Our half day LA hikes are the perfect compliment to your wellness journey. Studies have shown that spending at least 2 hours a week outside, immersed in nature, has significant mental and physical health benefits! Here is SoCal we are blessed with a variety of trails for all skill levels and perfect year around hiking weather!
Whether you are an experienced hiker looking for a fun group to adventure with, or just starting out we offer something for every level and close to LA. And if you are just starting out, we have loaner gear for use on our guided hikes to make it easy to get going! Learn about our hiking gear recommendations here.
You’ll build the strength, stamina, and confidence to enjoy more challenging outdoor adventures or prepare for one of our amazing yoga adventure travel destinations!
You don’t have to be a member of RDY to sign up so bring your family and friends for a great half day in nature. Pets on leash are welcome on most trails, check out the specific hiking location for park regulations.
Note: We have a WhatsApp hiking group for carpooling, directions to the trailhead, and specific route info. Click on each hike below to see the specific information about each route including our Hiking Level rating. Hiking guides carry navigation equipment, water filters, and group first aid/emergency supplies.
2026 Hiking Schedule! (through June)
Tongva Peak Sunset & Full Moon Hike January 3rd 2026 Level 2
Tongva Peak Sunset
Date: January 3rd 2026
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Brand Park Glendale
Length: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,925 Feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 2
Permits: None
Lunch: Yes (Dinner to watch Sunset)
Dogs: Yes on Leash
Kick off the new year with a challenging but beautiful sunset/full moon hike. Tongva Peak sits up high above Glendale and the view toward the ocean makes this a perfect place to watch the sun go down. We will leave the Brand Park trailhead around 3:00, the sun sets at 5:00, so it will give us time to take plenty of breaks as we hike this rather steep trail. At the top we will enjoy dinner and the sweeping views of the mountains and the ocean while the sunset paints the sky!
We will return on a loop trail. As darkness falls, we will be looking over the LA basin all lit up and seeming so far away. It’s truly a magical view. We will need headlamps as it will take up about an hour to get back down so it will for sure be dark as we make our way back to the trailhead. If you need a headlamp we have loaners! This one is a level 2 hike because of the sustained steep grade above 30% for nearly 1.5 miles.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), headlamp, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity. Bring dinner and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Trailhead parking can be tight please consider carpooling
Charmlee Wilderness Loop January 18th 2026 Level 1
Charmlee Wilderness Loop
Date: January 18th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Santa Monica Mountains
Length: 3.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 640 feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: $4.00 Parking Fee for the Park
Lunch: Snacks at overlook
Dogs: Yes on leash
Charmlee Wilderness Park is located near Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains. This hike will combine a couple of trails in the park to create a counter-clockwise loop. This hike has a little bit of everything, from the depths of Clyde Canyon to the beautiful ocean views from the rolling coastal hills. The trail passes through oak forests, grassy meadows with wildflowers nearly always in blooming and along coastal bluffs.
We will begin the hike through Clyde Canyon rising gently to the cliffs above the ocean. We will stop to enjoy amazing ocean views and a snack before heading back through the rolling grasslands to the trailhead.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks! Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking at the trailhead can be difficult please consider carpooling.
Trippet Ranch to Parker Mesa Sunset and Full Moon February 1st 2026 Level 1-2
Trippet Ranch to Parker Mesa
Date: February 1st 2026
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Topanga Canyon State Park
Length: 6.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,171 feet
Peak Elevation: 1,550 feet
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: Parking Fee at Trippet Ranch $10 or State Park Pass
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: No
Parker Mesa is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunset overlooking the ocean and Santa Monica Bay. Even better with a full moon to light the hike back down!
Winter and spring are the perfect seasons for hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains when the area is green from the winter rains and spring wildflowers are in full bloom. Our winter schedule is focused mostly in this beautiful area!
Trippet Ranch in Topanga Canyon State Park has a wonderful network of trails and a ridgeline with sweeping views of the ocean and the LA Basin. Our second sunset hike in 2026 is an out and back that will take us to Parker Mesa, which has arguably one of the best views in all the Santa Monica Mountains.
We will begin our hike at the Trippet Ranch trailhead at 3:30m taking our time to reach the mesa around 5:00 for dinner and a beautiful sunset. We will linger here and enjoy the incredible views of the Santa Monica Bay, the LA Basin, the snowcapped San Bernadino Mountains!
Our return trip is mostly downhill and generally moves a lot faster, so we plan to finish up by 1:30 or so depending on how long we linger at the mesa.
Fires burned this area shortly after we hiked it last year, but its mostly Chaparral which is adapted to fire so the trail is open and it will be interesting to compare it to years prior.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, headlamp or flashlight, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and dinner! Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking at the trailhead fills up quickly so please consider our carpooling options.
Escondido Falls February 21st, 2026 Level 1
Escondido Falls
Date: February 21st, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Malibu
Length: 3.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 534 feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: none required. $12.00 parking fee
Lunch: No
Dogs: Yes, on leash.
Escondido falls is a beautiful 50’ cascade runs strong this time of the year. Expect a few stream crossings and depending on the water levels you may get your feet wet! This is an easy half day hike, but the scenery is beautiful and for waterfall lovers its one of the best in SoCal.
We will hike to the falls and enjoy the lower falls.
For the more adventurous there is a trail on the side of the falls that leads to the upper fall in about a 1/10th of a mile but its over 200 feet in elevation gain and may not be passable depending on the weather leading up to the hike. The upper falls are unbelievable, over 3X the height of the lower falls!
Bring snacks to enjoy at the falls, we will linger for a while! Dogs on leash are welcome in this park.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity. Bring plenty of snacks. Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking is limited at the trailhead please consider our carpooling options.
Verdugo Peak Sunset Hike March 1st, 2026 (S) Level 2
Verdugo Peak Vital Link Trail Sunset
Date: March 1st, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Verdugo Mountains/Wildwood Canyon Park
Length: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1900 feet
Peak Elevation: 3126 feet
Difficulty: Level 2
Permits: None
Lunch: Yes (dinner while sun sets)
Dogs: Yes but not for this night hike
The Verdugo Mountains are perfect for a sunset hike with stunning city lights on the way down. The vertical gain is not quite as tough as Tongva peak but it’s definitely a workout! We will begin the hike around 4 pm giving us plenty of time to reach the peak before Sunset. Once at the peak we are rewarded with view of the ocean, the San Gabriel Mountains, and below to Burbank and LA.
