Tag Archives: Trailheads

Chumash Wilderness

Chumash Wilderness
Los Padres National Forest

38,150 acres
Mount Pinos – 8831′ elevation
Cerro Noroeste – 8286′ elevation
Los Padres National Forest

Terrain consists of high mountain peaks, badlands of Quatal Canyon Wash & Lockwood Valley; Steep slopes of forests, rock outcroppings, sparse forest areas, on border of Kern County & Ventura County. This area is sacred to the native California Chumash tribe.

Quatal Canyon Rd #9N09

DSCN0042Mount Pinos, Mount Abel, Cerro Noroeste, Westside Park, Hudson Ranch Road, Mil Potrero Highway, Lockwood Valley Road, East Dry Canyon, Apache Canyon, Cuyama River

campgrounds nearby –

The Peak to Peak Hike is a 7 mile, high elevation, ridge line day hike that traversed 2 of the tallest peaks in Kern County – Mt Pinos (elevation 8831′) and Mt Abel (8286′). Day hikes, equestrian trails, backpacking, mountain biking areas nearby. Steep, granite, chaparral, lightly forested w/ ponderosa and Jeffrey pines. From this ridge trail you have a 360 degree view over the entire region. The cabin community of Pine Mountain Club is to the north side (and IF the skies are really clear, you can see the Sierra Nevada mountain range too); Lockwood Valley & Ozena Valley are located to the south; Cuyama Valley to the west and the Tejon Pass w/ Frazier Park to the east.

Off road use 4×4, dirt bikes, ATVs, and quads are common in Quatal Canyon, Apache Canyon, East Dry Canyon leading up to the wilderness edge. Rangers will ticket if they find you on the Chumash side of Quatal wash. The secluded yet inviting, wide, white sandy washes are just too tempting for some bad boys.

Chumash trailheads are located

  • about a mile before Camp-O-Alto Campground (Mount Abel)
  • along lower end of Quatal Canyon Wash (OHV areas parallel)

nearby towns –

 

DSCN0060


View Chumash Wilderness Area in a larger map

Garcia Wilderness

Garcia Wilderness, Los Padres NF

14,100 acres
Garcia Peak – 3146′ elevation
Los Padres National Forest
Huasna River
Pozo Creek

himtncampgroundcampgrounds nearby –

American Canyon Campground
Hi Mountain Campground
La Panza Campground
Lake Lopez Campground
Navajo Campground

trailheads for Garcia Wilderness

  • Hi Mtn
  • Santa Lucia
  • Garcia OHV

POZO ROAD is also known as

  • Pozo La Panza Rd
  • Hi Mountain Rd
  • Pozo Arroyo Grande Rd

San Luis Obispo’s Los Padres Pozo Rd is a 4×4 route that accesses the Garcia Wilderness; the dirt route connects Lake Lopez to Pozo Saloon, out near Santa Margarita. Los Padres National Forest 

Located inland from the Pismo Coast in south San Luis Obispo county.
Garcia Peak OHV Route, off Pozo Road behind Lake Lopez, Arroyo Grande, CA

  • backpackingLupine on Pozo Rd
  • camping
  • hiking
  • mountain biking
  • off roading
  • waterfalls
  • wildflowers

Steep lush coastal mountains, rugged, remote landscapes close to Central Coast San Luis Obispo.

Garcia Ridge Road #30S18

Garcia Ridge Trail #15E11

Hi Mountain Road #30S11

 

DSCN5297

also nearby – Machesna Mountains Wilderness and Santa Lucia Wilderness

Sturtevant Falls

Santa Anita Canyon, Sturtevant Falls

a day hike in the San Gabriel Mountains

Day hikes near Los Angeles, CA

Santa Anita Canyon, Angeles National Forest
From the 210 freeway, in San Gabriel Valley. East of Pasadena, exit Santa Anita Ave.
Head North/East, through neighborhood, where road becomes Chantry Flats Rd (aka, Forest Road #2N40)
proceed up the mountain to paved parking lot @ Chantry Flat. Falls Trailhead #11W14

