting the canyons, today only about 80 remain. They have no electricity or utility services, and everything must be either hand-carried or brought in by mule train, as they have been for 100 years.

Finally you’ll reach the bridge that you crossed near the beginning of your hike. It’s just half a mile uphill on the paved road back to Chantry Flats. And yes, it’s normal for it to feel longer going up than when you went down it this morning.

Santa Anita Canyon Loop Trail Map

Santa Anita Loop Tips

• When Zion Trail reaches the Winter Creek Junction, you can optionally take the Upper Winter Creek Trail back to Chantry Flats. This adds one mile to the total distance, but comes down at the parking lot rather than descending all the way to the canyon (with the half mile climb up the paved road to the lot). I’ve done both routes, and in spite of the final uphill climb, I still prefer the scenery of Lower Winter Creek Trail.
• If you’re feeling ambitious and want a longer, more challenging hike, you can take the Sturtevant trail at the junction to Mt. Zion and continue your climb up the canyon to Mt. Wilson. I’ve got a full guide to that route here: Chantry Flats to Mt. Wilson. It happens to be the first of the SoCal Hiker Six-Pack of Peaks.
• The Chantry Flat Road is gated. The gate is open from 6am to 8pm, so plan accordingly.

More Chantry Flats Resources

• Adams Pack Station – They sell Adventure Passes, but also offer some parking on their own lot for about $10. They have a market that sells drinks and food, and sometimes on the weekends they have a grill outside cooking up burgers. They also have a mule pack service that can haul gear and supplies up to your campsite or cabin. Many of the small, privately owned cabins in these canyons use their service to lug supplies up.
• Staying at Camp Sturtevant – The camp was established in 1893 by Wilbur Sturtevant. Today, it’s owned by the Methodist Church, but managed by the Adams Pack Station. You can reserve cabins at Camp Sturtevant for your personal or family retreat, or for a group outing.
• GPS User? Download the GPX file.

Chantry Flats Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”91006″]

Special thanks to my hiking partners Ric, Jason and Bruce from the Muir Project. Great hiking with you! 

Mt. San Jacinto was one of the first big peaks I bagged as a teenager and I’m still drawn to it many years later. This route starts at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram — a treat in itself — and although it’s the “easiest” route it’s by no means easy. This out-and-back trail travels 11 miles round trip with 3000 feet of vertical elevation climbed. At an elevation of 10,834 feet above sea level, Mt. San Jacinto offers amazing 360-degree views and an alpine environment that surprises first-time visitors.

Trail Details

Distance: 11 miles
Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3020 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Summer

Why bother backpacking this what you could hike in a day? Why not!?  It’s a beautiful setting for sleeping under the stars, and gives you a chance for an early morning start to the summit of San Jacinto. And it’s a great way to dip your toes in the waters if you’re new to backpacking, or just trying out some new gear.

Getting to the Trail

Start by driving to the Palm Springs Aerial Tram, about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles. There is free parking at the tram station. Buy your tram ticket and get ready to ride to the top!

The tram itself is pretty cool. It’s one of the largest rotating trams in the world, and climbs nearly 8,000 feet in the short 20 minute ride. At the top is the Mountain Station, replete with gift shop, cafe, restaurant, lockers, restrooms and yes, tourists aplenty. Many people ride the tram just for the experience or to escape the heat of Palm Springs below. Most of them don’t go far from the tram station.

Trail Description

Exit the tram station, walking down the concrete switchbacks to Long Valley and follow the signs for Round Valley. If you’re here for a day hike, you can stop at the seasonal Long Valley ranger station and get your self-issued permit. If you’re here overnight, you’ve already got your permit in hand, right? Yep, you’ll need to apply in advance, and by snail-mail. Here’s the details (PDF).

Continue past the ranger station, paying close attention to the trail signs. The trail mainly follows a seasonal creek up the valley. In the spring, it’s lively and bubbling. With the current low rain levels this year the creek was bone dry.

A few weeks after we backpacked here, some friends were hiking this as a day hike. As shown here, it was bone dry on their way up (and the skies were blue and cloudless). Before they reached the summit, the weather had changed with a vicious monsoon thunderstorm. Not only were they forced to cut their hike short, but this creek had become a raging torrent. The lesson? Be prepared for changes to the weather, including cold, rain and (depending on the month) even snow.

Continuing on the trail, you’ll pass a couple of junctions, but the trail is well-marked. Stick to the signs towards Round Valley (or the summit) and you’ll be in good shape. Soon, we got our first glimpse of the meadow in Round Valley.

At 2.3 miles, you’ll reach the far end of the Round Valley meadow. There is a seasonal ranger station as well as a water source. Be sure to filter or purify the water from this source.

The campsites in Round Valley are well spaced to provide a sense of privacy, but you’ll see and hear other people. It’s not complete solitude. There are also several pit toilets that serve the area, but BYOTP (bring your own toilet paper).

Why backpack this trail that most people hike as a day hike. Because we were able to sit back and enjoy the quiet beauty of this wonderful valley. We enjoyed a leisurely dinner, drank some boxed wine, and gazed at the stars above. And in the morning, we had a great breakfast and still were on the trail before the first tram reached Mountain Station, giving us fewer people and cooler temperatures for the climb to the summit.

Round Valley to the Summit of San Jacinto

We left our campsite setup and slack-packed to the summit. Start by retracing your steps to the trail junction at the Round Valley water source, then take the trail up the valley towards Wellman’s Divide. This trail climbs steadily on a well-engineered trail for a mile, finally reaching the stunning southern vistas of the divide.

There is a junction at the divide marked by a trail sign. Be sure you head north towards San Jacinto Peak.

The trail runs diagonally across the east flank of Jean Peak, pausing briefly at a flat cleft at 10,000 feet before continuing north on the east side of San Jacinto. The trail have very little shade and direct sun all morning. Sun protection is essential.

One more mile in this direction and the trail switches back, heading south west for .3 miles to Saddle Junction. Here the trail meets up with the Marion Mountain Trail that starts outside of Idyllwild, and turns north again for the final push to the summit.

We paid a visit to the hut on San Jacinto, then boulder-hopped the remaining 100 yards or so to the 10,834′ summit of San Jacinto. Distance from the tram to the summit: 5.5 miles. But because we had backpacked to Round Valley first, it was only 3.5 miles for us.

We were one of the first groups of hikers to reach the summit, but soon after the first hikers off the tram started arriving, and a steady stream began to arrive.

From here, we retraced our steps down to Round Valley. On our way down, we were stopped by SoCal Hiker reader Josh — who thanked us for the site and shared how he was in the process of completing the Six-Pack of Peaks.

A bit further still we ran into Oshie (@purpleosh— another friend of SoCal Hiker that we knew through Twitter. She was training for a big Sierra backpack trip.

We reached our camp, packed up and headed to the tram. By the time we got there, the day had warmed up considerably. We were thankful for our early start.

This route up San Jacinto from the tram is a very popular hike, both as a day hike or as an overnight backpack. I’ve done it both ways, many times, and really encourage you to give the backpacking option a try.

Overview of the Trail from the Tram to Round Valley to San Jacinto Peak

Mount San Jacinto via the Tram 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.

Mt San Jacinto Photo Gallery

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Mt San Jacinto Hiking & Backpacking Tips

• If you want to camp overnight, you’ll need to get a permit in advance from the ranger station in Idyllwild. Call the station with the dates you’re interested in, fill in the the downloadable permit application, then mail in your check with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Yes, it’s all done by mail, so allow sufficient time.

More Mt San Jacinto Resources

• Looking for an even more challenging route to the summit of San Jacinto? Try the Marion Mountain Trail which starts near Idyllwild.
• The tram runs year round, and makes a great intro to snowshoeing in the winter.
• Weather at Mountain Station (at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram)
• GPS user? Download the GPX file.

Trail Details

Distance: 16.5 miles
Time: ~9 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 4,702 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October

This hike is the fourth in my Six-Pack of Peaks series of training hikes. I used them to train for hiking the John Muir Trail, but others are doing it to prepare for hiking Whitney, or simply just for the adventure, the scenery and the mountain views.

The first challenge with this hike is finding the trailhead. I was able to find it on Google Maps, but the directions Google gave me neglected to point out that many of the streets in Angelus Oaks are missing street signs. Not helpful. The key is to look for the fire station (it’s on Manzanita). Turn torwards the station, then an immediate left on the frontage road. That’s where you’ll see what might be the most detailed road sign I’ve ever seen.

You’ll drive about 1/4 mile along a bumpy dirt road. You can take a passenger car up there driving slowly, though I was glad to be driving my Xterra.

The trailhead parking requires an Adventure Pass. There is a message board and the ranger regularly posts updates (“rattlesnake seen on the trail” or “be sure to carry your permit”). Check the board for any special notices before heading up the only trailhead which begins just to the left.

Permit Availability

Permits are required to hike this trail, even as a day hike, and group size is limited to a maximum of 12. Permits are free, and can be obtained online on the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association website.

You can also backpack overnight up San Bernardino Peak, coming either at Limber Pine Bench.

There are three distinct sections to this trail. The first section climbs steadily up well-engineered switchbacks through oak and pine forest. You gain a lot of elevation quickly, but the trail is smooth and not too steep. I was impressed with the great views out toward the Inland Empire and north towards the snow-capped Mt. San Antonio (aka Baldy).

Eventually you emerge at Manzanita Flats — the main junction along this trail. Note: read the trail signs, and head toward Limber Pines.

