No, sir. Perfectly legal to explore.

No, sir. It’s perfectly legal to explore. I asked the LAPD, myself.
The owners of this property were arrested after the attack of Pearl Harbor.
Who are you?

They were arrested after the attack of Pearl Harbor. The “rumors” are well-founded.

I appreciate your response Jeff and I must add that you have an amazing website with tons of valuable information. I live in Canada and ” winter condition ” is part of my life for 6 months a year with the temperature plunging to -22 degrees Fahrenheit and have done many winter hikes. However I take every bit of information you have provided into consideration and once again I appreciate that. My plan is to do this hike, if everything goes as planned, during this Christmas break. Have a wonderful time and it’d be great to do a hike beside you one day here in Canada or down in the US.

It’s always challenging, but there is a strong possibility of snow which could mean winter mountaineering conditions—much more challenging.

Read this for more: https://socialhiker.net/hiking-in-the-snow-or-winter-mountaineering/

Hi Tammy! Yes, at this time of year the trail is easy to follow, but I still recommend bringing a map and/or download a map using AllTrails or GaiaGPS.

There are no junctions — just follow the trail. There is one short reroute around a large downed tree, but it’s pretty obvious.

Have fun!

Jeff Hester)
Thanks for the information! I am planning on summiting Black Crater this week. My friend backed out, is it safe to hike alone, is the trail. marked?

Thank you for the information!

Thanks, Will!

Hey Raymond, as a matter of fact, we have a list: https://socalhiker.net/where-to-buy-an-adventure-pass-in-southern-california/

Yay! Have you hiked it? I haven’t been back here since the fire. I’m wondering how it’s changed.

Michael – sounds like LATE season is for you. I’d focus on the back half of August or early-mid September for your loop. Have fun.

Michael – thanks for the email. Surprisingly this year will be very SIMILAR to 2017, in that 2017 was a BIG SNOW Year. So even though we hiked this loop in late August, we still had snow from Wanda Lake up to Muir Pass and then down the other side to Helen Lake. Microspikes were helpful here for sure. We also had snow on Bishop Pass. This year, 2023, is another fairly big snow year with MORE on the way – so I would say if you plan on doing this hike in early season June/July, be prepared for A LOT of snow in the passes and some pretty deep stream crossings including Evolutiion Creek which could be waist deep! Given this year’s snow pack, I’d suggest a late start – Mid to late August or even September – unless you like the big snow and big water. Up to you. Enjoy and make sure to let us know how it goes.

Hi Tim.
Given the volume of snow we are currently getting in the Sierra, early season (June/July) might still have snow on Glen Pass and deeper water at the kings river crossing.

August/September would be best I suspect for this year.

October can be great!…but it’s also shoulder season so you could have anything from warm and calm to early season fall storms. Because of that storm risk you’d be prudent to carry extra gear. But if you’re flexible, you can get several permits for different dates and then just go based on the 10 day weather report.

Have a great walk in the woods!

Greg,

I am planning a backpack to complete the Rae Lakes Loop that you published in SoCalHiker in 2018. What month would you suggest to complete this backpack? Is October too late?

Thanks.

–Tim

Here is a link to the exact trailhead:
https://osm.org/go/TPWduqSmh-?m=

Try the San Diego County Trail Map by Calico Maps
https://www.calicomaps.com/product/san-diego-county-trail-map/

Chantry is closed due to the Bobcat Fire, no opening soon.

Cheers, -Casey

Really, really great advice for parents. Wholeheartedly endorse. Even simple efforts can make a huge impact in a child’s life. You won’t regret a single trip.

(Another note) Google Map and Waze still gave driving direction to the Chantry Flat parking lot yesterday! Verify all sources before you go.

As of 10/5/2022, road leading up to Chantry Flat is CLOSED.. We drove 1 mile west to Mt Wilson Trailhead for our hike.

Hi Linda: Here’s a link to the trail on AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-b53b3a3–49?u=i

Or search for Mount Baden-Powell via Vincent Gap

Do you know which trail this is on AllTrails? Thank you 😊

Hi CB Native!