  • 5 miles RT hike
  • 4600′ elevation
  • steep canyon w/ creek crossings
  • falls and creek subject to seasonal dry up; water flow varies
  • backpack camping only, no developed campground


more photos on trailhead


View Larger Map

Saddlebag Lake Campground

Saddlebag Lake, Yosemite East Side

Inyo National Forest @ Tioga Pass, Hwy 120

Yosemite High Elevation Campground

Yosemite Lake View Camp Sites

Tioga Pass camping on the eastern side of Yosemite National Park, just outside park boundaries is Inyo National Forest lands. Snow is usually epic up here and some of the deepest on the range of light.

Several prime campgrounds line this popular Sierra pass, highway 120. Most camps are located along the busy highway just outside the National Park gate. Behold, this prime choice destination is a few miles back off the highway, at the end of a graded dirt road. Smaller RVs okay.

Saddle Bag Lake

High altitude, tree line, thin air, snow melt everywhere, spectacular elevations and dark skies make this an awesome stargazing spot. Summer is busy with trailers, boat rentals, horses and day hikers. Locals and fishermen use this small campground often, so tourists should feel lucky to find such a rare camp here. First come, First serve, when it is open (only half the year).

Elevation: 10,000′
Number of Sites: 19
Camping Reservations: No
Sites Available: First come, First serve
Vehicle Accessibility: Vehicle limit 22 ft. max.
Length of Stay: 14 Days
Water: Piped; lake, creek nearby
Toilet: Vault
Season: Closed during winter & spring
Fee: Yes
Operated By: National Forest Service
Closest Town: Lee Vining, CA

Inyo National Forest
Bishop Ranger Station
760-873-2400

RV Camper Lake

Golden Trout Wilderness

Golden Trout Wilderness Area

granite Upper Kern River is Mount Whitney snow melt
  • 303,511 acres
  • elevation range 1,000′ – ­13,000′
  • pine forest, chaparral
  • granite walls, domes
  • 379 miles of trail
  • summers are busy
  • snow in winter
  • best in early spring
  • wood fires may be restricted
  • portable stoves permitted
  • water plentiful
  • rock climbing & mountaineering
  • fishing
  • backpacking
  • primitive hot springs
  • waterfalls, swimming holes
  • wilderness permits required for overnight
Golden Trout Wilderness surrounds the mighty gorge of the Upper Kern Canyon, south of Mount Whitney.
Inside

TULARE COUNTY

bordering

Inyo National Forest

Sequoia National Forest

Eastern Sierra Interagency Center
760-876-6200

Golden Trout / South Sierra Wilderness Map USDA

Golden Trout Trail Map

Located in the South Sierra Nevada mountains alongside the Southern Sierra Wilderness. Inside the remote rugged peaks of a deep, granite crevasse known as the Upper Kern River with ancient Sequoia forest to the west and to the eats, some of the tallest peaks in the Sierra range. This wild land area is home to the California golden trout and is the main water flow southward from the tallest peak in the lower 48  – Mount Whitney on the Eastern Sierra front.

Sequoia National Forest
Monache Meadows
Inyo National Forest
Mountain Home State Forest
Sequoia National Park
Mineral King

Golden Trout Wilderness

Roads, campgrounds and trailheads surrounding Golden Trout Wilderness

Eastern Sierra –

Horseshoe Meadows Road (paved) leads up to high elevation meadows from the high deserts of Lone Pine, CA. Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) access; Mount Whitney and John Muir Wilderness are to the north. Equestrian corrals and horse trails. Camping is limited to a one night stay at any of the 3 campgrounds up here.

