Trail Details

Summit: 6,778′
Distance: 7.6 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 1,831 ft
Dogs: Yes (booties recommended)
When to go: July-October

Getting to the Trailhead

This hike begins at the Pacific Crest Trail McKenzie Pass Trailhead, which is not actually at the pass. The trailhead parking is on the north side of McKenzie Highway 242 and 0.5 miles west of the Dee Wright Observatory. The road is closed seasonally (November through June). The trail is 15.5 miles west of Sisters on Highway 242, and roughly a one hour drive from Bend. The trailhead parking area is dirt and can accommodate 10-12 vehicles if parked politely. There is no toilet at the trailhead, but there is a pit toilet at the parking area for the Dee Wright Observatory.

Get turn-by-turn driving directions via Google Maps.

Hiking Belknap Crater

The trail begins in a patch of forest that might be considered deceiving, as most of this hike is over exposed lava fields and cinder talus.

The trail crosses a lava flow between two wooded hills, winding around the north side of the second hill before splitting off and heading north across the lava field.

Looking back (south) toward the Three Sisters.

At about the two mile mark, you reach a junction with the spur trail that heads due east to Little Belknap. This is a short side trip that adds about a mile to your total distance. Once you reach Little Belknap, there is a short scramble to the top. It’s worth the trip.

From Little Belknap, retrace your steps to the PCT and turn right (heading north). As you leave the lava field, the trail forks. To the right, the PCT continues north. To the left (there is no trail sign) the trail heads toward and up Belknap Crater.

One thing I’ll say about hiking across a lava field…it gives you a great appreciation for dirt. The initial approach to the base of Belknap Crater is a welcome, dirt respite.

Once you reach the crater, the terrain turns to a mixture of cinder and dirt that at times feels like climbing a sand dune. The trail switchbacks gracefully up and around the north side of the crater, then climbs to the bare summit.

When we hiked this in October, it was a beautiful, cool day — perfect conditions for hiking Belknap Crater except for the fierce winds at the summit. They were strong enough that we didn’t dawdle at the top. We soaked in the epic Cascade views and headed back down. Fortunately, as soon as we were in the shadow of the crater, the winds subsided and the remainder of the hike back to the trailhead was perfect.

Hiking back, we retraced our steps. Heading south, we had great views of North and Middle Sister, and Black Crater (another favorite hike in the area). We could make out the Dee Wright Observatory — worth a stop if you have time.

Belknap Crater Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Additional Belknap Crater Resources

• Advance permits are required from June 15th to October 15th. Day-use permits are released in two rolling windows: 10 days and then two days before the trip date. Online permit request form.
• Sun protection, layers and plenty of water are all a must on this hike.
• Dogs are allowed, but I would only consider bringing mine with booties. The lava rock is coarse, highly abrasive, and can be very hot in the sunlight.

The Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

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

Learn more and sign-up here.

Originally hiked with Joan on October 15, 2022.

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

Trail Details

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

Getting to Volcan Mountain

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

Hiking Volcan Mountain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Volcan Mountain Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Volcan Mountain Tips & Resources

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

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

Julian Weather Forecast

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

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

Trail Details

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

Getting to the Humphreys Peak Trailhead

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

Lightning Danger

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

Hiking Humphreys Peak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Humphreys Peak Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Humphreys Peak Resources

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

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

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

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

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

Trail Details

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

Getting to the Trailhead

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

Hiking the Beacon Hill Loop Trail

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beacon Hill Loop Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Beacon Hill Tips & Resources

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

Griffith Park Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on July 15, 2015. 

The Dipsea-Steep Ravine Loop is a moderately easy 4.6-mile hike that makes a perfect introduction to Mount Tamalpais State Park, especially when water is flowing in Webb Creek. It offers shady forest, historical points of interest, an actual water fountain on the trail, fern-lined trails through towering redwoods, playful cascades and pools in a cool, deep canyon, and panoramic coastal views. I had hiked up the Steep Ravine Trail when I tackled Mount Tamalpais from Stinson Beach, and I’d been down the Dipsea Trail from Bayview in Mill Valley, but combining the two in this loop makes it a perfect intro to the area for someone who doesn’t have the time or energy for those longer hikes.

Trail Details

Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,093 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

The Pantoll Campground parking area is at 3801 Panoramic Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941 in Mt Tamalpais State Park. The parking area is shared by campers, day hikers, and folks overnighting at the West Point Inn, and there are numerous trails emanating from this central location. There is an $8 per car day use fee, payable through self-registration envelopes at the Pantoll visitor center.

There are restrooms and water available. The trailhead begins and ends at the south end of the parking area.

Being a loop trail, you could hike this in either direction, but I recommend the clockwise direction described below.

Hiking the Dipsea–Steep Ravine Loop

From the south end of the Pantoll parking lot, head down the Deer Park Fire Road for a short 100 feet, then turn right onto the Old Mine Trail.

The Old Mine Trail winds around the hillside under a shady canopy of trees. Along the way, the trail passes a marker for the namesake mine. The Denos Claim never delivered riches, and was sealed years ago. It’s an interesting bit of history though.

As you break through the trees, you rejoin the fire road. Just off the trail to your right is Veteran’s Bench. You haven’t hiked far enough yet to warrant a rest, but take a few moments to stop here anyway and soak in the views.

Continue down the fire road to the junction with the Dipsea Trail at the top of Cardiac Hill. There is a working water fountain here, mainly for hikers on the Dipsea Trail who have hiked (or run) up from the bottom of Muir Woods. Take the junction with the Dipsea Trail to the right where it cuts down across the hillside beneath the Veteran’s Bench, heading towards the Lone Tree Spring.

The Lone Tree Spring is just off the main trail. As you near the bend around the hill, watch for a series of stone steps on your right heading into the woods. This short detour takes you about 10 yards off the main trail, but you will discover the Lone Tree Spring, erected in 1917, and across from it, the (no longer) Lone Tree–a towering redwood that once stood alone on this hill.

The spring is still running, with a stone trough collecting the water. It looked a little murky, so I wouldn’t drink it without treating the water first, but it’s pretty need to see something that’s been there serving hikers like you for over a century.

Take a moment to reflect on the many people who have visited this place and hiked this beautiful trail over the past 100 years or more. The clothing, shoes and gear has changed, but the sense of awe remains. Step back out to the main trail and continue heading down toward Steep Ravine.

You soon enter a grove of young redwoods towering towards the sky like columns in an old cathedral. The trail quietly switchbacks down into the canyon.

As you get closer to Webb Creek, the foliage grows thick and lush. You encounter rough hewn steps and the occasional stray rebar sticking out of the trail where a wooden step has weathered away.

Finally you can hear the water from Webb Creek splashing down Steep Ravine and catch a glimpse of the bridge at the bottom of the canyon. The other side of the bridge marks the junction of the Dipsea Trail (which continues on to Stinson Beach) and the Steep Ravine Trail (the uphill portion of our loop).

Whenever I’m hiking with a group, we may spread out as we find our own pace, but we always make a point to regroup at junctions, and this bridge is the perfect spot.

From there, head upstream on the Steep Ravine Trail along seasonal Webb Creek. This section of the trail is especially beautiful when the water is flowing as it was when we hiked up. The trail crosses the creek several times on sturdy wooden bridges, and winds between redwoods and up the canyon on steep stone or wood steps.

After hiking 0.8 miles up the canyon from the junction, the trail climbs a ladder over large boulders before continuing on toward Pantoll. Just another of the ways this trail delights.

Finally, the trail leaves Webb Creek and heads up the side of the ravine following a series of shade-covered switchbacks. It’s the last push back to Pantoll Camp and the end of the loop.

Old Mine > Dipsea > Steep Ravine Loop Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Dipsea-Steep Ravine Loop Tips & Resources

After hiking, head down to Stinson Beach for lunch. We hit the Siren Canteen. It’s right on the beach and has great Mexican food, wine and beer. The view’s not bad, either.

Stinson Beach Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on May 11, 2018 with Joan. 

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

Trail Details

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

Getting to the Trailhead

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

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

Hiking the Mount Bachelor Trail

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mount Bachelor Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount Bachelor Hiking Resources

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

Bend Area Weather Forecast

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

Commemorate your achievement with a replica benchmark!

