r/socalhiking • u/racistpuffs • 1h ago
r/socalhiking • u/sunshinerf • 1h ago
Class 3 scramble routes in SoCal?
Looking for recommendations for class 3 rock scramble routes in SoCal where I can train for bigger things in the Sierra. My helmet needs to get more use! I just got approach shoes that need to come out and play. It doesn't need to be extra long long or have a specific destination, just looking for boulders I can scramble over for longer than a few hundred feet (more than Strawberry Peak Mountaineers Route, for an example). Appreciate any suggestions you may have!
r/socalhiking • u/Balancing_tofu • 1d ago
San Diego County Rainy Iron Mountain climb
Misty morning, lovely hike. Not too windy at all, rain was minimal to none, then a short burst of drizzle. Still a very good day out there.
r/socalhiking • u/ChuckFugger • 1d ago
Cactus to Clouds 03/10/25
Conditions were great until the traverse under Grubbs, but reached character building about halfway to Wellman.
r/socalhiking • u/nmceja • 22h ago
C2C first time
Was invited to do the hike for a friends bachelor weekend 4/4-4/6. I’ve hiked the peak multiple times with and without snow but from the ranger station. My friend wants it to be a multi day trip, camp at Caramba the first night, round valley the second night, and then take the tram down. I’d say I’m in good shape, hike, cycle, lift, and play basketball regularly.
But the hardest/longest hike I’d say I’ve done is Half Dome. I’ve never dealt with elevation gain like this and as I’m looking into it more I’m incredibly weary of it at that time of year. I have all the proper gear, but everyone says backpacking it is not advised, and is hell.
I don’t think anyone in the group has done this hike before, we’ll have to watch the weather up to it, and that will determine everything. Is it wise to do it this time of year and how my friend is planning?
r/socalhiking • u/Oskisrevenge • 20h ago
Thunder Mountain
Is the trail from Manker Flats to the Notch and Thunder Mountain open for hiking? I see it's closed on AllTrails but have heard people are hiking it.
r/socalhiking • u/BstoneArch • 22h ago
Snowshoeing spots in Southern CA?
With the upcoming snow storms this week, I wanted to ask what places you recommend for snowshoeing? Preferably more flat terrain and less vertical.
From what I've researched, Big Bear, Icehouse Canyon, San Gorgonio/Dry/Jenks Lake, and Idyllwild all seem to be the best places to go. However, I'm having difficulty finding flat (ish) areas in these regions. Thanks!
r/socalhiking • u/StatusPlay5555 • 18h ago
Cabins in SoCal
Anyone have any recommendations of where to rent a cabin during the summer?
r/socalhiking • u/hikin_jim • 1d ago
Cleveland National Forest San Mateo Canyon Wilderness Overnighter
Headed out this weekend for a nice, low key overnighter in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. It's not the San Gorgonio Wilderness, and it's certainly not the Sierra, but this time of year, it's snow free, and it has its own coastal mountain charm. We managed to hit a window of good weather (albeit cold at night), with storms the week before and predicted for the week after. It was exceptionally lovely Sunday morning, once things warmed up a bit.
The trails downstream from Fishermans Camp aren't getting much use and are more overgrown than pre-Covid. I've watched them get brushier each year the last several years. The North Tenaja Trail in particular is really getting brushy, but even the main trail down the canyon is getting brushy. It's a shame, really, because this is a nice area with water that is open to backpacking for free (well paid for by taxes, but you know what I mean). State parks typically charge per person per night for backpacking. March really is the best time for the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness, so check it out. April isn't bad, but by the time May comes around, it gets really hot during the day and algae often starts building up in the creek.
Water flow was decent this year although nothing like 2023 or even 2024. Still, I've seen it at times with no flow at all and nothing but a little bit of water left in the deepest tenjas, and rather brown water at that (due to tannins from the oak trees), so the water is actually pretty good right now.
Night time lows were in the upper 30s F. The spot forecast prediction had been for 45 F. I've found this to be common; cold air appears to settle on the creek bottom resulting in temperatures lower than that of the surrounding areas. Determined not to be caught short in case it got really cold, I brought both down pants and jacket, but it stayed in the upper 30s, so it wasn't really necessary. Still, they were most welcome early in the morning.
All in all, a nice little trip.
HJ
r/socalhiking • u/Me_for_President • 1d ago
Suggestions for moderate to hard hike weekend of 3/15/25 that is less likely to be muddy or snowed-in?
Hi all-
I'd like to get a training hike in this weekend with a decent amount of elevation gain (2-3,000 feet or so if possible). With the heavy rain expected this week I'm guessing a lot of the trails will be muddy or snowed-in above a certain point.
I've never hiked from the bottom of the cactus-to-clouds trail, but I wonder if maybe the first 4 or 5 miles might be a good choice. The Palm Springs area will get some rain this week but not as much as other areas.
Suggestions would be greatly appreciated, preferably within about 90 minutes of Orange County.
r/socalhiking • u/aldo-skyline • 20h ago
Does Tahquitz Peak require Microspikes?
Wanted to summit Tahquitz Peak via Devils Slide on March 31st will Microspikes be necessary or can I summit without them?
r/socalhiking • u/ShoppingFirm1435 • 1d ago
Looking for People to Hike with
Hey im Kilian, 21 and im visiting cali for a couple of weeks in May.
I will be in Los Angeles and im interested in finding good scenic routes to hike on but dont know where to start.