After enjoying our food and an amazing sunset, we will dawn our headlamps and head back down. Hiking after dark can be a lot of fun with the city lights expanding below us toward the ocean it’s just a couple of days before the full moon so it might be bright enough to hike without a headlamp! You definitely want to use poles for this one. We have loaner’s for both if you need them.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), headlamp, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity. Bring dinner and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Vasquez Rocks Loop March 7th 2026 Level 1
Vasquez Rocks Loop
Date: March 7th 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Vasquez Rocks natural Area
Length: 5.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 472 Feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: None
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area is a wonderful place to explore the massive upheaval of sedimentary rock by earthquakes. The park geology is similar to that of the Devils Punchbowl which we will hike later in the season. The park also contains some of the most well-preserved pictographs in the region and has been featured in many film and television productions.
We will hike this loop in a clockwise direction following a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Along the way we will meander through open areas, folded canyons, and massive rock formations. This time of year wildflowers should be blooming in the open areas of the park too!
Midway through the loop we will take a side trip on the PCT to a tunnel under the highway, then return to the main loop. We will head back to the visitors center near the most famous rock formations in the park rising 150’ at a 45-50 degree angle. Here we can enjoy our lunch and for those who are up for more adventure you can climb to the top of the massive rock formations.
There are three parking lots in the park. We will park at the middle one which is where the trailhead joins the PCT. So go past the first parking area and park in the second larger one, if you get to the visitor center you have gone too far so turn around and come back to the middle lot.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), water shoes, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity. Bring lunch and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Trail Canyon Falls March 15th, 2026 Level 1
Trail Canyon Falls
Date: February 15thth 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Angeles National Forest Big Tujunga area
Length: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: National Forrest Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash (cannot go to the bottom of the falls)
Trail Canyon Falls is a beautiful 40-foot waterfall tucked in a beautiful canyon north of Burbank. This is a really fun hike that includes 9 stream crossings each way and a short but challenging scramble down to the base of the falls. We will park along the road to hike up to the trailhead, so carpooling is essential for this one.
The hike up is along a dirt forest service road but then turns to a single-track for the hike up the canyon. The hike will follow the stream crossing it a few times through a wonderful tree lined canyon.
We initially pass the trail to the base of the falls to hike around to the top where we can enjoy nice views down the stream and the pool below. Then we will back track a quarter of a mile and descend to the base of the falls which has a large area around the pool. We will spend time enjoying the falls and have our lunch or heavy snack and then head back.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), water shoes, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity. Bring lunch and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking is very limited please consider carpooling
Sandstone Peak March 28th, 2026 (S) Level 1-2
Sandstone Peak
Date: March 28th, 2026
Time: 9:00am
Location: Santa Monica Mountains
Length: 6 miles
Elevation Gain:1,400 feet
Peak Elevation: 3114 feet
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: None required
Lunch: No
Dogs: Yes on leash
Sandstone Peak is the highest point in the Santa Monica mountains and the first hike in the annual RDY 7 Summits of SoCal challenge.
We will hike this loop in a counterclockwise direction enjoying the wildflowers and views of the canyon as we go. This section of the hike has some cover from the sun but the trail becomes more exposed as we climb toward the summit. At the top we will enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and linger a bit. It’s a great place to have a snack!
We will meet at the trail head at 9:00 am and should be finished around 1 depending on our pace and how long we linger.
This is a beautiful hike typical of the range with amazing views. There isn’t much shade or large trees along the way so be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen!
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks, we won’t have lunch at the peak on this one because it’s a shorter distance hike. Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking is limited at the trailhead so please consider our carpooling option.
Poppy Fields Loop April 18th 2026 Level 1
California Poppy Fields Loop
Date: April 18th 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SP
Length: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 590 feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: CA State Park Pass OR $10 Parking Fee
Lunch: yes
Dogs: No
Springtime brings beautiful wildflower displays on almost every hike, but few can match the vast swaths of orange and yellow blanketing the rolling hills of Antelope Valley. This is a relatively easy hike that takes us to all of the best overlooks, hilltops and buttes in the California Poppy Preserve State Park. The hike combines two loop trails into a figure 8 that fully explores this beautiful park.
We will meet at the visitors center at 9am to set out on our trek. Plan to have a light lunch or heavy snack on one of the hilltop overlooks before we return to the trailhead around 12:30 depending on how long we linger on the way. This weekend brings the Lancaster Poppy Festival which we will plan to stop and enjoy in the afternoon on the way back to LA. The festival is fun and there are usually a lot of vendors, rides, and of course fried fair food check their website for event info and pricing.
This hike is fully exposed with little or no shade most of the way. So, plan to bring plenty of water and wear a hat!
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch! Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
This is a popular weekend due to the poppy Festival so parking may be tight, please consider carpooling.
Willow Creek to Nicholas Flat Loop April 25th 2026 Level 1-2
Willow Creek to Nicholas Flat Loop
Date: April 25th 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Leo Carrillo State Park (Malibu)
Length: 7.05 miles
Elevation Gain: 2200 Fee
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: $12.00 parking fee or State Park Pass
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: No
Leo Carrillo is a beautiful park just past Malibu. This trail offers a taste of everything the park has to offer from sweeping views of the ocean, views of the Santa Monica mountains, and even a pond at the top! Winter and spring are the best times to hike in the park because there is very little tree cover and summer temperatures are too high to enjoy. You will definitely want your hat and sun protection for this one.
We will hike the loop in a clockwise direction and have lunch near the pond or nearby summit. On the way back we will enjoy amazing views of the ocean as we descend back to the beach. There are some cool tide pools here depending on the time we get back and the tide levels it is worth a little side visit.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring lunch and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking at the trailhead can be difficult please consider carpooling.
Fall Creek Falls May 9th, 2026 Level 1
Fall Creek Falls
Date: May 9th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Big Tujunga Canyon Angeles National Forest
Length: 4.2
Elevation Gain: 760
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: National Park Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash
Fall Creek Falls is a beautiful 3-tiered waterfall in Big Tujunga Canyon that is relatively unknown and thus less crowded than many other waterfall hikes. This is not a perennial waterfall so it’s best to go in the spring or after a big rain. The beginning of this hike is relatively easy as we descend on a fire road with great views of the waterfall’s three tiers.