The Central Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

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

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

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

Mount Umunhum is one of the tallest peaks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and has a rich history, first as a sacred site for Native Americans (“umunhum” means “resting place of the humming bird”), and more recently as a Cold War-era Air Force radar station. The radar station closed in 1980, and the land acquired for the Sierra Azul Open Space in 1986. The summit itself remained closed until fall of 2017, when remediation and clean-up work was mostly completed.

Trail Details

Summit: 3,486′ (1,062.5m)
Distance: 7.7 miles
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain/loss: +/- 1,141′
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

The trail begins at the Bald Mountain trailhead parking area in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, about 40 minutes south of San Jose. Once you get on the narrow and crooked Hicks Road, you’ll follow it to Mt Umunhum Road and head uphill to the Bald Mountain parking area. There are parking spots for over 20 cars, and pit toilets and information signs with a map of the area, rules and regulations.

You can get turn-by-turn driving directions here on Google Maps. I drove down from Berkeley after rush hour on a Monday and my drive time was about 90 minutes.

Hiking to Mount Umunhum

Take a moment to check the latest park information at the information boards, then follow the crosswalk across Mt Umunhum Road to the trailhead.

The trail to the summit is 3.7 miles each way (7.4 miles or roughly 12 km round trip). I logged a bit more just wandering around the summit and learning more about the history from the info panels.  This trail is also part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail – an epic loop that’s on my to-hike list.

The forested trail was lush and green in January, with light rain keeping me cool and the clouds cloaking the trail in an ethereal mist. At about 0.4 miles, the trail reaches a junction with the Barlow Road trail – a double-track dirt road that descends down and connects with the Woods Trail. Follow the jog across Barlow Road and continue on the Mt Umunhum Trail as is climbs gradually up the north slope of Mount Umunhum.

The trail follows the contour of the mountain, crossing several watersheds via well-crafted footbridges. Walk quietly and you might be lucky enough to visit with some of the “locals” on the mountain.

Halfway to the summit there is a short spur to the Guadalupe Creek Overlook. It doesn’t add appreciable distance to the hike, though the view was obscured by the clouds.

With less than 1/4 mile to the summit, the view opens up a bit and the “cube” comes into view.

This cube is actually six-stories tall and was the base upon which the giant radar antenna stood. On a clear day, this landmark is visible from many parts of the South Bay. Unfortunately, that last segment of the trail is currently closed for further remediation and cleanup. You can still hike to the summit, following the detour that takes you over to the main summit parking area.

From here, you climb a series of steps to the summit.

Mount Umunhum Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Mount Umunhum Resources

• The summit is open from 7am to 30 minutes after sunset.
• There are no fees for entrance or parking, and there are no permits required.
• The parking is limited and can be crowded on weekends. If possible, go early or go on a weekday.
• Check the official Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve website for updates on current conditions, events, rules and regulations.
• Download the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve Map (PDF).
• Mount Umunhum is part of the NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a great way to train for bigger adventures that supports Big City Mountaineers.
• Redwood Hikes has an overview of this trail with photos from a sunny day.

Mount Umunhum Weather Forecast

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Originally hiked on January 22, 2018.

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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Marin County is truly unique. Nestled on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, these hills gave birth to mountain biking and were home to George Lucas’ magic-makers – all just a short drive from San Francisco over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Muir Woods and Mt Tamalpais get much of the spotlight, but there is a remarkable network of trails throughout this range, including this local favorite – the Coyote Ridge Loop in Tennessee Valley.

Trail Details

Distance: 5.2 miles
Time: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 911 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

You can take the Golden Gate transit bus from San Francisco to Tennessee Valley Road, but you’ll have to walk 1.7 miles down the road to get to the trailhead.

If you’re driving from San Francisco, you’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge on Highway 101, exiting to Highway 1 at the Mill Valley/Stinson Beach exit. Turn left onto Tennessee Valley Road and follow it to the end. Get detailed directions on Google Maps.

At the trailhead there is a decent amount of parking and two pit toilets. At the time of writing, the parking area had several sections with large potholes, so drive with caution.

Hiking the Coyote Ridge Loop

This route begins at the northeast end of the trailhead parking.

The careful observer will note that the sign indicates that bikes, horses and dogs on leash are allowed on this trail. Unfortunately for dog hikers, the second half of the loop does not allow dogs. As an option, you could hike the first half as an out-and-back.

The trail quickly climbs up the ridge. You’ll gain over 500 feet in the first mile, after which you get a short breather before resuming a more gradual incline. Take a moment to soak in the views and you’ll see the San Francisco Bay begin to emerge to the east.

There are trail junctions around the 1.0 mile mark; all well-signed. Follow the signs for the Coyote Ridge Trail.

Just past the 2 mile mark you’ll see a short (10m) spur trail leading to the obvious high point on the loop: Coyote Ridge Overlook. There are a couple of benchmarks and wonderful 360-degree views.

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Coyote Ridge Loop Trail Map & Elevation Profile

Back on the main trail, head south down Coyote Ridge. At 2.8 miles you reach a junction with a choice: take the shorter trail to the east and head straight back to Tennessee Valley or bear right and continue south to get even better ocean views. That’s right — go for the view.

When you reach the trail at the valley floor, you have the option of extending the hike with a 1.2 mile out-and-back (0.6 miles each way) to the beach. Throw a rock in the Pacific, then follow the valley trail back to the trailhead parking.

An interesting historical note: The valley is named for a steamer named the SS Tennessee which wrecked just off the coast in 1853. You can still see rusted parts of the steamer in the sand at the beach.

Tennessee Valley Hiking Tips

• Bring plenty of water and a map for navigation. The trails are well-signed, but with many junctions in can help to know where you are. I also tracked our progress using GaiaGPS.
• Cell coverage is spotty and/or non-existent in the valley and canyons.
• Watch for wildlife, particularly along the Tennessee Valley Trail to the beach. Deer, coyotes, bobcats and rabbits all call this place home.

More Tennessee Valley Resources

• Official Tennessee Valley NPS page
• Lunch afterwards? We headed to Joe’s Taco Lounge in Mill Valley.

Marin Headlands Weather Forecast

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Hiked on March 7, 2017. All photos from that date. Thanks to OutdoorsyMama for suggestion the trail!

Los Liones Canyon winds it’s way through brush that at times spills over the trail, creating a tunnel. It climbs, and climbs… and climbs (you’ll really feel it on a hot sunny day), finally reaching the epic coastal views of Parker Mesa Overlook. This is a great seven mile out-and-back hike with decent vertical gain that makes a great training hike. It begins with winding single track but quickly joins wide, double-track fire roads with plenty of sunlight.

Trail Details

Distance: 7.3 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,580 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round
GPX File

Getting to the Trailhead

The trailhead begins at the end of Los Liones Drive in Pacific Palisades. Your best bet is to get driving directions via Google Maps. There are a couple of small parking lots, or you can park along the street. Be sure to check the signs so you don’t end up with a parking ticket. This trailhead can get quite busy, so you may need to park further down Los Liones. You can either walk along the side of the street or take the dirt trail that runs parallel on the east side of the street.

Most signs even within Topanga State Park describe this as Los Liones Canyon, except for this sign at the trailhead.

The Trail

For the first mile, the trail winds back and forth through the canyon with dense brush on either side. In the spring, this trail can be lush with green and wildflowers, but much of the year it’s pretty dry.

At about a mile in, you’ll reach a vista point and junction with the Paseo Miramar Trail. Take a hard left, following the wide fire road up the hill.

The dirt road provides a broad and fairly consistent surface, but very little shade. At about 2.3 miles you reach a crest and descend slightly, following rolling hills dotted with a few old oak trees and a surprise meadow.

The trail rolls up and down, reaching the junction to Parker Mesa Overlook at the 3 mile mark.

Here you’ll turn toward the coast, and follow the ridge all the way out to the overlook half a mile away.

The Parker Mesa Overlook has several benches strategically placed to give you a chance to rest your feet, eat a snack and soak in the amazing views up and down the coast.

Time it right, and you can enjoy the sunset and watch the city light up as night falls.