We got that info from the Friends of Shore Acres Trail Map brochure (https://shoreacres.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Trail-Map-Card-2016-web.pdf)

It states: “If you are parked outside of Shore Acres State Park and you are hiking the trails, you may continue on the trail through the park but you may not enter the Shore Acres Gardens with your pet.”

Not sure what you mean by Bayview/not Bayview. EDIT: I think autocorrect foiled both of us! Yes, the correct name is Barview. I’ve updated the post accordingly.

Hi Jen! Did you get your answer about if the gate opens before 8am? I too am hoping to beat the heat. Thanks, Yvonne

Hey Ron, this trail guide shows the connection. Check the map (you can pan and zoom or switch to full-screen if that helps). The lower trail runs basically diagonally up and around until it meets the upper trailhead. The only “tricky” part is there are a couple sections where there is a loop trail (or old forest service road) that you hit and you may have to look carefully for the continuation on the other side (sometimes it’s along the road a few yards). Other than that, pretty straightforward.

It may be helpful to bring a GPS app like GaiaGPS or AllTrails. That will help you stay on course as well.

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin,
That all with one consent praise new-born gauds,
Though they are made and moulded of things past,
And give to dust that is a little gilt
More laud than gilt o’er-dusted.
The present eye praises the present object.

~William Shakespeare

All the best!
Shannon + Nick

Hi Lana!

For the permit, call the San Jacinto Ranger District at 909-382-2921 and they can help you sort out permit options. Generally speaking, it’s harder to get permits for holidays and weekends.

There is typically no water in September at the spigot in Round Valley, so plan accordingly.

The sun sets in nearby Idyllwild at 7:00 PM on September 10th, so if you get to camp by then, you should have enough light to setup your tent. Cooking dinner in dim light is easier that pitching a tent, so setup the tent first.

Happy to consult! Shoot me an email at jeff@socalhiker.net and we can set something up.

Mix 1 tablespoon RUBBING ALCOHOL
1/4 C water & 20 drops cedarwood & teatree essential oils

Once you get past the initial fire road gate, take a Left to Oak Road and within 0.1 miles, make a Right to Mitchell Rock Trail. The first major intersection is at the end of Eagle Peak Road. Here you will have to look for a small trail that leads into thick bushes. This is the Ridge Trail. This is really very steep climb and you may be all alone on this part of the hike. The rest of your direction is good. On the way back look for sign to Juniper Trail to the campground. This is a fire road all the way back to parking lot. Overall it took us close to 8 hours to complete the loop in close to 100 degree weather (July 28th). Thanks again for this article

I do not know, and I suspect not. That is not managed by the State Park but by the city, and my guess is that the neighbors would rather not have people there overnight. You could confirm with the City of Newport Beach.

I hope you have a great time! Trekking poles are helpful. Be aware that you can’t spin around quickly, but instead have to methodically step and rotate. Otherwise, the hardest part of snowshoeing is strapping them on!

I went today 1/21/2022 to look for the Tom Lucas Trail Camp. I was not successful. I went to 4.3 miles in and looked all around where it was supposed to be on my map, but never found it. It was very overgrown everywhere, and I went through overgrown brush all along last mile of trail. I was wearing long pants and jacket to get through. Water was flowing well along the creek, and the main waterfall was very beautiful. I hope the camp is restored one day, its a beautiful canyon.

That’s why you ALSO need to prepare for the worse. 😉

Hope is never a good plan.

There is a road that goes nearly all the way to the summit. At the summit is a building (the summit block is actually INSIDE the building). There is a visitor center and observation deck. Of course, driving to the top doesn’t deliver the same satisfaction as hiking up. 😉

Kathy, Dennis passed away many years ago, unfortunately. – Jeff

Hi Gary-I am doing some research on the TST and trying to get in touch with Dennis R. Gagnon. Do you know if there is anyway I can contact him? My aunt, Shirley Sargent, wrote a book about Theordore Solomons and I am the current owner of Solomoms homestead in Yosemite (Flying Spur).
Thanks, Kathy Chappell

Ranjeet, All of my routes were estimates, done quickly when alternate mountains were needed during Fire Season. 10% error is not too bad, IMHO!