Once we reach the river we will leave other hikers and the trail behind and travel to the base of the lower falls. This will require hiking in water and some light scrambling but it’s worth it. You will need to pack water shoes of some sort so that you keep your hiking shoes dry for the return trip up to the trailhead.
Some years there is room around the pool to enjoy our lunch or snack and others the vegetation growth may be heavier, and we can have our lunch along the river instead. After lunch we will hike back to the trailhead.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), water shoes, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring lunch and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Trailhead parking is a pull out and very limited. Please consider carpooling.
Devil’s Punchbowl May 17th 2026 Level 1-2
Devil’s Chair Hike
Date: May 17th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area
Length: 7.5 Miles (Plus 1 mile punchbowl trail)
Elevation Gain: 1850 feet
Peak Elevation: 5330 feet
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: None it’s a County Park
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash
Devil’s Punchbowl is one of the most beautiful and unique places to hike around LA. Its located on the northeastern side of Angeles National Forest when the Mohave Desert meets the San Gabriel’s. The Punchbowl fault runs parallel to the San Andreas fault and created the surreal landscape of the canyon. Massive slabs of sandstone set up on end and then eroded over time.
We begin our hike to Devils Chair in a desert landscape that quickly gives way to a beautiful hike through the pine forests of the San Gabriel’s.
The Devil’s Chair is a breathtaking point overlooking the 300-foot-deep canyon with the unique rock formations, behind you the mountain rises to 8,000 feet! We will return from the point and stop for lunch along the way overlooking the canyon before heading back the way we came.
When we return to the parking area and visitors center, you will have an option to hike around the Punchbowl formation itself which is well worth the extra mile.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch!
Trailhead Directions
There is a large parking area near the visitors center but carpooling is always suggested.
Switzer Falls May 30th, 2026 Level 1
Switzer Falls
Date: May 30th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: San Gabriel Mountains-Angeles National Forest
Length: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: FS Adventure Pass or NPS America the Beautiful
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on Leash
This is one of the best waterfall hikes in LA. While some falls may be more spectacular, this one is beautiful and along the way you’ll experience old ruins from Switzer Land and the original Switzer Camp from the 1920’s, stream crossings and even some light climbing.
This is an out and back trail. Near the beginning we will pass through the ruins of the old Switzer Camp that was later operated as more of a resort/venue called Switzer Land. We will have some time to explore on the way back if we want to.
We will hike to the lower falls and then go up the side to reach the larger 50-foot upper falls. We will return to the lower falls to enjoy lunch and if you want to swim or soak your feet you are welcome to do so, there is a nice pool below the falls. With all the rain and snow expect the falls to be beautiful!
When we are finished, we hike back the way we came. There is an extension to this hike into Bear Canyon that’s another mile or so down the Arroyo Seco that we can take if the falls are crowded.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch! Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking at the trailhead is limited please consider carpooling.
The Secret Grotto June 6th, 2026 Level 1
The Grotto Trail
Date: June 6th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Circle X Ranch Santa Monica Mountains
Length: 3.2
Elevation Gain: 630 Feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: None
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Not appropriate for this trail
The Grotto trail is a short but fun hike leaving from Circle X Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains. The trail works its way down through a beautiful canyon where we will enjoy spring meadows which are green this time of year, and great views of Sandstone Peak. The first half of the hike is mostly exposed with a bit of shade.
We make our way down to a dry stream bed lined with large trees and plenty of shade. Here we leave the trail and work our way down the creed climbing over large boulders. The scramble is fun and very accessible for beginners. Finally, we arrive at the Grotto. Climbing inside there are pools of water and even a small waterfall. After we finish playing at the grotto we will make our way a bit farther down where we will stop for our lunch or heavy snack.
Then we return the way we came. Even though the route back up involves the same boulders and a climb back to Circle X, its only 650 feet or so of total elevation gain depending on how far we go past the grotto. This is a very mild gain over the distance back.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring lunch and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Cooper Canyon Falls June 14th, 2026 Level 1
Cooper Canyon Falls
Date: June 14th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: San Gabriel Mountains
Length: 3.83 miles
Elevation Gain: 827 feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: FS Adventure Pass or NPS America the Beautiful Pass
Lunch: yes
Dogs: Yes on Leash
Cooper Canyon Falls is a beautiful hike in the Angeles National Forest especially this time of the year. The 30ft waterfall’s flow is driven by snow melt and so it will be roaring loudly this time of year. This out and back trail passes through a beautiful canyon gently descending along the rim to a stream confluence. Along the way you can hear the stream and a second waterfall that we will not be visiting on this hike but sometimes schedule as a separate spring hike as it has no trail and is a difficult up canyon trek.
Once we arrive at the top of Cooper Canyon falls, it’s a short, steep climb to get down to the base of the fall but well worth the effort. We will have lunch and cool off in the pool before continuing back along the Burkhart Trail to the Buckhorn Campground parking area.
Cooper Canyon Falls is one of the most beautiful falls in the area, but unlike many of the waterfall hikes, this one is somewhat less visited because its more remote and the steep descent getting down to the base of the falls where there is a rope in place to assist, so we will enjoy the falls without the crowds! But we will take our time so it’s an accessible hike to most people and well worth the effort.
As with most hikes around LA this one has some steep sections and I highly recommend hiking shoes and hiking poles. If you want to get in the water and walk back to the fall you might bring a pair of water shoes but its snowmelt and so its very cold.
We will meet at the trailhead to head out at 9am and should be finished by 1 depending on how long we linger at the falls and nearby springs. There are two trailheads for this waterfall so please be sure to meet at the one below.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch! Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Trailhead parking can be crowded so please consider carpooling which we coordinate in the WhatsApp group.
Zuma Canyon April 19th 2025 Level 2
Zuma Canyon
Date: April 19th
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Santa Monica Mountains NRA-Malibu CA
Length: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 2900 Feet
Peak Elevation: n/a
Difficulty: Level 2
Permits: None (trailhead is outside the forest boundary)
Lunch: Yes
Pets: Yes, on Leash
Zuma in the Chumash language means abundance and this hike certainly has all that! This route is generally rated as hard but don’t let that stop you, if you have been on our group hikes before you should be fine with this one although it will certainly be a challenge. We will hike up the stream about 2 miles by trail through the beautiful grasses, wildflower and trees that line the canyon. Then the fun part, we will continue up the stream “off trail” for two miles. This section usually does have bits of trail because its popular among experienced hikers. We will be climbing over boulders, stream crossings and likely thick vegetation in some areas.