Photo: Patrik Bangle

When you’re ready, turn around and retrace your steps three miles back to the trailhead.

Los Liones to Parker Mesa Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Tips for Hiking Los Liones Canyon

First of all, you should note that some of the signs spell the canyon Los Leones, though most of them use Los Liones. Don’t be confused. They are one and the same.

• Even though this is a day hike, you should have the 10 essentials, especially sun protection and water. This trail has a lot of exposure and can get hot on a sunny day.
• Sorry Fido. No dogs are allowed, even on leash.
• Ticks are found in this area. Try to avoid brush, consider wearing long pants and check for ticks after your hike.
• Mountain lions live in these mountains. Although encounters are rare, should you run across one, raise your hands over your head to appear bigger and make a lot of noise. It’s also a great idea to hike with friends that you can outrun.
• As an out-and-back hike, you can modify this hike to make it shorter with less vertical gain.

More Los Liones Canyon Resources

• Shoestring Adventures regularly schedules mid-week, after-work hikes on this trail. They don’t go all the way to Parker Mesa Overlook, but they often have tacos! Check out their calendar on Meetup.
• You can also hike to Parker Mesa Overlook from Trippet Ranch.
• GPS user? Download the GPX track for this hike.

Los Liones Canyon Weather Forecast

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All photos Jeff Hester, June 2015 unless noted otherwise.

McWay Falls is “that” waterfall in Big Sur that everyone has seen and many have photographed. I had driven up and down Big Sur several times before I finally made a point of going here. It was on my “must-see” list for years, but I just hadn’t timed my drive right… until this year.

Trail Details

Distance: 0.5 miles
Time: 10 min.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 50 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

The best place to get to McWay Falls is from Falls Trail just past the entrance to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. You’ll pay a day use fee to park here, but the Falls Trail goes under Pacific Coast Highway via a tunnel, making it a safer option than jockeying for a parking spot along busy Highway 1.

Once you pass through the tunnel, you wind your way along the top of the bluff to the right. You’ll see great views of McWay Falls, where the water from McWay Creek spills 80 feet down, directly onto the beach.

Interestingly, that beach didn’t always exist.

In 1983, a huge landslide just north of the cove dumped massive amounts of dirt and silt into the ocean. Pacific Coast Highway was closed for nearly a year as crews worked to clear the slide and stabilize the hills. The cove, which used to be filled entirely with sea water, was filled with sand and sediment that washed up as a result of the landslide.

The overlook itself is the terrace from what used to be the Waterfall House — a vacation residence of Lathrop and Helen Hooper Brown. The ranch was donated to the state on the condition that it be preserved for a state park — dedicated to Julia Pfeiffer Burns — one of the pioneer women of Big Sur.

Standing there on the terrace, it’s hard to imagine a more idyllic bedroom view.

McWay Falls Trail Map

McWay Falls Tips

• Visit later in the afternoon for best the best light
• Don’t ignore the signs warning you to NOT climb down the cliff to the beach. It accelerates erosion and could lead to further access restrictions. Lead by your example.
• Many people park on the side of Highway 1, but avoid the risk by parking on the east side in the state park’s parking lot. You’ll have to pay a few bucks, but you have a scenic tunnel that takes you safely and directly to the fall overlook.
• In December and January, the overlook is a good place to watch for gray whales migrating southward to the calving grounds off the Baja California coast. You can see them return northward in March and April.
• There are bathrooms available inside the state park on the east side of PCH.

More Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Resources

• Take time to hike the Ewoldsen Trail on the “other” side of PCH.
• Official Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Brochure (PDF)
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (official website)

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Weather Forecast

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Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has everything that Big Sur is known for — dramatic old growth coastal redwoods that tower above you; streams dancing through steep gorges lined with colorful wildflowers; stunning views of the rugged coastline; and photogenic waterfalls.

Trail Details

Distance: 5.9 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,430 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

Getting to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is located 37 miles south of Carmel and 11 miles south of Big Sur State Park on Highway 1. The Ewoldsen Trail begins at the far end of the upper parking lot. There is a sign clearly marking the Ewoldsen Trail.

Hiking the Ewoldsen Trail

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is a popular stop in Big Sur, but mainly for the iconic McWay Falls. The parking lot gets busy, as do the picnic areas, but the crowds quickly dissipate as you hike up the mountain.

The trailhead begins with a clearly marked sign on the north side of McWay Creek, and you immediately head into the cool shade of the forest.

McWay Creek babbles and dances as you pass through the lush canyon — lined with giant redwoods. You soon cross to the south side of the creek and climb a bit higher. Listen carefully for Canyon Falls — a 30 foot cascade lined in moss.

Photo credit: Wayne Hsieh

At  reach the bridge crossing the creek and begin climbing up the side of the canyon. The trail bears northwest, rounding a ridge at about 1.3 miles and continuing down to rejoin McWay Creek. Here you’ll reach the bottom of the Ewoldsen loop.

We chose to hike the loop in a counter-clockwise direction, when meant continuing up along the creek for another mile before climbing once again. As you crest the ridge, the views open up.

The trail follows the countour of the mountain down to another valley, then up the other side. At 4.0 miles, you catch glimpses over the ocean down to McWay Rocks off the coast. You may see evidence from the landslide here that closed down PCH — a solemn reminder of the instability of this ever-changing coastline.

From here, the trail is mainly downhill back to close the loop at the creek, and follow the trail back to the trailhead.

Along the way, be watchful for butterflies, birds, and the beautiful iris blooming along the trail.

If  you’re visiting Big Sur, or event recommend including this loop. It’s not too long, and includes some great cascades, towering redwood trees, lush canyons and sweeping coastal views.

Afterwards, be sure to take stroll over to the overlook above McWay Falls.

Ewoldsen Trail Map

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Ewoldsen Trail Tips

• The eastern side of the Ewoldsen Loop is current closed for maintenance (as of 8/30/15). See the state park website for latest updates.
• The weather in Big Sur can be unpredictable. Bring layers and be prepared for damp or wet weather.

More Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Resources

• Official Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Brochure (PDF)
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (official website)
• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is open 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Weather Forecast

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The Temescal Loop trail is one of my favorite hikes on days when the sun dips low. This variation includes a side trip further up the ridge to Skull Rock. And yes, it really does look like a skull (with a little imagination).

Trail Details

Distance: 5.1 miles
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,103 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

Getting There

This hiking trail begins and ends in Temescal Gateway Park, located at 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades (at the intersection of Temescal Canyon Road and Sunset Boulevard). You can either find free parking on Temescal Canyon Road or pay for parking in the park (at the time of writing, $7 which you put in an envelope and slip in a locked box). As you head into the canyon, you’ll reach a series of buildings that are part of a conference center. There are restrooms here with actual plumbing, as well as an information kisok with details on the history of the canyon and a map.

NOTE: The maps on the kiosk show only the trails in the Temescal Gateway Park, and not the adjacent Topanga State Park. The route described here is not fully shown on the kiosk maps, as this loop enters Topanga State Park.

The Trail

Being a loop hike, you can hike this in either direction. I hiked counter-clockwise, heading up the canyon first, then to Skull Rock, and finally down the ridge trail. This gives you more shade on the uphill section and would be my recommendation. If you insist on going clockwise, I’ve got you covered.

Starting in the back of Temescal Gateway Park, continue back up the canyon on the Temescal Canyon Trail, passing the rustic buildings that are still used for conferences, meetings and presentations. As you wind further back up the shady canyon, the trail becomes more quiet as you leave the “picnic crowd” behind.

The canyon trail is mostly shady and snakes along the typically dry Temescal Creek. You’ll pass a number of building for the conference center — but just keep heading back into the canyon and pretty soon the trail becomes very clear and easy to follow.

At about the 1.2 mile mark (starting at Sunset Blvd.) the trail starts to climb more seriously. It maintains a steady climb all the way to Skull Rock, but first you’ll see the (mythical?) waterfall.

You’ll know you have reached the waterfall when you get to the bridge. If you didn’t know there was a waterfall here, you might walk right by it, because every time I’ve hiked here, even the day after rain, it’s been nothing more than a trickle.

They mythical quality of this waterfall?  Explained by this photo from the information kiosk.