Golden Trout Trailhead Campground: elevation 10,000′ / 12 walk-in sites / closed winter
Horseshoe Meadows Campground: elevation 10,000′ / 18 walk-in sites / closed winter
Cottonwood Equestrian Camp: elevation 10,000′ / 10 horse corrals / closed winter

Forks of  the Kern –

Fork of the Kern / Loyds Meadow Road #22S82 – This main paved road connects the Kern River (Sierra Hwy Road #99) to the lower elevation, granite slopes of the Western Divide, and the route dead ends at Jerky Meadow parking lot. Camp 1-6 are primitive camp areas located on dirt side roads and 4×4 might be required on some of them. Obtain a campfire permit from rangers in Kernville. Fishing, camping, waterfalls and swimming holes are popular in this region. The big developed camp along this road, is located 10 miles up, in a pine filled valley on Peppermint Creek on the west side of the street and is within the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Lower Peppermint Campground: elevation 5300′ / 17 camp sites / open year round

Lloyd Meadows @ Sequoia Forest Road# 20S67 – is the Forks of the Kern Trailhead & the dirt road that accesses it, is very popular among equestrian campers.

Western Divide Highway –

Road #20S79 leads from Western Divide Hwy to Lewis trailhead.
Road #20S50 leads from Western Divide Hwy to 2 hiking trailheads.

Sequoia National Park, Three Rivers, CA –topo maps

South Fork Road leads up Kaweah River at Southfork trailhead.
Mineral King Road is only open seasonally, access to high country lakes and trailheads.

 

SEQUOIA AREA MAPS –

Golden Trout Wilderness Maps
Sequoia National Forest Map USDA
Inyo National Forest Map USDA
Mineral King Map
Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP Map
NatGeo Sequoia Kings Map

Golden Trout Wilderness trailheads:

east side –
Cottonwood Trailhead (near Lone Pine)
Blackrock Trailhead (Monache Mdws)

south side –
Jerky Trailhead
Forks of the Kern Trailhead
Lewis Camp Trailhead (Western Divide)
Summit Trailhead (Western Divide)
Clicks Creek Trailhead (Western Divide)
Camp Wishon Trailhead (Western Divide)

west side –
South Fork Trailhead (Three Rivers)
Atwell Mill Trailhead (Silver City)
Franklin Pass Trailhead (Mineral King)

List of nearby towns:

Thousand Lakes Wilderness

NorCal hiking & backpacking

Thousand Lakes California

Although the name suggests more, the number of lakes in this region is approximately seven: Eiler Lake and Box Lake are the 2 largest lakes within the Wilderness boundary. Logan Lake and North Battle Creek Reservoir are on the outskirts. Trout fishing is a popular recreation sport all around Lassen. Thousand Lakes Wilderness is part of the Cascade Range in northern California. 16,335 acres and 21 miles of trails, all managed by Lassen National Forest. The area lies midway between the mountain town of Burney and Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Volcanic activity and glaciers have combined to create the Lassen topography. Dominated by Crater Peak 8677′, which is the highest point in Lassen National Forest, this area is a reminder of the glacial action that eroded the original, much larger Thousand Lakes Volcano and created the many small lakes and ponds scattered throughout the region. Wildlife includes black-tailed deer, black bear, pika, pine marten, northern goshawk, spotted owl, pileated woodpecker, and Clark’s nutcracker. Even elk have been known to visit occasionally.

Lassen National Forest
Lassen Volcanic National Park


View Larger Map

Thousand Lakes Wilderness

Roads and trailheads surrounding Thousand Lakes Wilderness and the Wild Woods

Lassen Forest Road #16 – Ashpan Winter Recreation Area @ Hwy 44, leads to hikes on the west side of the Wilderness. Bunchgrass trailhead and Magee trailhead. LaTour State Forest, Ashpan Butte, Huckleberry Mountain, Fredonyer Peak, Crater Peak, and Whittington Butte. Lassen Route 16 is a graded dirt road that connects to Tamarack Road #4M001 at Burney Creek, near the north side of the Wilderness.

