Archive for the 'Angeles National Forest' Category

Off-Roading

Published on February 24, 2008 in Angeles National Forest, Photography and hiking. 1 Comment

This morning, I made an attempt at Mount Lukens via Haines Canyon.

The trip started out all right, but due to some bad directions and bad weather, I ended up missing an important junction, landing myself on a fire road instead of the intended trail.

I hiked up the fire road anyway, despite its frustrating winding direction, and managed to make it into the cloud cover over Tujunga. There, with visibility reduced to about 100 feet and the temperature reduced about 15 degrees, the clouds opened up and poured rain on me, soaking me to the bone.

I kept going for a while, but without the visual of the summit to motivate me (and the fact that I was losing feeling in my fingers), I turned around and headed back down.

I logged about 9 miles and some healthy elevation gain, which is what I was looking for, but the experience was fun and completely worth it once I stumbled upon this — on the trail proper:

Gives “off-roading” a whole new meaning.

I don’t know if I’m going to give this the full write-up treatment yet, as I had to keep my camera stowed for most of the trip, but I did still sneak in a few good pictures.

… oh, and it turns out the spot where I decided to run back to my car and get the feeling back to my hands was just about a mile from the summit.

Hiking Shortcut Canyon to West Fork Camp

Published on February 23, 2008 in Angeles National Forest, Trail Write-Ups and hiking. 2 Comments

A tranquil route into a wooded canyon on the Silver Moccasin Trail. A good conditioning hike with beautiful campgrounds, streamside views for almost the entire run, and plenty of boulder-hopping and stream crossing along the way. This would be a great candidate for a first-time moderate hike - it’s easy enough for experienced beginners, but difficult enough to make you feel like you worked for it. It’s secluded enough to feel like your own corner of the forest, and fairly difficult to get lost along the way.

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Still Snow Up There

Published on February 18, 2008 in Angeles National Forest. 3 Comments

This morning, I made an attempt to hike Devil’s Canyon, deep in the Angeles National Forest. I figured since it was a north-south canyon, it would have a healthy amount of sunshine and less snow than the surrounding peaks.

Turned out I was wrong. About an eighth of a mile into the route, I ran into a snow-covered mess — complete with a steep drop off. If the snow were more powdery, I could have continued, but this was the stuff that’s been melted during the day and frozen over again at night — tough, slippery, and unsafe to hike on.

I ended up getting back in the car and heading into a lower canyon instead — but be aware that there’s still snow up on the mountains, even though we haven’t had precipitation in a little while.

On the other hand, if you want to take a trip to play in some plowed snowbanks, head toward the Angeles Crest Highway ASAP.

Hiking Santa Anita Canyon

Published on February 17, 2008 in Angeles National Forest, Trail Write-Ups, Video and hiking. 13 Comments

A loop on multiple trails through one of the most picturesque and popular canyons in the San Gabriels. Multiple stream crossings, river cascades, shaded canyons and a 50 foot waterfall give way to thick forests, vine-covered trails, Jeffrey Pines, and eventually chaparral slopes of the front range. A beautiful trail with varied landscapes and plenty of places to extend your stay - either by camping or taking spur trails deeper into the mountains. A highly-recommended trail.

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Snow in L.A.

Published on January 28, 2008 in Angeles National Forest, City Life, Photography and snowshoeing. 1 Comment

You think I’m exaggerating when I say that people go nuts here when it snows.

Today is the first sunny day we’ve had for almost a week, and before it starts raining / snowing again, Angelenos are proving that yes — Los Angeles DOES have snow and mountains.

A quick search on Flickr has a ton of pictures of our beloved San Gabriels, blanketed in a healthy coat of the white stuff. Here’s hoping for a good snowpack this year … and maybe a reason to finally invest in some snowshoes.


“L.A. or Denver” by Jslander.


“Mountains Outside of Los Angeles” by Tarzana4ever.


From somewhere that looks near Red Box by LAPhoto1.

Hiking Sunset Peak

Published on January 24, 2008 in Angeles National Forest, Trail Write-Ups, Video and hiking. 3 Comments

A winding fire-road hike to one of the front peaks near the Mt. Baldy Area. This is the longer but less strenuous of two routes, and offers outstanding, panoramic views of the Baldy Bowl and - on clear days - the seemingly never-ending sprawl of Rancho Cucamonga. At the peak itself are the remains of an old fire tower that burned down years ago.

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Bad Press for the Forest

Published on December 14, 2007 in Angeles National Forest, Santa Monica Mountains and fires. 0 Comments

If you’re reading local Los Angeles news, the forests around L.A. are portrayed as a dumping ground for bodies and playground for drunken vandals.

I swear, it’s not that bad.

The LA Times story is really interesting, if you’ve ever wondered just how they track down people who start forest fires. Long story short, some good ol-fashioned electronic detective work.

Hiking The Devil’s Chair

Published on December 12, 2007 in Angeles National Forest, Devil's Punchbowl County Park, Trail Write-Ups and hiking. 5 Comments

A moderate trek around one of the most breathtaking natural landmarks in the region. A hike to Devil’s Chair gives you panoramic views of what happens to the ground near one of the most active rift zones in the world. A great winter trek, I got to do this trail after a fresh coat of snow, with clear air giving great views in all directions.

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Great Falls of the Fox

Published on December 10, 2007 in Angeles National Forest and climbing. 0 Comments

Canyoneering is not something I do. I am, however, constantly in awe of those who do.

This morning, on the front page of the excellent SummitPost, I noticed the L.A. area user MountainImpulse posted a comprehensive write-up of his trip canyoneering into Fox Canyon.

I’ve done some hikes in the area, and can attest to its seclusion and beauty. But as MountainImpulse knows, to find the really nice stuff, you’ve got to work for it. Fox Canyon has seven waterfalls — including a 100 foot tall “Great Falls.” But it’s out of reach for us everyday hiking-folk.

But reading this description might inspire you to pick up some rappelling gear … and a good helmet.

Be sure to check out his other write-ups in the San Gabriels — he’s got plenty of great weekend adventures.

Snow!

Published on December 10, 2007 in Angeles National Forest and hiking. 0 Comments

You Sierra hikers aren’t the only ones who get to take “Winter Wonderland Hikes.” Down here near Los Angeles, there’s plenty of good chances for winter hiking if there’s wet weather. I was up near the Devil’s Punchbowl this weekend, and the trails had a good inch - inch and a half of snow on the lower elevations. I’m hoping the peaks got a bit more, and start hanging on to it … Partially because it will help justify my crampon and snowshoes purchases, but mainly just because we could really use it after the last season.

Come on, wet winter!