The next half mile the trail climbs out of the canyon to the ridgeline. Much of this portion of the trail is shaded, making it a good choice for staying cool(er) on the climb. When you see a break in the brush, stop and soak in the view back down the canyon.

When you reach the junction with the ridgeline trail, you have a choice. Turn left and return to the trailhead via the ridgeline trail, or turn right to continue up hill to Skull Rock. This out-and-back spur adds one mile to the hike, but is worth a visit.

The trail runs near Skull Rock, but continues up the ridge deep into Topanga State Park. To reach Skull Rock, look for one of several use trails on the left leading to the rock outcrop.

From atop the rock, it doesn’t really look like much of a skull, but the view is pretty awesome. Looking south the sweeping arc of the coastline stretches out before you, reaching to distinctive Palos Verdes. On a clear day, you can see Catalina Island.

In the photo below you can see the Temescal Ridge Trail that you’ll take to return to the trailhead.

You’ve climbed uphill to this point. The remainder of this hike will be downhill.

Scramble back to the trail, then retrace your steps to the junction with the canyon trail. This time, you’ll head straight ahead and take the Temescal Ridge Trail back down to the trailhead.

Note that as you descend you will pass two junctions that lead down to residential communities nowhere near your car. Stay on the ridge trail and follow it down. Eventually you’ll reach a series of switchbacks that descend the canyon and return you to your starting point.

Skull Rock and Temescal Loop Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Skull Rock Tips

• The best time to hike this is late in the day as the sun dips low in the sky.
• Watch out for the stop light cameras in Temescal Canyon!
• You can pay for parking in the park, or park on the street for free (pay heed to the signs).

More Temescal Canyon Resources

• Top Trails: Los Angeles by Jerry Schad
• Temescal Gateway Park – official website
• Temescal Canyon Trail Map – printable PDF
• Only like hiking loops in a clockwise direction? No problem.

Temescal Canyon Weather Forecast

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The sky was a deep, cloudless blue. The only sounds came from the occasional wind through the sparse trees and the crunching of my boots on the trail. I had just climbed nearly 3,000 vertical feet to the summit of Mt. Baden-Powell (9,406′) — one of the highest mountains in the San Gabriel mountains. The stunning 360° views made those 40 switchbacks worth climbing.

Trail Details

Summit: 9,406′
Distance: 8.7 miles total
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,900 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October
Download the GPX

Getting to the Vincent Gap Trailhead

Vincent Gap is a popular trailhead a few miles outside of Wrightwood on Highway 2. There is plenty of parking and there are pit toilets. The Vincent Gap is on the backside of the mountains from the LA basin, so it takes some time to get there, but it’s worth it. Get your driving directions.

Vincent Gap to Mt. Baden-Powell Trail

The trail begins at the west end of the parking lot, and immediately begins a relentless ascent up the north ridge to the summit. You are actually hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail — the 2,600 mile trail from Mexico to Canada.

The trail follows a well-engineered series of switchbacks through shaded forest. And just at the moment when you think “Wow, I could use a breather,” this bench appears.

As you continue climbing the forty switchbacks, you’ll see a spur trail that leads 200 yards east to the dribbling pipe known as Lamel Spring.

Hiking this trail you can watch the climate zone change as you gain elevation. The thick forest thins out, and closer to the summit are replaced by weathered and twisted limber pines.

When you reach this ridge line, you’re almost to the summit. The trail here skirts the top of the ridge, with steep slopes in both directions. When covered with ice and snow, this can be particularly treacherous, as you can imagine.

On the far end of the ridge, but before the final climb to the summit you’ll see the gnarled and twisted roots of the Wally Waldron tree. This 1,500 year old limber pine is said to be the oldest in the San Gabriel mountains, and named for a noted Boy Scout leader and volunteer.

One last push and the rounded summit of Mt. Baden-Powell comes into view. When you see the monument, you have arrived.

There summit itself is quite exposed, but there are a few clusters of trees where you’ll find shade and a great spot for a lunch break. When you’ve had your fill of the views, retrace your steps to Vincent Gap.

Hiking Mt Baden-Powell is a challenging hike, a great workout with rewarding views. Hike this!

Mt. Baden-Powell Trail Map

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

Photo Gallery

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All of these photos were from our hike on July 5, 2014.

Mt. Baden-Powell Tips

• This trail can be hot. We hiked this on a moderately warm day, but started early. By afternoon, I was glad that we were headed downhill and not up.
• Bring the ten essentials, and carry 2-3 liters of water. I carried 3 liters and drank it all by the time we finished.

More Mt. Baden-Powell Resources

• GPS user? Download the GPX file.
• After the hike, eat at the Grizzly Cafe in Wrightwood

Mt. Baden-Powell Video Fly-by

Wrightwood Weather Forecast

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South Orange County is often dismissed as a snooty, well-to-do slice of suburbia filled with malls, expensive cars and cookie cutter houses. It may fit that stereotype on the surface, but there is much more to explore. There are hidden trails like the Aliso Peak Trail above Laguna Beach.

Trail Details

Distance: 1.6 miles
Time: 60-80 min.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 533 ft
Summit elevation: 683 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Aliso Peak Trail

The Aliso Peak Trail is officially part of Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness Park, but you won’t find it connected to the more familiar parts of the park. The entrance is at the west end of Seaview Park in Laguna Niguel. There is free street parking along Talavera Drive. View in Google Maps. The park’s hours are 7am – 9pm March 1 through October 31, and 7am to 6pm November 1 through February 28.

Hiking to Aliso Peak

From the green grassy Seaview Park, make your way to the west end (closest to the guard shack for the gated community beyond). You’ll see drinking fountains and information signs about the park. From here, the wide dirt trail follows the ridge line with condos on your left, and Aliso Canyon on your right.

The plants you see along this trail have been maintained in their natural condition. This is one of the few areas where plants of the inland mountains and north coastal California grow side-by-side with plants from San Diego County and Baja California. Many of the plants have been identified with markers along the way.

At about 0.3 miles you reach the last picnic table, with awesome ocean views.

From here, veer to the left to find a steep, gravely trail that heads down towards Aliso Peak. Yes, this is one of the few peaks you’ll ever bag where you start out looking down at it.

Veer to the left here

The trail opens up along a street lined with McMansions. Watch for the posts on the right that indicate the trail down. Take it.

At 0.7 miles you reach a saddle junction with the Toovet Trail, which ascends from Laguna Beach below. Stick to the right and head up the fairly steep final push to the summit of Aliso Peak.

When you reach the summit of Aliso Peak, you’re rewarded with great views of the Laguna coastline. And a bench to catch your breath on, or to sit while you watch for whales, or enjoy the sunset. Take some time to just be. That’s where this little trail excels.

Going back, you simply retrace your steps. Although I’ve classified this trail as easy due to the short length, it’s not really for hiking beginners. The hills are steep, a little treacherous and really get your heart pumping.

You can modify this to just take in the easy top section and skip the peak. Then it’s family- and stroller-friendly and a perfect picnic spot. You can also string this together with the Aliso Summit Trail (with a little sidewalk time) and turn this into a longer more serious hike.

Aliso Peak Trail Map

Aliso Peak Tips

• Dogs are allowed, but must remain on leash. There are drinking fountains and a dog bowl at the trailhead.
• There are a number of picnic tables on the first part of the trail, and most of them have great views.
• Aliso Peak is a great spot whale watching during the annual migration, January through April.

More Aliso Peak Resources

• A great spot to take kids for a geology lesson is the nearby Badlands Park.
• Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness Park map (PDF)
• Official Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness Park web site
• Download the GPX file

Aliso Peak Weather Forecast

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We ascended Walter’s Wiggles, the 21-switchbacks carefully engineered and reinforced with sandstone blocks and were standing atop Scout Lookout, with awe-inspiring views down into Zion Canyon and over the Virgin River. Looming before us was a slender finger of red sandstone leading to Angels Landing. I have been up Half Dome several times. I’ve sat atop Banner Peak and dangled my feet over Thousand Island Lake. And I’ve climbed to the top of Mt Whitney in the darkness of night. But looking at the “trail” before us I got butterflies. At first glance, the trail up to Angels Landing looks impossibly steep and treacherous.

