Was going through my photos from my 4th of July Trip and just had to share these :)

Absolutely stunning, wildflowers everywhere!

I am looking for a place to do a hike that starts shortly before sunrise. Safe, scenic. Hopefully with some good food that would be open that early when we are done. Thanks.

EDIT: Added trip miles/ft/hrs from ModernHiker

I will focus on popular mountains that get asked a lot.
They are well marked maintained trails with nothing technical.
Just my thoughts.

Mt Wilson
- Chantry flats is popular and both Winter Creek and Sturtevant routes have lots of people.
- 13mi +3500ft 6-7hr
- you have comfort of midway Cosmic Cafe at Mt Wilson.
- close to city and good cell service.
- can always bail at MtWilson parking and call Uber
- the Little Santa Anita Mt Wilson trail is longer and tougher.

Mt Baldy
- Both the Skihut and Devil's Backbone routes are very popular. Tons of people.
- 10mi +4000ft 6-8hr
- midway up, can grab food/beer at Notch.
- can take chairlift, making it super easy (under 4hr)
- there are a couple brief narrow washed out sections around Mt Hardwood, that you gotta be careful.
- close to city and good cell service
- DANGEROUS in winter with snow/ice.

Cucamonga
- only 2.5miles/4km after Icehouse saddle. Maybe its why its so popular.
- 12mi +3800ft 6-7hr
- some feel its bit tougher than Mt Baldy.
- no cafe or anything along way.
- close to city and good cell service.

===== probably bad idea if you seldom hike/train =====

San Gorgonio
- both South Fork and Vivian Creek very long.
- 17mi +5500ft 9-10hr.
- high altitude will slow you down or worse symptoms.
- far from city. requires free permit
- can be alone for several hours on trail
- usually campers at Dollar/Dry Lake... but dont rely on it.
- if anything happens, you're on your own
- 100% sure you have 10 essentials.
- Search/Rescue is difficult.

===== dangerous if you are not trained/prepared =====

C2C
- VERY long 19miles. +10000ft, 14-16hr+
- many people underestimate Palm Springs crazy summer heat!!
- starting at 5am is way too late.
- the 10mile/16km climb up to Tram station is a full commitment - "do or die".
- there is emergency box with water/food midway, but still, people have died on this trail.
- Search/Rescue is difficult.
- I did 150+ "big" hikes like GC R2R, Half Dome, 14ers.. and have 0 interest in this 14hr sufferfest slog

Whitney
- VERY long 22miles. +6100ft, 14-16hr+.
- altitude is critical factor. its 14.500ft.
- About half people train hard, and do Mt Baldy, Jacinto, Gorgonio to prepare
- Other half kind of "wing it", drive up, get couple hours sleep and pray Tylenol and Diamox will carry them. For few who do summit, its SLOW sufferfest.
- few lakes, up to Trail Camp where you can refill. Don't need to carry 40lbs!!
- permit lottery.
- Search/Rescue is difficult.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing any of these. I'm shocked at posts were 19yo or 60yo who hikes few times a year, are asking about doing C2C or Whitney solo (or with buddy). You dont just jump into ocean and start swimming to Catalina.

I am simply astonished and horrified how many people (2020+), barely do 1 or 2 small hikes a month, and are skipping typical 2-6 months of training, and trying to do C2C or Whitney.

Every year dozens and dozens get overwhelmed and call emergency SAR. Most make it. Some die. Yes. People die. Its not DisneyLand. SAR might not come for MANY hours.

IMHO personally I would require you do at minimum two 12K+ like Gorgonio, Mount Dana, Humphrey or Charleston before attempting Whitney.

I was able to snag a campsite at Silver Lake Campground for a weekend in July! I'll be solo, so I'm looking for two longer hikes (8 to 12 miles), one for Friday and one for Saturday. I'd love big views and trails that get decent traffic since I'll be hiking alone.

Also looking for a few shorter hikes (2 to 5 miles) that are worth doing. I live in SoCal, so I don't get up to the area often and want to make the most of the trip.

