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Featured

Hiking Black Butte from the Lower Trailhead

Hiking Black Butte from the Lower Trailhead

Black Butte is an iconic mountain that stands alone, prominent and proud. The 6,436' extinct start volcano lies 10 miles northwest of Sisters, Oregon along Highway 20. There are two ways to hike Black Butte. The shorter route from the Upper Trailhead is only four miles round trip, but requires a long drive up a washboard gravel forest service road. Starting from the Lower … [Read More]

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Hiking Montserate Mountain

Hiking Monserate Mountain

A popular hike in north-inland San Diego County, Monserate Mountain provides a good workout with spectacular views from its summit. This moderate trail climbs 1,160 … [Read More]

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Hiking Sutton Mountain

Hiking Sutton Mountain

Sutton Mountain gives you a sense of just how big Oregon is. Nestled between the Painted Hills unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and the tiny old … [Read More]

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Hiking Telescope Peak in Death Valley National Park

Hiking Telescope Peak in Death Valley National Park

Standing over 11,000 feet above the lowest spot in North America is Telescope Peak. From its summit, you are rewarded with spectacular views of Mount Whitney to the west and Mount Charleston to the east. This challenging trail offers some unique views of Death … [Read More]

Hiking Corte Madera in the Pine Creek Wilderness

Hiking Corte Madera in the Pine Creek Wilderness

Sitting in the Pine Creek Wilderness in east San Diego, stands Corte Madera, or as some refer to it, San Diego's Half Dome. This peak offers some impressive views of Baja California, Los Pinos, Anza Borrego, Mount Laguna, and Cuyamaca State Park. This … [Read More]

Hiking Quartz Peak

Hiking Quartz Peak in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness

One of the highest points in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness, Quartz Peak offers spectacular views from atop a unique summit block made of white quartz. This challenging trail has beautiful vistas of the Rainbow Valley as it climbs a rugged ridge from the … [Read More]

Hiking Black Mountain

Hiking Black Mountain in Rancho San Antonio County Park

At 2,812 feet, Black Mountain looms large, way up, and behind, the smaller hills to the west of Highway 280 in Silicon Valley. On a clear day you can see the Pacific Ocean, as well as San Francisco, and the entire Silicon Valley at your feet. You can also gaze … [Read More]

Hiking Camelback Mountain via Echo Canyon Trail

Hiking Camelback Mountain via the Echo Canyon Trail

Camelback Mountain is the most popular mountain to hike in the Phoenix area for good reasons. It’s a fun challenging hike from either side, with good views of the Phoenix area, and entertaining to compare its profile to a napping camel. There are two popular … [Read More]

Hiking to High Point on Palomar Mountain

Hiking to High Point on Palomar Mountain in the Cleveland National Forest

Appropriately named High Point is the highest peak in the Palomar Ranger District of Cleveland National Forest. This hike offers unique views of Toro and San Jacinto Peak, and a colorful variety of trees that isn’t often found in Southern … [Read More]

Hike Hot Springs Mountain in San Diego County

Hiking Hot Springs Mountain on the Los Coyotes Reservation

Hot Springs Mountain in the Los Coyotes Reservation is the highest peak in San Diego County, with chaparral, oak and pine forests. On a clear day, you can see the Pacific Ocean over 50 miles away. Near the summit are the crumbling remains of a lookout tower, … [Read More]

Mt San Jacinto across the valley

New Day Hiking Permit Requirements for Wilderness Areas in the San Bernardino National Forest

Beginning September 1, 2020 day hikes up many popular trails in the San Bernardino National Forest will require a wilderness permit, and new trailhead quotas have been created to reduce overcrowding on the trails and help preserve the wilderness … [Read More]

Interview with John Searles, author of Free Camping

Interview: John Soares, author of ‘Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands’

