Pacific Southwest

easy-moderateout-and-back

Bridge to Nowhere

10 mi1,200 ft gain

October through May

Guide to the Bridge to Nowhere trail in Angeles National Forest, California. A 10-mile out-and-back along the East Fork of the San Gabriel River to an abandoned 1930s bridge.

6 min read

easy-moderateloop

Crystal Lake Loop

2.6 mi400 ft gain

May through November

A 2.6-mile loop around Crystal Lake in Angeles National Forest, California, the only natural lake in the San Gabriel Mountains, at 5,800 feet with views through a ponderosa pine forest.

6 min read

Eaton Canyon Falls

3.4 mi400 ft gain

November through May

Guide to the Eaton Canyon Falls trail near Pasadena, California. An easy 3.4-mile hike to a 40-foot waterfall just minutes from the LA metro area.

6 min read

Josephine Peak via Colby Canyon

5.5 mi1,500 ft gain

October through May

A 5.5-mile out-and-back to the 5,558-foot summit of Josephine Peak in Angeles National Forest, California, with sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley and surrounding San Gabriel peaks.

6 min read

Mt. Baldy via Devil's Backbone

11 mi3,900 ft gain

May through November

Guide to summiting Mount San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) via the Devil's Backbone in Angeles National Forest, California. The highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains at 10,069 feet.

6 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

San Gabriel Peak

6.2 mi1,300 ft gain

October through June

Guide to San Gabriel Peak in Angeles National Forest. A 6.2-mile out-and-back from Red Box Junction climbs to the highest point in the front range of the San Gabriels with panoramic views of Los Angeles.

6 min read

Sturtevant Falls

3.6 mi500 ft gain

November through April

Guide to Sturtevant Falls in Angeles National Forest. A 3.6-mile out-and-back from Chantry Flat drops into Big Santa Anita Canyon, passing historic backcountry cabins to a 50-foot waterfall.

5 min read

Trail Canyon Falls

4 mi800 ft gain

November through May

Guide to the Trail Canyon Falls hike in Angeles National Forest, California. A 4-mile out-and-back to a 30-foot waterfall in a lush canyon above Tujunga.

5 min read

Bishop Pass Trail

12 mi2,600 ft gain

moderate-hardout-and-back

Guide to the Bishop Pass Trail in Inyo National Forest. A 12-mile out-and-back climbing through alpine lakes to an 11,972-foot pass with views into Kings Canyon National Park.

11 min read

easyloop

Convict Lake Loop

2.8 mi200 ft gain

May through October

Guide to the Convict Lake Loop Trail in Inyo National Forest. An easy 2.8-mile lakeside walk with stunning mountain scenery, great for families and fall color photography.

9 min read

Duck Pass Trail

9.6 mi2,500 ft gain

Guide to the Duck Pass Trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. A 9.6-mile out-and-back hike climbing past alpine lakes to a 10,797-foot pass in the John Muir Wilderness.

10 min read

Hilton Lakes Trail

8 mi1,600 ft gain

An 8-mile out-and-back into the John Muir Wilderness above Rock Creek in Inyo National Forest, California, reaching a chain of glacially carved lakes above 11,000 feet with strong trout fishing and light traffic.

7 min read

Kearsarge Pass

8.4 mi2,600 ft gain

moderate-hardout-and-back

Guide to Kearsarge Pass in Inyo National Forest, California. An 8.4-mile out-and-back climbing to an 11,760-foot pass on the John Muir Trail with views of the Kearsarge Lakes, Bullfrog Lake, and the Kings Canyon backcountry.

8 min read

moderateloop

Methuselah Trail

4.5 mi800 ft gain

June through October

Guide to the Methuselah Trail in Inyo National Forest, California. A 4.5-mile loop through the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains, home to the oldest trees on Earth.

8 min read

Mono Pass Trail

8.4 mi1,800 ft gain

An 8.4-mile out-and-back from Mosquito Flat to the 12,060-foot Mono Pass in Inyo National Forest, California, climbing a historic Sierra crossing used by miners and Native Americans through the Rock Creek drainage.

8 min read

Mount Whitney Trail

22 mi6,100 ft gain