The second section gently climbs through manzanita, with beautiful views to the north towards Big Bear. The trail beings to climb up the final slope as you near Limber Pines. There is a small seasonal creek that you’ll cross about 1/2 mile before Limber Pines. I wouldn’t count on using from mid-summer on, but with this year’s bumper crop of snow, it was flowing pretty well in mid-June.

Limber Pines is where the weekend backpackers often setup camp, and it makes a great place for a break before your final climb. The third and final section follows switchbacks up the steep slope to Washington’s Monument, then parallels the ridge to the top of San Bernardino Peak.

This is last section of the trail, you may really begin to feel the altitude, and depending on the time of year,  you may find large patches of snow covering entire sections of the trail. Fortunately the warm weather has been melting what snow remains pretty quickly, and we were able to get by without crampons or ice axes. Well, most of us anyway. More on that later…

Washington’s Monument is the tongue-in-cheek name for a what is really little more than a pile of rocks with a pole stuck in the middle. In 1852, Colonel Henry Washington and his Army survey party were directed to erect a monument atop San Bernardino Peak. The monument was the east-west reference point from which all future surveys of Southern California were taken.

From Washington’s Monument, the trail follows the ridge for another 3/4 mile to the summit, where you can take in the 360 degree views.

So the observant ones out there may have noticed that sometime after Limber Pines, my photos ceased to be, and were replaced by Emily and Tyler’s photos. You might reason that my camera battery died (and it was low). But sadly, that is not the reason.

The real reason is… I didn’t summit. I got about 10 minutes away from Washington’s Monument, and decided to stop. It wasn’t altitude sickness (I did Baldy the week before). No, my friends, I succumbed to run-of-the-mill dehydration. Consider it a lesson in what not to do. I considered it a great lesson in handling the unexpected and being flexible.

I did almost everything that I tell my hikers not to do. I didn’t get adequate sleep (4.5 hours). I went to bed thirsty. I woke up, had a light breakfast (good) but didn’t hydrate! (Very bad.) I brought along 3 liters of water and by the time I reached Limber Pines Bench I had downed about 1-3/4 liters (including 16 oz of electrolytes). But the damage was done. When I started the hike I was already dehyrdrated. Had I not hiked, I probably would’ve been fine, maybe suffering a little headache and then recovering quickly. A strenuous hike coupled with altitude did me in.

Once I realized that what I had done, I had sense enough to do the right thing. I stopped. My stubborn determination could’ve driven me onward, but I stopped, rested, and rehydrated. I headed back to the car. I rested some more. Hydrated more. By the time we were back at the car, I was back to my normal self. Only wiser. So let this be a lesson to you, as it was to me.

2015 Update

I went back and summited San Bernardino!

San Bernardino Peak 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 thumbnail image to see the larger version.

Bag the Six-Pack of Peaks

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

What is the SoCalHiker Six-Pack of Peaks?

Additional San Bernardino Peak Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file
• View trail in Google Earth
• Angelus Oaks trailhead parking on Google Maps
• Current weather conditions
• San Bernardino National Forest Permit Information

Special thanks to my friends from Hiking OC: Lily, Jim, John, Ivana, Emily, Kristin, Dave, Tyler, Kelly and Joan for joining me on this epic hike. All photos from our hike on June 22, 2010. 

Celebrate the Summit!

This short, family-friendly trail was an impromptu birthday peak bagged by my mom, my wife and I as part of the second part of our spring break road trip. It’s barely over half a mile round trip, but gains at a steady pace, climbing over 250 feet in a quarter mile. And while it might not win you respect for the mileage, the Plank Walk Trail rewards you with stunning views of San Francisco and the bay out to the Pacific Ocean from atop Mt. Tamalpais.

Trail Details

Distance: 0.6 miles
Time: 30 min.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 261 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round
Driving directions

While the trail is short and I’d describe it as easy, it actually is fairly steep and sections are rugged. Young kids can manage with supervision, but don’t let them wander off-trail!

The Plank Walk Trail

From the end of the parking lot you can’t miss the start of the Plank Walk Trail. It’s the trail literally made of planks (at least for the first section).

The first 0.1 miles of the trail is paved with wood planks — old railroad ties, actually — and bordered on the downhill side with a hand rail, making it look deceptively easy. You quickly gain elevation and the views expand.

Soon you look up and see the fire lookout tower the sits atop the East Peak of Mt. Tamalpais. The views are breathtaking. On a clear day, visitors can see the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea, the Marin County hills, San Francisco and the bay, hills and cities of the East Bay, and Mount Diablo. On rare occasions, the Sierra Nevada’s snow-covered mountains can be seen 150 miles away. 

It was windy and chilly on this particular spring day, and we took photos, soaked in the views, and headed back down the trail, where the scrub protected us from the chilling winds.

Back at the visitor center, we checked out the old gravity cars and imagined what it was like when the old trail carried people to the lodge up here.

Mt. Tamalpais is worth a visit, even for a short little hike like this. The views are unique, and it’s easy to string together a series of micro-adventures into a full-day itinerary. For all the times I’ve visited the bay area, I had never before been to Mt. Tam. Now I can say to you — take a hike… up Mt Tam! It’s worth it.

Plank Walk Trail Map to Mt. Tamalpais East Peak

Photo Gallery

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Mt. Tamalpais Resources

• Mt. Tamalpais State Park is open 7am to sundown daily
• Visitor Center
• Friends of Mt. Tam – great resource with a calendar of scheduled events including guided hikes in the park
• History of the Gravity Cars

Mt. Tamalpais Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”94941″]

And now, your moment of zen…

Enchanted Rock is a pink granite dome that rises 425 feet above the surrounding area in central Texas — but it’s just the exposed part of the largest batholiths in North America. The Enchanted Rock batholith stretches 62 miles — mostly underground. Humans have been visiting this rock for 12,000 years, and some believe it has spiritual significance.

Trail Details

Distance: 1.3 miles
Time: 60 min.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 390 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Sept.-May

We hiked the Summit Trail at Enchanted Rock on a recent trip to Texas. I had never been hiking in Texas, and I was eager to explore. We headed north from San Antonio towards Fredricksburg — a small town with German heritage — and at 18 miles away — the closest to Enchanted Rock. It really does feel like the proverbial middle of nowhere.

The trail starts at the end of the parking lot. You descend stairs to a small creek, then follow the signs as the trail picks it’s way up towards the base of the pink granite dome.

At the 0.2 mile mark, the Summit Trail essentially disappears in the solid granite of Enchanted Rock. Not to worry. Just keep heading “up” and you’ll be going in the right direction. Climbing “The Rock” is roughly equivalent to climbing the stairs in a 30- to 40-story building, and while it’s not particularly dangerous or difficult, I would label this a moderately difficult hike if for no other reason than to warn away non-hikers.

At the top, the Rock levels off to a large, fairly flat top dotted with small vernal pools. These pools are formed from pockets in the granite, and support small and very fragile ecosystems that take decades to develop. Do not step in the pools or disturb the plants or wildlife. Take pictures and leave it at that.

On this frosty winter day, the vernal pools were glazed with a frosty coat of ice. And me in my Sport Kilt. Brrrr…

The top of Enchanted Rock is so rounded, that it was challenging to find the USGS benchmark at the summit. We persisted, and found it near the western shoulder of the dome.

The return trip is a little tricky. Because there is no path — nor were there cairns to mark the way — you have to rely on your own keen sense of direction to retrace your steps. Joan and her sister headed down about 10 minutes before me, while I hung around taking photos and soaking in the views. I was a little surprised when I got to the bottom and beat them back to the trailhead. It turns out, they went down the “wrong” way. Fortunately, they hit the Loop Trail which runs completely around the dome and enjoyed some different scenery on their way back.

Enchanted Rock is proof that there is hiking in Texas. And while there may have not been towering spires, it possessed it’s own calm beauty that made the trip and the hike worth taking.

Enchanted Rock Summit Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Enchanted Rock Tips

• Entrance fees are $7 per adult. Children under 12 are free.
• If the park fills up, they don’t allow more people in. And since it’s 18 miles from the nearest town, that could be a long, disappointing detour. Leave early and call ahead to make sure it’s open.
• Lunch in Fredricksburg! We ate at the Old German Bakery and Restaurant.

More Enchanted Rock Resources

• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area – official website
• Printable Park Map – PDF
• Follow Enchanted Rock on Twitter
• Enchanted Rock Legends – Texas State Historical Association

Enchanted Rock Weather Forecast

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Hiking Echo Mountain via the Sam Merrill Trail is a rewarding experience, rich with history. First, Echo Mountain itself is the site of the ruins of the Echo Mountain House — a hotel built in the late 1800’s by Thaddeus Lowe. There were no roads to this hotel — you reached it by an incline railway that climbed over 1,000 feet. The hotel burned to the ground in a fire, but there are remnants of the grandeur that once shone brightly atop Echo Mountain.

In the 1940s, Sam Merrill felt it was important to maintain a hiking trail to the ruins, and worked tirelessly to clear a path. As a young man, Merrill had spent time with John Muir — and the experience had a profound impact on him. And so the trail bears his name.

Sunset Magazine declares the Sam Merrill Trail one of the “Top 45 Hikes in the West,” and USA Today include the Sam Merrill trail in a list of “Ten Great North American Hikes.” Whether it lives up to these claims is for you to decide, but it is a great hike, with a climb that will give your legs a workout, and reward you with expansive views over Los Angeles.