Angels Landing in Zion National Park is one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the park. The slender spine of red sandstone juts into the canyon like a spine, and provides epic views in all directions. Getting to the top requires you to check your acrophobia at the trailhead, and the final push from Scout Landing has sheer drops with little room for errors.

Trail Details

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 1,500 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

We arrived at Zion National Park early in the morning, and got parking at the visitor center parking lot near the entrance. During the summer months, Zion does not allow cars in the canyon. Instead, you park at the visitor center or in neighboring Springdale and take a shuttle into the valley.

Angels Landing Trail Description

We took the shuttle to the Grotto Trailhead — the sixth stop in Zion’s main canyon. There are restrooms and picnic tables near the shuttle stop. We checked our water and headed over the bridge across the Virgin River and up the West Rim Trail.

The trail is actually paved as it slogs uphill winding close to the canyon wall.

At 1.5 miles you reach beautiful Refrigerator Canyon.

This deep, narrow side canyon is shady and stays cool even in the summer. This section climbs more gently, giving you a bit of a breather until you reach Walter’s Wiggles.

These 21 switchbacks are steep and short, and an amazing bit of 1930’s trail engineering. Our legs felt good, but the climb really gets your heart pumping.

At the top of the wiggles we reached Scout Landing. Many people reach this point and go no further, intimidated by the path ahead that seems more like a trial than a trail. This is a good spot to take a break, eat a snack, drink some water and consider… are your papers in order?

The sign to Angels Landing declares ominously: “Since 2004, six people have died falling from the cliffs on this route. The 1.1 mile round-trip from Scout Landing to Angels Landing is a strenuous climb on a narrow ridge over 1,400 feet above the canyon floor. This route is not recommended during high winds, storms or if snow or ice is present.” 

Warning

People have fallen to their death on this trail. It is exposed and can be brutally hot in the summer, or icy and slippery in the winter. Do not attempt if raining, snowing or freezing, as this amplifies the dangers. As the signs at the trailhead warn, “your safety is your responsibility.” 

I was determined to go to the top. Many people do every day. I wasn’t sure if Joan would be as enthusiastic. But when I saw the narrow spine that we would be climbing to reach Angels Landing, I felt my pulse quicken. A little voice in my head said “Really? No way!”

We caught our breath and decided to give it a go. 

The Angels Landing trail traverses solid sandstone with sheer drops of hundreds of feet possible. People have died on this trail, as the signs warn. In most places, the trail involves following a well-worn route over the steep sandstone while holding a chain on one side. And it’s not that bad. With proper shoes, a decent sense of balance and a rational fear of death (keeping you from behaving foolishly), you can hike this trail. You will gain another 500 vertical feet in a very short distance, but take your time. Breathe.

Reaching the top is exhilarating, and the views are magnificent.

Angels Landing plenty of area to spread out and enjoy the views. We took time to soak it all in and recorded a short time-lapse video of the view down the canyon.

Heading down was complicated. When we got to Angels Landing, it was early enough in the morning that not many people were coming down yet. As we descended, there was a steady stream of hikers making their way up the narrow spine. With only one chain, passing is best done with extreme caution.

Once we were back at Scout Landing, the rest of the hike down was easy.

Angels Landing Trail Map

Angels Landing Photo Gallery

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Angels Landing Tips

• Start early. Not only will you find fewer people, you’ll also have cooler temperatures — and important consideration in the summer.
• Take plenty of water. This is not a trail where you want to skimp on water. Bring 1-2 liters and stay hydrated.
• This trail has a lot of sun exposure. Use sun protection and a hat.
• Don’t take unnecessary risks. Be aware of the people around you. One accidental bump could be tragic.

More Zion National Park Resources

• Zion National Park website
• Lunch at the Lodge — but upstairs (on the patio if the weather permits). It is quieter and much more relaxed.

Zion National Park Weather Forecast

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Temescal Canyon in the Pacific Palisades provides a beautiful setting for a short hike. Wooded canyon? Check. Great exercise with a challenging climb? Check. Beautiful panoramic views of the Pacific coastline? This hike has all of the above. We checked this trail out late on a Saturday afternoon and were able to enjoy the sunset from Temescal Ridge.

Trail Details

Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 60-80 min.
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 545 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year-round

Getting to the Trailhead

This hiking trail begins and ends in Temescal Gateway Park, located at 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades (at the intersection of Temescal Canyon Road and Sunset Boulevard). You can either find free parking on Temescal Canyon Road or pay for parking in the park. When we visited, parking fee was $7 for the day. As you head into the canyon, you’ll reach a series of buildings that are part of a conference center. There are restrooms here, as well as an information kisok with details on the history of the canyon and a map. Note that the maps show only the trails in the Temescal Gateway Park, and not the adjacent Topanga State Park (which this trail travels through).

Trail Description

We headed  into the Temescal Canyon, watching for the signs to the trailhead. Although you could hike this in either direction, we wanted to take the Temescal Ridge Trail up to catch the sun before it set. We knew it would be getting dark on our way back, so we brought along our headlamps.

The trail was easy to locate, and begins immediately climbing steeply up the side of the canyon.

As you enter Topanga State Park, you’re reminded that dogs are not allowed on the trail. The trails twists and turns to climb quickly out of the canyon, then settles to a more gradual incline when you reach the ridge. There are several places along the way with great views of the coastline, so take time to stop and enjoy them.

The mid-point of the loop is almost exactly at the 1.5 mile mark. We reached the junction with the Temescal Canyon Trail. We departed from the ridge and began our descent into the canyon.

The Temescal Canyon Trail is much more shaded, with trees and brush often creating a tunnel of foliage to hike through.

At 1.9 miles, we reached the bridge overlooking what at times is probably an wonderful waterfall. Sadly, we haven’t had any measurable rain in a long while, so the best it could muster was a trickle. We will definitely return in the spring after we’ve had some good rain.

The last mile gently slopes down the bottom of the tree-lined Temescal Canyon. At this point, it was dark enough that we needed to flip on our headlamps. The crowds that swarmed the park earlier had disappeared and we had the trail to ourselves.

Finally we reached the conference center, passing a series of buildings and making our way back to the parking lot.

This was a little hike, and I can see why it’s popular with local trail runners. I’ll be back again to visit the waterfall and creek after we’ve had some rain.

Temescal Canyon Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Temescal Canyon Tips

• Pay for parking in Temescal Gateway Park, or find free parking outside of the park

More Temescal Canyon Resources

• Top Trails: Los Angeles by Jerry Schad
• Temescal Gateway Park – official website
• Temescal Canyon Trail Map – printable PDF

Temescal Canyon Weather Forecast

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If I said I’ve hiked Haskell Canyon Open Space more than 100 times, it would not be an exaggeration. The main trailhead is about a mile walk from my front door, so this little treat of a hike is my mainstay. It is typically my Thanksgiving sunrise hike. Even after 100 times, it still entices me.

There are four main entries to the trail that wraps in a “U” shape around the canyon (marked in blue on the map). The main entry  (1) has a small parking lot right off of Copper Hill Road and is marked by a large sign.The trail splits in two directions from this point, one marked clearly to the left, and a small trail off to the right up a very steep incline. The trail to the left  will take you into the heart of the canyon over a relatively flat 1.2 mile journey to the crest. Only the last quarter mile is very steep. If you’re looking for a very casual walk in what will feel like a world away from the pace of life, simply turn around when it gets too steep.

There are two more entrances right off of Copper Hill Road, the second (2) is just a quarter of a mile down the road from the parking lot. This entrance is also marked by a sign, but begins to immediately lead up a challenging hill to the crest, as seen above. The hill itself is less than a half mile climb, but if you’re not in shape, it will be daunting.

The third entrance (3) directly off of Copper Hill is a service road that runs along the Haskell Canyon Wash. You can park your car right at the entrance and hike 3/4 of a mile to the beginning of a 1/2 mile severe incline. The hill is pictured above. The first time I hiked this portion, my lungs and legs burned the entire last 1/2 mile to the top. You won’t find many inclines as severe as this one, if you’re going down it, it’s difficult to control your speed. So, if you’re looking for a challenge, this is the route to take.

