Cucamonga Peak

Highlights:
Incredible city and mountain views, bushwhacking backcountry trail
Near: Lytle Creek, CA
Distance: 11.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 3650 ft
Hike Time: 8.5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trail Condition: Bush wacking
HikeType: Out and Back


The scenery in the Cucamonga Wilderness is breathtaking. Without a doubt, it is the most wild in the San Gabriels. The terrain is steep, dry, rugged, and covered in chaparral. Big Horn Sheep still roam, I saw a buck, fresh tracks and droppings along the trail.


At first, you may even begin to question whether this is a trail or not, as you cross a wash, it seems so overgrown that you can't fathom what later on parts may look like. Don't worry, it gets better, and if you have good trail sense, you should be fine. I never got lost, but I would suggest taking time to explore a bit when the trail gets sketchy, so your return will be smoother. Always look back at least.


The views are top-notch. I could see the Sierras in the morning and Catalina on top at noon. If you look carefully, you can spot the Ski Hut on Baldy.


This is a strenuous trip, but can be done fast.

Cucamonga Peak Pictures & Directions

Salmon Falls

Salmon Falls is an excellent place to go out hiking. Located in Folsom which is a city in Sacramento is a beautiful place that serves as a distraction from the usual everyday activities. The trail is around 14 miles long but you better believe that they will not be boring. In the very beginning of this trail there are many turns but don’t be alarmed because there are signs everywhere so that you don’t get lost. As you progress through the first couple of miles you might feel that they are treacherous, but don’t be alarmed because the hike only gets easier and better. Several miles into the trail you will walk down into a small valley and cross a creek. The scenery is quite striking! Another cool thing about this trail is that there are a lot of possible courses to it, but in the end they all end up in the same place. There are more than enough places where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink and snack. If you plan to visit during the summer don’t forget to pack plenty of sunscreen and water because it does get really hot. Salmon Falls is definitely a place to visit!

Salmon Falls Pictures & Directions

Joshua Tree National Park

Want to go out and have fun for a day or for the weekend? Joshua Tree National Park is the place. Located in southeastern California, it is on both sides of the San Bernardino and Riverside County. This place offers an abundant variety of recreational activities. For example, there are nine campgrounds in the park, two of them offer water and flush toilets. Backcountry camping is also available, for those who wish to backpack, however, there are some regulations. Hiking on the other hand, is something you would definitely want to do. There are several trails that are within the park and can be accessed through the campground. The shorter trails offer the people to see the parks beauty without getting too far into the desert. There are also beautiful nature walks one can take so that you can see some of the wildlife that surrounds the park. The park also offers longer trails for those who would like to explore more. Another really cool thing about the park is that people can rock climb. There are many named climbing routes and at all levels, so if you are interested give it a try.

Joshua Tree National Park Pictures & Directions

Lake Gregory Trail

If you would like to go out, relax and have a good time- The Lake Gregory Trail is the place to go to. Located in Crestline, California, this easy lake loop in the San Bernardino Mountains passes through trees, sandy beaches, small creeks and the charming town of Crestline (elevation 4,700 feet) in Southern California. The trail, at 2.51 miles, loops around pretty Lake Gregory, offering piney mountain views, 10 fitness stations which include areas for sit ups and chin ups, with a balance beam, parallel bar and horizontal ladder, multiple benches, doggy bags and trash/recycle bins, picnic tables and a sense of peace along the gently rising and falling lake shore trail. The trail is well-used throughout the year by families, joggers, hikers and people strolling the lakeshore with leashed dogs. In addition, in case you get hungry and didn’t bring a snack of your own you can access cafes and markets in the North Shore which the trail leads too. Lake Gregory Regional Park also offers fishing, swimming, picnicking, horse riding, two 300 foot looping water slides, and small boat paddling from a rental cabana on the North Shore.

