Month: May 2016

Hours: 4 hours ( 7 miles out and back). It could be less or more, how you spend time on tide pool.

Difficulty: Easy

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leash.

Parking: Street parking available along Forrestal Gate

It is relatively easy hike, and you can reach three tide pools during your hike. The trail start at the Forrestal Gate and there are many junctions as you go. If you want to see the tide pool, you will cross the paved road and follow side way a bit, and then will see a gate on your left. Follow the trail to the gate, and will arrive the first tide pool. Enjoy the ocean view and tiny craps and sea life.

Hours: 6 hours and half ( 9.6 miles Bear Canyon Trail and Devil’s Backbone to back down)

Difficulty: Difficult, and this is not for the beginner.

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leash. But, it is not a good idea with your dog, because it is so steep from the beginning to the end.

Parking: Street parking available along Mt Baldy Rd.

 

 

Finally, I got to the toughest hike in my life. I climbed 6000 feet in 6 miles, and I did it. The last one mile was harder because of high altitude sickness. It was so much rewarding myself, and I enjoyed great view all the places. The hike start at the Bear Canyon trail inside Mt. Baldy Vistor Center, and you will work a short paved incline, then steep ascend continues. Almost every part of this trail steep, and it requires strong legs and heart.

Hike summary:

Bear Canyon Trail ( 6000 feet elevation gain) – Mt. Baldy Summit – Devil’s Backbone Trail – Top of the Notch ( Ski Lift down to parking lot) – Ski Lift Parking lot

Hours: 8 hours ( 14 miles out and back)

Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult, and this is not for the beginner. You have some experience to hike the summit.

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leash. This is very long hike, and there is many turn around point if your dog gets too tired. Also be careful with wild animals. I have seen a bear on my hike. Also, you can drive to the summit and walk your dog and have fun.

Parking: Street parking available near Wilson Trail Park.

This is the longest and highest single hike ever in my life. I joined with a group of people and I saw many people running the trail. The hike start at the Mount Wilson Trailhead, and continue the trail toward Orchard Camp around 3.5 miles from the start. I encountered a wild bear here, and this is so exciting, also little scary moment. Fortunately, the bear went down to the valley and didn’t come to us. There is a couple junctions, and just follow where it is more well maintained road. From Orchard Camp, continue the trail toward a bench where you can take a rest. The other route from Chantry flats meet here, and the summit is close to see. About a half mile from the bench, you will see the last sign that show 1 and 3 quarters of mile to go. From there, it is much easier than your past route. Once you hit the peak, it has very large parking lot and Cosmic Cafe to the end. Enjoy the view and bite some foods there.

Second Visit: June 10, 2017

Almost a year last time I went here. I was able to remember some part of the trail. I am little worried because it was so cloudy and there is drizzle falling down. But, it was OK when I go up. The trail can divide three, trailhead to Orchard Camp, to the Bench, then to the Wilson summit. It was cloudy and shaded when out, and the view from the top was great. As usual, the Cosmic Cafe was little chilly.

 

 

Hours: 4 hours ( about 8 miles round trip)

Difficulty: Moderate, but the last 1 mile of scramble is tough

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are not allowed. (only trails near culture center allow dogs.)

Parking: Main entrance parking is good place to start. Plenty of parking is available.

It was hard to find park trail at first because my navigation is pointing to wrong location. I retracted and find out the park entrance. Make a left turn on Lynn road toward Sycamore, and drive thru Main entrance parking lot. From there, walk a quarter mile to Indian Culture Center. Take Satwiwa Loop trail at the Culter Center, and continue to Boney mountain trail across the open grassland. Rocky Boney mountain top from this grassland is so beautiful. When you see Boney Mountain trail sign that show 1.8 miles to Danielson Monument, it goes downward and to a lovely waterfall. In that Junction, turn right upwards to the monument. The monument and chimney are there, and head south about 1 mile to rocky Boney peak. The scramble after the monument is tough and steep. It is worth once you make to the top. It is cloudy, and I am not able to see the ocean. You can continue to the other peak areas, which have different rock formation.