If, however, you want to hike along the crest and want the easiest route to the top, I suggest route number four (4). Drive up Deer Creek Run off of Copper Hill Rd until you reach the end of the cul de sac. You’ll see a fire road entrance with a gate. There is a path to the left of the gate that will get you to the fire road (shown above) that will lead you 1/4 mile up the hill via switch backs to the crest. While this is the easiest route, it will still be a workout.

The crest trail itself has several steep inclines in either direction, so you won’t get bored on the hike. And because the crest is one of the highest points in this area of Santa Clarita, it is a perfect sunrise or sunset hike location.

Haskell Canyon Weather Forecast

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Trail Details

Distance: 5.9 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1800 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round
Download GPX

The weather was forecast to reach the 80s, so we wanted to hit the trail while the temperature was cooler — an important consideration on these trails as shade is scarce. The skies were clear with just a touch of morning haze hanging over LA. A perfect Verdugo morning. 

Getting to the Trailhead

There is no parking lot for the Beaudry Motorway Trailhead, but there is free street parking in this hillside residential neighborhood. You will likely see other hikers and mountain bikers. The trailhead begins at the intersection of Beaudry Blvd. and Beaudry Terrace in Glendale (Google Map). You’ll see a paved pathway heading uphill beside a fenced in spillway. This is the Beaudry Motorway Trail.

Hiking the Beaudry Motorway Loop Trail

We followed the trail up the short paved segment, passsing around this gate, reminding us of the fire danger, and headed up the canyon.

As we hiked, we spied these steps ascending to a home that no longer exists.

We continued up the trail as it wound around and began to climb up the hillside. At the 0.4 mile mark, we reached the proverbial fork in the road. It was decision time. Do we head to the right up Beaudry North? Or take the Beaudry South trail to the left?

Either route will work, as this is a loop, but we opted to head left. We had an early start, and although we would have plenty of sun exposure we were ascending in the cooler morning weather. We’d enjoy a spot of shade on the way down.

This trail climbs gradually but persistently for nearly the entire three miles up. The trail is wide and well maintained, as it’s also used for utility vehicles that need access to the equipment on the summit. We saw a number of hikers, some with dogs (they must be on leash); and a number of mountain bikers.

As we climbed, we were rewarded with 360-degree views that included La Crescenta, Glendale, the San Gabriel Mountains, Griffith Park, downtown Los Angeles, the Palos Verdes peninsula, Santiago Peak in Orange County, and even Catalina Island!

Further on, we saw some artifacts that I’d love to know more about, including these lamp posts. There were several along the ridgeline such as this one, which appears to be pointing the way to downtown LA.

Next, we came across a large, short concrete box. According to another hiking on the trail, there are several of these in the Verdugos, and they are old reservoirs no longer used.

And there were the views.

They are spectacular. Just past the first antennae we reached a junction with the Las Flores Motorway (mile 2.4), which climbs from south end of the range. We continued straight on the ridge line along what is now signed as Verdugo Motorway. Turning around to look to the south, this was our view.

The ridge line trail gently rolls along until you reach the final climb up to a cluster of radio towers on Tongva Peak used by local alt-rock station KROQ FM. Oddly, the sign on the fence insists that the street address is 1250 Beaudry Boulevard, but don’t try to find it on Google Maps (it shows up about a mile further away).

We soaked in the views and we began the descent. At 3.3 miles we reached another junction. This time, we took a hairpin right turn to head down Beaudry North Motorway. This is the final leg of our loop. As they say, it’s all downhill from here.

We had some nice shade on parts of this trail, including some pine trees from a test forest planted years ago. Most of the forest burned in a wildfire, but the trees were originally planted to test their hardiness in the climate — something the tall pines that remain stand as testament to.

The last 2.6 miles stretch was easy downhill hiking. At the final junction with Beaudry Motorway South, keep to the left unless you want to hike another lap. This takes you the final stretch back to the trailhead.

We both agreed that this trail was a winner. The views are fantastic, especially on a clear day. We look forward to hiking here when the San Gabriels are blanketed in snow this winter. And it was a great workout.

Verdugo Mountains Beaudry Motorway Loop Trail Map

Beaudry Motorway Loop Video Overview

This was a first attempt at creating a video overview of the trail. I welcome your feedback.

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Verdugo Mountains Photo Gallery

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Beaudry Motorway Loop Tips

• Take plenty of water to stay hydrated, and the 10 essentials.
• Obey the signs, particularly about no smoking (this risk of wildfires here is high)
• There is a lot of sun exposure. On hot days, I recommend hiking early or late to avoide the worst heat of the day
• The broad trail makes this hike a good candidate for evening hikes with headlamps or flashlights. The sunsets and the city light views would be fantastic.
• Aprés-hike libations? I recommend Golden Road Brewing near the 5 Freeway on the western edge of Glendale in Atwater Village. They have great food, too!

More Verdugo Mountain Resources

• Beaudry Motorway Loop to Tongva Peak – Hikespeak
• Hiking Verdugo Mountains – Modern Hiker

Verdugo Mountains 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

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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

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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

Photo Gallery

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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

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Mysterious ruins in a canyon that used to be home to grizzly bears? In Orange County? Yes, and getting there is a heckuva hike. This strenuous, 15 mile out-and-back trail up Black Star Canyon has several highlights, including a great views, a beautiful waterfall (in season), and the remains of Beek’s Place — a weekend getaway built by Joseph Beek in the 1930’s. Beek was remarkably accomplished and he started the Balboa Ferry — which his family still owns.

Beek’s Place, back in better days.

Black Star Canyon is rich with history and legend. Up until the late 1800’s, the canyon was home to numerous grizzly bears (none remain in California today). The canyon was home to the Black Star Mining Company, for which the canyon is named. And according to a story recounted by early settler J.E. “Judge” Pleasants, an armed conflict between American fur trappers, led by William Wolfskill, and a group of Tongva Indians occurred in 1831.

“The story of the battle, the bloodiest in the history of the Santa Ana Mountains, was told seventy years ago by William Wolfskill to J. E. Pleasants, and was repeated to us by Mr. Pleasants. The Indians were very fond of horseflesh. Ranchos were lacking in means of defense in the days when the missions were breaking up and Indians from the mountains and desert used to have no trouble in stealing herds of horses from the Spaniards. A party of trappers came across from New Mexico in 1831. Their long rifles and evident daring offered to the troubled dons a solution to their horse-stealing difficulties. Americans were not any too welcome in the Mexican pueblo of Los Angeles, and it was with a desire to please the Spaniards [Mexicans] in this foreign land a long way from the United States that the American trappers agreed to run down the Indian horsethieves.

The trail of the stolen band of horses was followed across the Santa Ana River, eastward through what is now Villa Park and up the Santiago Canyon to the mouth of Canyon de los Indios… Here, the trail turned into mountain fastnesses, into the unknown mountains, covered heavily with brush. With every turn a favorable spot for ambush, the frontiersmen made their way carefully. The trail took the men up a steep mountainside, and, after two or three hours of climbing there was laid out before them a little valley with grassy slopes and hillsides [today called Hidden Ranch], upon which horses were quietly grazing. Smoke was coming from fires in the age-old campground of the Indians at the lower end of the valley. The Indians were feasting on juicy horseflesh. Perhaps it was the crack of a long rifle, the staggering of a mortally wounded Indian that gave the natives their first warning of the presence of an enemy. Among the oaks and boulders an unequal battle was fought. There were no better marksmen on earth than these trappers. They had killed buffalo. They had fought the Comanche and Apache. They were a hardy, fearless lot, else they would not have made their way across the hundreds of miles of unknown mountain and desert that laid between New Mexico and California. The Indians were armed with a few old Spanish blunderbuss muskets and with bows and arrows.

The battle was soon over. Leaving their dead behind them, the Indians who escaped the bullets of the trappers scrambled down the side of the gorge and disappeared in the oaks and brush. Of those who had begun the fight, but a few got away. The stolen horses were quickly rounded up. Some of them were animals stolen months before. The herd was driven down the trail to the Santiago and a day or two later, the horses were delivered to their owners. In the battle, not one of the frontiersmen was wounded.”