Lake Gregory Trail Pictures & Directions

Calabasas Peak

Distance: 3.7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1000 ft
Hike Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Condition: Fire road/pavement
HikeType: Out and Back

This pleasant hike gives you a good aerobic workout, with a moderate but steady uphill trek for a little less than 2 miles to the summit of Calabasas Peak. The views along the way are wonderful. As the hike starts, off to the left are grand vistas of the Santa Monica Mountains across a lovely small valley. Over the crest, Red Rock Canyon comes into view on the right. As you ascend to the peak, along the right are spectacular tilted and pocketed sandstone formations set against the beautiful green mountains. Along the way, there are a number of interesting rock formations that you can scramble out on (carefully) for some great views. A very enjoyable hike.

Calabasas Peak Pictures & Directions

Azusa Mountain's "Bridge to Nowhere" (East Fork)

Highlights: Lovely stream, cascades, shear granite walls, mysterious Bridge to Nowhere
Near: Azusa, CA
Distance: 9 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1000 ft
Hike Time: 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Condition: OK, but a few difficult spots
HikeType: Out and Back

This trip takes you along the banks of the east fork of the San Gabriel River. While the river banks are wooded and quite lovely, most of the trail traverses the rim above the high water line and most of your travel is through scrub brush. Avid Hikers and Bungee Jumping enthusiast look forward to reaching the well known "Bridge to Nowhere". This highlight of the hike is a mysterious bridge built over the east fork in 1936, which has no road leading to it. Actually, in the 1930's a road did lead to it, but was swept away by floods in 1938. Through an organization called Bungee America, travelers can be led on a hike to the bridge and bungee jump!

There are some small trails that lead down to the stream just after you cross the bridge. This is a stunning setting with shear pink tinted granite walls, roaring cascades, and the lovely bridge in the background.

Azusa Mountain's "Bridge to Nowhere Pictures & Directions

Mount Baldy's San Antonio Falls

On a limited amount of time and seeking something short with scenery that people of all ages can do? Well the San Antonio Falls at Mount Baldy is the place to check out. At about 100 feet tall, the falls is an magnificent site. The trail is roughly a little over a mile on a paved road. It may be longer if one approaches the hike from the Ski lift parking lot. The trail then begins with a steep dirt road climb and wiggles steady to a settled road to the waterfall. Just follow the narrow dirt path and you will eventually land at the base of the falls.
It is likely to see guests when visiting this common little hike and the glorious refreshing waterfall that tumbles down over its three tiers.

Mount Baldy's San Antonio Waterfall Pictures & Directions

Yosemite's Half Dome

Truly Yosemite is a magnificent spot and well known to many vacationer’s, locals, and nature enthusiasts. Yosemite has several spots to explore and one of their most well-known spots is recognized as Half Dome. The climb to the top has been the ultimate challenge for hikers in the National Park. The journey up the granite slab is a 10-hour 14-16.5 mile round trip that takes avid hiker’s past cascading waterfalls, through lush green forests, and to the final obstacle, a tormenting 45-degree towering rock face known as the head of Half-Dome. Trip entails a whopping 4,800 feet elevation.

This challenging hike requires the hiker to choose one of the two park’s most popular trails, the steep rock-step Mist Trail or the switchbacks of the longer John Muir Trail. Both of these hikes ascend through the majestic Grand Staircase, a steep-sided river valley by two massive waterfalls. A breath taking journey with astounding views!

Yosemite's Half Dome Pictures & Directions

Santa Anita Loop

The Santa Anita Loop is an all day hike that has stunning scenery and wildlife all over the place. It is not a norm here to have a squirrel run by. The total distance here is 9.5 miles with an gaining elevation of 2010 feet. It lies on the San Gabriel mountains. This scenic loop from Cantry flats takes you to multiple junctions of 4 trails. The 50 foot high astonishing fall makes the trip worthy. I am yet to explore all the other three junctions but look forward to them.

Directions
Residing in Sierra Madre, 91024. From the 210 Freeway in Arcadia, go north on the freeway exit Santa Anita Ave. Follow Santa Anita Avenue all the way into the mountains which is approximately 6 miles. The trail ends at a parking lot at Chantry Flat. The trail begins across the road from the parking lot.

Santa Anita Loop Pictures & Directions