Trail Details

Distance: 5.8 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1503 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead begins at the intersection of East Loma Alta Drive and Lake Avenue in Altadena, at the entrance to the Cobb Estate. You can park on the street, but read the signs carefully. When I went, I found the best parking on East Loma Alta, but there is no parking after 10pm. Consider yourself warned.

The Trail

Pass through the gates to the Cobb Estate and follow the decrepit driveway to the first bend. You’ll see a sign taking you off the driveway to the right, and towards a ravine.

Walk all the way up to the ravine, then turn left, heading toward the mountain.

You’ll cross the ravine along a spillway, and the trail quickly begins it’s ascent, climbing for another of switchbacks with few opportunities for shade. As you climb, you’ll pass a series of power line towers that roughly mark the half-way point to the summit. It’s a good time to stop for a drink of water and to catch your breath.

Soon, you’re looking down on Altadena, Pasadena and Los Angeles proper beyond. It’s surprising how quickly you climb, and how much the view expands!

The trail is well-engineered and well maintained. There are a few points where the trail has been shored up with boards, creating a steep drop if you were to step off the trail. Keep your eyes on the trail and you’ll be fine. If you want to soak in the views, stop first, then look around.

As you reach the top, you’ll find several other trail junctions. These lead further up the mountain to Inspiration Point, Mt. Lowe and beyond to Mt. Markham and San Gabriel. Bear to the right, as the trail levels out and heads southeast. You’re now walking on what used to be the bed of the Mt. Lowe Railway.

You’re almost to the summit. As you get closer, you’ll run across reminders of the once-great mountain railway, including a section of rail and parts of an old engine. It’s hard to imagine, but over a hundred years ago, the wealthy Angelinos would ride up to these mountains, where they could bowl, or play tennis, or raise a pint at the pub. Now we earn that frothy beverage with sweat and many steps.

The trail ends at the ruins of the Echo Mountain House. There are steps leading up to the foundation of the long-gone hotel, and a number of interesting historical markers that tell the story of Thaddeus Lowe’s ill-fated venture.

The gears from the incline rail are massive.

As you explore the ruins of the Echo Mountain House, you’ll see the “Echo Phone” pointed over Rubio Canyon. Don’t be shy… shout into it, and discover why this is known as Echo Mountain.

From the top of the steps, we shared a potluck with cheese, crackers, chips and dips. We watched the sunset, and the lights of the City of Angels rise. The air cooled, but not uncomfortably so in the summer.

We hiked down in groups of 3 or 4, using our headlamps to illuminate the path. The trip down goes much faster, though we had to exercise extra caution in the darkness. Did the hike live up to the hype? I wouldn’t put it at the top ten in North America, but it’s a wonderful hike that is worth tackling. And doing it in the evening to catch the sunset? Breathtaking.

History of Echo Mountain and the Mt. Lowe Railway

Here’s a great video that shows what it was like riding the funicular up the 1300′ climb to the Echo Mountain House. A lot easier than hiking it, but not nearly as rewarding.

This video details the history of the ill-fated Mt. Lowe Railway and the other sites Thaddeus Lowe had built on the mountain.

Echo Mountain via Sam Merrill Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Tips for Hiking Echo Mountain

• This trail has a lot of exposure. If it’s a warm day, it will be a hot trail. Plan accordingly.
• There is no water available. Bring more than you think you’ll need.
• Plan time to check out the remains of the historic Echo Mountain House.

More Echo Mountain Resources

• Thanks to the great folks from SoCal Happy Hour Backpacking Meetup for letting me join them on the trail. They have been hiking this trail (almost) every Wednesday night for over five years. And special thanks to my son Dan for joining me on the trail during his visit from Florida.
• For a longer hike and a different perspective, read about Modern Hiker’s Echo Mountain plus Inspiration Point hike.
• Apres-hike libations? Check out the Altadena Ale House.

Echo Mountain Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”91001″]

Day 22 on the John Muir Trail…

Technically, this day begins at the end of Day 21. We went to bed early last night, sleeping lightly for a few hours and waking to our alarm at 11:30 PM. We ate Clif Bars and packed up our sleeping gear and tent. Donning our headlamps, we made one final check to make sure nothing was left behind. We headed up the John Muir Trail towards the tallest peak in the contiguous 48 states — Mount Whitney — 14,505 feet above sea level.

John Muir Trail Day 22

Distance: 16 miles
Cumulative Distance: 222.23 miles
Total Ascent: 4,201 ft
Cumulative Ascent: 60,597 ft
Harrison Map Sheet 1

Our headlamps did a great job of illuminating our steps. As we climbed higher, we could see other headlamps down below, bobbing up and down as other hikers started out in the wee hours of the morning. Apparently we weren’t the only ones who thought to get a very early start on Whitney.

We hiked along, our heads down and our eyes on the trail for several hours. Our pace was slow, but steady. Suddenly, I practically walked into the Whitney Trail Crest junction sign!

We were shocked! The climb went by quickly. From here we thought we would wait for sunrise, then hike the last 2 miles to the summit in daylight.

We dropped our backpacks and pulled out our sleeping bags. It was cold up at the crest, especially since we had stopped hiking. We sat there and tried to sleep, but it wasn’t going to happen. Soon, we had hikers who were coming up from Whitney Portal marching past us in the darkness. We decided if they could handle the trail in the dark, we could too. Besides, we weren’t going to sleep.

So we packed our sleeping bags and left our backpacks near the junction. We took a fanny pack and water, slack-packing to the summit. And along the way there, the sun rose.

Turning around, I captured this view looking west toward the sun-kissed mountain tops.

The trail was treacherous, but we took our time to be safe. By the time we reached the shelter on the summit, we no longer needed our headlamps at all. We headed for the true summit, and greeted a few other hikers who arrived just before us.

Our thru-hike on the John Muir Trail was complete! We hiked the entire JMT, from Yosemite to Whitney. We were standing on the summit of the tallest peak in the contiguous 48 states. We learned new things about ourselves and each other, and expanded our understanding of what we were capable of.

Our mission was complete. But our journey was not yet over. We still had to hike 10.6 miles down to Whitney Portal, where we had parked our Xterra three weeks earlier.

Summit Register?

I have one regret about our summit of Mt. Whitney… we forgot to sign the summit register! We had seen the aluminum “desk” next to the shelter, but I didn’t realize that the top opened. And so we never signed the register. Doh!

In our original itinerary, we had planned to stop at Trail Camp below Mt. Whitney, but before Whitney Portal. This would leave an easy six mile hike out on the final day. But we had opted to shave some miles off previous days, so to stick to our original exit schedule, we were hiking all the way out to Whitney Portal.

First, we headed back to the Whitney Trail Crest. Our packs were waiting for us, undisturbed by other hikers. In fact, a number of other backpackers had also left their packs here, since you have to come back this way in any case.

We hoisted our packs one more time and began the descent.

As we hiked down, we passed what seemed like a hundred people hiking up to Whitney. There were some solo hikers but most were in groups of 2, 3 or 4. Most of them carried day packs rather than backpacks. We wound our way down the infamous 99 switchbacks, including an icy patch with a handrail for safety. There was no snow on the trail though.

Looking back, it was hard to believe that we were “up there” just a few hours earlier. Wow.

Descending from Mt Whitney with a full backpack was challenging, even though we weren’t carrying much food at this point. We descended 6,300 feet over those last ten miles. It took a toll on our bodies. Our feet were swollen and sore. Our joints creaked and ached. But the thought of a cheeseburger and beer at the Whitney Portal Store kept  us moving.

Finally we could see the Whitney Portal parking area. We must be close. We placed bets on how long it would be before we were there. “30 minutes!” I announced confidently. I was wrong by about an hour.

That last stretch winds down along the longest, slowest switchbacks ever designed. There were times when I swore we were actually moving further away from our destination. Like a desert mirage, it tantalized us with promises of greasy food and cheap calories, but we never seemed to get any closer.

Finally we saw a sign of “civilization.” Ironically, it was a sign declaring (to those hiking in the upward direction) that they were now entering the John Muir Wilderness. But for us, it meant we were getting closer to civilization.

We made it to Whitney Portal. We ate that cheeseburger, and drank that cold beer. And it was good.

Trail Map: Guitar Lake to Mt Whitney to Whitney Portal

The John Muir Trail official ends on the summit of Mount Whitney, but we still had to hike down to Whitney Portal where our car was parked. This map details the route up to the top of Whitney, as well as down to Whitney Portal.

JMT Day 22 Photo Gallery

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Our thru-hike on the John Muir Trail is complete, but the story is not finished. Watch for details on gear, food and what we will do differently next time.

Originally hiked August 17, 2010.

The night is fading as we awaken, excited to finally start hiking the John Muir Trail. I slept like a log at the backpacker’s campground, but Jeffrey and Hari heard people chasing a bear away from the car campground. We eat a quick breakfast, break camp, don our backpacks and walk along the road to our official starting point, the trailhead at Happy Isles.

John Muir Trail Day 1

Distance: 11.6 miles
Cumulative Distance: 11.6 miles
Total Ascent: 5,000 ft
Cumulative Ascent: 5,000 ft
Harrison Map Sheet 13
GPX file

At the backpacker’s campground, getting ready to pack up and hit the JMT!

While not part of the official mileage, first we had to get to the trailhead.

We reached the trailhead took the obligatory starting photo.

