• COVID-19 Park and Trail Closures
  • Learn about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
  • Shop
  •  

SoCal Hiker

  • Find a Hiking Trail
    • All Areas
    • Arizona
    • Colorado
    • Los Angeles
    • Orange County
    • Oregon
    • San Francisco Bay
    • Washington
  • Trail Guides
  • Six-Pack of Peaks
    • Colorado Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Bergen Peak
      • Rocky Mountain
      • Birthday Peak
      • Horseshoe Mountain
      • Grays Peak
    • New England Six-Pack of Peaks
    • NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mount Umunhum
      • Mount Saint Helena
      • Mount Tamalpais
      • Mount Diablo
      • Mount Sizer
      • Rose Peak
    • Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Tumalo Mountain
      • Black Butte
      • Black Crater
      • Maiden Peak
      • Mount Bachelor
      • South Sister
    • SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mt. Wilson
      • Cucamonga Peak
      • Mt. San Antonio (Mt Baldy)
      • San Bernardino Peak
      • San Jacinto Peak
      • San Gorgonio
  • Backpacking
    • High Sierra Trail
    • John Muir Trail
      • Overview of the John Muir Trail
      • Training
      • Day-by-Day Itinerary
      • Resupply Addresses
      • JMT Discussion Forum
    • Lost Coast Trail
    • North/South Lake Loop
    • Rae Lakes Loop
    • Red Peak Pass Loop
    • Theodore Solomons Trail
    • Trans-Catalina Trail
    • Wonderland Trail
  • Gear
  • Forums
    • Latest Topics
    • Ask a Question
    • Campfire
    • Trails
    • Trail Reports
    • Gear Wisdom
    • Classifieds
  • Login

Cheap Eats for the Trail: Ramen Plus

June 16, 2015 By Hikin' Jim 18 Comments

Simmering Ramen Plus

Tired of eating that freeze-dried glop they call backpacking food?  Oh, and how about paying for that stuff?  I mean they charge outrageous prices for that stuff – stuff that really isn’t all that good.  How come there isn’t a good tasting, reasonably priced alternative!? There are alternatives, and you need look no farther than your […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips Tagged With: backpacking dinner, backpacking food, backpacking meal, backpacking menu, backpacking recipe, cheap eats, Gear & Tips

SoCalHiker Tech: DeLorme inReach Explorer Review

June 9, 2015 By Dara Morgan 8 Comments

DeLorme InReach Explorer review

My first experience using the DeLorme inReach Explorer was along the John Muir Trail last summer. Not only was it reassuring to know that if I needed emergency care or evacuation, I would have dependable communication with search-and-rescue (SAR) but it proved useful in many other ways. The DeLorme inReach Explorer can provide you with […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips Tagged With: Backpacking, Gear & Tips, review

After-Hike Social Survival Kit

April 13, 2015 By Jeff H 10 Comments

You’ve been on the trail hiking for six hours. You made the summit all-smiles, and got back safely to the trailhead. You huffed and puffed. You sweat. Your body is complaining–“Why are you doing this to me?!” What you don’t want to do is stuff your sweaty, grimy body into your car for the ride back […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips, Lifestyle Tagged With: Gear & Tips, hiking

What I Wear: 3-Season Hiking in SoCal Mountains

April 9, 2015 By Jeff H 6 Comments

Several years ago I led a group hike up Mt. San Antonio — aka Mt. Baldy. The hike was in early June, and the hikers in the group all lived in Orange County. The typical June weather in OC is pleasant. Shorts and flip-flops are de rigueur on weekends. In the mountains, however, the weather […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips Tagged With: Gear & Tips, Gear & Tips

Win a Grand Truck Hammock

July 16, 2013 By Jeff H 1 Comment

Who doesn’t love a hammock? I can remember as a kid growing up in Indiana, the romantic notion of laying back in a hammock on a nice summer day, sipping cold lemonade and watching the clouds pass by through the canopy of leafy green sycamore trees. Hammocks are even more awesome today — and a […]

Filed Under: Hiking News Tagged With: contest, Gear & Tips, hammock, Hammocks, Photo Contest

