Category: Uncategorized

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.

Hours: It depends, but one-hour is enough if you just climb to Famous Rock. There are a couple of more stone peaks and tails, which will add another hour to complete.

Difficulty: Easy

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed on leash.

Famous rock was great, though I couldn’t make to the top. There are many similar rock formations. Initially, I plan to take a big loop that start from Pacific Crest Trail. But, I was a kind of lost after come down from Famous Rock. I climbed every single stone peak in the area, and it is easily get back on track because I can see where should I go. Finally, I climbed the highest peak in the area, I am able to see other stone peak cross the highway 14. There are a lot of great views that you want to take a picture with your company.

 

Hours: 2 hours and half ( about 4.5-mile loop with 800 feet of elevation gain )

Difficulty: Easy-Moderate

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are not allowed. This area has a lot of green area, which is good for wile animals. Because of this, most of trails does not allow dogs.

Bike: Not allowed.

Parking: There is a parking lot inside park, and $10 for a car. Limited street parking is available on the Entrada Rd and Waveview Dr.

There is two options to climb Eagle Rock, follow Eagle Springs Fire road and return back where you went. The second option creates a loop returning to Trippet Ranch via Musch Trail, which I did.

The hike starts at the sign Trippet Ranch Trailhead, and Eagle Rock is 2 miles away from there. There are two junctions at the beginning, the first one clearly mark trail, turn left, and the second one said The LATITUDE, turn left there.

There are plenty of green area along the hike, so you can easily meet deer  close to you. Continue follow Eagle Springs Fire road, and there are 4-way junction just before the rock. On the left, Musch Trail, which is the way go down when returning. Go straight, and continue the road. When you almost close to the rock, follow the Eagle Rock sign and you can get to the Eagle Rock finally. There is another summit on the right from the bench.

On way down, there is a junction with no sign, turn left. You will encounter two paved road, the first one you have to cross the road and continue the trail. On the second paved road, turn left and follow the road. There is a bridge, and you get to Musch Trail sign and parking lot.

 

 

The trail is easy to follow, and the sign is clear on the fire road. If you go down via Musch Trail, there is little confusing place. Just follow my advice, you will get through it.

 

It was cloudy when I went to here, so not many pictures to share.

Hours: 3 hours ( 7 miles round trip)

Difficulty: Moderate

Pet-Friendly: Dogs are not allowed.

Parking: There is a parking in the trailhead, also plenty of street parking is available.

Went here twice, one cloudy day and one sunny day. There is two sections, lush area first one and half mile, and fire road last two miles. Lush area is narrow with bushes in easy to walk because incline is not stiff. The fire road section is steep and relatively difficult. There is a little bit of up and down last 0.7 miles to Parker Mesa Overlook. The ocean view was great, and there are two benches you can relax.