The “trail” starts out as a paved, asphalt path due to the sheer number of people who head up this route to visit Vernal and Nevada Falls. Most of the other people on the path are day hikers, gawking at our packs and gear. We’re on an emotional high, as months of planning, training and preparation finally bears fruit.

As we climb higher, we hear and see the mighty falls, with Liberty Dome and Half Dome. The thought races through our minds — “We’re going to be up there later today?!”

We buzz along, taking photos and stopping for a snack at the top of Nevada Falls. Although we’ve been here before, it feels great to be back, this time on a bona fide adventure.

Above the falls, the trail climbs a bit more, finally leveling out along the headwaters of the Merced River. The John Muir Trail splits here. To the right, it runs close to the river through coarsely ground granite — difficult to hike in. To the left, it gets more sun exposure. Both lead the final mile to the campground at Little Yosemite Valley.

Happy Isles to Little Yosemite Valley

This map details our journey from Happy Isles to the Little Yosemite Valley campground.

At this point, we’ve hiked a modest 4.4 miles, but gained over 2,000 ft in elevation. We found a suitable campsite (don’t expect solitude — this campground is booked solid, and nearly as cramped as the backpacker’s campground in the valley), dropped our backpacks and stowed our food in the bear locker.  We put together a slack-pack with water and snacks, and headed up Half Dome.

Little Yosemite Valley to Half Dome

After dropping our gear and setting up camp, we hiked this route up Half Dome and back.

Half Dome Permits

Because of the volume of foot traffic Half Dome gets, a permit system was introduced. When we hiked this, you were allowed to include Half Dome if you had a permit for the John Muir Trail.

Today  you must specifically request this as part of your wilderness permit if you plan to include a side-trip to Half Dome. See Half Dome Permits for Backpackers for details.

Heading up Half Dome is a 7.2 mile round trip from Little Yosemite Valley, with another 2,700 ft of elevation gain.

We reached the shoulder, and climb the series of steep switchbacks with big steps carved into the granite. This section is a little gnarly, as one mis-step and you’re in for a nasty tumble. From the top of that, you actually descend to the saddle and the base of the cables.

While the practice is discouraged, it’s common to see a pile of gloves at the base of the cables. Pick up a pair and use them. I’ve seen the bloody hands of those who chose to skip using gloves, so either suck it up and borrow a used pair or bring your own.

Going up the cables is pretty simple and also pretty safe — as long as you use common sense. The two cables are elevated to “railing” height, and there are wood boards laid at roughly 12 foot intervals where you can stand on the steep granite and give your arms a rest. The dangerous part is that there are many other people going up and down these same cables, and each time you pass someone, the negotiation takes extra care. We made a point to stop at those boards when meeting someone coming down the cables.

Jeffrey and Hari were already at the top as Joan and I ascended the cables. About half way up, I heard Joan call out. She was feeling nervous and wanted to go back down. I came back down the cables to her and we talked through it. Finally, she decided to give it another try, with me right behind her. She made it!

Joan on Day 1 of the JMT

“Even though we had trained extensively, I was nervous and not really sure what it would be like. Just walking to the trailhead along the road my pack felt really heavy! As the day went on, it got easier… until we hiked up Half Dome. It’s a tough hike, and I got really scared on the cables. I felt like I was holding up the line. When I made it to the top, I felt great!

“I was exhausted when we got back to camp, but felt like if I could do Half Dome, I could do anything.”

The top of Half Dome is broad — about the size of a football field. You can wander around pretty safely as long as you’re careful around the edges. We enjoyed the views, took lots of photos, then headed back down.

Half Dome Tips

• Going down the cables, a lot of people get really uptight and nervous. What I’ve found works best is to face downhill and “walk” down Half Dome using my gloved hands as brakes. Instead of standing upright, my body is perpendicular to the slope. This seems a little unnatural at first, but gives you a lot of control and worked well for Joan, also.
• There’s no reliable water source between Little Yosemite Valley and Half Dome, so plan accordingly. Once you reach the saddle, you’ll have a lot of sun exposure and with the elevation and climbing, it’s easy to get dehydrated. We had about a liter each, and wished we could’ve had just a bit more.

Back at Little Yosemite Valley, we wandered down to the Merced and took a refreshing dip in the water. As we filtered water, we spied a deer and fawn casually crossing upstream. An idyllic scene.

Hari, Joan and I cooked and ate dinner. Jeffrey had a goal to hike up Cloud’s Rest in addition to Half Dome (insane, right?). The sun set and we began to get a little worried when Jeffrey didn’t show up. We checked with the rangers at the Little Yosemite Valley ranger station, and they basically said to wait. We actually had cell phone coverage up here (I’m on AT&T) and left him a voice message as well as a text. Finally about 9:30pm, Jeffrey made it back to camp.  Yes, he climbed Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest on his first day of the JMT.

JMT Day 1 Photo Gallery

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Tomorrow, we head from Little Yosemite Valley to Sunrise.

Originally hiked on July 27, 2010.

Are you a peak bagger? I have a hiking friend who loves to bag peaks — or for the uninitiated, hike to the summit. His goal is to reach the summit of as many of the high and prominent peaks as he can.  He would love this trail, which takes you up three peaks in a short-but-steep 3.25 miles: Burbank Peak, Cahuenga Peak and Mount Lee (home to the world famous Hollywood Sign).

Trail Details

Distance: 3.25 miles
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,691 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Are you just looking for the shortest route to the Hollywood Sign? Well, that would also be this trail. While not for beginners, it is the shortest, quickest way to reach the famous Hollywood Sign.

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead begins at the end of Wonder View Drive in Hollywood, but you will have to park on Lake Hollywood Drive. There’s plenty of free parking along the street — which is also where you would park for the Hollywood Reservoir Loop. Here’s the trailhead map — click the pin for driving directions.

Trail Description

From the corner of Wonder View Drive and Lake Hollywood Drive, hike up Wonder View to the end of the street. Beyond the gate, the road becomes a gravel fire road, and shortly thereafter you’ll see the single track trail leading up stair steps cut into the slope.

The soil is loose, dry and dusty. Trail shoes are recommended. You’ll climb 600 feet in that first mile, gaining some great views of the Hollywood Reservoir and LA proper along the way.

When you reach the ridge, turn left and head to the lone pine tree on the summit of 1690′ high Burbank Peak. The tree is known as the Wisdom Tree, and is the only tree to survive of a devastating wild fire here in in 2009. The Wisdom Tree on Burbank Peak is a popular spot for geocaching, and there have at times been a summit register. It’s also one of the only spots on this trail where you have shade, so you’d be wise to pause here and enjoy it — the remainder of the trail is fully exposed.

Cahuenga Peak bench mark

With most of the elevation gain already behind you, backtrack on the  trail, passing the junction the Wonder View Trail. Continue along the ridge line toward 1820 foot high Cahuenga Peak — the 12th highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. As you thread your way along the ridge line, you will look down over Burbank and the Valley to your left, and Hollywood and Los Angeles to your right. When you reach the peak, soak in the views. On a clear day you’ll take in the mighty San Gabriel Mountains to the east, and the serene Pacific Ocean to the south —  reminding you why Southern California is such a great place to live.

The trail continues along the ridge, reaching a small clearing before connecting with the paved road for the last few yards to Mt. Lee and the Hollywood Sign. In the clearing are two plaques recognizing major contributors who made this trail and its inclusion in Griffith Park possible — Aileen Getty and Hugh Hefner. Yes, this is possibly the only hiking trail anywhere in the world that honors a Playboy.

You’ll follow the trail down to the paved road where you’ll join the throngs making their pilgrimage to the Hollywood Sign. Brush off their “where did you come from” looks and follow the road as it curves up behind the sign. For the best views of the sign and the city, keep going until you reach the top of 1690 foot Mount Lee.

When you’re ready to head back, you’ll retrace your steps to the junction with the Wonder View trail, and back down to the trailhead. All told, this trail can be easily hiked in about three hours.

If you want to extend the hike, you can add the 3.4 mile Hollywood Reservoir Loop trail. It’s mostly flat and has quite a bit of shade, depending on the time of day, and it begins at the bottom of the hill where you parked your car, making it a perfect option if you want to keep hiking.

Special thanks to Casey at Modern Hiker for introducing me to this awesome trail.

Cahuenga Peak Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Cahuenga Peak Hiking Tips

• Take plenty of water. And then take more. This trail is hot and dry, and you’ll need more than you think.
• While you can hike this year round, keep in mind that it gets hot and has full exposure. I recommend hiking in the cooler morning hours.
• There is wildlife. Be alert. There are rattlesnakes, deer and other animals in this area.
• Leave no trace. Take only photos, leave only footprints.

More Cahuenga Peak Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file[urldisplaymode=nomap].
• View the trail in Google Earth[urldisplaymode=nomap]
• Get a second opinion… Hiking to the Wisdom Tree and Cahuenga Peak – Modern Hiker
• Optional Hollywood Reservoir Loop hike
• An alternate hike to the Hollywood Sign, with a stop at the Bronson Cave
• History of Cahuenga Peak – Wikipedia

Cahuenga Peak Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”90068″]

San Gorgonio Mountain. Old Grayback. At 11,503 feet it’s the highest mountain in Southern California. Getting to the top is no easy feat. It’s a strenuous hike, and you’ll work hard no matter which route you choose.  It’s a popular destination as part of a training regimen for Mt. Whitney or the John Muir Trail. For others, summiting San Gorgonio is a goal in itself.

