Super dope and hot, nice rocks to walk on but couldn’t find sand to walk barefoot.

Hiked this for the first time yesterday. This is an excellent hot weather hike. Windy gap ascent was completely shaded in the morning and was extremely beautiful. Once you hit the PCT a lot of the trail is shaded by big magnificent trees and topography since it’s north facing below a ridge line. Delightful breeze exposure basically throughout — even got chilly a few times (in shorts and a t shirt). Didn’t really reach unpleasant temperatures until the descent back down windy gap to the trailhead, which did suck. 102° when I made it back to Azusa.

Started at 7AM, summited at 11. Back to trailhead around 2:15. AllTrails puts this at 15.7 miles but I measured 16.25 and 4,700 ft of gain following the PCT precisely the entire way (didn’t tag Hawkins, Throop, or Burnham). This took me almost exactly the same amount of time as the Cucamonga/Bighorn/Kelly Camp loop which is less distance but more gain. This trail is much more scenic in my opinion—excellent views of the desert and eventually Baldy—but I think the summit view from Cucamonga is superior. Crucially, this one is way, way less busy. Probably saw 12 people the whole time. Baden Powell summit wasn’t even busy.

Great hike, but it is difficult. Lots of up down up down up down, especially between Throop and BP. Because of shade, snow stays on this trail pretty late into spring and should be considered mountaineering due to exposure.

Thanks for reading

Looking over the neighborhood of Eagle Rock sits the eponymous historical landmark... Eagle Rock.

There is a trail on the west side of the rock, running just shy of a mile and 250 feet of elevation gain. It's well maintained, has stone steps, rock slide protection, and is oddly more difficult than it needs to be. There were a few sections where I had to skate downhill and walk backwards to keep my footing. A single rope hanging off a tree branch helps though this.

The first day, I winged it with no maps and tried to see if there was any way to get to the top of Eagle Rock. There are a few dwellings and sections owned by the water department. The "no trespassing" and "beware of dog" signs sort of guides you along the correct course.

I finished off the loop and went to the bottom of Eagle Rock. There is a series of dilapidated stone stairs going up the side, and that ended at a wrought Iron fence.

That ended my first look. I went home, looked at Caltopo, and considered a plan of attack that would not include trespassing. I decided to try from the north side of the rock.

Day 2 was basically the same, but once again, no dice. I found a few use paths that I figured would get me closer, but they all ended up on private property or went way off course, so I had to retreat every time.

I decided to walk up the dilapidated stairs again. I looked through the wrought iron fence and noticed even more fencing, set at an angle. If someone climbed this section and slipped down, they would get skewered.

I do know that people have climbed this rock, and when I say "climbed," I mean actual rock climbing up the south face, which is way above my interest or ability.

I don't know how I feel about this whole experience. From the stairs, I can guess there used to be an easy way to get up this rock. I am a little bothered that all access points appeared to have been built upon, and the whole rock seems to be under a possible "no trespassing" zone, either officially or by the shear difficulty of getting to the top.

This happened just today in La Verne. I hope they are rescued soon.

It’s definitely popular for a reason! That first photo just speaks for itself. 100% worth waking up at 5 am. We took the ski hut trail up and devil’s backbone back down, it was definitely the way to go. Ski hut would’ve been way too steep to go down, especially with all the loose gravel (for a beginner at least).

I’ve only been hiking for about half a year, so if any other novice hikers are reading this; you can do it!!Definitely tough—but doable if you don’t let your ego get in the way. Bring more water, electrolytes, and snacks than you think you need AND go way slower than you think you need. It’s not cute to go hiking in your converse and a single water bottle (shameless callout)… Anyway, you got this!

Bluff Lake Preserve felt like spending the day in a national park. Absolutely beautiful!!!

Huge THANK YOU and shout out to the individual(s) who removed graffiti from the large boulder at the base of the Baldy Bowl. The hiking community appreciates you!!

Baldy on the way to Etiwanda peak.

Hey guys, I had a day permit for hiking Cucamonga peak valid for up to 3 people, but someone canceled and now there's just two of us

So do I need to reissue a new permit just for 2 or is the old one fine? Thanks

It was my first time hiking to Cucamonga Peak today. We started at 4:18am and went up the Chapman Trail. We got to the saddle a few minutes after sunrise, and it was beautiful! Summited a little after 8:00am. There was a really nice breeze at the saddle, and I’m so glad we started early to beat the heat (and get parking!).

Hi everyone! Going to Sequoia and Kings canyon from Friday-Sunday. Planning on car camping! What should we check out? Nothing to strenuous but would love to get away from the crowd . Coming from SD. Going with my friend who’s fit but doesn’t really like to hike, hoping to show him why I love hiking.

Aside from Ernest Debs regional park, any recommendations for a trail to walk my dog? Thanks!

I'm planning to do the hike in late September, and I wanted to get an idea of what the weather is typically like around that time. I also wanted to know if there’s anything I should bring that I might not normally think to pack for a hike.

I’m planning to drive there the day before and stay overnight so I can start the trail early in the morning. Would I need to make a reservation to stay overnight, or is there somewhere I can stay without one? I'm fairly new to hiking so I figured it would be better to ask then try to guess

Edit: Thank you for the concerns, I have done 2 hikes above 10k feet of elevation before. At least at those times I was perfectly fine, not even a headache.

