A very short, relatively unimpressive mountain deep in the central high San Gabriels. Best when hiked in combination with other peaks in the area.
Tag Archive for 'Angeles National Forest'
A short 4 mile loop through the San Gabriel High Country. This route turns a very easily-bagged single peak hike into a moderately strenuous two-peak journey, with expansive views of the interior San Gabriels and Antelope Valley.
A strenuous ascent up the south face of Mount Lukens - the highest point of elevation within Los Angeles City Limits. This particular route travels a secluded and steep, but rarely traveled and slightly overgrown canyon to the summit. A good leg-burner, but the bushwhacking and ticks may not be worth the trouble. There is, however, a shortcut trail that leads to a fire road, which is one of the nicest stretches of single-track trail I’ve seen in the San Gabriels.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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