Then we will reach the Edison fire road. We will take this road around the top of the canyon and back down to the trailhead stopping for lunch near the high point above the canyon. The early part of this hike is slow going but fun, so we plan to have lunch around 1pm. Bring plenty of snacks AND plenty of water. You will want sturdy shoes for this one and trekking poles. I also recommend long pants because we will likely encounter poison oak as you would expect around any stream or wet area in SoCal.
The road back is longer than the trail through the canyon but it’s mostly downhill and it’s a fire road trail, so we expect to be finished between 3 and 4 in the afternoon depending on how long we take hiking up the canyon.
Note: this is not a good first-time hike. If you have never hiked before I recommend that you start with one of our shorter hikes in the easy to moderate range before trying this one.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch!
Trailhead Directions
Parking is limited at the trailhead so please consider our carpooling option.
Strawberry Peak via Redbox May 17th 2025 (S) Level 2
Strawberry Peak Via Redbox
Location: San Gabriel Mountains
Date: May 17th 9am
Length: 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1772 feet
Peak Elevation: 6,158 feet
Difficulty: Level 2
Permits: USFS Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on Leash (climb to the peak is not pet friendly)
This moderate trail in the heart of the San Gabriel’s rewards you with some of the most spectacular views in the area. This up and back is short and scenic with a fun scramble to the summit. Views of the surrounding mountains including Baldy are amazing and when we are finished soaking it all in over lunch we will head back down.
We will begin from Red Box parking area and make it to the summit and return around 2pm. This is a little steep and will be a little slower on the trip up and the summit is worth some time to linger.
What to bring: 3 liters of water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch! Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Mount Wilson (S) Level 2-3 Canceled Fire Closure
Mt Wilson
Location: San Gabriel Mountains (Pasadena area)
Date: Cancelled due to fire closure
Length: 14.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 5640 feet
Peak Elevation: 5713 feet
Difficulty: Level 2-3
Permits: None Required
Lunch: yes
Dogs: Yes on Leash
This is also on our Seven Summits Hiking Challenge List. Mt Wilson is a beautiful hike through the pines and one of the epic summit hikes in SoCal. It’s approximately 7.2 miles to the top where you will enjoy sweeping views of Los Angeles, an Observatory and even a restaurant! So you can bring your lunch or just buy something at the restaurant.
We will be hiking the original route to the top through Orchard Camp from Little Santa Anita Canyon, it’s a long climb to the top but very accessible. The difficult part for most is just the idea of hiking uphill for 7 miles but for the most part it’s not extremely steep. We will take our time and take breaks to rest and have snacks as often as we need. Since its close to Summer Solstice, we have plenty of daylight and can enjoy the beauty of the mountain and the lush vegetation. We will hike to the top and take a break for lunch and hang out at the peak for a bit and refill our water.
The hike down is much faster as we will be moving downhill. We plan to finish up around 4-5pm depending on our pace and how long we want to linger at the top!
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch! Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Trailhead parking is in a neighborhood and very limited so please consider carpooling.
San Jacinto Peak Via Aerial Tramway June 21st, 2025 (S) Level 2
San JacintoTramway Route
Location: San Jacinto Mountains-Palm Springs
Date: June 21st, 2025
Time: 9 AM Tram
Length: 11 miles
Elevation Gain: 2620 feet
Peak Elevation: 10,834 feet
Difficulty: Level 2
Permits: Aerial Tramway ticket on site for $34.95 free wilderness permit at trailhead.
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: No
MAX Group: 10 people including C2C
San Jacinto Peak is one of the classic summits in SoCal. The views are mind-blowing in every direction but especially looking out over the desert that is more than 10k feet below. This route is the easiest route to summit San Jacinto, but it’s still very challenging. You will be hiking at a much higher elevation than where you will start out and its 6 miles to the top. The hike itself is one of the most beautiful in the area.
We will start out hiking through a high valley that is popular with rock climbers before heading up through pine forest. You will notice the crowds thinning as you continue on toward the summit. There are several high camps that are popular with hikers utilizing the lower part of the trail. The last 2 miles of the hike are in the boulder fields, adding to the beauty and the challenge. It’s a really great hike!
Regardless of the temperature in the desert, it will likely be very chilly at the top and extremely windy. Layering is key and you should plan to carry a jacket to put on as you get into the higher elevation areas. Gloves and ear protection are also important because the normally high winds blowing cold air will make any exposed skin feel extremely uncomfortable. We will find a sheltered place at the summit to enjoy our lunch in the warm sun!
As you return from the summit you will shed your layers going lower. I do NOT recommend wearing shorts for this hike.
We should be finished up by 5pm or so depending on how long we linger at the summit and will catch the next available tramway back down.
The cost of the tram is $34.95 round trip, and you will need to purchase your ticket when we get there. Advanced purchases are limited.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), midweight gloves and ear protection recommended, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch there is a high calorie burn on this route so be sure to have breakfast! Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
We will have a carpool chat going in Whats App.
Sawmill Mountain June 29th, 2025 (S) Level 1-2
Sawmill Mountain
Date: June 29th at 9:00am
Location: Chumash Wilderness-Los Padres National Forest
Length: 7.4 Miles
Elevation Change: 1500 feet
Peak Elevation: 8822 Elevation
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: None
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash
Sawmill is the highest peak in Kern County and home to the condor sanctuary in the rugged Chumash preserve. Mt Pinos is the highest peak in Ventura County and on this trail, we will stand on both! We will begin this hike a little later because it’s a little more driving distance to get there and we will have reasonably good tree cover for the hike.
This is a fun hike that is very accessible to anyone with a reasonably good fitness level and the views from the summit are breathtaking. We will hike to the top of Sawmill Mountain with its massive cairn where we will linger and eat our lunch while enjoying the sweeping view across the central valley.
What to bring: 3 liters of water, electrolytes, sunscreen, hat, sturdy hiking shoes or boots, hiking poles (optional but always a good idea), day pack or hydration pack with snacks and lunch. Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking at the trailhead is plentiful but please consider carpooling to save on gas! We will have the carpool thread set up in WhatsApp.
