Tag Archives: nature

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

ELEPHANT ROCK – VALLEY OF FIRE, NEVADA

04 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by in Easy Hikes, Outdoors

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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

MT. CHARLESTON PEAK – NEVADA

22 Tuesday Dec 2015

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

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Mt. Charleston Peak  was a pretty awesome hike! At 11,918 ft it is the tallest mountain in Southern Nevada. The views from the top are some of the best! Vegas amd Death Valley are visible from the peak. It is said that on a clear day the Sierra Nevada are visible from the peak.

It had been on my list for a few years and on Labor Day I finally checked it of my list ✔

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Had the pleasure of bagging this peak with my good friend and fellow hiker Neal. He’s the one who got me into bagging peaks so it was only fitting hat he joined me on this trek.

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We started close to 8 am and took the Trail Canyon Trail up to the North Loop Trail to the peak.

  The hike itself is one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done. The landscape is painted with Quaking Aspen and towering pines peirce the sky. In the upper reaches of the Limestone cliffs Bristlcone Pines dominate the mountain.

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● 17 miles out and back
● 8 -10 hours
● Difficulty – Very Strenuous
● Elevation Gain – 4,500 ft

Click for Google Maps link to trailhead

Link to full photo album

DOPPLER RADAR – SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS

28 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Distance hikes, Strenuous Hikes

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The hike to the KSOX Weather Radar in the Santa Ana Mountains is best done on a cool day. Its around 8.5 miles to the Radar. The non shaded trail winds though Black Star Canyon and then up to the top of the canyon to the Main Divide Road.

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Doppler from Beeks Place

The doppler viewed from  Beeks Place which is at the 8 mile mark on this trek.

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There are two single track short cuts that will save you time and miles on this 16 mile hike. Look for them when your on your way up the trail and take then on the way down. Its a great change from the fire road.

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Up on one of the unnamed  singletrack trails heading down Black Star Canyon.

CLICK FOR DIRECTIONS  TO TRAILHEAD

● Trail difficulty – Strenuous
● 18 mile hike
● Trail type – Out and back
● Zero shade – bring sun protection

LOS PINOS PEAK VIA TRABUCO CANYON

19 Friday Dec 2014

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

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This is a 13 mile hike that starts in beautiful Trabuco Canyon. The trailhead for this hike is located at the end of Trabuco Creek Rd. This is a bumpy ride on an  unmaintained dirt road. So a 4×4 or a high clearance vehicle is recommended.

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The first 2 miles on the West Horsethief Trail are mostly shaded and follow the creek.

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View of Trabuco Canyon

After the first 2 miles you start to climb up the walls of Trabuco Canyon and the views begin to open up. This steep section is the toughest part of the hike. After 2 miles you reach the Main Divide Rd.

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The Main Divide  Rd. offers some great views into Riverside County. Lake Elsinore is pictured above also visible from the road are San Jacinto and the San Bernardino Mountains. 

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Los Pinos Ridge Trail

After 3 miles on the Rd you reach the Los Pinos Trail. This ridge line is one of my favorites in the range. The views from the ridge are amazing!

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View from Los Pinos Peak

Once on the peak, enjoy the marvelous views an retrace your steps.  Go back to the main divide/los pinos junction and make a left to take the Trabuco Canyon trail. 

This shady downhill trail is my favorite!  It’s a bit rocky but the views are so worth it!

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Trabuco Canyon Trail

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This Trai will take you back to West Horsethief trail. Then return the way you came. This lollipop loop is one of the best in So Cal!

Trail route:
West Horsethief to Main Divide, Main Divide to Los Pinos Trail, Los Pinos  back down to Main Divide/Trabuco Canyon/ Los Pinos trail Junction,  Take Trabuco Canyon trail back to West Horsethief and back to parking lot.

● 13 mile Lollipop Loop
● 4th highest peak in the range.
● Beautiful views
● Dog friendly trail
● approx 2,500 ft of gain
● High clearance vehicle recommended

CLICK BELOW FOR GOOGLE MAPS LINK TO PARKING AREA
West Horsethief/Trabuco Canyon Trailhead

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Mt. Baldy- Ski Hut-Devils Backbone Loop

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

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

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Mt Baldy is the highest mountain in the Los Angeles area and  is a very popular hike amongst the hiking community. I’ve had the pleasure of summiting this mountain 6 times and the view is just as breathtaking as the first time.

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Ski Hut from the trail

The Ski Hut Trail begins about .6 miles up Falls Rd passing San Antonio Falls. There used to be a sign marking the obscure trail but that has since be removed. So keep by our eyes open as this trail is easy to miss. It is on the left hand side.

The Ski Hut marks the halfway point to the summit. This is a great place to stop have a snack and if you’re lucky you might even spot some wildlife.

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Deer grazing just below the Ski Hut

From here you will cross the Baldy Bowl, do a little boulder scrambling and then back into the pine forest to continue the ascend to the summit. 

Once at the summit if you look in a Southeastern direction you will the the Devils Backbone Trail. Views from this trail are amazing!

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Devils Backbone viewed fromnthe Summit

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Take this trail down to the Baldy Notch (Ski lifts) from there you can either take the ski lifts down (if they’re running) or take the road down which is directly behind the restaurant. The road will take you back down and pass up the waterfall and leave you back at your car.

Click here for directions to the parking lot

***BE SURE TO USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN HIKING ON THE DEVILS BACKBONE TRAIL. I DO NOT RECOMMEND HIKING THIS TRAIL AFTER SNOW FALL. PEOPLE HAVE DIED ON THIS TRAIL BEFORE ***

• 11.3 MILE LOOP
• HIKING POLES RECOMMENDED
• AMAZING VIEWS
• 3‚900 FT OF GAIN
• 7-9 HRS TO COMPLETE
• ADVENTURE PASS IS REQUIRED

The Wally Waldron Tree

31 Friday May 2013

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

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The Wally Waldron tree is  one of the oldest trees in the San Gabriel Mountains  estimated to be older than 1,500 years.
  It is named after Wally Waldron who was a member of the executive board of the LA area council of the Boy Scouts. 
  The tree is at the junction with the PCT and the trail that leads up to the summit of Mt. Baden Powell.

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The Wally Waldron Tree viewed from the PCT