Road #32N17 – access to North Battle Creek Reservoir
Road #32N16
Road #32N24

Thousand Lakes Wilderness Map
Road #32N31 – access to North Battle Creek Reservoir

Road #32N18 leads to PG&E North Battle Creek Reservoir
North Battle Creek Campground: elevation 5600? / 15 camp sites / open Apr-Oct

Road #26 on the north side of the Wilderness, connects Hwy 89 @ Hat Creek, west to Road #32N22. Cypress trailhead is located on a side route nearby.

Road #32N23 is up on Burney Mountain elev. 7863′, another hang glider launch site.

Road #33N25 leads to the Tamarack trailhead
Road #34N78 off Hwy 44, near Logan Lake and route leads to McElroy Flat

Road #32N35 behind Burney connects to Hat Creek (the back way).

 

LASSEN AREA MAPS –

Lassen National Forest Map
Thousand Lakes Wilderness Map

 

List of Thousand Lakes Wilderness trailheads:

Bunchgrass Trailhead
Magee Trailhead
Cypress Trailhead
Tamarack Trailhead

 

List of nearby towns:

Deep Creek Hot Springs

Deep Creek Hike-in Hot Springs

Deep Creek Canyon

Several hot spring pools line this desert canyon on the SW side of Deep Creek. There are smaller hot tubs, as well a large warm tub that is big enough to swim in. The vegetation around the springs and main creek is fairly lush for this desert terrain. A variety of trees, including willows, plus small meadows and grasslands add to the visual balance of this land. Deep Creek is one of the popular Southern California hot springs due to its proximity to the big, urban areas.

East of Lake Arrowhead; South West of I-15 @ Hesperia & Victorville

Deep Creek Hot Springs is a hike in only site.

San Bernardino National Forest
Big Bear Map

option A: Bowen Ranch, 2 mile hike
Bowen Ranch parking area, pay a fee to the crazy man and have the shortest hike to springs. The word ‘ranch” is used to describe a small shack with some junker cars. No entry after 10PM and the man at this private property is not a friendly ranger, nor is he a pleasant person to deal with (which is why we list 2 other parking options).

Interstate 15, exit Bear Valley in Victorville. Go East on Bear Valley 10 miles to Central. Turn right on Central. Just beyond the top of the hill turn left on Ocotillo, which becomes a dirt road. Turn right on Bowen Ranch Road and continue until you get to Bowen Ranch. National Forest Trail #3W02 the Goat Trail (aka Bowen trail) is 2 miles, the steepest and shortest route into the desert creek canyon.

Bowen Ranch Trail, as seen from opposite side of canyon

option B: PCT Trail Route, 6 mile hike
Interstate 15, exit Hesperia & take Main St. @ Y veer left- Rock Springs Rd., right on Deep Creek Road and follow it up to Mojave River at the Saddle Dike Embankment. Park near the dam; Look for Pacific Crest Trail sign for hike up canyon to the hot springs.

option C: Bradford Ridge, 3 mile hike
Lake Arrowhead hike-in way via the Bradford Ridge Path. Take Highway 173 East, which becomes a wide graded dirt road heading toward the desert. From the shooting (rifle) range where the pavement ends, clock your trip meter on your vehicle 3 miles further down the road. Park at small pull out on the left side. Near the sign that says ‘Narrow Bridge’, where a gated old fire is directly across. Trail head was not marked. If you are into hiking, this option is for you. Narrow sandy ridge trails, single track. Bring flashlights for a successful hike out at night.


View Larger Map

 

DeepCreek

Deep Creek Forum – deepcreekhotsprings.net
Deep Creek Volunteers – deepcreekvolunteers.com
NFS link – http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/?recid=34152

Desolation Wilderness

Desolation Wilderness Area

63,690 acres, a federally protected wilderness area located along the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range – in between Lake Tahoe and the Gold Country, on the western slopes. This is back country Tahoe @ tree-line, where big, bare granite rock of the High Sierra meets the snow melt in 80 alpine lakes; several streams; hiking, fishing horseback riding, and backpacking. Elevation range approx. 6000′ – 9,985′

El Dorado National Forest

916-573-2600

The Tahoe Rim Trail and Pacific Crest Trail pass through the wilderness.

