Tag Archives: los angeles

Los Angeles Lakes

jackson lake view

Los Angeles County Lakes

hikes NFS fishing campground picnic mountain bike mountains

lake piru

Piru Lake is located N of Los Angeles, off Hwy 126

nearby towns –

Angeles Maps – hiking, OHV & mountain biking –

San Gorgonio Wilderness

sangorgonioview
Old Greyback, San Gorgonio Mountain – as seen from forest road #2N93

Southern California /San Gorgonio Wilderness Area / San Gorgonio Mountain Peak Hikes / Backpack Gorgonio

The tallest mountain peak in Southern California towers over the often smoggy basin of the Inland Empire, Riverside & San Bernardino. Coachella Valley lies to the southeast. Joshua Tree National Park lies due east.

Old Greyback is a fitting nickname for the peak. The massive, bald, decomposed granite gravel paves the whole top layer, above treeline (altitude nearing 12,000 feet above sea level) and this impressive peak can be seen from most of the Los Angeles basin and the Palm Springs desert. The expanding view of the Pacific Ocean can be seen 70 miles to the west, but only if the skies are clear. Windy, winter days are excellent conditions for viewing, but plan your hike accordingly as this peak could be covered in deep snow during winter or springtime.

This is a very popular backpacking weekend trip to escape from the big urban populations. San Diegans and Angelinos can easily access this location in a few hours from home, via Interstate 10 and some mountain driving on a 2 lane highway.

tallest peak

94,702 acres

San Gorgonio Peak – 11,503′ elevation

San Bernardino National Forest

 

Forest & Hiking Maps –

San Gorgonio Topo Maps

  • San Gorgonio Wilderness Map (USDA)
  • San Gorgonio Trail Map (Tom Harrison)
  • San Bernardino National Forest (USDA)

Gorgonio trailheads –peak hiking

  • Hwy 38 @ Angeles Oaks
  • Hwy 38 @ Barton Flats – Jenks Lake
  • Hwy 38 @ Heartbar – Fish Creek & Mission Springs
  • Hwy 38 @ Fossil Falls – Momyer & Big Falls
  • I-10 @ Millard Canyon – East Branch & Middle Branch
  • Interstate 10 @ Cottonwood Canyon – PCT access

nearby campgrounds –

Heartbar Campground (Hwy 38)

Mission Springs Trailhead Camp

Dry Lake Campground

nearby communities & towns –

ANGELES OAKS
BIG BEAR CITY
BIG BEAR LAKE
FOREST FALLS

surrounding wilderness and forest lands –

San Bernardino National Forest
Pipes Canyon Pioneertown Preserve
San Jacinto Wilderness

National Forest & Wilderness Permits –

USDA San Bernardino NF

more San Gorgonio info & links –

summitpost.org/san-gorgonio-wilderness
San Gorgonio Wilderness Wiki
Trails of the San Gorgonio

Gorgonio Trailhead

Equestrian Trails
MIssion Springs camp & corrals at trailhead. Dirt road above Heart Bar.

Sturtevant Falls

Santa Anita Canyon, Sturtevant Falls

a day hike in the San Gabriel Mountains

Day hikes near Los Angeles, CA

Santa Anita Canyon, Angeles National Forest
From the 210 freeway, in San Gabriel Valley. East of Pasadena, exit Santa Anita Ave.
Head North/East, through neighborhood, where road becomes Chantry Flats Rd (aka, Forest Road #2N40)
proceed up the mountain to paved parking lot @ Chantry Flat. Falls Trailhead #11W14

  • 5 miles RT hike
  • 4600′ elevation
  • steep canyon w/ creek crossings
  • falls and creek subject to seasonal dry up; water flow varies
  • backpack camping only, no developed campground