Hiking to Beek’s Place

Trail Details

Distance: 15 miles
Time: 6+ hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,750 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

The first mile is mostly flat with a gentle incline. This first section is lined with private property and ominous “No Trespassing” signs. Be a good neighbor, tread quietly through this section and do not trespass.

At the 2.5 mile mark, you’ll cross Black Star Creek. This bend is also where you can take a spur to the base of Black Star Falls. This seasonal waterfall is best viewed after spring showers. To get there, you’ll have to pick your way along the creek for about .5 miles — there is no official trail.

Here you have a choice. You can stick to longer but gently climbing double-track trail (adds about .5 miles each way), or catch the steep single track shortcut. You’ll rejoin the main trail in .4 miles. Turn right and continue to follow the double-track trail upwards.

At the 4.5 mile mark, you’ll see a small single-track trail veering right towards the canyon. There are trees to provide much-needed shade (a good spot for a break) and signs of the Native Americans who used to live in the canyon.

Retrace your steps to the main trail, and continue your climb to the main divide. As you climb higher, you will see some amazing views and awesome geographic formations.

When you reach the Main Divide trail, turn right and head towards an unusual clump of pine trees. Here you’ll find the remains of Beek’s Place.

Beek’s Place was a weekend retreat for the Beek family, who still owns the land. There was a smaller building where a caretaker sometimes lived for a few months during the year. Sadly, the retreat fell victim to disaster and vandalism, and ultimately it’s current state of disrepair.

There are two things you’ll notice about the location. First, the wind often howls over this ridge. Second, the views are awesome — especially on a clear day. You can see down into Corona and east to the San Bernardino mountains, and southwest to the Pacific Ocean and even Catalina Island.

Return down the double-track you hiked up. If water is running in Black Star Creek, take a detour to view the waterfall. There are two options. The first you’ll come to is a single track trail that heads east, straight down into Black Star Canyon. This is a fairly short spur down a sleep incline to the creek. From there, you can boulder-scramble downstream along a series of small waterfalls until you reach the top of the main waterfall.

Note that there is no way to get from the top to the bottom; you’ll have to retrace your steps to the main trail and head further down to the junction with the creek previously mentioned (2.5 miles from the trailhead).

There is no “trail” to the base of the falls. Instead, follow the creek upstream for about .5 miles. Watch for poison oak — it’s prevalent in the area.

The optional bushwack to the base of Black Star Falls adds about one mile to the total mileage for the hike.

From here, you follow the road back through the residential part of the canyon to the gate and the parking area.

Beek’s Place via Black Star Canyon Trail Map

Beek’s Place and Blackstar Canyon Photo Gallery

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Black Star Canyon Tips

• This trail gets a lot of sun exposure. Wear sun protection and bring extra water. The trail to Beek’s Place is best hiked in the spring or winter when the temperatures are more moderate.
• There have been past stories of canyon residents and squatters chasing off hikers. I didn’t experience any problems, but exercise common sense. Hike in a group, be a good neighbor, and stay on the road as you go through the residential part of the canyon.
• If you’d like to visit the waterfall, be sure to go in the winter or spring not long after rains. Black Star Creek and it’s waterfall usually runs dry by summer.
• This trail is also popular with mountain bikers. Be alert and share the trail.

Other Black Star Canyon Resources

• The Mystery Above Black Star Canyon – OC Register
• Cleveland National Forest Current Conditions and Closures
• Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks – Black Star Canyon – Docent led hikes and mountain bike rides

Black Star Canyon Weather Forecast

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Runyon Canyon Park gets a bad rap. The park lies just beyond Hollywood Boulevard, and attracts a steady stream of dog walkers, hikers and trail runners. It’s not unusual to overhear a conversation about script development or a new pilot. It’s not a wilderness trail. You won’t find solitude here. But if you live in the area, Runyon Canyon is a great place for a mid-week hike, with a lung-busting climb, good views over LA and convenience. There are several trails through Runyon Canyon, but this moderately challenging 3.2 mile loop will appeal most to hikers.

Trail Details

Distance: 3.2 miles
Time: 90 min.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,030 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round

Getting to Runyon Canyon

Without mincing words, parking in LA is a bitch, and this is no exception. There is no public parking lot for Runyon Canyon Park, and the street parking is limited. Read the signs carefully. As of the time of writing, you can park for two hours during weekdays until 7pm, and then it’s permit parking only evenings and weekends. Factor in a short street walk just to get to the park. We lucked out and found a curbside spot on Vista, near the intersection with Franklin.

Walk uphill on Vista Street, following the street as it bends to the right and through the gate at the entrance to Runyon Canyon. From here, you might be tempted to follow the paved road right up the canyon. Don’t do it. Instead, look for the dirt trail that splits to the left and sharply uphill. This is the strenuous Hero Trail — much more fun, and you’ll lose a lot of the riff-raff in the process.

The trail uphill is quite steep in sections — almost to the point where your hands become helpful. But you’re rewarded with lighter crowds, a great workout, and an awesome view over the rest of the park. At the summit, you’ll find the Prayer Box.

Look around and you’ll also find the USGS benchmark.

Follow the trail around the mansions near the top of the hills until you reach the paved Runyon Canyon Road. Turn right and head downhill. At about the 1.5 mile mark, you’ll see a broad dirt trail bearing left and splitting away from the paved road. Take it. This is the Star Trail, and leads down the eastern ridge above Runyon Canyon.

There are several vistas with a benches where you can soak in the view. Some of the steeper sections of the trail have been improved with steps to make the going easier.

At the 2.25 mile point, take a sharp right and follow the paved road back into the canyon. You’ll pass the tennis courts, eventually reaching a bend as the road turns to head back down the canyon toward the trailhead, but don’t go there just yet. Pick your way through a little-travelled single track trail back up the canyon. About 300 yards back — hidden from view — is the Peace Spiral.

From here, turn around and follow the trail back to the paved road, and then down the canyon toward the Fuller Avenue entrance. You’ll see a trail to your right that climbs up and over a short hill and back to the Vista Street entrance.

Runyon Canyon Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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Runyon Canyon Tips

• Runyon Canyon Park is maintained as an urban wilderness. There are lots of people, but also snakes, coyotes and deer.
• Dogs are allowed off-leash in much of this park. Read the signs for details.
• Best time to go is week nights, Monday through Thursday. Even so, don’t expect solitude.

Runyon Canyon Weather Forecast

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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

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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

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

Trail Details

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo Gallery

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More Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park Resources

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

Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park Weather Forecast

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

Trail Details

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

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

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

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

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

And the view in the other direction:

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

Bonus Hike to Sonoma Creek Falls

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

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

Bald Mountain Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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More Sugarloaf Ridge Trail Resources

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

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Weather Forecast

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Postscript

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

Trail Details

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

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

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

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

— ADKinLA (@ADKinLA) November 10, 2012

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

— Greene Adventures (@greeneadventurs) November 10, 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trail Map

Photo Gallery

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

— Josh McNair (@jcmcnair) November 10, 2012

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

— David Swift (@SwiftCinema) November 10, 2012

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

— Traci Lehman (@WalkSimply) November 10, 2012

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

— Zac Applegate (@ZacApplegate) November 11, 2012

Who’s Who?

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

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

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

Last year during the holidays, Joan and I visited my mom and her husband in San Francisco. While the city of San Francisco is great for walking, I was surprised how easy it is to find a wilderness experience nearby. I have not hiked much in the Bay Area, so I put out a call to Twitter for suggestions, and got a great suggestion: Hike Angel Island.

Trail Details

Distance: 5.9 miles
Time: ~3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 1427 ft
Dogs: Not allowed
When to go: Year-round

This loop uses two trails — the North Ridge and the Sunset trails — and is truly the road less traveled — at least of the options available on Angel Island. Once you disembark from the ferry, bear to the left and look for the sign marking the North Ridge Trail.

You will initially climb a set of stairs set into the hillside by the Conservation Corp decades ago, shaded by towering pine and oak trees.

When you reach the perimeter, the trail continues across the road after a short jog to the right. Most people who visit Angel Island take the wide and mostly level perimeter road, shared by hikers, runners and bikers. In contrast, the North Ridge Trail offers quiet solitude and mostly single track — no bikes allowed.