HST covers it.

Very true. I saw that last year when I hiked it. Still a beautiful hike though. Have you been up there this year? I read that the road to the trailhead doesn’t open until June 21st. I was thinking about maybe doing a bike-and-hike trip to go up earlier, but not sure if I’ll have time before then.

If you look at the bottom of the blog post, you’ll see we hiked it on July 25th. Usually by mid- late-July you can go an it’s mostly snow free. Could be earlier though, depending on the snowfall for the year.

Mount Pilchuck is part of the PNW Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, so as hikes are logged, that’s also a good place for beta. Currently there are none logged for Pilchuck in 2021, but you can see them when they are on this page: https://socialhiker.net/six-pack-peaks-challenge/pacific-northwest/2021-hike-logs/

I’ve done something similar, though I try my best to keep away from the Poodle Dog bush. I start at the entry to Echo Mountain and head up (to Echo Mountain). I take a break there, then head up to Inspiration Point – the last mile or so is pretty steep. I take a nice break at Inspiration Point, then head down the fire road to the Mt Wilson Rd fire road. Up another few miles to the saddle, then up to Mt Disappointment and then to San Gabriel Peak – the end is super steep and loose! Back down to the saddle, then up to Mt Lowe. Take a break at the top, then head down the West Trail back to Mt Wilson Road fire road – follow all the way down to the short connector that takes you back to Mt Lowe, then down to the car.

I’ve wanted to add Mt Markham and Deception to the route, but the Poodle Dog Bush worries me and I typically go when it’s warm/hot – I don’t like the cold and up there it’s too cool during the winter. I wear shorts and a short sleeve shirt, so Poodle Dog Bush could be a problem.

I have seen it on the Mt Wilson Trail on the last section of single track (at least I think it’s Poodle Dog Bush. I didn’t know what it was when I first saw it and I did brush into it – it’s unavoidable. No outbreak, but I don’t want to push my luck. Or maybe the one I ran into isn’t Poodle Dog Bush – I heard there’s a similar plant that isn’t an irritant. Oh yeah, it kinds smells like pot – I noticed the smell when I was hiking and I thought it was interesting that someone would be smoking up there – then I realized it was the plant!

Keep up the great hiking trips and information.

It sounds like you know your way around camping but may be a bit new to backpacking. If so, I would encourage you to take a short trip with an experienced group to get your feet wet first.

As far as the permits, wilderness permits work differently from campsite permits and are reserved according to the entry point into the, well, wilderness. In this case, you would need a wilderness permit for the Onion Valley trailhead. The wilderness permit is valid for the duration of your trip, including crossing into King’s Canyon NP. Campsites provided in this excellent guide are merely suggestions and cannot be reserved as it is dispersed, primitive camping. Essentially, you camp wherever you want as long as you are following the rules.

Go here for Inyo NF Wilderness permits: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233262

I just moved to Santa Clarita about 3 years ago and I love this trail. I live on Seco Canyon and did this hike 3 times this past weekend. I did your 6 pack of peaks as well and had no idea it was you would made that list until I saw this post. Wish you all the best in 2021 and hope to see you out on the trail!

Sure is. We look like a Ruffwear catalog when we take the dogs out. They are a local Bend company, too.

Yes, most of it though there are rocky sections where you’ll need to tread carefully.

I’s be curious to know this too.

I also saw the signs but ignored them. The “official” trail head is a short distance

Thanks, Paul! I’m going to update this as our “starting point” was definitely not the best. I’ll have to look into the route to Los Pinos peak. Sounds tough!

Thank you for this site. I just discovered it a minute ago! I have been leading my group of about 20 hikers on this trail since May 2020, smack in the middle of the pandemic. Trails are wide, which is great. We park at the shopping center just like you and we meet at Starbucks, just like you. We take Monarch Trail and then come down behind those big houses at Bear Brand. So I am thinking we do 4.6 miles.
I have heard that you can take this Colinas Ridge to the beach. Do you know how? I want to try it out myself before I post it for my group. I also need to see how many miles roundtrip, because I imagine it might be as much as 10 miles from the trailhead on Golden Lantern and Marina Hills. Thank you in advance!