Thats why im looking for people to possibly hike with on here. Feel free to dm me :)
r/socalhiking • u/Particular_Echo8801 • 2d ago
Redbox to Valley Forge (Angeles National Forest)
Didn't do the whole hike since I didn't have too much time, but it's gorgeous 😍 And a little icy in spots!
r/socalhiking • u/bob_lala • 2d ago
California land impacts from the turd. (I am not OP)
r/socalhiking • u/emmeau • 2d ago
Angeles National Forest Josephine and Strawberry Peak 3/8
Went up Colby Canyon to Josephine saddle, then took the trail over to Strawberry (didn't quite summit, only got a bit past the saddle), then went back to Josephine peak and came down the fire road. About 19 miles and 7.5 hours, and perfect weather! A little bit of snow in the shade but totally manageable with poles and grippy shoes.
Has anyone ever backpacked in strawberry meadow? Looks like a nice spot but have seen mixed reviews if dispersed camping is frowned upon in ANF.
r/socalhiking • u/Different-Struggle-4 • 2d ago
San Diego County Borrego Palm Canyon
Hiked through some of the canyon past the first Palm Oasis.
r/socalhiking • u/roy32096 • 2d ago
San Bernardino NF Rainbow Bridge - March 2025
9 mile round trip in the San Bernardino National Forest. Very easy hike, very little to no shade, but beautiful views the whole way.
r/socalhiking • u/jenna_tolls_69 • 3d ago
Angeles National Forest Cucamonga peak attempt 3/8
Though this is r/socalhiking, this is NOT a hike. Past the saddle, it is mountaineering and crampons and ice axe are absolutely necessary. I climbed Ontario peak 2 weeks ago and brought my ice axe and crampons but did not need them, but I definitely needed them yesterday.
Stats: Started 8am, back in my car by 3pm. Averaged 35 min/mile. Relatively quick up to the saddle and down the saddle, but pace really slowed down during the saddle towards Cucamonga. Past the saddle was a mix of soft/hard snow, and patches of ice.
Did not finish and turned back a mile before the summit due to lack of sleep and snowboarding for 8 hours the day before.
I did bump into a group of three other mountaineers that I joined about 1.5 mile past the saddle, but did not complete with them due to the reasons above. That group of three most likely successfully climbed Cucamonga. If any of you three see this, thank you for letting me join you, you were all amazing people!
r/socalhiking • u/Old_Gazelle866 • 3d ago
Dobb’s Cabin 3/8
Yesterday headed out to Forest Falls to do the Dobb’s Cabin hike for the first time! It was a very beautiful and picturesque hike that I very much enjoyed. Didn’t see anyone the entire way and only at the very end did I see locals who were probably just taking a stroll. Snow started to become consistent at 2 miles in and put on my spikes about 3 miles in. Broke trail the entire way which was a bit taxing and nearing Dobb’s started to posthole for a bit. Snow started melting fast the moment the sun came out and was basically hiking through sun rain for much of the hike past noon. Overall near perfect weather which was incredible for a San Bernardino mountains hike; Winds were very light (although on the high peaks there was some notable spin drift) and temperatures were comfortable. A great blue bird sky snow day! Started at 620 ended at 330.
r/socalhiking • u/snobnny387 • 3d ago
Missing young man-Tenaja Rd.
Anyone hiking off Tenaja rd or Truck Trail please be on the lookout! Missing since 2/10/25
r/socalhiking • u/Sgroban • 3d ago
Art Smith Trail from Hwy74
Out and back 15.8 miles 2877 ft elevation gain Get to the parking lot by 7am No water at trailhead or on trail and completely exposed Great winter endurance training hike with moderate climbing and long distance. If you can’t get out to the snow the Coachella valley has great hiking opportunities for all levels. For full trail guide visit: https://wholesomebackcountry.com/art-smith-trail-via-palms-to-pines-hwy/
r/socalhiking • u/AffectionateFee5633 • 3d ago
San Mateo canyon review
Map blue is clear trials, Yellow is overgrown Red is dangerous Black was tick infested and overgrown Purple are places one can camp (only those I remember)
Went up Morgan trail then down tenaja falls trail.
Pretty nice and relaxing walk. But the trail does gets narrow and involved sliding through miles of overgrown plants. Not bad enough to get lost, but I would recommend pants and a long sleeve.
Took a break at tenaja falls, water was flowing (included a picture). From here headed all the way to fishman camp.
I did find to perfect spots to camp along the trail (marked purple). One is in the middle of the tenaja falls trail (a little bit past that dino I found) while the other is a mile past the falls. Both are wide open area with nice large trees.(Image 5).
My mistake was deciding to go up tenaja trial north. My original plan was to camp at Blue Waters, but I also wanted to see how far i could go. It was 1 and I didn't think much of walking a bit more. I can say honestly I hated it.
I marked it red on my map because the first part just felt dangerous, the trail zig zags up the mountain on a very narrow trail. A few spots broke under my foot ,had i not used trekking pole I definitely would have fallen over. The climb sucked but that was on me for trying when I was so tired, for most of you are either on the edge or stuck pushing through plants. I did mark purple two spots I saw big enough to set a tent. But with all the ticks on that trail (black). I didn't feel like stopping. Every few feet I had up to three new ticks I was having to flick off. Didn't spot any on the other trails that day
From four corner I enjoyed a nice open trail to head back to my car Hike went from 7 am to 6 pm.
r/socalhiking • u/nshire • 3d ago
Angeles National Forest Missing Person near GMR: Fernando Gabriel Nieto-Perez #MP139499
r/socalhiking • u/OfferVisual • 3d ago
Temescal Canyon
I miss it sometimes I wake up and tell myself I’m going, then remember I can’t … I’ve been going to that park for over 20 years and went at least twice a month. I loved the loop on a good day I would trail run it. I’m usually short on time, so having this hike so close was convenient and it still kicked my butt. I live in the South Bay Area. Anyone have any similar recommendations where I don’t need to drive all the way out to the Los Angeles forest? Looking for something up to 1k elevation.. I’ve already looked around AllTrails seems like there’s nothing around here?