Summary:

On this easy introductory hike to Joshua Tree National Park you will get some good mountain views and follow an historic wagon road that leads to the most prosperous of Joshua Tree gold mines. Here you will see the remains of a mine that produced 10,000 ounces of gold and 16,000 ounces of silver (worth approximately $5 million today) between 1894 and 1931.

Trailhead:

From Los Angeles – 10 Freeway (east) to 62 Hwy (east) to Park Bl. (right) to Quail Springs Rd. (straight) to National Park Dr. (straight) to Loop Rd. (straight) to Salton View Rd. (R) to trailhead.

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Stamp Mill

lost horse mine view

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Summary:

If you are camping at the Black Rock campground or just want a nice view, try this hike. Along the way you will see some interesting plants that are synonymous with Joshua Tree National Park.  Located within the northwestern-most portion of the park, temperatures are much cooler than in the parts further south. Once you reach your destination, the views of the San Jacinto Mountains and surrounding desert terrain are quite spectacular. The trail, which begins adjacent to campsite #30 in the Black Rock Canyon Campground is well-signed.

Trailhead:

From Los Angeles – the 10 Freeway (E)  to 62 Hwy (E) to Joshua Ln. (R) to San Marino Dr. (R) to Black Rock Canyon Rd. (Straight) to Black Rock Campgound to site #30 to trailhead. Park in front of ranger station.

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ken on warren peak

clouds and skyline

Warren Peak View

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Summary:
This is a fun hike through dramatic rock formations and continuous panoramic views of both Simi and the San Fernando Valleys. In the spring, the green grass and rocky formations make for a stunning contrast, and wildflowers dot the trail along the way. On a clear day, you can see to the ocean and several islands. This hike is great for the whole family.

Trailhead:
From the 118 Freeway (W) in Simi to Kuehner Drive (R) to Parking Lot (R) to trailhead. Overflow parking is on the other side of the 118 Freeway.

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Rock Peak Trail View

Rocky Peak View

Sunset On Rocky Peak

Rocky Peak City Lights

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Summary:
You will be following a well maintained fire road that climbs steadily up to a little grove of four oak trees just below the summit of Mission Peak. This is a great spot to have a snack before making the final ascent. There are two ways to go up: you can follow the obvious steep trail on the eastern side or you can keep following the fire road around the next bend to the left and then up a another moderate trail to the left again.

Trailhead:
From the 118 Freeway (W) in Granada Hills to Balboa Bl. (R) to  Senson Bl. (L) to O’Melveny Park to trailhead.

Hiking up to Mission Point

Heavy Winds at Mission Point

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Summary:
This is one of the most popular trails in Southern California and for good reason. On this 9 mile journey you will pass by numerous waterfalls (both man-made and natural), streams, lush forests, campgrounds, picnic areas, cabins, and a wonderful lodge. Make sure you show up early in the morning to insure you can find a parking space reasonably close. Most of the elevation gain occurs after Sturtevant camp, so pace yourself. At the top, you will be treated to a sweeping view of the Los Angeles area and San Gabriel mountains.

Trailhead:
From the Foothill Freeway(210) in Arcadia, exit on Santa Anita Avenue and drive six miles north to its end at Chantry Flat.

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Sturtevant Loop Trail

Sturtevant Falls

Camp Sturtevant

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Summary:
This trail offers one of the best viewpoints in Zion National Park. There is plenty of variety including dizzying drop offs and incredible scenery looking down into Zion Canyon. Your journey starts out winding your way up the steep mountainside and briefly leveling off through Echo Canyon. After that,  the walls drop sharply providing spectacular views and your destination.

This path is steep, making it one of the most strenuous of the classic hikes in the park. Make sure your shoes are well broken in before attempting this hike. Most of the trail is a well-maintained hard surface with little shade when the sun is high in the sky. There are drop-offs that give me nightmares to this day. As if I need to say it…stay away from the edge of the trail and cliff edges!