Brown Mountain Dam Waterfall July 6th 2025 Level 1-2
Brown Mountain Dam Waterfall
Date: July 6th 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Arroyo Secco San Gabriel Foothills Pasadena
Length: 7.5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 650
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: None
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on Leash
This is an easy level 1-2 hike, and so rated because of the distance. The route follows the gentle incline of the Arroyo Secco from JPL to the Brown Mountain Dam along the Gabrielino Trail. We will start out in an urban area next to the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and quickly transition into the lush riparian canyons of the San Gabriel Mountains.
This is a fun hike with several stream crossings and a ton of old ruins sites from flood control efforts to the foundations of historic cabins and stores from a bygone era when much of the San Gabriel’s Southern slopes served as a mountain getaway for Angelinos. As make our way up the stream we will arrive at Brown Mountain Dam which stands 81 feet high and spans 120 feet.
The dam was built in 1943 as part of a larger flood control project for the Los Angeles River basin that also include the concrete channeling of the river and its tributaries. Like many such projects, it had many unintended consequences, disrupting the natural environment, habitat and migration paths. But the canyon behind it also quickly filled with debris and today stands as an 80-foot manmade waterfall.
We will hike to the top of the waterfall where there are stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the top of the waterfall itself. Returning to the base where we can enjoy our lunch by the falls. We will then return the way we came in.
For this hike you will want poles for the stream crossings and perhaps water shoes of some sort that you don’t mind getting wet. We will park in the large lot on the NE side of JPL. There are a lot of parking lots in the area and the adjacent natural area, and several starting points for this hike so be sure to use the GPS coordinates we will send in WhatsApp or the map below to get to the right spot!
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), optional water shoes, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3-liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring lunch and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon July 20th 2025 (S) Level 2-3
Cucamonga Peak Via Icehouse Canyon (S)
Date: July 20th, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Eastern San Gabriel Mountains
Length: 12 miles
Elevation Gain: 4186 feet
Peak Elevation: 8862 feet
Difficulty: Level 2-3
Permits: Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency plus Wilderness Permit
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash
MAX Group: 10 People
This is a beautiful hike in the peaks near Mt Baldy and very similar to Baldy in terms of terrain and difficulty. We will hike up the Icehouse Canyon approach to the summit where we will enjoy the amazing views and have our lunch. The summit on this trail is particularly interesting and one of the most IG worthy summits in the area.
You will need a pass for parking but we will secure the wilderness permit for the group. If you go on your own there are a couple of options for the Wilderness Permit. You can bring a pen and fill out a permit at the trailhead OR for this one you can also do the permit online at here. The wilderness permits are free the parking is not.
We will plan to leave the trailhead at 8:30 am and return around 3:00pm depending on how long we linger at the summit. This is one of the ‘alternate’ hikes for our Seven Summits challenge but is accessible to anyone with a good fitness level. Like all of the summit hikes we rate this one as hard due to the length of the ascent and elevation gain. But the peak elevation is 2k less than Baldy so you won’t have the same altitude effect and the summit will be very pleasant but not as cold.
What to bring: 3 liters of water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch! Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Old Baldy (Mt San Antonio) July 27th, 2025 (S) Level 2
“Old Baldy” (Mt San Antonio)
Location: East San Gabriel Mountains
Date: July 27th, 2025
Time: 9:00 am
Length: 11 miles
Elevation Gain: 3990 feet
Peak Elevation: 10,064 feet
Difficulty: Level 2
Permits: USFS Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass.
Lunch: yes
Dogs: Yes on Leash
MAX Group: 10 people
Mt San Antonio is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains and LA County. It’s a hike that should be on every SoCal hiking bucket list. This is also one of our Seven Summits Challenge Hikes.
We leave the trailhead at 8:30am and hike the entire trail clockwise. That is 11 miles with an elevation gain of 3990 feet. The first part of the trail will be mostly covered from the sun so it will be comfortable although as we approach the top it’s a lot of loose rock so can be slow going.
We will descend the Devil’s Backbone with amazing views on both sides. We will stop for a break at the ski area where there is a deck outside the restaurant that overlooks the canyon and way back to the trailhead. You can refill water here if needed. The views from Baldy are amazing and we will hang out at the top for a bit, relax, and have lunch to soak it all in! We should finish up our hike around 4:30pm depending on how long we linger at the top.
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What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch! Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking at the trailhead can be tight so please consider carpooling!
Bighorn Mine Level 1 Canceled Fire Closure
Bighorn Mine
Date: Cancelled due to fire closure
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Sheep Mountain Wilderness, San Gabriel Mountains
Length: 5 miles including the Vincent Cabin option
Elevation Gain: 690 Feet
Peak Elevation: 6,913 Feet
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: Yes. $5 Big Pines Parking Pass for paved lot at Vincent’s Gap. USFS Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass for parking in non paved areas.
Lunch: Yes
Pets: Yes, on leash
Bighorn Horn mine is a must-see piece of SoCal mining history. Originally discovered in 1891 the mine opened in 1895 and was continuously operated until 1985. You can explore the ruins carefully but the mine shafts, like others in the Angeles National Forest, have been gated for safety.
The hike is beautiful along the side of Mount Baden Powell and relatively easy as the trial follows the ridge with only mild elevation gain. We will hike to the mine and have our lunch/snacks to enjoy the ruins themselves but also the beautiful views over the mountains. This area is the headwaters to the east fork of the San Gabriel River. On return we will take an optional short side trail to the Vincent Cabin.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch. Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Sturtevant Falls and Camp Via Chantry Flat August 2nd 2025 Level 1-2
Sturtevant Falls and Camp Via Chantry Flat
Date: August 2nd 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Chantry Flat San Gabriel Mountains
Length: 8.7 Miles
Elevation Gain: 2008 feet
Peak Elevation: 3200 feet
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: USFS Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on Leash
Chantry Flat is a beautiful launch point for many hiking routes. This trail is one of the best shorter hikes in the area. The trail will take us first to the base of Sturtevant Falls which is a 70’ waterfall flowing year around most years. Then we double back a short distance and take the trail to the top of the falls. Here the trail follows the river past several pools.
When we reach the junction to loop back and continue up to visit Sturtevant Camp. Built in 1893, this mountain cabin ‘resort’ is one of the only ones left from the Golden Age of Hiking during the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s. It’s still serviced by Adams Pack Station which is the last remaining pack station in SoCal! We will make a stop at the Pack Station after the hike to check out the store and they also have a restaurant and snack shop.
We will return the way we came to the junction and go right around the loop and back to the trailhead.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring lunch and plenty of snacks. Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking is tight at the trailhead and we always recommend carpooling if you can!