Trail Details

Distance: 18.4 miles
Time: ~10 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,390 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October

Getting to the trailhead is part of the adventure. Heading east on Highway 38 (the “back” way to Big Bear), drive one mile past Heart Bar Park Road, and turn right onto a spur road signed for Heart Bar Campground and Fish Creek.

What begins as a paved road quickly changes to a gravely dirt road. NOTE: A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. I drove this in my 2WD Xterra and the ride was bumpy but fine. A sedan might be a different story.

You’ll follow this road for about 7.5 miles. Watch for the signs toward Fish Creek on your right. The parking area is small, but since you started early, you’ll have no problem finding a space. As part of the San Bernardino National Forest, you will need to display your Adventure Pass.

The trail itself starts out gently. Just before the one mile mark, you cross Fish Creek and you begin to experience more elevation gain. At your right will be Fish Creek Meadow. At about Mile 2 you’ll cross another seasonal creek and begin climbing up the steep southeast slope of Grinnell Mountain.

At 4.5 miles, you reach the Fish Creek Saddle. There are campsites here, and a wiser person might actually backpack to this point. Then day hike to the summit, splitting this trip into something more manageable. Maybe next time.

In any case, Fish Creek Saddle is a good spot to gather, rest and check your map and your bearings.

Continuing southwest on Fish Creek Trail, you get a little break from the climbing as you traverse the northwest face of Lake Peak. To your right you’ll have views of Dry Lake. You’ll pass the North Fork Trail and reach a three-way junction. The Fish Creek Trail ends, the Dry Lake Trail goes to your right, and the Sky High Trail goes to your left and up to San Gorgonio (which you are now on the northern slope of).

You’ll notice that the foot traffic picks up here, as you’ll get hikers from Dry Lake coming up this route. Plus people tend to start slowing down due to the altitude.

As you hike along the Sky High Trail, keep your eyes open for signs of the airplane wreckage. There are numerous planes that have crashed into San Gorgonio, but the trail goes right by one of them, and there is a memorial plaque marking the spot. In 1953, a military C-47 crashed into the side of the mountain during a snowstorm. All 13 men aboard perished.

The day I hiked this trail, I felt awesome. I was cruising up the trail, breezing past other hikers. Even up the series of steep switchbacks at mile 6.5 unfazed me. And then — at about mile 8 — it hit me. I had to stop and catch my breath. My pace slowed considerably. The summit was so close, but I had to take it slow and easy. The altitude told me, and I had no choice but to obey.

I made it to the summit, downed my lunch, took some photos, and started back down. The route back was easy, but as is often the case on long hikes, my feet started feeling sore. The last two miles seemed much longer than I remembered. Be sure to take care on the route back that you note any trail junctions, check your map or GPS and make sure you’re headed in the right direction. On a hike this long, you don’t want to take any wrong turns.

Modifications

One brilliant modification I would recommend is breaking this up into a two or three day trip. You can backpack to Fish Creek Saddle, setup camp, then hike up to the summit (or explore other areas) from your base. The only hitch is that there are no reliable water sources up at the saddle, so plan to bring your own.

Another great modification would be to snow shoe in the winter, though this will require map and compass skills for navigation (depending on snow levels).

San Gorgonio Mountain via Fish Creek Trail Map

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Tips for Hiking San Gorgonio Mountain

• You’ll need a permit. You need to allow at least five days for processing. Plan ahead so you’re not disappointed.
• You’ll need an Adventure Pass for parking at the trailhead.
• Bring plenty of water. I’d suggest at least 4 liters per person per day. Don’t underestimate the water and electrolytes you’ll need.
• Wear sunscreen and bring a hat. Much of the higher elevations are exposed to the sun.
• Start hiking early. The trailhead parking officially opens at 6am. We got there about 5:35 and there were only a few spots left in the upper lot. It’s a long day, and by starting early you’ll avoid the worst of the heat.
• Be prepared. Yeah, it’s the old Boy Scout motto, but on an all-day mega hike like this, preparation really counts. Carry the 10 essentials. It’s a long trail.

More San Gorgonio Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file (right-click and “save as”)
• View the trail in Google Earth
• Get driving directions to the trailhead. Click the blue pin and “directions” for turn-by-turn driving directions to the trailhead. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking.
• Download a printable topo map of the trail.
• And check out our guide to San Gorgonio via the Vivian Creek trail.

San Gorgonio Weather Forecast

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

Griffith Observatory

Mt. Hollywood at 1,625 ft is the second tallest peak in Griffith Park, with amazing views of the Griffith Observatory, downtown LA, the Hollywood Sign and much more. There are many trails that lead to Mt. Hollywood, but my favorite trail begins near the Ferndell Nature Area. This trailhead has plenty of parking, and some shade, particularly in the morning. As you climb, you have options to visit the Berlin Forest and Dante’s View en route to the summit.

Trail Details

Distance: 4.2 miles
Time: 90 min.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,185 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

The West Trail is a broad fire road that climbs up the canyon.

At 0.8 miles, you’ll cross Observatory Avenue — a public road used by cars and bicycles to reach the Griffith Observatory. Cross directly over the street to pick up the trail again.

When you reach the ridgeline, take a short detour to the right to visit the shady Berlin Forest. This is a great spot to catch your breath and enjoy the views, and there are restrooms nearby at the Observatory parking area.

Head back to the ridge and over the Canyon Road tunnel, towards the highest nearby point.

The trail to the left gives you two options. For this hike, take the single track spur that heads up hill.

At about 1.15 miles turn left and head north. At 1.25 miles, you’ll reach a major junction where five trails converge. Take the second trail on your right (more or less straight). This is a fairly level fire road that leads past Dante’s View.

Dante’s View  is a shady garden started in 1964 as a volunteer labor of love by Dante Orgolini. The garden is still a small oasis worthy of a detour.

Back on the fire road, bear left at the junction with the East Ridge Trail, and left again in a dozen yards as you head to the summit of Mt. Hollywood.

The summit is not so much a peak, as a rounded shoulder. There are picnic tables and a fence along the steeper slope overlooking the city. This is a popular destination for it’s views, and a great spot at sunset… as the city of LA begins to light up for the night.

On the day that I took this photo, the Space Shuttle Endeavor was making it’s final flight to Los Angeles. The crowds lined the trails to catch a glimpse of the history fly-by.

On the route down, stay to your left for views of the Hollywood Sign. You’ll eventually meet back at that five-trail junction, where you’ll take your first right — the Charlie Turner Trail. This is named after a retiree who volunteered many hours maintaining trails and also the gardens at Dante’s View. This fire road leads back to the tunnel overpass, and you retrace your path back to the trailhead.

Mt. Hollywood Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Mt. Hollywood Hiking Tips

• Bicycles are only allowed on paved roads in Griffith Park
• Dogs are allowed on leash
• There is no smoking allowed anywhere within Griffith Park
• This hike has lots of exposure. Wear sun protection, and bring plenty of water.
• Hiking trails in Griffith Park officially close at sunset, but there are lots of folks who stay up on Mt. Hollywood until then. Just be sure you know your way back, and bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Mt. Hollywood Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file[urldisplaymode=nomap]
• View this trail in Google Earth[urldisplaymode=nomap]

Griffith Park Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”90068″]

A little over two years ago, Derek (@100Peaks), Peter (@ADKinLA) and I journeyed out into the Anza Borrego desert and hiked up Whale Peak. Thus was born the first Hiking Blogger Summit. Last year we had an expanded gathering with a hike in the local Schabarum Regional Park. And this weekend, Derek, Peter and I were joined by Josh (@CaliFromMyLens) and Zac (@ZacApplegate) for another summit adventure.

Trail Details

Distance: 9 miles
Time: ~6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,920 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Here are the five peaks, in order of ascent:

• San Gabriel Peak – 6,161 ft.
• Mt. Disappointment – 5,963 ft.
• Mt. Deception – 5,796 ft.
• Mt. Markham – 5,728 ft.
• Mt. Lowe – 5,574 ft.

The Tale of the Trail

At 8am, we met at the Eaton Saddle trailhead, at an elevation of 5,120 feet. Our trail began on a fire road littered with rocks, reminding us that this area is prone to rock slides.

As you round the first bend, the Mueller Tunnel comes into view. This tunnel was originally built in 1942. About 100 yards long, it suffered a major collapse in 2007, but has since been repaired. While this tunnel used to be technically passable by vehicles, the road is now blocked by several large boulders near the entrance–still plenty of room for hikers and mountain bikers to weave through.

At the 1/2 mile mark, we reached the junction at a water tank. To the left, the trail heads to Mt. Lowe. We headed to the right, toward our first summit of the day, San Gabriel Peak.

The mountain still bears scars from the Station Fire in 2009. You hike through eerie stands of dead, charred manzanita that once shaded the trail.

There are some trees that have survived, but one of the most common plants you’ll encounter on these trails is the dreaded Poodle Dog Bush. This invasive species thrives in areas scarred by wildfires. It has a pungent odor and purple flowers when blossoming. The Poodle is said to be more dangerous than poison oak. Contact can cause a rash, blistering or even severe respiratory distress.

You can see the Poodle Dog Bush here, very green and lush. On most of the trail we were able to avoid contact, with the exception of Mt. Markham. I was thankful I had long sleeves and long pants on that segment, as incidental contact became unavoidable. It is said that the symptoms can take a few days to show up, so exercise caution with this plant.

At Mile 1, we reached a second junction. To the left is Mt Disappointment. We followed the trail to the right for the final .36 miles to the summit of San Gabriel Peak.