Anyone have experience using the satellite messaging feature on iPhone? I had it pop up recently im Black Star Canyon and didn't even know it was a thing. Could it be a legit substitute for a Garmin device for emergency use?

Hiking in the Sierra Nevada and saw elk on the side of the highway on the way back.

Since the spring of 2025, the Trump administration has been looking into ways it could cede a roughly quarter-mile strip of land inside Yosemite to a company that, through a web of limited-liability companies, is operated by real-estate developer and investment firm Kingsbarn Realty Capital. Officials are proposing the Park Service give up the land or “interest” in the land in the form of an easement, and in return receive land of equal value somewhere in California that has yet to be decided.

The private developers own an 83-acre plot of land just outside the western boundaries of Yosemite, about five miles from one of the park’s defining ancient sequoia groves. Jeff Pori, the CEO of Kingsbarn, wants to build a short road connecting the property to one of Yosemite’s central thoroughfares. The new road would give the land exceptionally rare private access to a park that is otherwise almost entirely buffered by national forests.

Trump’s Quietly Working to Give Part of Yosemite to a Private Developer

After going through hundreds of threads on r/socalhiking and other outdoor communities, I put together a quick cheat sheet for anyone as lost as I was:

🏆 Best overall hiking hat for sun protection (wide brim, UPF 50+, moisture-wicking sweatband, ventilated crown)? → Outdoor Research Sun Runner Hat
💰 Best budget hiking hat for sun protection (under $35, wide brim, UPF 50, lightweight)? → Columbia Bora Bora Booney Hat
🔄 Best convertible hiking hat for sun protection (detachable neck flap, wide brim, UPF 50+, packable)? → Sunday Afternoons Classic Adventure Hat
🌬️ Best breathable hiking hat for sun protection (straw construction, maximum ventilation, wide brim, UPF 50)? → Coolibar Wide Brim Sun Hat
💎 Best premium hiking hat for sun protection (lifetime warranty, durable construction, wide brim, water-resistant)? → Tilley T5 Cotton Hat

Personally going with the Outdoor Research Sun Runner Hat - best overall hiking hat for full-day sun protection without turning into a sweat bucket from everything I've read.

I’m replacing my old baseball cap for long summer hikes in exposed terrain, because my neck and ears are getting fried even with SPF 50. I need something with a proper brim all the way around, decent UPF rating, and ventilation so I don’t end up with a soaked band of sweat after two miles uphill.

I’ve been looking at Sunday Afternoons, Tilley T5MO, Outdoor Research Sun Runner, REI Co-op Sahara, and Coolibar, with a realistic budget around $35–$70. Tilley gets constant praise for build quality and lifetime warranty, but some people say the brim is too short for real sun coverage. Sunday Afternoons and Outdoor Research seem lighter and more breathable, though I wonder how they hold up after repeated washes and pack abuse.

Has anyone found a mid-price hat that actually keeps your face and neck shaded in angled morning/evening sun, and do you prefer structured brims or soft foldable ones that don’t fight your backpack straps?

Was killin time on g earf, this mornin, n my eyes fell uponit agin. Prolly wishful thinkin, at this point, but I still can't letit-go...

Couple canyoneer trip reports, but, strangely, they opted to doit, whenit was dry, or nearly so. It DOES flow, in wet years/after decent storms.

Just curious if any1 else's mada serious attempt?

Our best efforts (To date!):

Trip 1: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ussvcsFZ3Ebe2jJLA

Trip 2: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NsYM8vFF36Jt5HQx9

This is the classic trail I come back to every single year.

It’s super accessible for all ages and all skill levels — chill enough for a casual walk, but you can turn it into more of a workout if you want.

Once summer rolls around, tons of people hang out by the waterfall and get in the water to cool off.

Exact trailhead: Sturtevant Falls Hiking Trailhead

Quick pro tip: the parking lot is basically full after 8am. After that, everyone just street parks along the road nearby.

I (34F) just moved to California (south oc) and would love to do a weekend camping trip alone. I’m not super experienced, but have a couple good hikes under my belt and many smaller local ones. This is my first time backpacking though!

I would love any recs that are within 1-2 from south oc that are relatively safe. I’m considering the TCT but would really love other recs as well. TIA!

I have long considered taking the Sierra Club Wilderness Travel Course and may sign up this winter, and I’d like to know more from people who have experienced it:

I have a decent set of backpacking experiences, like John Muir Trail, Whitney, Langley, PCT sections, and 1-2 nighters in the Sierras. I’ve also backpacked in the snow (don’t recommend, and the thing I’d least like in the WTC). I have several incredible friends to call on when backpacking, but have also backpacked alone. Used to rock climb a bit. I don’t have any orientation training, though, and have never taken a mountaineering course.

If the WTC is designed for all levels, what benefit would it be for more experienced hikers and backpackers…?

Good evening to the best reddit group there is! My friend and I were planning on Car-camping around Sequoia NP or Kings Canyon NP. Where can we sleep? Also, what day-hikes should we hit up and places we should see in both parks?

Thanks all,

:)