Ontario Peak Via Icehouse Canyon August 17th 2025 (S) Level 2-3
Ontario Peak Via Icehouse Canyon (S)
Date: August 17th, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM
Location: Eastern San Gabriel Mountains
Length: 12.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 3894 feet
Peak Elevation: 8696 feet
Difficulty: Level 2-3
Permits: Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency plus Wilderness Permit
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash (not recommended)
Max group size: 10
This is a beautiful hike in the peaks near Mt Baldy and very similar to Cucamonga Peak in terms of terrain and difficulty. We will hike up the Icehouse Canyon approach to Icehouse Saddle where we will take a break before the final stretch to the summit. The summit on this trail is particularly interesting and one of the most IG worthy summits in the area (along with its neighbor Cucamonga Peak). We will take a break there to enjoy lunch and the incredible view before we head back down.
You will need a pass for parking (Adventure or America the Beautiful) and The wilderness permits are free at the trailhead.
We will plan to leave the trailhead at 8:30 am and return around 3:00pm depending on how long we linger at the summit. This is one of the ‘alternate’ hikes for our Seven Summits challenge but is accessible to anyone with a good fitness level. Like all of the summit hikes we rate this one as hard due to the length of the ascent and elevation gain. But the peak elevation is 2k less than Baldy so you won’t have the same altitude effect and the summit will be very pleasant but not as cold.
What to bring: 3 liters of water, sunscreen/protective clothing, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch! Check our our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking at the Trailhead is limited so please consider carpooling!
San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek Trail August 23rd, 2025 (S) Level 3
San Gorgonio Mountain
Length: 18 miles
Date: August 23rd, 2025
Time: 5am
Location: San Bernardino Mountains-San Gorgonio Wilderness Area
Elevation Gain: 5700 feet
Peak Elevation: 11,499 feet
Difficulty: Level 3
Permits: A Wilderness Permit for hiking and a parking permit, Adventure or National Park Pass
Lunch: Yes
Pets: Yes on leash but NOT recommended
MAX Group: 5
San Gorgonio is the tallest peak in the San Bernardino range and that says a lot given the elevation of the range. Altitude will be a consideration on this one so we will plan to move at a slower pace and make sure everyone has an enjoyable albeit challenging experience. We are leaving earlier than most hikes due to the distance.
We will be hiking in mixed forest much of the way until we get to tree line where the rest of the way is very exposed so wear a hat and bring your sunscreen. Water is also going to be an important consideration. There are streams along the route from Vivian Creek however many of these dry up after the snow has fully melted so we will check the conditions before we go and plan accordingly.
The hike is beautiful, and we will have lunch at the peak to soak in views from the ocean to Nevada! We plan to finish up around 4pm depending on our pace and how long we linger at the summit.
Be sure to wear hiking boots and plan to layer for the summit. It will be much colder and windier up there than at the trailhead.
What to bring: 3 liters of water+1, electrolytes, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes, hiking poles (optional but a good idea), day pack or hydration pack with plenty of snacks and lunch, heavy afternoon snack. Check out our Recommended Gear list.
Trailhead Directions
Sandstone Peak Sunset & Full Moon September 7th Level 1
Sandstone Peak Sunset and Full Moon
Date: September 7th, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Santa Monica Mountains
Length: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 994 feet
Peak Elevation: 3114 feet
Difficulty Level: Level 1
Permits: None required
Dinner: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash
Come celebrate the Harvest Moon as we enjoy a sunset picnic in the Santa Monica Mountains. Sandstone Peak is the highest point in the Santa Monica mountains and the perfect place to watch the sun setting over the mountains and ocean. This is not the loop route that we take when we do this as a summit hike. Instead, we will be doing the shorter out and back trail which is perfect for hiking with the illumination of the full moon!
We will meet at the trail head at 5:30pm and make a quick stop at the peak along the way. Then we will continue down the trail a short distance to Inspiration point, which is a great spot to enjoy our dinner and watch the sun set. The moon will rise closer to 8pm and light our way back down. We should finish up by 9pm.
We will be hiking by moonlight, but since we don’t control mother nature or the clouds it’s a good idea to also have a backup headlamp. If you need one, we have loaners available.
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), head lamp, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and something to enjoy for dinner! Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking at the trailhead is limited so we recommend carpooling.
Eagle Rock Loop September 28th, 2025 Level 1-2
Eagle Rock Loop
Date: September 28th, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Topanga State Park
Length: 6.6 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1200 feet
Peak Elevation: 2068 feet
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: Parking Fee at Trippet Ranch $10
Lunch: Yes
Pets: No
Eagle Rock loop is perhaps THE iconic hike in Topanga state park. The namesake rock formation is one of many boulder outcroppings throughout the park and boast some of the most amazing views in the park. We will hike this trail counterclockwise enjoying the views along the way. Our hike will take us to Eagle Rock where we will stop for lunch.
Most of the uphill gain is in the first half of the hike starting to come down from our peak elevation just before Eagle Rock. We plan to have lunch around noon and enjoy the views. Our return hike is mostly downhill and will not take as long to get back to the trailhead. We plan to be finished around 2pm or so depending on how much time we spend at the top.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring lunch and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking at the trailhead is limited so we recommend carpooling if you can.
Potato Mountain Sunset & Full Moon Hike October 5th, 2025 Level 1-2
Potato Mountain Sunset & Full Moon Hike
Date: October 5th, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: San Gabriel Mountains
Length: 4.5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1270
Peak Elevation: 3414
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: Adventure Pass or America The Beautiful Interagency Pass
Lunch: Yes (dinner watching the sun set)
Dogs: Yes on leash.
Potato Mountain is a perfect sunset hike, overlooking the high peaks of the San Gabriel’s (including Mount Baldy) with views of the LA Basin on the other side. This trail is great for beginners however, the elevation gain is mostly in the last mile and a half, so it is steep in places. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker, but you will need to be reasonably fit for the section leading up to the summit.
The hike begins through an oak lined canyon but quickly becomes exposed in lower Chaparral on a reasonably wide fire road making it perfect for a moonlight hike on the return. We will hike up to the peak and enjoy our dinner and watch the sun set, then when the moon rises, we will hike back down by moonlight! (Of course, we will have headlamps or flashlights in case of clouds.)
