Category Archives: Easy Hikes

Hidden Valley Loop

19 Thursday Jan 2017

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Hidden Valley Nature Loop is a fun place and usually my first stop when visiting Joshua Tree National Park.

The valley loop is home to several of the native plants that are home to park. Piñon Pine, Yucca, Beaver Tail Cactus and of course, Joshua Trees can be found along the trail. 

The loop is just over a mile long but you can spend the whole day here scrambling around and exploring side trails. 

The valley loop is also popular with climbers. While on your hike take a moment to stop and scan the boulders you’ll most definitely spot someone taking in the views. 

CLICK FOR GOOGLE MAPS LINK TO TRAILHEAD

  • Difficulty – Easy
  • Season – Winter, Spring, Late Fall
  • Family friendly 
  • No dogs allowed
  • No shade ( it’s the desert)
  • Bring plenty of water

ELEPHANT ROCK – VALLEY OF FIRE, NEVADA

04 Friday Mar 2016

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Elephant Rock is probably one of the most awesome rock formations I’ve seen. It’s definitely one of the best in this park! Arches are cool..   but come on, it’s an Elephant! 

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The trail is right off Valley of Fire Highway near the junction with Highway 169

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The hike is family friendly and the trail is easy to follow. It’s only about .2 miles to elephant rock.

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CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS OF VALLEY OF FIRE

● Difficulty – Easy
● Seasons – Spring, Winter, Fall
● Distance – .2 miles each way
● Fees – Park entry $10

HAGADOR CANYON

12 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Easy Hikes, Outdoors

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Beautiful  Hagador Canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains.  This beautiful canyon really caught me by surprise. I had never hiked in the Eastern part of the range so I didn’t really know what to expect.  Well…. IT WAS AWESOME!

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The hike it’s self is is just under 4 miles roundtrip but with neighboring Tin Mine Canyon just around the way you could easily do both hikes in one day.

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Hagador Canyon

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The steepness of the eastern slopes of the range makes for awesome views.

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The canyon is well shaded and the beautiful singletrack trail gives the narrow canyon a even more cozy feel.

click for Google Maps link to trailhead

From the parking area continue down the concrete path until the the mountains become visible. Go over the guardrails on the left and follow the unnamed trail until you reach the Hagador Canyon Trail. Look for this sign and make a left.

Link to where Hagador Canyon Trail Starts

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Click for more photos

● 4 miles round trip – Out and back
● Less than 500 ft of gain
● Difficulty – Easy
● Shaded trail
● Family friendly
● Dog friendly
● FREE PARKING
● Poison Oak

MOBIUS ARCH – ALABAMA HILLS

27 Monday Apr 2015

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The gateway into Alabama Hills

Mobius Arch is one of many natural  arches in the Alabama Hills. It is the most popular  though and gets many visitors on a daily basis. The drive up Whitney Portal Road is a beautiful  one. Drive slow and enjoy the views.

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View of trailhead and the Sierra Nevadas

After turning down movie road you drive down a couple miles and reach the Mobius Arch Trailhead.

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One of many natural arches

The area is home to 100’s of natural arches so keep your eyes open and you might spot a few.

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Sierra Nevada Mountains

Mobius Arch is about halfway up the trail. Its a loop hike so start in either direction  and you will run into it. Actually  going counter clockwise  will probably  get you there a bit sooner.

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Mt Whitney

Here we have Mt. Whitney ( 14,508 ft), the highest point in the lower 48, framed by the Mobius arch.

CLICK FOR DIRECTIONS  TO TRAILHEAD

● Trail difficulty – easy
● Trail type – loop
● 1.5 miles roundtrip
● Zero shade – bring sun protection
● Bring water – 2 liters
● Mountain views
● Parking is free

LOWER DARWIN FALLS – DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

26 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by in Easy Hikes, Outdoors, Waterfalls

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Darwin Falls Rd.

This beautiful,and I do mean beautiful  hike starts after a bumpy 2 mile drive on Darwin Falls Rd. The marked trailhead holds about 10 cars.

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Darwin Wash

From the parking lot continue past the information board and up the wash. The dry creek bed is littered with debris  from past flash floods so check the weather before  entering the wash. 

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Entering the oasis

About three quarters of a mile up the wash the green begins to appear and the riparian habitat  reveals itself. The canyon narrows and soon enough you’ll  find yourself crossing creeks and jumping boulders.

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Riparian habitat in the desert, Darwin Creek

Darwin Creek reveals more of  itself the closer you get and the sound of the flowing creek becomes louder

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Darwin Creek

Small cascades lure you closer and gushing sounds of lower Darwin Falls motivate you to pick up the pace. After some creek crossings and a little bush whacking, you arrive to one of, if not  the best features in Death Valley National  Park.