The summit of San Gabriel Peak is marked with a cairn. There’s also a makeshift steel bench and the remnants of the foundation from a structure long since gone.

We signed the summit register, soaked in the views, and headed back down to the junction, this time heading toward the communications towers atop Mt. Disappointment. This “trail” is a paved, private access road for the communications equipment. The summit itself is aptly named. There’s not really a notable peak anymore. It was leveled and used as Nike missile site from 1955-1965.

How did Mt. Disappointment get its name? The name dates back to 1894, when USGS surveyors were mapping the area. They initially thought it to be the highest peak in the immediate area, but were “disappointed” to find that nearby San Gabriel Peak was 167 feet higher. They had to move all their gear over there for their next triangulation point.

Two peaks down, we turned back down the paved access road, this time turning left (west) and heading to Mt. Deception. At 3.1 miles, there is a dirt trail off the left (south) side of the road. Follow that up a steep slope with loose rock. Trekking poles would be handy here. The trail continues west for another 0.4 miles to the summit of Mt. Deception. This summit is not very prominent, and thick with brush. We signed our third trail register, and retraced our steps back to the original junction at the water tank.

It was 11:40am. We had hiked nearly 5.25 miles, and it was time for a decision. Do we take the easy half mile back to the cars? Or do we bag a couple more peaks? Inspired by the vision of a well-earned meal afterwards, we opted to hike yet another, and headed up the trail to Mt. Lowe.

At the 5.8 mile mark, we reached the junction to Mt. Markham. Mt. Markham is taller than Mt. Lowe, and the trail is steep and tough. There were steep sections where it was helpful to use your hands to scramble up the rocks. And the dreaded Poodle Dog Bush was unavoidable. But the reward at the summit is a remarkable stone cairn.

Four peaks down. One to go.

We retraced our steps to the junction with the Mt. Lowe trail, and headed out for one more peak. At mile 6.8, we reached the junction with a trail that heads towards Mt. Wilson. We turned right, heading upward and winding around to the summit of Mt. Lowe.

At mile 7, the last junction before the summit. If in doubt, head uphill, since you’re only 1/10th of a mile from the summit of Mt. Lowe.

After five hours and seven miles of hiking, we reached our fifth summit: Mt. Lowe. There is very little shade, but there is a nice bench. You’ve got great views in all directions, and a series of “peak spotters” posted to help you identify neighboring summits.

Mt. Lowe is named for Professor Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, who in the late 1800’s built a scenic mountain railway from Alta Dena to the base of Mt. Lowe. The railway as well as the hotel and chalet at Echo Mountain have been gone for years — victim to a series of disasters.

From here, we headed back down the trail–an easy, gradual two mile downhill trek to our cars.

Five Peaks Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Advice for Hiking San Gabriel Peak

• The trailhead parking requires a National Forest Adventure Pass. You can pick this up at many SoCal sporting goods stores.
• This trail is hot and dry, and there are no water sources. Bring plenty of water and food for energy. It can be uncomfortably hot in the summer.
• There is very little shade on the trail. Wear sun protection.
• The poisonous Poodle Dog Bush is prevalent. Avoid contact. Wear long sleeves and long pants.
• Trekking poles are recommended on Mt Deception and Mt Markham.
• There can be snow up here in the winter months. Plan and dress accordingly, and check for road closures.
• Dogs are allowed on these trails, but keep them on leash.
• We encountered one rattlesnake, but there are many more. Stay alert.

Other San Gabriel Peak Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file.
• View the trail in Google Earth.
• Trailhead directions via Google Maps
• San Gabriel Peak – Dan’s Hiking Pages (note that the tunnel has in fact reopened)
• Mt Lowe Fire Road to San Gabriel Peak – Hikespeak

Get a Second Opinion

This being a group of five hiking bloggers, we all have opinions. I’ll post links to the posts from the other hikers as they go live.

• 5 Peaks, 5-ish Hours – Hiking San Gabriel Mountain – Peter 
• Five Peaks in the San Gabriels: An Epic One Day Adventure – Josh & Zac

San Gabriel Peak Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”Mt Wilson, CA”]

There are hikes, and then there are adventures. This hike up Whale Peak in the Anza Borrego State Park was a bit of both. This trail guide is one part throw-back (the hike was over two years ago), and one part a cautionary tale of what happens when three experienced hikers venture out into the Anza Borrego desert to bag the 5,348′ Whale Peak.

Trail Details

Distance: 9.5 miles
Time: 6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,250 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Fall to Spring

The plan proposed by Derek was a San Diego-based hike, since most of us hadn’t really explored that area. He suggested a 4-mile trip up Whale Peak, and then a car ride to a second hike up Vulcan Peak near Julian. Being the 100Peaks guy and our resident San Diego area expert, we differed to his wisdom.

We met up down in San Diego in the early morning hours and carpooled out to Anza Borrego. Our trailhead was off a rugged dirt road, passable by a car, but only with caution. The Xterra might have been a better choice in this case.

We found a place to park, and headed on foot down the road until we found what we believed to be the wash leading to the trailhead. No signage, but a quick check of our map and it appeared to be the right spot. I had my Garmin Trek GPS, mainly for tracking our journey. Derek also had a GPS and topo map, and it seemed we were starting off from the right point.

The “trail” was difficult to follow. Pretty quickly it disappeared entirely. We realized that the actual trailhead we were looking for was further down the dirt road, but figured we could go cross-country and meetup with the intended trail.

This we did, going up and down over several ridges, dodging cholla and clambering over boulders.

Finally we found our trail and headed to Whale Peak.The peak itself is more broad than angular, and the high point only found by climbing the big boulder to the USGS benchmark. The 360-degree views of Anza Borrego were phenomenal.

The hike back should’ve been a piece of cake, but even that didn’t go smoothly. Peter was having some pain in his knees, and lagged behind. One minute, he was within sight. Next minute, he was out of sight. Wrong turn down a false trail, and a ~30 minute detour.

We finally made it down to the correct trailhead, out the wash to the dirt road. Then hiked another mile+ hike on said dirt road back to our car. In the end, our four mile hike up Whale Peak turned into 9.5 miles, and we realized we’d have to save Vulcan Peak for another day.

What We Did Right

Being experienced hikers, we knew well enough to bring plenty of water and food for the day. We did have a map (for the group) and GPS as a backup. We stuck together, found our bearings, and got to our trail, and our destination. And we had a good attitude. We were up for the adventure, and flexible with our plans.

What Would I Do Differently?

First off, make sure I know the trail myself. I treated this hike like a tourist–as if I was just along for the ride. Now I make sure I know the planned route, do my own research, and bring my own map. Yes, we had a topo map for the group, but we might’ve had a better start if we shared responsibility for the pre-planning.

Of course, there are three sides to this story, so don’t take my word for it. Be sure to read the perspectives from Derek and Peter as well.

Whale Peak Trail Map

Note that this route is not recommended as-is, as it includes our impromptu cross-country jaunt. Use this to follow the dirt road to where we came back out, and take it from there. You’ll shave about four miles off the trip.

Photo Gallery

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Whale Peak Resources

• Getting to the trailhead (the REAL one) via Google Maps – High clearance vehicle recommended
• Whale Peak – Sometimes Things Don’t Go As Planned – 100Peaks.com (Derek’s perspective)
• Whale Peak of DOOM! – EastWestHike.com (Peter’s perspective)
• Whatever happened to Kolby? He hiked the PCT.
• Anza Borrego State Park – official web site

Anza Borrego Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”92004″]

Postscript

In spite of the hiccups on this hike, we had a great time, and no one was hurt. And last year we had an even bigger gathering of SoCal hiking bloggers at Schabarum Regional Park.

Trail Details

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,142 ft
When to go: Year round

One of my hiking friends introduced me to this trail on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and I figure I burned off at least part of the feast I ate the day before.

The start of this trail is non-obvious. We parked on a bend in a residential neighborhood then hoofed it up a concrete culvert. Not an auspicious beginning to the hike, but my friend John assured us this was the best way.

The trail meanders through a valley, then quickly winds up and around the hill to reach the ridge-line.

At this point, most of the trail is double-track and well defined. But watch closely for a narrower trail leading off along the ridge to the right. That’s our trail.

The trail gets steep at times, and the gravel can make your footing treacherous. Trekking poles are highly recommended!

Looking back down the narrow ridge-line trail, you are rewarded with amazing views across much of south Orange County. On this clear day, we even saw the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island on the horizon!

As you can see from this panorama, it doesn’t take long for you to feel miles away, even in Orange County. Whether you use this trail as a great, quick, fresh-air cardio workout or simply an opportunity to reset your clock, Small Peak beckons.

Small Peak Trail Map and Elevation Profile

Photo Gallery

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Essential Small Peak Resources

• Download GPX file for your GPS[urldisplaymode=nomap]
• View trail in Google Earth[urldisplaymode=nomap]

Trail Details

Distance: ~15 miles
Time: ~6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 4,469 ft
Dogs: OK
When to go: Fall-Spring
Download GPX

From the summit, you have views to Catalina island, over most of Orange County and east to Mt. San Antonio, San Gorgonio and San Jacinto. Unfortunately due to the array of telecommunications equipment at the top, you won’t find a 360 degree view; you’ll have to walk around the perimeter of the antennae to see it all.

Holy Jim Canyon is dotted with private residences. Be respectful and quiet as you pass by their homes, and park in the designated areas for the forest. Follow the signs to the trailhead.

