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Echo Mountain via the Sam Merrill Trail

September 5, 2013 By Jeff Hester 13 Comments

Hiking Echo Mountain via the Sam Merrill Trail is a rewarding experience, rich with history. First, Echo Mountain itself is the site of the ruins of the Echo Mountain House — a hotel built in the late 1800’s by Thaddeus Lowe. There were no roads to this hotel — you reached it by an incline […]

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 3-6 miles, dog-friendly, Echo Mountain, LA County, moderate, peak, peakbagging, Sam Merrill Trail, San Gabriels, scenic, Southern California, sunset, Thaddeus Lowe, vista

Muir Monday: In the Mountains of San Gabriel

September 2, 2013 By Jeff Hester 1 Comment

In the mountains of San Gabriel, overlooking the lowland vines and fruit groves, Mother Nature is most ruggedly, thornily savage.” – John Muir The San Gabriel mountains are Los Angeles’ wilderness backyard. Within the San Gabriels are towering mountain peaks, covered in snow in the winter. There are dense pine forests shading steep, rugged trails. […]

Filed Under: Muir Monday Tagged With: Angeles National Forest, Chaparral, Gabriel, John Muir, Muir, Muir Monday, quote, San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriels, The San Gabriels

Hiking to Fish Canyon Falls

April 15, 2013 By Jeff Hester 15 Comments

Fish Canyon Falls panorama

Looking for an awesome, easy waterfall hike in Southern California? Check out the Fish Canyon Falls. This 80 foot tall waterfall has three tiers and a beautiful, clear pool at the the bottom. The trail itself winds along a tree-lined canyon beside a babbling creek. The payoff? An awesome waterfall, without having to climb thousands […]

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 3-6 miles, Canyon, dog-friendly, Duarte, easy, family-friendly, Fish Canyon, San Gabriels, waterfall, Waterfall Hikes, wilderness

Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon

June 6, 2010 By Jeff Hester 95 Comments

Cucamonga Peak

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 […]

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 10+ miles, 6-pack, peakbagging, San Gabriels, Six-Pack of Peaks, strenuous

Mt. Wilson via Chantry Flats

May 24, 2010 By Jeff Hester 124 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 11+ miles, 6-pack, Angeles National Forest, dog-friendly, LA County, loop, Mt Wilson, National Forest, peak, peakbagging, San Gabriels, Six-Pack of Peaks, vista, waterfall, wilderness

About Jeff Hester

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking trails throughout Southern California--and occasionally beyond. I personally hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more...

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