more photos on trailhead


View Larger Map

Angeles Campgrounds

Camping Los Angeles – Angeles Crest Camping

Angeles Crest Hwy CA 2

campground elev spots veg toilet water notes
Appletree Campground 6,200′ 8 pines vault piped Big Pines Hwy
Basin Campground 3,400′ 15 CLOSED
Bear Campground 5,200′ 15 vault no
Big Rock Campground 5,000′ 8 vault crk sm RV, 4WD
Blue Ridge Campground 8,000′ 8 pines vault no May-Nov, sm RV
Buckhorn Campground 6300′ 40 pines vault no May-Nov, sm RV
Cabin Flat Campground 5,300′ 12 vault no CLOSED
Cienaga Campground 2,100′ 12 oaks vault no May-Dec
Coldbrook Campground 3,350′ 22 vault piped sm RV
Cottonwood Campground 2,600′ 22 vault no
Guffy Campground 8,300′ 6 vault no May-Nov, 4WD
Horse Flats Campground 5,700′ 25 pines vault no April-Nov
Jackson Lake Campgr 6,100′ 8 pines vault summer May-Dec
Live Oak Campground 2,000′ 7 oak CLOSED
Manker Flats Campground 6,000′ 21 flush piped sm RV
Messenger Flats Camp 5,500′ 10 pines vault no Corrals, April-Nov
Millard Campground 1,900′ 5 oaks vault no Altadena, Chaney Trail
Monte Cristo Camp 3,600′ 19 oaks vault piped RV, Hwy 2, N3
Mount Pacifico 7,100′ 7 pines vault no May-Nov
Mountain Oak 6,200′ 17 oak flush piped May-Nov
Peavine Campground 6,100′ 4 vault piped Big Pines Hwy
Prospect Campground 2,100′ 22 CLOSED
Rocky Point Camp 3,400′ 3 vault summer
Sage Campground 3,400′ 4 vault no Cheseboro Rd
Sawmill Campground 5,200′ 8 vault no sm RV
Soledad Campground 2,000′ 6 CLOSED
South Fork 4,500′ 21 oaks vault no May-Nov, sm RV
Spring Camp 4,700′ 3 vault no Rincon-Shortcut Route
Spunky Campground 3,300′ 10 vault no
Streamside Campground 2,500′ 9 vault no poison oak
Sycamore Flats 4,200′ 11 vault summer sm RV
Upper Shake 4,400′ 18 vault no May-Dec.
Zuni Campground 1,700′ 10 vault no

Chilao Campground

tunnel angeles crest

nearby towns –

Angeles Maps – hiking, OHV & mountain biking –

Los Padres Camping

Los Padres Campgrounds
Big Sur, Mount Pinos, Ojai, Santa Barbara, Santa Lucia

Forests

Los Padres National Forest campgrounds span the length of the California Central Coast, from the Monterey Bay to Los Angeles County. Choose a desired area:

Big Sur Campgrounds

Frazier Park Camping

Mount Pinos Campgrounds

Ojai Camping

Santa Barbara Camping

Santa Lucia Camping

Bottcher Gap Campground
Lush coastal campground is Bottchers Gap near Big Sur, CA

Los Padres National Forest

see also Los Padres Group Campgrounds

maps of the Los Padres regions –

Los Padres nearby towns & cities –

Pine Mountain Club from ridge
Pine Mountain Club from ridge

Los Angeles Back Roads

Angeles Crest Back Roads – Angeles OHV Routes & Trails

Mt. Gleason Road / Santa Clara Divide Rd.

Angeles Crest Hwy.2 , North 9 mi. Left onto Angeles Forest Hwy.N3, drive 12 mi. to intersection of Santa Clara Divide Rd.

  • Turn left on paved road to Mt. Gleason. Many dirt roads will eventually branch off on the right side. A forest service map is advised for dirt road exploration.
  • LOOP -Turn right & go up the mountain past Mt. Pacifico & beyond (eventually hooks back up with Hwy.2 near Chilao area.(Check with ranger if your planning on doing this loop to make sure all gates are open)

Angeles Forest provides over 300 miles of designated OHV roads/routes. When off-roading, all vehicles must meet DMV standards for mufflers & registration. Off-highway smaller vehicles must be equipped with approved spark arresters & have valid green stickers. State law requires that ALL ATV riders wear a helmet.

  • Rowher Flats OHV Area – Santa Clara/Mojave Ranger Dist
  • Littlerock OHV Area – Santa Clara/Mojave Ranger Dist
  • San Gabriel OHV Area – San Gabriel Ranger District

California Trail Ettiquette –

CLOSURES: Occasionally areas may be closed due to emergency situations, for resource protection, or during specific seasons when disturbances may drive animals from important habitat. These closures are usually temporary, and your patience and cooperation is appreciated.

RESPECT THE LAND DUDE

  • Stream banks & lake shores are especially sensitive areas; VERY susceptible to damage. These waterway & creeks in California, are sources of food and shelter to wildlife.
  • Cross streams at a 90° angle at a slow speed and – DickHead, do not travel up & down stream channels. These are precious areas.

LEAVE A GOOD IMPRESSION: Around developed sites, give other folks the space and quiet you would appreciate. Space out the RVs if possible. It’s not an RV park kinda deal. By law OHV traffic are permitted to exit & enter campgrounds, but not to PLAY within a campground. No one likes dusty salsa. If your muffler is not quiet (you’re an ass!), push your machine in the campground, with the engine shut off.

STAY ON THE TRAIL: Cutting switchbacks, taking shortcuts or hillside climbing may be a big thrill & challenge, but once vehicle scars the earth, other vehicles follow. The mob mentality maybe, Macho shit. The deep muddy ruts do long-lasting damage to vegetation, plus it doe not help w/ erosion. Rains cause further damage by washing deep gullies in tire ruts. Vegetation & wildlife habitat is lost. Ugly, permanent, unsightly scars on the earth result. Staying on trails helps protect the land. And helps keep trails open!!

Become a Adopt-a-Trail Volunteer – contact your local NFS
Outdoor Volunteering in California!

Angeles Forest – LA Back Roads

nearby towns –

Angeles Maps – hiking, OHV & mountain biking –