You will criss-cross the creek in Holy Jim Canyon several times. After heavy rains, this can be quite a thrill! Rocks and logs can be slippery, and trekking poles can make navigation creek crossings much easier and safer.

As you make you’re way up the canyon, watch for the fork in the trail. You can continue on another 1/4 mile to the Holy Jim Falls, or bear left toward the Main Divide Road and Santiago Peak.

I usually recommend hitting the peak first, then stopping by the falls on the way back to the car — time permitting.

These falls are beautiful, but usually dry to no more than a trickle in the summer.

As you head towards the Main Divide Road, you’ll first ascend miles of single track trail that wind continuously higher and higher.

You quickly catch glimpses out across the canyon and beyond, and find yourself among more and more trees.

It begins to feel like a long, long way from Orange County (although you’re actually still in OC).

When you first reach the Main Divide Road, you’ll see some concrete artifacts from the past. This makes a good place to break and regroup if you’re hiking with others.

From this point, continue to the right, following the Main Divide road as it winds up and around the contours of the mountain. As you make your way around the eastern slope, you’ll catch glimpses of the Inland Empire.

At about the 5 mile mark, watch for the Upper Holy Jim Trail, heading sharply left off of the gravel road. Note that there u to be a sign as shown in the photo below, but SoCal hiker Denis G. reports that the sign is no longer there, making this trail even easier to overlook if you aren’t careful. From here, the single track trail takes up more directly toward the summit.

The trail winds further up the mountain, eventually rejoining the road near the summit. As you catch glimpses of the antennae, you know you are near the summit.

Speaking of which, the “summit” of Santiago Peak is profoundly anticlimactic. There is no clear “peak” to stake claim to or even a clear 360 degree view of the surrounding area. Santiago “Peak” has been leveled off to make room for the telecom equipment, and that has been surrounded by secure fencing.

You can walk all the way around the fence and (on a clear day) get views in all directions.

Be forewarned. Conditions at the summit can vary widely. It can be hot, sunny and clear. It can just as easily be cold and even snowy.

When we hiked this last January, the summit was covered by clouds. It was extremely windy and bitter cold. And there were long stretches of snow on the trail. Yes, snow in Orange County! Don’t take the conditions for granted, or assume that because it’s “nice” down in the ‘burbs it will be the same on Santiago. Weather conditions on Santiago Peak can be very different.

I usually stop at the summit for lunch, then turn around and retrace my steps to the car. On your way back, take a few extra minutes to stop at Holy Jim Falls.

Trail Map and Elevation Profile

Note that this shows one way for this out-and-back.

Getting to the Trailhead

Getting to the Holy Jim trailhead can be an adventure in itself! A high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended. I have taken my 2WD Xterra back there during the rainy season with no problems, but when the creek is running high, 4WD is recommended.

The gravel road to the trailhead is about 5 miles long and crosses the creek several times. After heavy rains, this road can become impassible.

Tips for Hiking up Saddleback Mountain via Holy Jim

• When the creek has water –usually in the winter and spring — it’s worth taking the brief detour to Holy Jim Falls.
• A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park at the trailhead.
• There is no water available on this trail, so bring plenty.
• These trails are popular with mountain bikers, so keep an eye out for them.
• In the winter, there can be snow at the top. Be prepared!

Photo Gallery

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Special Thanks

Thanks to Jim, Joan, John and all my J (and non-J) friends from Hiking OC for joining me on this trek up Santiago Peak.

Trail Details

Distance: 17.3 miles
Time: ~10 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 5,840 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October

There are several trails leading up to San Gorgonio, but none as steep as the Vivian Creek trail, which in less than eight miles to the summit climbs over a vertical mile.

With the highest final altitude and the greatest vertical gain, San Gorgonio mountain made a fitting finale to my Six-Pack of Peaks training plan.

The Six-Pack of Peaks

San Gorgonio is the sixth and final peak in my Six-Pack of Peaks series of training hikes. I used them to prepare for hiking the John Muir Trail, but others are doing it to prepare for hiking Whitney, or simply just for the adventure, the scenery and the mountain views.

Take the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Trail Description

The Vivian Creek trail is really divided into five, distinct sections.

The first section gives you a gentle, half-mile warm-up through the wooded Mill Creek Canyon.

The next section is a steep mile of switchbacks that climbs 1,000 vertical feet. A lot of people talk about this section with dread, but I found it very pleasant. Could be the payoff from all the other hiking I’ve done lately, but it’s forested trail with views over Mill Creek Canyon and to the west toward Mt. San Antonio.

SoCal Hiker Tip! Listen for the waterfall from Vivian Creek. There is a nice overlook about 10 yards off trail that gives you a good view of the falls.

The third section of the trail is parallels the beautiful Vivian Creek. This is an easy section and was really a highlight of the trail, with the sounds of the babbling creek, impressive pines and lush greenery. There is a popular campsite, though many of the sites are very close to the trail. Be wary of mosquitos! You might meet a few along this section.

The fourth section gets steeper, climbing past High Creek and up a number of switchbacks to the tree line. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude as you approach 10,000 feet. The view opens up and you gain stunning vistas of Mt. San Jacinto and the Inland Empire.

The final section of the trail is a long, diagonal traverse near the ridge that leads to San Gorgonio. You climb steadily, with sparse vegetation and full exposure to the sun. It is dry and it can get quite hot, but it’s a well-engineered trail that climbs steadily and not-too-steeply to the summit.

As you reach the summit ridge, you’ll pass to junctions en route to the peak. The first is a spur that leads west toward Dollar Lake. Bear right and head eastward. Another 1/4 mile along the trail you’ll reach a junction with the Sky High Trail joining from the south. Continue straight for another .3 miles to the summit.

The top is a broad expanse of gravel and rocks that is a little anti-climactic. It feels more like a big mound than a peak. But it’s the highest point in Southern California, as the 360 degree views confirm.

The return route on this out-and-back trip is back down the nearly 8.5 mile trail. Fair warning, it will feel longer. Take your time and enjoy it. The views you enjoyed on your morning climb take on a whole new look in the afternoon light.

San Gorgonio Wilderness Trail Tips

Let me tell you the story about the Sixty Dollar Beer… But first, a few tips for making this an enjoyable hike.

• Apply for your permit early. This is the second most popular trailhead in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, and permit quotas often fill up in advance. The permits are free, and the entire process can be handled via fax.
• Start hiking early. The trailhead parking officially opens at 6am. We got there about 5:35 and there were only a few spots left in the upper lot. It’s a long day, and by starting early you’ll avoid the worst of the heat.
• Be prepared. Yeah, it’s the old Boy Scout motto, but on an all-day mega hike like this, preparation really counts. Carry the 10 essentials. It’s a long trail. Don’t underestimate the water and electrolytes you’ll need.

Now about that $60 beer… After a long, tough hike there’s nothing better than a cold beverage. A study from Granada University in Spain even proved that beer hydrates better than water. But if your hike ends at the Vivian Creek trailhead parking lot, be sure that cold beverage is not an alcoholic one. The trailhead parking forbids the possession of alcoholic beverages. Somehow I missed that sign in the morning darkness (in my defense, we got there at 5:30 AM). I was happily sipping a cold beer when the forest rangers drove by. No warning — just a $60 fine and a lesson learned.

But the best part was the way my fellow hiker John R. described what they did with the five unopened cans.

“The Forest Service helped us celebrate the ending of the Six-Pack of Peaks series by ceremoniously watering the forest with our 6-pack of beer, symbolizing the connection between the hikers and the trees of the forest.”

Right on, John.

San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek Trail Map & Elevation Profile

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.

San Gorgonio Photo Gallery

Click any image to view a larger version. You can leave comments on individual photos, too!

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
6. San Gorgonio (you are here)

What is the SoCalHiker Six-Pack of Peaks?

Additional San Gorgonio Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file
• View the trail in Google Earth
• Trailhead on Google Maps. Click the blue pin and “directions” for turn-by-turn driving directions to the trailhead. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking.
• Permits are required, 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

Weather Forecast for San Gorgonio

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

[forecast location=”92339″]

Special thanks to my Hiking OC friends Jim, Tari, John, Emily, Barry and of course Joan for joining me on this hike!

Title photo credit: Doc Searls

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

Every Southern Californian can point out the white topped Mt. Baldy — actually it’s real name is Mt. San Antonio. Baldy is a SoCal icon that stands out boldly as a snow-covered backdrop for much of the year. At 10,064 feet above sea level, the snow often sticks around well into June. The higher altitude and easy access makes it a popular training hike for Whitney (or in my case, the John Muir Trail). And in fact, I included Baldy as peak #3 in my Six-Pack of Peaks progressive training series.

Trail Details

Distance: 10.2 miles
Time: ~7 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,900 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October

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

It should be noted that the previous weekend we hiked up Cucamonga Peak and it was almost too hot. A week later I found myself atop Baldy where it was 35 degrees with fierce winds. Thankfully, I was well-prepared with plenty of layers. Even so, we didn’t linger as long at the summit as we might have wanted.

The trail begins up a paved road which quickly turns to gravel as it passes the San Antonio Falls overlook. This windy fire road eventually crosses the Mt. Baldy ski area, and meets up at Baldy Notch. The ski lift to the notch operates throughout the summer. It’s about $10 for a one-way ticket up (or $8 one way down) and some people use this as a short cut for what’s probably the least exciting portion of the hike. On the plus side, this route provided a nice easy grade to climb and made warming up much nicer.