I have no idea why this is called potato mountain, it doesn’t look like a potato, and there aren’t potatoes growing on it. However, hikers have started a tradition over the years of decorating a potato to leave at the top of the peak. So, if you want to join in, buy a potato, get creative, and leave it for others to enjoy.
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), head lamp, hiking poles (especially for the hike down!), day pack or hydration pack with a 2-3 liter water capacity is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and something to enjoy for dinner! Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Parking is Extremely limited at this trailhead so please consider carpooling!
Sturtevant Camp Volunteer Work Day October 11th 2025
We have had a wonderful time at Sturtevant Camp this year, hiking up, passing through to Mt Wilson, and for many of us, enjoying a wonderful 3 day weekend unplugged in their cabins! In 2026 we will again be doing a 3 day getaway in late April! But as the volunteers prepare the camp for the winter, a tree fell on one of the cabins damaging the roof, wall, and breaking a window. They have asked for help from those who enjoy the camp to get this fixed, along with their other work, before winter arrives.
In keeping with our efforts to ‘give back’ and show gratitude for all the wonderful experiences we receive from Mother Nature as we hike and on retreats, we are putting together a group of volunteers to help out at the camp on October 11th. We hope to get at least 10 people from our hiking and yoga group to participate.
Logistics:
You have 3 options as the camp is going to open its cabins for volunteers to stay.
Option 1: arrive Friday evening the 10th and hike into the camp. Its about 4 miles and takes about 2 hours to get to camp. You can spend the night on Friday and return Saturday night. You need to bring you own food for Dinner Friday evening and lunch the next day. The camp will provide breakfast and coffee. They do have refrigerators and storage for food in the camp kitchen.
Option 2: Hike in Saturday morning and help carry up long boards that the pack mules cannot carry. We will be leaving the trailhead with supplies early in the morning in an effort to be at the camp around 8:30. Bring your own food and snacks and hike out just before dark with enough time to arrive at the parking lot by sunset.
Option 3: Stay Saturday Night in the camp. This option is available for those coming in on Friday night as well as those hiking in on Saturday. You will get up on Sunday, have breakfast and leave in time to be back to the Parking Lot at noon. You can also leave early and hike up to Mount Wilson (you are more than halfway to the summit at the camp) and then hike back down to your car!
If you want more information about the camp you can click on our weekend getaway from last year and read more about it. They have bathrooms and showers but you have to pack in your towels. They do provide pillows and bedding. And Chef Mary will not be there to cook…
Type of Work:
- Time sensitive cartage: the limits on what the burros can carry is not only weight but size/length; we’ll have 4-6 long sticks of lumber for rebuilding the roof that need to come in—not heavy, but long/awkward. So these will need to ‘come in by hand,’ typically a person on each end. If your folks are willing, this could be a vital part of the weekend—we can’t start framing the roof without them.
- Bagging up debris from Cabin-2’s damage: this includes folding/stacking raggedy roof shingles into bundles into contractor bags at a proscribed weight limit (for the burros); boxing up broken window glass; and consolidating / moving shattered lumber down to the wood yard for a bonfire (AFTER we get some real rain). Lots of repetitive bending over, and people will want/need thick gloves and thick-soled boots or sharp eyes—there are a lot of roofing nails all over + hidden glass. We need this job done a.s.a.p. to clear the building and all around it so we can safely begin reconstruction.
- Line-walk fire clearance: as you know, the cabins are located on terraces on the hillsides, which are covered mostly in ivy and other mixed ground cover. Since the Bobcat fire, the trees have been shedding branches, from tennis racket size to long baseball bats and some almost fence rail size. Most of these have simply accumulated on the ground, which further catches / holds seasonal leaf litter. With a half dozen people, we’d put them in a line across the top terrace, then simply walk downhill, picking out and tossing ahead all the loose deadfall onto the next terrace trail; those slash piles would then be consolidated into tarps and wheelbarrows and moved all the way down to be dumped over the edge toward the stream. Same task and tools as the cabin debris, and also relatively urgent because—you know—fire clearance!
What to Bring:
You will want to wear hiking boots and bring work gloves in addition to your food and snacks. There is water there so you only need to pack water for the hike to and from the camp.
If you are planning to stay at the camp then you can pack accordingly. We will go over that in more detail once we have our group pulled together and figure out who is staying and who is hiking in and out for the day. Dinner on Saturday night is also included but I need to confirm what that will be.
Please complete the form below if you want to participate and we will set up a separate WhatsApp group for our logistics.
Bridge To Nowhere October 19th 2025 Level 1-2
Date: October 19th 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: San Gabriel Mountains
Length: 9.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1246 feet
Peak Elevation: 2,755
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: Parking Fee or Adventure Pass
Lunch: Yes, pack a lunch!
This is one of the most amazing hikes around. You will experience the beauty of the San Gabriel Mountains, hike a rugged trail with several stream crossings, and in the end arrive at one of the most interesting sites in SoCal. The bridge spanning the San Gabriel River was built back in the 1930’s as part of a road project through the canyon. The road washed away a few years later and was never rebuilt. So now all that’s left is a large bridge leading nowhere. You probably recognize this area on social media, film and television commercials.
We will hike to the bridge and have lunch and spend some time soaking in the beauty of the canyon and the bridge. There are swimming holes under the bridge too if you want to wear your swimming suit under your hiking clothes.
Anyone who would like to try the famous bungee jump that has operated on this bridge for decades can. But this is not part of what we are offering. You can visit their website and book through them. You will need to hike to the bridge with the bungee company and then you can have lunch and hike out with us. The bridge is owned by Bungee America and you can reserve a jump at https://www.bungeeamerica.com if you wish.
Pack your lunch, 3 liters of water, snacks, electrolytes, and hiking poles (you will want those for stream crossings). Also, for this hike you will want appropriate shoes for the river crossings, you will be in the water on a few of them. Most crossings will be shallow depending on rain, but a pair of water shoes or flip flops can be nice to keep your boots dry, some people just prefer to go barefoot or just get their boots wet. Weather permitting you may want to wear shorts in case the crossings are deep in places. Check our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Trailhead parking can be difficult so please consider joining the carpool chat!