At last you begin to leave the crowds behind and see a part of the island that few visit. The North Ridge Trail is windy; slowly but steadily climbing in altitude as you near the summit of Mt. Livermore. You’ll notice different climate zones as you traverse the island–the cool shade of the oak trees; the sunny exposure amidst red manzanita; aging pines towering over saplings; and the drier, sunnier south side of the island.

As you near the summit, watch for a spur to the right that leads to Mount Livermore. This final section is not long, and the summit has several picnic tables that make it a perfect place to stop for lunch.

Mount Livermore

On a clear day, you’d see Alcatraz, the San Francisco skyline, the Bay and Golden Gate Bridges from here.

After your break, retrace your steps to the Sunset Trail to your right, following it all the way back to the docks at Ayala Cove. Note that you will cross two roads; don’t follow them, just look for where the trail picks up after a short jog.

When you get back to Ayala Cove, you can stop in the Visitor Center for more information on the history of the island.

Trail Map and Elevation Profile

Photo Gallery

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Additional Resources

• Bay Area Hiker Trail Guide
• Getting to Angel Island

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.

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

Trail Details

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trail Map

Photo Gallery

Essential Crystal Cove State Park Resources

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

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

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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

If there’s a full moon tonight (and there is) it must be time for a Boat Canyon night hike.

Boat Canyon is a terrific 8.2 mile hike in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, climbing up above Boat Canyon, dropping down to Laguna Canyon Road and climbing back up again before returning to the trailhead — it’s a serious workout! There are fantastic ocean views and it makes a fun hike to do in the evening with the trail lit by the full moon.

Trail Details

Distance: 8.2 miles
Time: ~3 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,769 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: Year round

Pass the gate and head up the hill on Boat Road. At the first junction, you can take a short detour to the left for panoramic views up and down the Orange County coastline, including Laguna Beach and Newport Coast. Backtrack to the junction and continue up Boat Road. The next junction comes at the ridge. You’ll turn left here and head down Bommer Ridge.

Take the steep Big Bend Trail (the first right) down almost all the way to Laguna Canyon Road. The trail is well marked to the left and the Big Bend parking area, but take the lesser traveled trail to the right. This trail parallels Laguna Canyon Road back towards the coast before finally turning back uphill on the steep Laguna Ridge Trail.

When you reach the top of the ridge, you’ll jog to the right about five yards and turn left on Boat Road, returning the way you came and completing the lollipop loop.

I’ve hiked this several times with a group during full moons, although officially the park closes at sundown. I don’t know of anyone who has received one, but you technically could get a citation for doing this after the park is closed. Consider yourself warned!

Tips for a Moonlight Hike

• Don’t go alone! There is safety in numbers. Go with others and stick together.
• Have the Ten Essentials, especially a flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries.
• Make sure someone knows where you will be, and when you expect to return.

Trail Map and Elevation Profile

Photo Gallery

Additional Resources

• Laguna Coast Wilderness trail map (1.2 MB PDF)
• GPS user? Download the GPX file
• 3D trail view in Google Earth

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

The Colinas Bluff trail is a great mixed-use double-track trail that follows the Colinas ridge between Laguna Niguel and San Juan Capistrano. It’s a suburban trail with terrific, sweeping 360 degree views from Santiago Peak (or the San Gabriel mountains, when it’s clear) to the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.

I like this trail because it’s convenient for after work conditioning hikes during daylight savings time. Because it’s an out-and-back route, you can adjust the length to suit the time and distance you want. The geography of the trail lends itself well to two variations: the full 6.7 mile hike and an abbreviated 4.6 miler.

The Trailhead

Trail Details

Distance: 4.5 – 6.7 miles
Time: ~1.5 – 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,570 ft (full version)
Dogs: OK
When to go: Year round

The trailhead begins across the street from the Marina Hills shopping center, at the corner of Marina Hills Drive and Golden Lantern in Laguna Niguel. I park in the shopping center and meet my hiking partners outside Starbucks. From there, you’ll cross Golden Lantern and head south about 50 yards, where the trail begins on your left.

Once you reach the ridge, the trail goes up and down a few smaller hills in roller coaster fashion. There is one fairly big hill at mile 2.3. The top of this hill gives you great 360 degree views, and marks the turnaround point for the abbreviated 4.6 mile version.

If you want to do the full 6.7 miles, you’ll continue down the other side of that big hill, where the trail skirts the behind the McMansions of Bear Brand. At 3.35 miles, you’ll reach the top of another hill with paved walks and benches facing every direction. This is your turnaround point for the full version.

Tips

• Bring water and sun protection.
• Trail runners are fine, though I’d recommend boots when it’s wet and muddy.
• There just so happens to be a Starbucks at that corner, with a nice big patio that makes a great meeting place before or after your hike.
• The trail is wide and well maintained, and shared by bikers, trail runners and dog walkers, so keep your eyes peeled. And I’ve heard that people have seen rattlesnakes here. I haven’t seen any, but I would watch where you step.
• Portions of the trail pass behind resident’s backyards; be mindful of your noise level if hiking in a group.

Trail Map and Elevation Profile

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Download file: colinas-bluff.gpx

 

 

Have fun, be safe, and see you on the trail!

Photo Gallery

Technically speaking, there is no trail or ridge officially named The Roller Coaster, but if there was, this would be it. This is a great double-track trail with hills that will get your heart pumping. I like to hike this after work most Wednesdays, and enjoy the ocean breezes, the sweeping coastal and mountain views and the sunset over Catalina Island. It’s a little slice of heaven right in the heart of south Orange County.

The Trailhead

Trail Details

Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: ~1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 1,150 ft
Dogs: OK
When to go: Year round

At the gate you have two options. For the gung-ho, take an immediate left and head up the steep hill. When you reach the first junction, turn right to meetup with the main trail on the ridge. The second option is a little kinder on the lungs. Head straight up the main trail to the ridge. It’s a long, gradual ascent.

As you travel the ridge you’ll climb over two hills, then follow the trail as it gradually climbs of the left side of the ridge. At the saddle, take a sharp right up the steep hill. The trail is marked as the Patriot Trail. You’ll follow this ridge all the way to the terminus — a flag pole. You can sign the logbook in the mailbox (or just see who else has been there). Turn around and head back, but at the first junction, veer left and follow the trail along the side of the ridge and retrace your steps to the trailhead.

Trail Map and Elevation Profile

Photo Gallery

Click an image for a larger version.

Tips

• Bring a liter of water (my recommendation).
• There is no shade, so wear sun protection. I prefer to hike this early or late in the day, especially during warmer months.
• The trail is shared with bikers and horses. Keep your eyes and ears open.
• I have seen one rattlesnake on this trail, and heard others say they’ve seen them. Nothing to be fearful of, but keep your eyes open so you don’t step into one.
• My favorite après-hike dinner is the Number 1 combo (grilled fish taco, black beans, brown rice and extra salsa) at the Wahoo’s on Camino de los Mares. Highly recommended, and healthy, too.

Resources

• Trailhead on Google Maps

Have fun, be safe, and see you on the trail!

Done at a brisk pace (3.5 miles per hour) hiking the Las Ramblas trail makes a great early morning workout. There are some steep hills and sweeping vistas of the coastline from Dana Point to Oceanside, and Santiago Peak and the Santa Anas to the east. The trail follows dirt double track, but the junctions are not all well marked. You can hike this year-round, though avoid it in (and immediately after) heavy rain, unless you enjoy carrying an extra 10 pounds of mud on your shoes.

Trail Details

Distance: 3.4 miles
Time: ~1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 900 ft
Dogs: OK
When to go: Year round

This trail is shared by horses and mountain bikers, and dogs are okay. I have spotted deer, rattlesnakes and even one bobcat on previous hikes in these hills.

The best times to hike these hills are early morning and early evening, mainly because there is no shade and the views are all the more spectacular at sunrise and sunset.

Trail Map and Elevation Profile

Looking to hike this trail with others? There are two groups that post early morning 6am hikes on this trail pretty regularly, often on Tuesday and Thursday mornings: Crystal Cove Cardio and Hiking OC (both on Meetup.com). Both groups are free to join, and provide a great way to experience the trail for the first time.