Hiking the John Muir Trail: What to Wear

June 27, 2013 By Jeff H 10 Comments

One of the questions everyone asks me about hiking the John Muir Trail is “What should I wear?” It’s not usually phrased so bluntly. Sometimes it’s couched in more specific terms, like “Should I wear down or fleece?” or “trail shoes vs. boots?” While I can’t tell you what’s right for you,  I will share […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips, JMT Resources Tagged With: Backpacking, clothes, Gear & Tips, JMT, JMT Resources, John Muir Trail, Outdoor Clothes, Thru-hiking, Trail Tested, Wear

Getting Outdoor Gear for a Song

April 26, 2013 By Jeff H 1 Comment

It’s ironic. Outdoor gear can be really expensive. It doesn’t seem right that getting in touch with nature costs an arm and a leg. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to. The good folks at The Clymb have put together a membership site with limited time deals on outdoor gear and adventures. And don’t be put off by […]

Filed Under: Hiking News Tagged With: deals, Gear & Tips

Hiking with Trekking Poles

May 15, 2010 By Jeff H 29 Comments

I have hiked and backpacked for years without trekking poles. I’ve seen plenty of people using them, but always thought they would be more of a nuisance than a help. My views have changed, with this caveat: trekking poles are great when you use them correctly. Sadly, most people I see on the trails do […]

Filed Under: Gear & Tips Tagged With: Gear & Tips, hiking poles, trekking poles, video

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

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…

Connect with SoCal Hiker

  • 22,754 Fans
  • 11,943 Followers
  • 21,640 Followers
  • 1,716 Followers
  • 5,279 Subscribers
  • 339 Subscribers
SoCalHiker was selected one of USA TODAY's 10 Best Hiking and Outdoor Blogs
Get our day-by-day guide to thru-hiking the John Muir Trail
Get up-to-day wildfire status throughout California

Products

  • All the Paths T-Shirt $26.50 – $28.00
  • 2017 Women's Six-Pack of Peaks Racerback Tank $27.00
  • Cucamonga Peak T-Shirt $23.00 – $27.50
  • Come to the woods, for here is rest. - John Muir Come to the Woods Poster $13.00 – $16.00

Sponsors

Sponsor SoCalHiker and see your banner here

Featured Posts

Hiking Belknap Crater in the Mountain Washington Wilderness

Hiking this out-and-back route up Belknap Crater you'll traverse an other-worldly … [Read More...]

Hiking to the Simpson Reef Overlook on the Oregon Coast Trail

The Oregon Coast is rugged, beautiful and often uncrowded. This bluff-top … [Read More...]

Join Team SoCalHiker at the Climb for Heroes

Team SoCalHiker is climbing Mount Baldy again as part of the annual Climb for Heroes … [Read More...]

Lastest Comments

  • Greg on Rae Lakes Loop via Kearsarge Pass
  • Tim Wilson on Rae Lakes Loop via Kearsarge Pass
  • Pam Selthun on Backpacking the Wonderland Trail
  • Calico Maps on Hiking Monserate Mountain
  • Deborah Aguanno on Mt. Wilson via Chantry Flats
Get your SoCalHiker stickers now

Get your SoCalHiker stickers!

Latest Posts

  • Hiking Belknap Crater in the Mountain Washington Wilderness October 20, 2022
  • Hiking to the Simpson Reef Overlook on the Oregon Coast Trail August 25, 2022
  • Join Team SoCalHiker at the Climb for Heroes August 23, 2022
  • Hiking the Welch-Dickey Loop in the White Mountain National Forest August 18, 2022
  • Hiking Turtlehead Peak from Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area July 15, 2022

Recent Forum Topics

  • How to deal with accidents while hiking in the winter?
  • Warm Tips for your hiking in winter
  • Some tips for hiking.
  • Keep your body warm in the winter hiking
  • The benefits of hiking, more than you can imagine!

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.

 

Search

Tags

3-6 miles 6-8 miles 8-10 miles 11+ miles Arizona Backpacking coastal dog-friendly easy family-friendly High Sierra Trail hiking Hiking The John Muir Trail hipster inspiration JMT John Muir John Muir Trail Kings Canyon National Park LA County moderate Mount Rainier National Park Muir Monday National Park Orange County Oregon out of bounds Pacific Crest Trail peak peakbagging quote scenic Sequoia National Park Sierra Nevada Six-Pack of Peaks State Park strenuous Thru-hiking Utah vista Washington waterfall wilderness Wonderland Trail Yosemite

Copyright © 2023 SoCalHiker.net · Metro Theme on Genesis Framework with WPEngine Hosting · Contact SoCal Hiker · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

 

Loading Comments...