Since the pandemic shut things down in California back in March, we've been keeping connected through weekly online "Happy Hours." Each week, we discuss a different topic related to the outdoors, and for our 14th happy hour, we held a Facebook Live discussion … [Read More]

Tumalo Falls

Hiking the Tumalo Falls Loop

Hiking to Tumalo Falls is one of the "must-see" sights in the outdoor mecca that is Bend, Oregon. The namesake waterfall is a short walk from the trailhead parking, but most people don't realize that there is so much more to see – if you're willing to put in … [Read More]

Chush Falls

Hiking to Chush Falls in the Three Sisters Wilderness

Beautiful Chush Falls on Whychus Creek is a local favorite in Central Oregon. The trail is an easy trek that parallels Whychus Creek with views of South Sister looming above. The first time we took this trail, we were looking for something easy for our two … [Read More]

Canyon Creek Meadows

Hiking the Canyon Creek Meadows Loop in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness

There is something about an alpine meadow filled with wildflowers with craggy mountain peaks as a backdrop that gives me a sense of peace. Beautiful cascading creek? Check. Craggy peaks? How about Three Fingered Jack? Alpine meadow? Hit it in late July and … [Read More]

Jason approaching Sawmill Mountain

How to #RecreateResponsibly as Trails Re-Open

As I sit down to write this, it's the Friday before the 3-day Memorial Day Weekend holiday. It's also the 65th day of California's Stay-at-Home order, so the days of the week and holidays don't seem to carry the same weight. Trails are reopening all over … [Read More]

Is this trail open?

How to answer the question “Is the [fill-in-the-blank] trail open?”

As hiking trails and parks begin to reopen, often with restrictions and new rules for social distancing and face coverings, the question on everyone's mind is "which hiking trails are open?" If you visit any of the Facebook groups devoted to hiking, you'll … [Read More]

Hiking trail in Griffith Park

Trails are Re-Opening in Los Angeles (but not all)

Good news, confusing news.  The good news? Many hiking trails are re-opening in Los Angeles. The confusing news? There are still many trails in Los Angeles County that are not reopening. To begin with, Los Angeles County initially announced that hiking … [Read More]

Hiking Bill Williams Mountain

Hiking Bill Williams Mountain

Named after a legendary Arizona mountain man, Bill Williams Mountain offers a beautiful hike through pine and aspen trees. Spring and summer are great times to hike this peak, but it’s even more special if you wait for the leaves to start changing. No matter … [Read More]

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About SoCal Hiker

Jeff on Mount Rainier

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking and backpacking trails with enough detail to make it an enjoyable experience for you. And while I started with trails in Southern California, I’ve expanded across the west. We hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more…

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Featured Posts

Hiking Black Butte from the Lower Trailhead

Black Butte is an iconic mountain that stands alone, prominent and proud. The 6,436' … [Read More...]

Hiking Monserate Mountain

A popular hike in north-inland San Diego County, Monserate Mountain provides a good … [Read More...]

Hiking Sutton Mountain

Sutton Mountain gives you a sense of just how big Oregon is. Nestled between the … [Read More...]

Lastest Comments

  • jen on Hiking Quartz Peak in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness
  • Marlene on Ridgeline Loop to Barbara’s Lake
  • Jen Davies on Hiking Mitchell Canyon to Mount Diablo
  • Brandon on Muir Monday: One Touch of Nature Makes the Whole World Kin
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Latest Posts

  • Hiking Black Butte from the Lower Trailhead May 24, 2022
  • Hiking Monserate Mountain May 6, 2022
  • Hiking Sutton Mountain April 25, 2022
  • Hiking Telescope Peak in Death Valley National Park December 21, 2021
  • Hiking Corte Madera in the Pine Creek Wilderness December 17, 2021

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The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series

Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge SeriesThe Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series gives you an opportunity to explore your world while supporting a great cause. There are eleven challenges around the country. Hike or run them at your own schedule.

Flex your adventure muscles!

Learn more here.

 

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