Sunset Hike @ Ocean Overlook Charmlee Wilderness November 2nd 2025 Level 1
Sunset Hike @ Ocean Overlook Charmlee Wilderness Park
Date: November 2nd 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Santa Monica Mountains
Length: 3.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 640 feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: $4.00 Parking Fee for the Park
Lunch: Dinner and Snacks at Overlook
Dogs: Yes on leash
Charmlee Wilderness Park is located near Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains. This hike will combine a couple of trails in the park to create a counter-clockwise loop. This hike has a little bit of everything, from the depths of Clyde Canyon to the beautiful ocean views from the rolling coastal hills. The trail passes through oak forests, grassy meadows with wildflowers nearly always in blooming and along coastal bluffs.
We will begin the hike through Clyde Canyon rising gently to the cliffs above the ocean where we will stop at Ocean Overlook to have our dinner and watch the sun setting into the Pacific. After sunset we will be heading back through the rolling grasslands to the trailhead.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), headlamp, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks! Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
M*A*S*H Hike November 16th 2025 Level 1
Date: November 16th, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Malibu Creek State Park
Length: 4.75 Miles
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: There is an $8.00 parking fee for the State Park unless you have an annual pass.
Lunch: Light lunch or snack at the site
Dogs: Yes on leash
Located in Malibu Creek, this really cool hike leads to the MASH site where you will experience the iconic scenery from the set of the popular film and TV series. The site is marked with the areas where the show’s Army tents once stood, features an old ambulance and even the famous chopper pad.
There are picnic tables under a camouflage net where we can enjoy a snack, explore the area and then return. Depending on time we may add a couple of spur trails in the area too.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and a light lunch if you want to enjoy it at the site. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Trailhead parking can be tight so please consider joining the carpool chat!
Hollywood Sign November 28th 2025 Level 1-2
Date: November 28th, 2025
Time: 9:00 am
Location: Griffith Park
Length: 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,100 Feet
Peak Elevation: 1,709 Feet
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: None
Lunch: Yes there is a great view from Burbank Peak!
Pets: Yes on leash
But its Black Friday!?!
Many years ago, REI decided to close its stores on largest shopping day of the year and #optoutside…I really loved the idea of consuming the beauty of nature over the chaos of mass consumption door buster deals. And so, a tradition was born for me.
Each year we enjoy a fun but iconic hike in Griffith Park, home to many LA attractions and hiking trails. On this hike we will check out the Bronson caves, famous from the Batman series, then hike to our ever present Hollywood sign, enjoy our lunch at the Wisdom Tree and return.
Parts of this hike are paved, and while I always recommend hiking poles (see our day hiking gear list) you may want to put the rubber tips that come with the poles on them to save wear and tear. Or just stow them on the paved sections.
There are many ways to get to the sign, we will be taking the route that leads from Canyon Drive. Parking can be tight so try to join a carpool if you can.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Trailhead parking is tight so please consider joining the carpool chat!
Solstice Canyon December 13th 2025 Level 1-2
Date: December 13th, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Santa Monica Mountains NRA
Length: 6.3 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1,880 feet
Peak Elevation: 1.260 Feet
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: None Required
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash
This is a fun trail with great views and plenty of cool things to see. We will hike the loop counterclockwise up the Sostomo trail and then the Deer Valley Loop. This area has great views of the ocean and canyon below. Depending on the weather we can have lunch at the top of the Deer Valley loop. It’s a great spot to stop and soak in the views but sometimes can be very hot. If its too hot we will eat below at the waterfall.
Getting the hard part of the hike out of the way early, we will be heading downhill from there. At the base of the Deer Valley loop we will find the waterfall and the ruins of a house built in the 1950’s by a famous architect. It burned and was never rebuilt, eventually becoming part of the Santa Monica Mounts NRA. What remains offers a shady and cool place to take a break and explore the falls.
Then as we head back along the shaded trail we will pass the Keller House, which burned in a wildfire, but the stone walls are still intact. This is one of the oldest remaining structures in Malibu.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and lunch. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Trailhead parking can be tight so please consider joining the carpool chat!
Cave of Munits & Castle Peak Loop December 21st 2025 Level 1
Cave of Munits & Castle Peak Loop
Date: December 21st 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: El Escorpion Park, Woodland Hills
Length: 3.2 Miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1
Permits: None
Lunch: Yes
Dogs: Yes on leash (no dogs on level 1-2 route)
Explore a chimney cave of Munits and Castle Peak steeped in Chumash history and legend. Castle Peak is a sacred site where solstice ceremonies and celebrations were performed by the Chumash people. Especially important was the winter solstice ceremony because it was tied to the returning journey of the sun. So it seems fitting that we do this hike on Winter Solstice!
The Cave of Munits is said to be the home of a Chumash Shaman who was killed on Castle Peak following the death of a prominent leader’s son. The Shaman’s death adds to the history and legendary power of the peak.
We will hike this route in a clockwise fashion. When we get to the cave, we will take time to enjoy the views and will have a couple of options to reach the peak. First, we can go up and out through the top of the cave and climb the steep grade from there to the peak (in excess of 40%), or we can head back to the main trail and make the loop up and around to the peak. The hike through the top is a level 1-2. Whichever group you go with, we will meet at the top of Castle Peak for snacks or lunch.
After enjoying the views from Castle peak and its rich solstice history, we will continue on the trail back to the parking lot.
What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), water shoes, hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity. Bring lunch and plenty of snacks. Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions
Mugu Peak Sunset Hike December 26th 2025 Level 1-2
Mugu Peak Loop Sunset Hike
Date: December 26th, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Santa Monica Mountains
Length: 4.9
Elevation Gain: 1528
Peak Elevation: N/A
Difficulty: Level 1-2
Permits: $12.00 or State Park Pass
Lunch: Yes (dinner at the peak)
Dogs: No
This beautiful loop route starts with a short but difficult uphill hike with grades exceeding 30%. After that, the hike levels out into La Jolla valley which is a beautiful area offering a more extensive loop hike that is on our spring schedule. We make our way through a short section of the valley before the gentler climb up the back side of Mugu Peak.
We will hike to the peak to enjoy the sunset and have our snacks and dinner. The views of the ocean are incredible and to the east the valley spreads out to the base of La Jolla peak in the distance. After the sun sinks into the ocean, we will head down a shorter but steep route back to the parking lot. Hiking poles are highly recommended for this section as there will be a lot of loose rock on the descent.
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), head lamp, hiking poles (especially for the hike down!), day pack or hydration pack with a 2-3 liter water capacity is recommended. Bring plenty of snacks and something to enjoy for dinner! Check out our Recommended Gear list here.
Trailhead Directions