Once you reach the Baldy Notch, you can hike straight up the ski run to the east, or follow the trail that runs slightly south east. The ski run is a little steeper and more direct, and that’s the route we opted for. You are quickly rewarded with great views in every direction.

When you finally reach the boundary of the ski area, the infamous Devil’s Backbone trail begins. This trail sounds worse than it is. It runs along the top of a narrow ridge, but when it’s clear of snow and ice, it’s a pretty safe trail.

Those with a fear of heights might feel a touch of vertigo, but it doesn’t require any technical equipment (although trekking poles are nice). Check with the ranger station at Baldy Village to confirm trail conditions. On the darker side, there have been deaths on the trail. With snow and ice, it can be very treacherous.

The trail skirts the side of Mt. Harwood, opening up to a sweeping view of Baldy Bowl. This bowl is pure scree and essentially unclimbable except when covered with snow, and then only with an ice ax and crampons. It’s great training for even higher mountaineering, and something I hope to do next winter. This time of year, the snow is gone from the bowl, and the trail clear of all but a few patches of snow.

The last climb is a series of steep switchbacks up the side of Mt. San Antonio. It’s a busy trail, with all sorts of people going up and down. Pick your route and take your time. If you’re used to living at sea level like me, the high altitude begins to slow you down just a bit.

Looking back down the final ascent you’ve got a great view of Mt Harwood.

The summit of Mt. San Antonio is a broad knoll with a large iron plaque marking the spot. You’ll see several ad hoc stone shelters erected to provide some protection from the wind, which on this particular hike was fierce. Though it was comfortable down at sea level, it was 35 degrees at the summit, and much colder when you factor in the wind chill.

To return to Manker Flats we took the Baldy Bowl trail, which actually skirts the bowl on a ridgeline before steeply descending in a series of switchbacks to the base of the bowl and the Sierra Club ski hut. The log benches at the ski hut provide a great place to take a break and the sound of babbling San Antonio creek is refreshing.

As we descended toward San Antonio Falls, the wildflowers became more plentiful. If you have time, you can stop for a closer look at the falls. This year’s heavy snowfall has made them spectacular.

We reached our cars at the bottom and toasted our hike in true 6-pack style with a ice cold Stellas

Mount Baldy 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.

Trail Fly-by

Photo Gallery

Bag the Six-Pack of Peaks

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

What is the SoCalHiker Six-Pack of Peaks?

Additional Mt. Baldy Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file
• View trail in Google Earth
• Manker Flats trailhead parking on Google Map
• Weather conditions at the summit
• Mt. Baldy webcam
• A couple more great trail guides on Dan’s Hiking Pages and Modern Hiker

Note that this is a wilderness hike. Come prepared with the ten essentials, including a map that you’ve studied beforehand and the knowledge of how to navigate and find an alternate route in case of wildfire or other emergency.

There is no clear signage to the Ski Hut Trail from the summit, and it’s easy to find yourself headed down the wrong route. I recommend carrying the Harrison Mt. Baldy and Cucamonga Wilderness Map, and backing that up with the GPX track loaded in GaiaGPS on my full-charged phone. If in doubt, you can (and should) hike this as an out-and-back, returning via the same route you took up to the summit.

Mt. Baldy Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”Mt. Baldy, CA”]

Special thanks to Bob from Pasadena, Tyler, Kelly, Ivana, Tari and of course Joan for joining me on this hike!

Title photo credit: Doc Searls

Standing prominently above Pasadena, Mount Wilson is a Southern California landmark. The 5,713 foot summit is home for an observatory responsible for the most detailed photos of Mars as well a vast array of antennae for local LA radio and television stations. While the summit is steeped in astronomical wonder and tremendous views of Los Angeles, the trails are the real beauty of this hike.

Trail Details

Elevation: 5,713′
Distance: 13.5 miles
Time: ~6 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 4,200 ft
Dogs: OK
When to go: Fall through Spring

Note: this trail is quite popular and fills up early on the weekends. If you get there at 7am, you might find the lot already full. There is overflow parking at the Chantry Flats Pack Station, but they will charge you ($10 when I parked there in Nov. 2009). But don’t go too early — the gate to the trailhead parking doesn’t open until 6am. Also note that an Adventure Pass is required unless you park at the Pack Station.

The Six-Pack of Peaks

This hike is the first in my Six-Pack of Peaks series of training hikes. I used them to prepare for hiking the John Muir Trail, but others are doing it to prepare for hiking Whitney, or simply just for the adventure, the scenery and the mountain views.

Take the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

After a few photos, we retraced our steps from the falls to the junction with the Gabrielino Trail. There are two options, both about the same distance. The “high” trail is for horses and less scenic. Instead, take the trail to the right which parallels the babbling creek. You’ll follow this up to the Spruce Grove Campground — a good spot for a bio-break. These campsites are popular and would make a great introduction to backpacking, though you’ll get a lot of foot traffic (and mountain bikes) passing right by your campsite.

The Sturtesvant Trail to the summit follows the creek for a couple more miles, then begins a fairly steep switchback ascent up the side of the ridge for the last 1,000 of elevation gain.

The top of Mt. Wilson is somewhat anticlimatic. There are buildings, observatories and paved roads. There is a water fountain where you can refill your water bottle near the bridge. The top of Mt Wilson is a jumble of buildings, paved roads and paths that can be confusing. It’s a little tricky to find your way across the top to the other trailhead to Winter Creek. I highly recommend printing out the visitor’s guide (PDF) for a detailed map. On this you’ll see a reference to of the “main parking lot.” It’s a gravel lot about the size of a football field. The marker for the trail down is near the 50 yard line on the opposite side.  But before you head down, walk over to the boulders at the far end of the lot and soak in the views of Los Angeles. You’ll find a USGS benchmark at the southwest corner of the lot.

Heading back down Going back down the trail connects with a gravel road known as the old “Toll Road.” You’ll follow this for about 1/2 mile to the Winter Creek trail on the left. It comes at a right-hand bend in the road, and if you’re not watching for it, you could easily miss this trail. This downhill will seem like a cakewalk after the long uphill climb to Mt. Wilson. As you descend , you gain a real appreciation of  just how much elevation you gained on the first half!

Eventually, you’ll reach Winter Creek and Hogee’s Camp. Here you’ll have a decision. You can take the mile-longer Upper Winter Creek trail for a 3-mile all downhill trek to Chantry Flat, or the shorter Lower Winter Creek Trail which follows the creek, but actually takes you below Chantry Flat, with an uphill climb for the last 1/2 mile. I’ve done both, and actually prefer the creekside trail.

Back at Chantry Flats

There are chemical toilets at the trailhead, but if you want real toilets with running water, walk up above the upper parking lot to the picnic area. It may be well worth it, and you can wash up a bit afterward. Also about 50 yards past the upper parking lot is the Chantry Flats pack station. They have a small store where you can buy drinks and food, and on weekend will often have a BBQ going. A great way to cap off your hike!

Mount Wilson 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

Getting to Chantry Flats

Bag the Six-Pack of Peaks

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

What is the SoCalHiker Six-Pack of Peaks?

Additional Mt. Wilson Resources

• Chantry Flat trail mileages
• Mt. Wilson webcam
• Mt. Wilson Observatory
• Current weather conditions on Mt. Wilson
• Big Santa Anita Canyon topo map
• Sturtevant Falls trail guide from Dan’s Hiking Pages
• GPS user? Download the GPX file

Special Thanks

I last hiked this trail on May 23, 2010 with friends from Hiking OC. We had beautiful weather, though it was quite chilly at the top (we even had a few little snowflakes!). Thanks to Joan, Uni, John, Daniel, Leslie, Lily, Tari and Adam for joining me.

Mt Wilson photo credit: Bryan Ungard. All other photos: Jeff Hester

Mt. Wilson Weather Forecast

[forecast width=”100%” location=”Mount Wilson, California”]

At 3,273 feet above sea level, Sitton Peak has commanding 360 degree views of the Cleveland National Forest. On clear days, you can see the ocean and  even Catalina Island. The elevation gain and distance makes this a good intermediate level hike.

Trail Details

Distance: 10 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 2,150 ft
Dogs: OK
When to go: Fall through Spring

As you get closer to Sitton Peak, keep an eye out for the trail marker (it will be on your right). The “trail” to the top is not maintained and often overgrown. If you’re not paying attention, you could pass it by. The last quarter mile requires a little scrambling and bushwacking to reach the summit. No special equipment required, but you might want long pants to protect your legs from scratches.

The summit makes a great place to break for a snack or lunch and enjoy the views. When it’s clear, you can see the Pacific Ocean. On the return trip, take the ridge trail option. It adds a little extra mileage, but gives you some different scenery to enjoy and takes you back to the same junction with the Morgan Trail.

There is no water along the trail, so bring plenty for the round trip. This area gets pretty hot in the summer months. It’s still do-able, but you’ll enjoy the fall through spring season best. If possible, hike this on a clear day so you can really appreciate the views.

Trailhead

There is ample parking in a lot across Ortega Highway from the Candy Store (Google Map). You’ll need a National Forest Adventure Pass, which can also be purchased at the Candy Store. If you do more than six hikes in National Forest a year, it’s worth buying the annual pass.

Photo Gallery

Click any image for a larger version, and to browse through all of the photos.

Additional Resources

• Sitton Peak USGS Topo Map
• Sitton Peak trail topo with elevation profile