Desolation Wilderness Map
Desolation Wilderness Map
(National Forest Service USDA)

Desolation Wilderness Topo Map
Desolation Trail Map
(Tom Harrison Maps)

List of Desolation Wilderness trailheads:

  • Loon Lake Trailhead
  • Buck Island Trailhead
  • Van Vleck Trailhead
  • Rockbound Trailhead
  • Twin Lakes Trailhead
  • Lyons Trailhead
  • Twin Bridges Trailhead
  • Ralston Trailhead
  • Echo Trailhead
  • Echo Lakes Trailhead
  • Glen Alpine Trailhead
  • Mount Tallac Trailhead
  • Bayview Trailhead
  • Eagle Falls Trailhead
  • Meeks Bay Trailhead
  • Horsetail Falls Trailhead

List of nearby towns:


View Larger Map

Agua Tibia Wilderness

Agua Tibia Wilderness Area

  • 15,900 acres
  • chaparral & oak at lower elevations
  • pine & fir forest at high elevations
  • elevations range 1,700′ – ­5,000′
  • 25 miles of trail
  • summer temperatures exceed 100°F
  • occasional snow in winter
  • best in winter through spring
  • wood fires prohibited
  • portable stoves permitted
  • water scarce
  • no overnight use of pack or saddle stock
  • groups limit – 15 people
  • visitor permits required
Agua Tibia lies right on the RIVERSIDE
& SAN DIEGO COUNTY border

Cleveland National Forest
Palomar Ranger District
1634 Black Canyon Road
Ramona, CA 92065
760-788-0250

Agua Tibia Map

Agua Tibia Trailhead

This is the trailhead for Agua Tibia Wilderness located at Dripping Springs Campground on Highway 79, near Temecula CA.

See more: Agua Tibia Mountain hike details

hiking SoCal

Angeles Campgrounds

Camping Los Angeles – Angeles Crest Camping

Angeles Crest Hwy CA 2

campground elev spots veg toilet water notes
Appletree Campground 6,200′ 8 pines vault piped Big Pines Hwy
Basin Campground 3,400′ 15 CLOSED
Bear Campground 5,200′ 15 vault no
Big Rock Campground 5,000′ 8 vault crk sm RV, 4WD
Blue Ridge Campground 8,000′ 8 pines vault no May-Nov, sm RV
Buckhorn Campground 6300′ 40 pines vault no May-Nov, sm RV
Cabin Flat Campground 5,300′ 12 vault no CLOSED
Cienaga Campground 2,100′ 12 oaks vault no May-Dec
Coldbrook Campground 3,350′ 22 vault piped sm RV
Cottonwood Campground 2,600′ 22 vault no
Guffy Campground 8,300′ 6 vault no May-Nov, 4WD
Horse Flats Campground 5,700′ 25 pines vault no April-Nov
Jackson Lake Campgr 6,100′ 8 pines vault summer May-Dec
Live Oak Campground 2,000′ 7 oak CLOSED
Manker Flats Campground 6,000′ 21 flush piped sm RV
Messenger Flats Camp 5,500′ 10 pines vault no Corrals, April-Nov
Millard Campground 1,900′ 5 oaks vault no Altadena, Chaney Trail
Monte Cristo Camp 3,600′ 19 oaks vault piped RV, Hwy 2, N3
Mount Pacifico 7,100′ 7 pines vault no May-Nov
Mountain Oak 6,200′ 17 oak flush piped May-Nov
Peavine Campground 6,100′ 4 vault piped Big Pines Hwy
Prospect Campground 2,100′ 22 CLOSED
Rocky Point Camp 3,400′ 3 vault summer
Sage Campground 3,400′ 4 vault no Cheseboro Rd
Sawmill Campground 5,200′ 8 vault no sm RV
Soledad Campground 2,000′ 6 CLOSED
South Fork 4,500′ 21 oaks vault no May-Nov, sm RV
Spring Camp 4,700′ 3 vault no Rincon-Shortcut Route
Spunky Campground 3,300′ 10 vault no
Streamside Campground 2,500′ 9 vault no poison oak
Sycamore Flats 4,200′ 11 vault summer sm RV
Upper Shake 4,400′ 18 vault no May-Dec.
Zuni Campground 1,700′ 10 vault no

