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Find a Trail
Looking for local hikes in and around Orange County?
Check out our interactive map with trailheads and links to every trail write-up on SoCal Hiker.
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The JMT
The John Muir Trail runs 211 miles, from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney. Here's everything you need to know about this epic backpack trip.
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The San Clemente Beach Trail
This is a flat, beautiful 4.5 mile round-trip hike. Perfect for someone just getting into hiking or anyone looking for a beautiful trail.
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Trans-Catalina Trail
The Trans-Catalina Trail is 37.2 miles that includes over 9,000 feet of elevation gain, bison, bald eagles, and views in every direction.
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Chiquito Falls Trail
Where is this wonderful waterfall found in Orange County? Read our guide to the Chiquito Falls trail.

Yosemite Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
January 24, 2012 By Jeff Hester 2 Comments
Yosemite is one of my favorite places on earth. I've backpacked and hiked throughout the park on many occasions, and yet there is still so much more to see an experience. Sheldon Neill and Colin Delehanty met via Vimeo, and discovered a mutual love for Yosemite. They … [Read More...]

Batiquitos Lagoon Trail
October 7, 2011 By Jeff Hester 3 Comments
Batiquitos Lagoon in north San Diego County is one of the few remaining tidal wetlands on the southern coast of the United States. Located between Carlsbad and Encinitas, the lagoon is managed as a wildlife preserve by the California Department of Fish and Game. This … [Read More...]

SoCal “Hike Guy” Completes 1,600 miles on the PCT
October 7, 2011 By Jeff Hester 2 Comments
In Southern California, there's a tight-knit community of hiking bloggers. Many of you from the area may know Kolby Kirk as The Hike Guy, who committed to 100 hikes in a year. This past April, Kolby was planning to meetup with 100Peaks, ADKinLA and myself for a day of … [Read More...]

The Muir Project
October 2, 2011 By Jeff Hester 1 Comment
This past summer a team of multimedia artists hiked the John Muir Trail over 25 days. Their plan is create a hands-on gallery exhibit and companion documentary that chronicles their adventure on this epic trail. This video is the first glimpse into the … [Read More...]

Following in the Steps of my Grandparents
May 4, 2011 By Jeff Hester 20 Comments
My grandparents played an important role in my life. They were a tremendous example of living a meaningful, thoughtful life. They stayed active throughout the years. And they were always there with advice, or to listen, or to share the most valuable thing of all -- … [Read More...]

Salt Creek Trail
March 25, 2011 By Jeff Hester 9 Comments
One of the challenges of winter is that during the week, it's already dark outside when I leave the office. I don't mind hiking in the dark, but many people aren't comfortable hiking in the wilderness at night, and most of the regional trails are officially closed from … [Read More...]

Chiquito Falls Trail
March 15, 2011 By Jeff Hester 21 Comments
When you think of hiking in Orange County, you don't usually envision dramatic waterfalls. But during the spring, there are a number of wonderful seasonal waterfalls that are just a hike away. One of my personal favorites is Chiquito Falls. This hike is a 9 mile … [Read More...]

Top 50 Cal State Parks iPhone App
January 6, 2011 By Jeff Hester 5 Comments
The California State Park Foundation, in partnership with EveryTrail has created a free iPhone app with detailed information and trail guides for more that 45 of California's most popular state parks. Combined, these parks draw tens of millions of visitors every … [Read More...]

Park Closures Throughout OC
January 5, 2011 By Jeff Hester 3 Comments
The recent storms have brought much-needed rain to Southern California, but dumped it at a measure that has wreaked havoc with trails in the hills of our local Orange County parks. Many of the regional parks typically close during heavy rains to protect the trails from … [Read More...]

Crystal Cove Red Route
January 3, 2011 By Jeff Hester 3 Comments
The Red Route is one of my favorite hiking trails in Crystal Cove State Park. At 5.5 miles and over 800' of vertical gain, this loop makes for a great workout. The length is about right to make it worth the trip, but won't take all day. And the scenery is fantastic. The … [Read More...]

Happy Holidays
December 22, 2010 By Jeff Hester Leave a Comment
Greetings, fellow SoCal hikers and fans from around the world! I hope during this holiday season you get a chance to unplug and reconnect with the people who matter most -- your family and friends. This holiday, I'll be taking a couple weeks off and traveling to the … [Read More...]

Holy Jim Trail to Santiago Peak
December 22, 2010 By Jeff Hester 8 Comments
At 5,689 feet, Santiago Peak -- often referred to locally as Saddleback Mountain -- is the tallest peak in Orange County. And one of the best routes up to the summit is the Holy Jim trail. This strenuous, 15 mile out-and-back hike climbs over 4,000 feet through … [Read More...]







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