Author: admin

Hours: 5 hours ( 9.2 miles out and back with 3100 feet elevation gain)

Difficulty: Medium-Difficult

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leash. Will be difficult for your friend. There are many rocks and tiny stones on the trail. Some steep ascent.

Parking: Parking lot in Ice Hourse Canyon trail and street parking.

It start from the ice house canyon trailhead, and parking is pretty challenging if you come late. I was there about 7:00 am, the parking lot is already full and I park on the street. You need Adventure Pass to park in this area. The trail has many rock formation and stones are scattered every trail. It is not too steep, but there is gradual ascent and the last 1/4 mile was the steepest. I think this is similar the peak in the range, like Mt. Baldy. Continue to ice house canyon trail to Cucamonga Wilderness and ice house saddle. About 3 and half miles from the start, you will arrive the sign of Three Tee’s Trail. From there, you can reach three peaks in a row, Timber(8,303 ft.), Telegraph(8,985 ft.), and Thunder(8,587 ft.). 1/4 mile before the Timber peak, there is another sign that direct Timber peak. It gets steep here. The view from Timber Peak was great, and you will enjoy similar peak around you. The water following at the beginning was so much enjoyable and relaxed sound.

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.

 

 

 

Hours: 2 hours to Echo Mountain ( 5.8 miles round trip), 3 hours to Cape of Good Hope( Add 1.8 miles extension)

Difficulty: Moderate

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leash.

Parking: plenty of space street parking is available, but prepare come early because this is so popular.

It was so cloudy, and little chilly. The picture doesn’t look good. The hike starts from Cobb Estate Gate at the corner of Lake Avenue. The rugged paved road continues to other trail, so be careful to watch out sign for Sam Merrill Trail. From the beginning to end, it continues zigzag and gradual ascent. About 2.7 miles, the trail comes to a T-junction with Echo Mountain Trail, and continue to follow Echo Mountain sign. There were ruins of old buildings. I went back the T-junction and go for Cape of Good Hope to stretch more workout. Follow Echo Mountain trail to the west, and you will pass Sentinel Rock, then arrive Cape of Good Hope. From there return where I came. This is not an easy, but I have seen so many people with their dogs. The trail is very narrow with cliff on other side. Watch your steps all the time.

 

Hours: 2 hours and half ( 5.65 miles round trip)

Difficulty: Moderate

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leash. But, it would be challenge for your loved one, because it is very steep.

Parking: plenty of space inside park. (It’s free)

This is the most intensive workout recently. The Vital Link Trail is 1.5 miles one way, but it is very steep ascent from the beginning to end. I rested a couple of time during ascend, and the heart runs so fast all the time. You will rewarded once you reach to the top. Then from Vital Link Peak to Verdugo Peak it is much easier because it is mostly flat and slight ascend. Whenever there is a junction, take right. I read articles that mentions funny signs for smokers. When I head to Verdugo Peak, I actually didn’t notice it, I found the sign when I return.  About a mile and quarter, you will find a paved road that reaches Verdugo Peak. Verdugo Peak itself do not have any specials, except five polls and a small building. The ridge line of Verdugo Mountain is bike friendly, and pet friendly. Next time, I will come with my four leg friends and enjoy walking with them.

My second visit on Dec 24, 2016, 1 hour 20 minutes out and back. A lot of improvement of speed than first visit.

For going up: 47 minutes 38 seconds.

For coming down: 31 minutes 31 seconds.

 

 

 

Hours: 1 hours and half ( 4 miles round trip to Walker Ranch)

Difficulty: Easy

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leash.

Parking: plenty of space inside park. (It’s free)

This hike was easier and good for beginner who don’t want to climb. There are many trails in the park, so plan ahead which trail to go. I actually didn’t plan it, but it is obvious to me to follow the longer trail. I took Nature Center Trail that goes to Walker Ranch, 4 miles round trip. I came across many people, and the trail is so easy to follow. The sign is clear every 0.1 mile, and most of trail has shade and breeze. This is so dog friendly trail, and I will bring my loved one next time. Just be aware Ticks and Wild animals.

Hours: 2 hours and half

Difficulty: Moderate

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leash.

The trail starts from Ed Davis Park, and there is free parking lot inside the park. If this lot is full, there is paid parking lot further inside the park. I start at Towsley View Loop trail, and follow counterclockwise direction. It has gradual ascent, and then you will encounter shallow creek with a little water flowing. It is strange that I walk the creek with small rocks and water underneath.

When the road is narrower, occasional steep ascent until the summit, and followed by steep descent. Before I go down, I climbed a peak and the downward is too sleepy and I almost fell down. The loop trail end at the Canon View Trail sign, and get to the parking lot.