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I seriously LOVE Mt. Charleston! I finally made it up to the mountain a couple weeks ago for a solo day hike and chose to hike up to Griffith Peak, the 3rd highest peak in Nevada at 11,054ft. The hike was 10.5 miles (from the lower parking lot including a side trip to the spring) with about 3,500ft elevation gain. I really, really, enjoyed everything about this trail. It is well maintained, and climbs up skinny switchbacks with some serious views. It felt rugged and the solitude was incredible (I only saw 4 hikers all day)! The Fall colors were in their peak, and the entire trail looked like it was dipped in gold. From Aspens to Goldenrod, everywhere I looked shimmered in beautiful hues of oranges, yellows, and gold. It was just stunning, especially set against the sheer white walls of the rocky canyon. Once on the peak, there was a 360 degree view, including nice views of Vegas, Mummy Mountain, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and the other local mountains. The day I went was very windy (40-50 mph gusts) on the peak and very cold (below freezing) so I didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked on top to explore. There are lots of fossils in the rocks on the trail that remained from thousands of years ago when the area was covered by a shallow sea, with a high concentration of them on the peak. I was able to find and take pictures of a few on the peak but wonder what I may have missed up there. I can't wait to get back to Mt. Charleston and explore some more of the trails, including hiking to Mt. Charleston peak at just under 12,000 feet! I used this trail description and a map for the hike: https://www.hikinglasvegas.com/uploads/4/2/0/4/42045421/griffith.pdf Jaime Purinton.
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We backpacked Rae Lakes Loop in Kings Canyon NP the end of September. It is in our top three places in the Sierra so far! It was absolutely stunning! If you'd like to see the route we took, check out Scott Turner's write up over at Modern Hiker: https://modernhiker.com/hike/hiking-the-rae-lakes-loop-kings-canyon-national-park/ We got lucky with perfect weather, but understood taking the trip that late in the season was risky, and were prepared for weather including snow if needed. Luckily the weather was perfect! Enjoy the photos! We just got back from a short 3 day/ 2-night backpacking trip to Anona and Superior Lakes in the Ansel Adams Wilderness outside of Mammoth Lakes, CA. It is so beautiful, and there are a ton of easily accessible trails within minutes of Mammoth Lakes so we wanted to share with you some of our favorites. Easy Hikes Devils Postpile Loop 1.4 Miles (Out & Back) 215 Elevation Gain Devils Postpile Trailhead This 1.4 mile out and back hike features a unique rock formation made of Columnar Basalt that towers 60 feet above the ground. 82,000 years ago, a particular type of lava that was ideal for making column flowed in the area. As the lava slowly cooled, it contracted and split into vertical columns that are symmetrical and have a hexagon shape (so cool!). Then between 12,000-20,000 years ago a glacier flowed down the river next to the monument and the ice carved away the West side of the postpile and exposed the sheer wall of columns we see today. From the trailhead, it is a 1 mile out and back hike to the base of the monument with 40 feet of elevation change and you add in an additional .4 mile with 75 extra feet of elevation gain by hiking to the top of the monument. Get maps, shuttle times, park fees and more here: https://www.nps.gov/depo/index.htm  Photo: Yolanda Nowicki Rainbow Falls and Red’s Meadow via Devils Postpile National Monument 6 Miles (w/Shuttle Back) or 10 Miles Out & Back 550 feet Elevation Gain Devils Postpile Trailhead After seeing the Devils Postpile, head down the trail that descends the postpile to the South. You will see a trail junction with a sign- follow the trail that is marked Rainbow Falls. After a couple miles, you will reach another junction at the John Muir Wilderness boundary and follow the sign again to Rainbow Falls. Pretty soon you will hear the falls and when they come into view, they are magnificent. Spend some time exploring this area including lower falls. When you’re ready to head out, take the trail to Minaret Rd. and out to Red’s Meadow to enjoy lunch. Catch the shuttle back to Devils Postpile trailhead. Casey over at Modern Hiker has an awesome and detailed write up here: https://modernhiker.com/hike/hiking-the-devils-postpile/ Moderate Hikes Mammoth Rock Trail 6.2 Miles (Loop) 800 Elevation Gain Mammoth Creek Park Trailhead This fun hike is part of an amazing trail system in Mammoth Lakes that starts in the valley and travels through a flat section where you will see some gorgeous Aspens. Once you reach the rockslide area, the trail heads up to the base of the iconic Mammoth Rock, a notable landmark for the Mammoth area. Its composition of marble and limestone give it a beautiful white glow in stark contrast to the dark lava formations surrounding it. Over the years, the rock attracted miners who mined areas near the rock. Remnants of the mines can still be seen today, including a stamp mill that is near the trailhead on Old Mammoth Road. For directions, maps, and more information, visit: https://www.mammothtrails.org/experience/3/trail-running-the-mammoth-rock-trail/#directionsTab  Barney Lake Trail 5.4 Miles (Out & Back) 1,200 Elevation Gain Duck Pass Trailhead A beautiful hike that has amazing views, lots of trees and water. It is a perfect trail if you want the feeling of getting out there but without a ton of miles or elevation gain. You can extend this hike and go up Duck Pass for an extra thrill (see description below). For directions, maps, and more information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20496 Strenuous Hikes:Duck Lake via Duck Pass 10.2 Miles (Out & Back) 3,300 Elevation Gain Duck Pass Trailhead We love everything about this trail! Trees, emerald green lakes, rugged pass that feels so high Sierra, and just enough mileage and elevation gain to feel like you got a terrific workout! And the views 😊 It is definitely a hike to plan when you’re in the area. For directions, maps, and more information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20496 Or check out Shawnté Salabert’s write up at Modern Hiker! https://modernhiker.com/hike/hike-duck-lake/  Photo: Paul Jansak Devils Postpile to Fern Lake to Anona Lake
