San Gorgonio is the tallest mountain in Southern California, and a rite of passage for serious hikers in the area. At 11,503′, “Old Grayback” provides an excellent high altitude training for those preparing to summit Mt. Whitney, and an easy drive from most of LA and Orange counties. There are several trails leading up to San […]
Trail Guides
All of our detailed hiking trail guides, with interactive maps, elevation profile, directions and tons of photos in each. These trails have all been personally hiked by the SoCal Hiker team.
Mount San Jacinto via Marion Mountain
The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth! – John Muir Who am I to argue with Muir? At 10,834′ San Jacinto Peak does indeed reward the determined hiker with wonderful views. You can see the inland empire, Palm Desert, the San Bernardino and San Gabriel […]
Mt. San Antonio (Mt Baldy) Loop
Every Southern Californian can point out the white topped Mt. Baldy — actually it’s real name is Mt. San Antonio. Baldy is a SoCal icon that stands out boldly as a snow-covered backdrop for much of the year. At 10,064 feet above sea level, the snow often sticks around well into June. The higher altitude and […]
Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon
Cucamonga Peak offers amazing views over Southern California’s Inland Empire, east toward Apple Valley and beyond. This hike from Icehouse Canyon is a strenuous 11.6 mile out-and-back route with 4,300 feet of vertical gain and a top elevation of 8,859′. The north-facing slope holds snow much later in the season than other peaks. The first […]
Hiking Boat Canyon by the Full Moon
If there’s a full moon tonight (and there is) it must be time for a Boat Canyon night hike. Boat Canyon is a terrific 8.2 mile hike in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, climbing up above Boat Canyon, dropping down to Laguna Canyon Road and climbing back up again before returning to the trailhead — […]
Ridgeline Trail
San Clemente’s Ridgeline Trail is a great little 4.7 mile out-and-back hike along a ridgeline above the city. The trail is suburban and paved, making it a great choice for rainy weather when you don’t want to slog through the mud but you still want to get your heart pumping. And the ocean and mountain […]
Mt. Wilson via Chantry Flats
Standing prominently above Pasadena, Mount Wilson is a Southern California landmark. The 5,713 foot summit is home for an observatory responsible for the most detailed photos of Mars as well a vast array of antennae for local LA radio and television stations. While the summit is steeped in astronomical wonder and tremendous views of Los Angeles, the […]
Sitton Peak Trail
At 3,273 feet above sea level, Sitton Peak has commanding 360 degree views of the Cleveland National Forest. On clear days, you can see the ocean and  even Catalina Island. The elevation gain and distance makes this a good intermediate level hike. The first section of the trail is single track, but much of the […]
