Tag Archives: mountains

Griffith Peak

22 Sunday Jan 2017

Posted by in Distance hikes, Moderate Hikes, Outdoors, Peaks, Strenuous Hikes

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Griffith Peak is located in the Spring Mountains.  It is the 3rd highest peak in Southern Nevada ( 11,064 ft)

The trail passes through the old burn area of the Carpenter1 fire. You’ll the the scars along the way. Towering Ponderosa Pines dominate this first section of trail.

Junctions are well marked follow signs for Griffith Peak. 

As you climb up the canyon the trail gets a lot steeper but the magnificent views outweigh the pain. Just keep moving. You’re getting closer!

Once you climb out of canyon you hit a series of switchbacks through a ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. 

After the last switchback you are left with your first view of Griffith Peak. Proceed on over to the saddle and make a left. 

Push for the peak on this last stretch and you’ll be rewarded with amazing views !

Views from the peak on a cloudy cloudy day!

Summit register! Goat worth hike for sure! Make sure to sign in or it never happened! 🙂

  • Difficulty – Strenuous 
  • 3300 ft gain
  • 10 miles
  • Out and back
  • Amazing views
  • Season – Late Spring to Fall

LINK TO TRAILHEAD

LINK TO GPS TRACK

LINK TO PHOTO ALBUM

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

BRISTLECONE TRAIL – MT CHARLESTON

28 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by in Moderate Hikes, Outdoors

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The Sisters and Lee Canyon

The Bristlecone Trail is located at the end of Lee Canyon in the Mt Charleston area of the Spring Mountains in Southern Nevada. The trail is around 5 miles long and can be done as a loop (with less than mile section of road.) Making it closer to 6 miles.

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  There are 2 trailheads Upper Bristlecone and Lower Bristlecone. The lower trail takes you up an old road and is pretty much exposed for 3 miles until you get to the Bonanza Trail Junction.  Continue on the Bristlecone trail for the remaining 2 mile hike downhill to the Upper Bristlecone Trailhead.

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Quaking Aspen

The hike can be done in any direction.  If you are starting early I would suggest doing it from the lower section first to get the exposed part out of the way.

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Upper Bristlecone Trailhead

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Quaking Aspen

Bristlecone pines, Ponderosa pines and Quaking Aspen can be found along the trail.

Click for Google maps to trailhead

Follow me on Instagram for more outdoor photos and trail info.

5 Hikers Lost in Eaton Canyon

05 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by in News

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Less than a month after a hiker lost their life in Eaton Canyon, a group of hikers has gone missing in the same area. The group set out at 8am Thursday morning and were expected back 8 hours later. The group was reported missing by one of the hikers’ parents Friday morning.

Eaton Canyon is located in the San Gabriel Mountains. The search for the missing hikers is being lead by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Eaton Canyon is an extremely popular hiking destination for Southern California natives, but has had more than of it’s faor share of rescues and deaths over the past few years.

Bear Cub Slaying

17 Wednesday Aug 2011

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Bear cub slaying angers Forest Falls residents | abc7.com.

I have had two run-ins with bears on two separate occasions while camping in the Big Bear area.

The first time I was out on a hike and came across a bear cub. It was about 50 yards away and 40 ft up a tree. As soon as I saw the bear I stopped in my tracks and slowly started walking backwards. Once out of view of the bear I headed back to camp and that was that.

The 2nd time I was camping in Seven Oaks when a bear came onto our campsite. It was no more that 50 ft away. After about 30 minutes of digging through the trash it returned back to the forest.

When a bear is digging through trash its most likely because it is hungry. That is no reason to shoot it.

To avoid such incidents I suggest keeping food and or trash as far away from your campsite, vehicle and or home.

On both occasions I was armed but never felt like I was in immediate danger.

Click here for info on what to do if you encounter a bear.

-Alex G

SWITZER FALLS

16 Tuesday Aug 2011

Posted by in Moderate Hikes, Outdoors, Strenuous Hikes, Waterfalls

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A few months ago our love for nature led us to this wonderful place called Switzer Falls.  The trail begins in the parking lot of the Switzer Falls picnic area, after crossing a small bridge we continued hiking along the oak lined trail. A few creek crossings and a mile later we reached the switchbacks that lead up the canyon wall, at this point we left the creek and continued up the canyon about 700ft. With beautiful views of  Bear Canyon and a glimpse of Switzer Falls down below, the elevation gain was worth the struggle. We reached the Gabrielino/Bear Canyon junction and proceeded to our left and continued on the Switzer Falls Trail for anther 1.4 miles. Once at the bottom of the canyon we met up with the creek once again. We continued up creek for a few minutes until we reached the Lower Falls. At a bout 25 ft this waterfall is well worth the hike. For the more adventurous hiker one can follow the narrow trail to the right to reach Upper Switzer Falls, which is a beauty! At 50ft with a shallow pool at the base this is a great place to cool off and enjoy nature at its best.  This is definitely a must do hike  for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.

  • 5 miles R/T
  • 700 ft elevation gain
  • 2 waterfalls
  • creek crossings