Los Angeles

Calabasas Peak offers panoramic views of the Santa Monica Mountains, Red Rock Canyon Park, and a sliver of the Pacific Ocean. To the north, the peak looks down on the city of Calabasas and a wide stretch of the San Fernando Valley. The 3.6-mile round trip hike to Calabasas Peak travels an easy-to-follow fire road. There is 900 feet of elevation gain along the way, but that effort is rewarded by great views at every turn. ...Read more.

Stunt High Trail begins with a gentle walk along Cold Creek, and then ascends through meadows and chaparral up the northern slope of Saddle Peak to offer great views of the Santa Monica Mountains. Stunt High Trail ends at a road, 2.17 miles from the start, which is a rather anti-climactic high point. From there, pick up the Backbone Trail and hike to the top of Saddle Peak, the sixth tallest summit in the range, where wide views over Malibu and the Pacific can be enjoyed. ...Read more.

As the name implies, Red Rock Canyon is filled with impressive colorful sandstone. The red rocks stand out from their lush green surroundings to create a dramatic landscape. The canyon lies adjacent to Calabasas Peak, which can be visited in conjunction with the park to form an excellent excursion. The park's main entrance is located at the end of Red Rock Road. ...Read more.

Icehouse Canyon is located in a beautiful stretch of the Angeles National Forest near Mount Baldy Village, just southeast of the mighty Mount Baldy. A trail through the canyon leads up to Icehouse Saddle. At 7,500 feet, this low point in the ridgeline offers sweeping views of the western San Gabriel Mountains. From the saddle, hikers and backpackers may continue on in several directions to explore nearby peaks and venture deeper into the Cucamonga Wilderness. ...Read more.

Hondo Canyon Trail is a well maintained section of the Backbone Trail that crosses fields of grains and forests of bays as it climbing 1,550 feet over 3.8 miles. The trail passes through a quiet section of the Santa Monica Mountains west of Topanga Canyon. Hondo Canyon Trail meets roads at both ends and can be hiked as a one-way trek with a car shuttle or a 7. ...Read more.

The only campground in the city of Avalon on Catalina Island is Hermit Gulch. The campground is located a mile from the center of town on Avalon Canyon Road just before the Botanical Gardens. For hikers, the adjacent Hermit Gulch Trail provides a single-track ascent to the Trans-Catalina Trail on the ridgeline above Avalon. The campground is made up of 43 sites, each with its own picnic table. ...Read more.

Take an 11.75-mile hike over the ridges above Avalon on Hermit Gulch Trail - Trans-Catalina Trail Loop, gathering amazing ocean views, in two directions at times, as well as perspectives over the pristine interior of the island. This hike offers a scenic loop on picturesque southeast end of Santa Catalina Island. Those staying at Hermit Gulch Campground are already at the trailhead for the C-shaped loop. ...Read more.

This 2.6-mile round trip hike visits a short waterfall downstream from Sturtevant Falls in the Angeles National Forest. Hermit Falls receives fewer visitors than its neighbor but is a popular swimming hole for cliff jumpers in the spring and summer. The trailhead is at 2,180 feet, while the falls are at 1,430, making this is an upside down hikes where the uphill comes at the end. ...Read more.

See the best that Santa Anita Canyon has to offer. Visit Hoegees Camp, Mount Zion, and Sturtevant Falls on one hike leaving Chantry Flats in the San Gabriel Mountains. In John W. Robinson's excellent guide book, Trails of the Angeles, Santa Anita Canyon Loop is described as: One of the best [loop hikes] in the San Gabriels. It's hard to argue with that distinction. ...Read more.

After hiking to Spruce Grove Camp above Sturtevant Falls, why not return to Chantry Flats by crossing over Mount Zion? The trail to Mount Zion passes along the east side of a ridge leading up to the summit. The grade is gentle, and after all the demanding switches beneath Spruce Grove, the trail feels surprisingly kind. Only 400 feet of elevation separate Spruce Grove Camp and Mount Zion, which is crossed over 1. ...Read more.