Chilao Campground

tunnel angeles crest

nearby towns –

Angeles Maps – hiking, OHV & mountain biking –

San Diego Trails

San Diego Hiking – San Diego County Trails

horse hiking

Cedar Creek Falls
3 mi RT / moderate; off Hwy 78

From Santa Ysabel on Hwy. 78, drive E 6 mi, turn right on Pine Hills Rd.
1.50 mi., bear right on Eagle Peak Rd.
1.25 bear right again (signs point to Eagle Peak Ranch)
Drive 8 mi. (dirt & paved) to Saddleback, 4 way junction.
Park & hike the fire road downhill for 1.25 mi.
At the fork, bear left & continue into the Cedar Creek bed
Some rock scrambling down to the swimming hole

Hot Springs Mountain
5.5 miles RT/ strenuous (elevation gain/loss =1,250 feet)
Near Warner Springs, 10 miles northeast of Lake Henshaw; Off Highway 79

From Temecula Interstate 15, take Highway 79 East to Warner Springs
Drive up Los Coyotes’ Indian Reservations main road, past the intersection of Middle Fork Borrego Palm Canyon (6.1 miles past the entrance gate )
Turn left (west) and drive up the valley on a sandy road to reach a saddle above the valley 2.2 mi. farther
At Nelson’s Camp, on the left side of the road, Park at the camp
Begin hiking southwest up along a small tributary stream that flows north & west into Agua Caliente Creek.
Follow an old Jeep trail up, gaining more than 500 feet in just over a mile.
At the top, you’ll meet a better road that runs up the south slope to Hot Springs Mountain
Turn left (west) on this road and climb another 1.6 miles along the ridge line to the tower.
Pass through dense forests of black oak, Coulter pine and white fir, and across meadows dotted in late spring with wildflowers.
Lookout tower, dilapidated and seemingly on its last leg, sits on the west shoulder of the mountain.
Go a bit higher on the ridge by following a faint trail through thick brush and around boulders to the true summit. A flat concrete platform caps the summit block.
option – Seven-mile dirt road going up the mountain’s southern slope (drive, hike or mountain bike)

Maps Mountains / San Diego Maps

see also – San Diego Anza Borrego 4×4

San Diego Mountains

San Diego Mountain / Hiking San Diego / SoCal Camping

hiking San Diego

San Diego forests & parks – 

Cleveland National Forest

Palomar Mountain State Park

Anza Borrego Desert State Park

San Diego maps & trails –

San Diego mountain towns nearby Alpine, Descanso, Julian, Mount Laguna, Palomar, Ramona

mt laguna lodge

Eastern Sierra Mountains

Eastern Sierra Mountains / Eastern Sierras California

mount tom

Wilderness seeker John Muir called the Eastern Sierra, the range of light. It’s desery & drastic. Tons of granite & wild-ness. The impressive, tallest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney towers at elevation 14888′ over the Owens River Valley. Death Valley meets mountains. Ancient volcanoes & fresh granite. Creeks are alive throughout summer. Alpine lake hikes & their wild flowers are incredible. Horseback trails, rentals, pack trips are very popular. Total Escape even list high country Inyo 4×4 routes, that overlook Bishop.

Eastern Sierra forest & parks –
Inyo National Forest
Toiyabe National Forest – north (Carson)
Toiyabe National Forest – south (Bridgeport)

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Ancient Bristlecones

inyo maps

Eastern Sierra maps & trails –

Eastern Sierra towns –
Aspendell, Big Pine, Bishop, Crowley Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining, Lone Pine, Mammoth, Olancha, Toms Place

south lake bishop

cottonwood lakes