12 Miles (Out & Back) 2,700 Elevation Gain Devils Postpile Trailhead Visit Anona Lake at just under 9,300’. Framed by Iron Mountain, the Southern most section of Ritter Range, make for a dramatic and gorgeous background for the lake. Test your route-finding skills, as the trail from Fern Lake up to Anona Lake is hardly used and becomes hard to follow in places. After passing Fern Lake, you probably won’t see too many other hikers so if you’re looking for some solitude in a beautiful setting Anona Lake is a perfect option for a long day hike. For directions, maps, and more information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20544  When it heats up here in Southern California, we head to the beach! One of our favorite summer hikes is on the trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Known as one of only two places our nation's rarest pine, the Torrey Pine or Pinus Torreyana grows, the park boasts 2,000 acres of a fragile and unique coastal environment. In addition to the park preserving the Torrey Pine, it also preserves one of the last salt marshes and waterfowl refuges in Southern California. The reserve has multiple trail options ranging from easy to moderate, but all the trails have amazing views of the Pacific ocean. Trail features include steep and dramatic cliffs, stunning views of the ocean, twisted pine trees, and an Adobe visitor center that was built in 1923. Flowers are abundant in the Spring, and you might sight an Osprey if you're lucky. Torrey Pines State Beach lies below the Reserve and is accessible by trail. Our favorite route is to head up to the Reserve first and explore all the trails before descending down to the beach for some relaxing in the soft sand. These trails are very popular and are packed in the summertime, especially on weekends. If you're looking for a more solitary experience, go in the off season and during the week. It is a different kind of beauty in the wintertime (although trails may close if it is raining to preserve them). Make sure to pack water and sunscreen. No food is allowed in the reserve so plan to have your snacks before or after your hike. Enjoy your hike and don't forget to practice Leave No Trace on all trails. Park Address: 12600 N. Torrey Pines Road San Diego, CA 92037 Operating Hours: Gates open at 07:15 am and close at Sunset. The Visitor Center opens daily at 9:00AM. The reserve is a day-use park only. There is no overnight camping at this facility. General Admission Day Use fee is $10-$25 per vehicle (demand based pricing) or a valid annual California State Parks Vehicle Day Use Pass. Camping is not permitted at Torrey Pines. Pay at the Automated Pay Machine located near the entrance or west end of the parking lot if no staff person is in the kiosk. Winter Weekdays: Hourly rates are available at North Beach lot. Note: Recreational vehicles longer than a standard parking spot are allowed only in the North Beach lot. Trail Maps: https://torreypine.org/reserveinfo/trails/ Park Rules:
  For the first time in many years Dry Lake in the San Gorgonio Wilderness is full! It’s absolutely stunning so take a hike up soon and enjoy the beauty! Here’s a great trail write up to plan your hike with: https://nobodyhikesinla.com/2010/06/08/dry-lake-via-south-fork-trail/      I love hikes that are full of history and if they have an old mine I literally freak out. So of course this hike has been on my radar for awhile to check out. The Big Horn Mine was staked in 1891 by a man named Charles Tom Vincent, aka Charles Vincent Dougherty after finding gold while hunting the area's Big Horn Sheep. Many others owned and operated the mine off and on up until 1985 when it was deemed not feasible to continue operation of the mine. For the full history click here: http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/WrightwoodHistorical/WrightwoodRoots/a06bighorn.pdf For details on the mine stats here: http://www.secretmines.com/p/big-horn-mine.html The hike: The trail starts at the Vincent Gap Trailhead. Instead of heading up to Baden Powell, take a left and head down the trail towards Mine Gulch. It is pretty straight forward after this. Follow the old wagon road that winds along the creek and enjoy the beautiful views of Mt. Baldy. The trail will start to go back up and you will see a sign that points you towards Mine Gulch- stay right and continue along the wagon road that hugs the back side of Baden Powell. At just over 2 miles the mine will come into sight. Great area to explore and take pictures. Return the same way you came. Hike Stats: Mileage: 4.2 Elevation Gain: +/- 550 ft Elevation at Mine: +/- 7,000 ft Difficulty: Easy Details: Dog Friendly (Leash Required), Adventure Pass Required for Parking, Year Round Hiking, Fairly Maintained Trail (there was a washed out section but it was passable), Primitive Restrooms at Trailhead Trailhead: Vincent Gap- https://goo.gl/maps/vCYWMaQxAA4tbphN8 Park Information: www.fs.usda.gov/angeles/ |