Trailhead:
From the Saint George – Hwy 15 (north) to Hwy 9 (east) to Zion Main Entrance to Floor of the Valley Rd. (left) to Weeping Rock parking lot.

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observation point view

echo canyon bridge

ken in echo canyon

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Summary:
This is hike is great any time of the year. It starts out along Westward beach, where you can watch rock climbers scaling the volcanic rocks. A trail takes you to the top of the point where you have a excellent view of the channel Islands and a perfect spot for sighting whales (December thru March). The trail then drops down into beautiful Dume Cove and travels next to the water along the beach until you reach Paradise Cove pier. Bring water shoes in case you get wet. It’s best to hike this route at low tide.

Trailhead:
From the Pacific Coast Highway, about 25 miles upcoast from Santa Monica and just down coast from Zuma Beach County Park, turn oceanward on Westward Beach Road and follow it to its end at a (fee $10) parking lot. (Lat:34.00328 Lon:-118.80902)

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Paradise Cove

stream at point dume

waterfall at point dume

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Summary:
This trail is one of the demanding in Southern California. You gain nearly a vertical mile in 9 miles to reach the highest peak in Southern California. On the way up, you will encounter lush forests with plenty of stream water available as high as 9,000 ft. It is up the entire way and most of that way is steep. By the time you reach the top, you will be rewarded with one of the most scenic trails Southern California has to offer.

Trailhead:
From Redlands – take the 38 East. Stop at the Mill Creek Ranger Station to get your permit, if it is during the week, you will probably be okay if you are early. If it is a weekend, you might want to get your permit in advance, contact them for instructions. They leave permits outside for first come, first serve in the morning before they open.

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san gorgonio sunset

mountain view from bottom

ken at summit

barefoot on summit hike

 

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Summary:
This walk is long and arduous but takes you to several waterfalls along the Tuolumne. You’ll climb about 800 feet along open ledges on the river. There’s a lot to see, so get an early start. The trail switches along the noisy river, plunges into a forest, and meanders across a meadow. The most notable waterfalls begin about 1.5 miles into the hike and range from long ribbons to 50-foot-long, 20-foot-wide masses of white water. The trail descends through a canyon to reach the Glen Aulin Camp. You’ll see LeConte Falls on your left beyond a few campsites. It cascades in broad, thin sheets of water, some stretching 30 feet wide as they flow down steeply sloping ledges along the river.

Trailhead:
From Yosemite East Entrance: Travel along main road to Soda Springs parking lot. Trailhead is at the far end of the parking lot.

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Glen Aulin Waterfall

camp glen aulin

Tuolumne River

ken resting along glen aulin

yosemite waterfall panoramic

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Where:

Kayaks on the water

5411 east ocean Blvd

Long beach, Ca 90803

Behind the playground, look for the canopy

Kayak in the harbor, not in the ocean. Perfectly safe no waves

Cost:

10 dollars per hour per person (credit card)

9 dollars per hour per person (cash)

If 20 people or more show up, we will get the group rate of 6 dollars per person with a 2 hour minimum.

Parking:

Park in the neighborhood on the left of the kayaks and save quarters

and a possible ticket!

Level:

Beginner to Moderate.
Bring:

Zip lock baggies for your wallet, phones, or other electronic.

Sunscreen, hat, swimsuit.

Sandals or water shoes.

Event description:

We will paddle through the canals for a couple of hours. They have 1 and 2 person kayaks.

If you are not in shape, partner with someone that is in shape and let them do the rowing. They have a rule that you must know how to swim. The water is almost always flat and calm. The beaches are well supervised and there is very little boat traffic. There are restrooms in which to change into your dry clothes. They lend you a dry bag to put your things you want to stay dry. After the kayak, we can walk down 2nd Street and have lunch.

Long Beach, CA 90801 – USA

Sunday, September 18 at 9:00 AM

Details: http://www.meetup.com/Best-Hikes-of-SoCal/events/33222232/