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Beautiful Lower Darwin Falls

Beautiful  Lower Darwin Falls. Upper falls and a beautiful fern gully sit above the lower falls. To access it you have to climb up on the left of the cliff face. Use extreme  caution if you decide to do this. I saw a few people  heading up but didn’t go because  I had my daughter with me.

● Trail difficulty – Easy
● 2 Mile out and back
● 20 ft waterfall
● Riparian habitat
● Bird watching
● Wildlife viewing

Click for directions
Darwin Falls Trailhead

Heart Rock Falls (Crestline, CA)

12 Sunday Feb 2012

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This hike is definitely a short one. The time it will take you to drive to the trailhead will far exceed the time it takes to make this roundtrip trek, but if you’re looking for a picturesque romantic spot to take that special someone look no further.

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Heart Rock Waterfall

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The Heart Rock Falls trail is only 1.75 miles roundtrip. This is a trail that anyone can do with only a 200 foot elevation gain.

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The trail winds through the pine forest and is always within a stones throw of the creek.

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Directions:

Take the 210 and exit at Waterman Avenue. Take Waterman north for about 11 miles to Highway 138. Take 138 for 2.5 miles. This road will take you through a small town and past several cabins. It’s easy to accidentally veer off of 138 so you want to keep checking street signs along the way. You will see a sign on the left for Camp Seely. Make a left into the camp and follow the road to the left and across the small creek. You can park in the small dirt lot directly across from the camp playground. The trailhead is to the left of the lot. You will need an Adventure Pass.

RED ROCKS OF BLACK STAR CANYON

18 Tuesday Oct 2011

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Yesterday, the 17th of October. A couple of friends and I were lucky enough to join the members of OC Parks and IRC on a docent led hike to the Red Rocks of Black Star Canyon. They were extremely friendly and very knowledgeable of the land, plants, and history of the canyon.

The park is currently only open for guided tours on select days but will eventually open to the public and will be known as Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park and will span about 2,000 acres.

Due to time limitations we were not able to view the whole park. The hike was scheduled for 2 hours and with 4 stops along the way we only made it about a mile or so into the canyon.

The park itself is plentiful with plant life and signs of wildlife as well. There is also a Golden Eagles Nest on the cliff side, though there was no sign of the eagle, it was still a sight to see.

I look forward to the opening of this wilderness park and I want to thank OC Parks and IRC for their very informative tour.

For information on guided tours and other activities visit IRC website for details.

Click here for Directions.

Happy Trails,
Alex G.

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Deer Season at Whiting Ranch

26 Monday Sep 2011

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We decided to take a short Monday morning hike out to the red rocks of Whiting Ranch. To our surprise we came across a number of deer. I was able to catch a couple with my phone’s video camera.

The Borrego Trail when combined with the Red Rocks Trail is a 5 mile hike round-trip (2.5 miles in 2.5 miles out). This is a great beginners hike and a hike that even the youngest family member can participate in.

Directions to Whiting Ranch (Borrego Trail)

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EATON CANYON WATERFALL

21 Wednesday Sep 2011

Posted by in Easy Hikes, Waterfalls

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Eaton Canyon is one of those places that is tucked away right beneath our noses. It is literally a few blocks from the freeway. Making it a great place for a quick day hike.

Eaton Canyon Waterfall is located in Pasadena, Ca and is a beautiful sight! Much like other waterfalls located in the San Gabriel Mountains. The waterfall itself is 50 ft with a large pool at its base. It is at the end of a 1.5 mile trail that begins at the parking lot of the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. Parking here is free of charge.

With a total Elevation gain of about 400 ft in 1.5 miles this hike is good for people of all ages. The first mile is on a dirt trail until you reach the Mt Wilson Toll Bridge. As u pass under the bridge you will soon notice the creek on the left hand side, there are a couple small pools here, this a great spot to take some pictures and enjoy the scenery.

The remainder .5 miles is in a narrow part of the canyon and consists of creek crossings and some rock scrambling so be careful on this last part.

There are a few side trails that branch off from the main trail. STAY ON THE MAIN TRAIL!!! Eaton Canyon has been the subject of multiple deaths this year News Link. the easiest way to get lost or seriously injured is by venturing off the main trail.

This is a popular hike so it does get crowded. Get there early if possible.

• 50 ft Waterfall
• 3 mile round trip
• Difficulty- Easy
• Free Parking
• 400 ft elevation gain
Click here for directions

Happy Trails,
Alex G