1. Does Onion Valley allow for you to leave your car in a parking spot while you’re out hiking or did you have to move it elsewhere?
2. Is starting end of June and doing the first week of July too cold, too risky, etc?

Unfortunately, Jessie, the entire area will be closed until October 2021 due to the recent fires. These trees are coming back (they actually thrive post-fire) but it may be years before they are as tall as you see in these photos.

Howie, the San Jacinto State Park is a separate agency from the San Bernardino National Forest, and different rules apply. However, day hike permits in the San Jacinto State Park are indeed free.

For details see this page: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=636

It states:

Day Use Wilderness Permits are free and available 24 hours at:
Idyllwild Ranger Station (Park Headquarters) in Idyllwild
Long Valley Ranger Station on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway side

Hey (fellow) Bend Local! I live in northeast Bend. My recommendation for hiking is to do this as an out-and-back to Happy Valley, mainly because the Farewell Trail is hot, dry and more exposed.

I also do some mountain biking (that’s part of how this site was started) although I’m more interested in bikepacking these days. I’ve got another segment of the Oregon Timber Trail planned for later in September.

Albert, re-read the section above titled “San Gorgonio Wilderness.” Both San Bernardino Peak and San Gorgonio are within the San Gorgonio Wilderness and the same permit rules apply.

Incidentally, the entire San Gorgonio Wilderness is currently closed due to the El Dorado Fire.

Do they all fall under the category within the ‘San Bernardino National Forest’?

If so, what is the name for the wilderness area around Big bear lake; north of Cucamonga Wilderness?

Hi David! If you look carefully down near the very bottom of the post it says “Originally hiked on Sunday, August 20, 2017” I’ve also hiked this in September and it was beautiful, too.

Thanks.

Hi Jeff – thanks for the guide, do you know if Chantry Flats is still closed on weekends? If so i’ll start from the trailhead lower down. thanks!

The benefits of hiking are many. I really hope we can all get back on the trails, or in the tents soon. We were just starting to plan camping adventures when this whole pandemic began. Places of much higher risk are beginning to open back up where social distancing is more difficult and less desirable. However, on the trails it’s possible to complete a hike without touching anything, or coming into contact with others if you choose the right ones.

My favorite part of this article was the bit about the “5am assholes”. I’m sure that is definitely a low-risk and peaceful time to be on the trails, but I will never be that! No, I’m much more likely to be found on the trails around sundown. Which time is better? I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.

Hi Bob – for the campsites we used (in our write up) there was plenty of room in all of the bear boxes on the trail – never a problem fitting food in them. I always remind people “don’t be a bogart” and stuff your entire pack in the box – just put your canister or your stuff sack full of food/smelly stuff in there and keep everything else at your campsite. Bottom line: PLENTY of room in the bear boxes.

“beer boxes”! Hmm, maybe wishful thinking there. Of course I meant bear boxes!

Greg, great to hear about the bear boxes along the loop. NOT bringing a bear vault would be welcome. The Tom Harrison maps shows box icons (beer boxes) all along the way. I may use those, and a PCT-hang with a Kevlar bag for when they’re not.
Question for you: Are the boxes large enough that in areas where many are camping they can accommodate them all?
I have this same trip planned starting 9/7 and it looks like I’ll be doing it solo. My wife isn’t too keen about that, but it sounds like this is a well-traveled path, so I think I’ll be fine (not my first solo trip).
Thank you for the excellent write up!
Bob

Tom Harrison map titled “Kearsarge Pass Rae Lakes Loop”. I picked one up on Amazon, but you can also get it from good outdoor shops such as REI.

It is funny, because we have almost the same Name ?
My wife calls Lea and me Alexandros, so we call our one-year Honeymoon alealife

Take care and keep blogging.