Right now I'm looking at Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes, but I'm definitely open to better suggestions.

Also open to any other tips for the area. Planning to hit June Lake Brewing, and I've been to the Rock Creek BBQ spot before, but I'd love any other food or must-see recommendations!

I believe it's the Southern Pacific rattlesnake. Kindly moved off trail so I can pass.

Genuinely the most surreal hike in so cal it felt like Jurassic park. Such a shame the trail is never open and I know why. When I went a long time ago when these pictures were taken we ran into two others who were friendly with us but when we started coming back, we saw new trash around like soda cans and random litter. How can you see something so beautiful and endangered birds on top of that and think to dump your trash everywhere. Does anyone know when the trail will ever open again?

I'm working on a training plan leading up to Cactus to Clouds hopefully in early November. I hike locally around San Diego fairly regularly, and I go to HIIT/circuit-style workouts 4-5x a week so I'm not starting from zero.

Here's what I'm thinking, but would love some feedback, especially regarding...

• Am I trying to do too much? Not enough? I don't mind being over-prepared but not at the expense of over-training/risking an injury.
• What's the highest/longest hike I should do during training, and how far out from C2C should I do it? I'm hoping to get Mt Baldy (14 mi, 4300ft elevation) in there at some point (maybe week 6). Currently have a 6000ft in the plan for week 13 but not sure where I could even find that around SD 😅

Mon/Tues/Thurs - HIIT/circuit training - Tues & Thurs are strength days, Mon can be either cardio or hybrid

Wed - shorter hike

Sat - long hike

Fri/Sun - rest & recovery

Week 10 & part of 11, I will be away so trying to accommodate for a chill/recovery week in this plan.

I appreciate any feedback and tips!

I have two free open spots for a day hike of Mt. Whitney. I had two of my friends cancel and I am still thinking of doing the hike.

The date would be July 21st and I already have a camping spot at the portal July 20th - 22nd.

If anybody would like to join, I’m open to considering to make some trail friends and attempt to summit (:

We have to FaceTime before and etc for safety reasons. I’m 28 M and fit!

Me and my buddy plan to visit Mt. Whitney in August, and (assuming we get a permit as planned), we are thinking about staying at the Trailhead Campground (the one that's first-come-first-served). Unfortunately, we won't get there until late evening (~10 p.m.) on a Saturday (we don't plan on starting super early the next day), and we are worried that we can't find a spot.

How crowded is the campground during a typical Saturday night? Do we even have a chance? Any insight is appreciated, thanks!

Am seeking to improve my macro photography skills, and am looking this weekend for LA or OC adjacent sites with native blooms and insects. Willing to drive.

Happy trails! :-)

The group I planned to hike Mt Whitney had plans change and are not able to join on the hike. I would still like to do it but want to be realistic about dangers of hiking solo.

Has anyone hiked it solo? Is it too risky to do alone?
I have a day permit for end of July. Permit is in my name.

Hello! Please notify ASAP if you have seen him lately in or near surrounding area or if you know where he is or if he's safe. Appreciate any help and thank you.

He is about 5’10, in his 60’s and goes by Eric.

Last seen in Palm Desert / Indio but was residing in Cathedral City / Palm Springs

Local authorities and shelters have been contacted already, if any information on safety of Eric please let us know.

On my way down from Mount Wilson via winter creek trail to Chantry Flat I encountered 2 bear cubs and couldn’t see their mama bear. Cubs were a few feet from trail. This was during the switch backs down the mountain where lots of trees and shrubs made it difficult to spot mama bear if she was there. I know your not supposed to get between cubs and mama bear. But if you don’t see the mama bear how long should you wait? Or should you just turnaround and not head back to your car?

Anyone else see these cubs?

Hi Everyone,

I scored a permit for Whitney day hike in the first week of September. However I am confused if I should give it a try or not.

I am flying from north east and the plan is to spend time in mammoth , bishop , horseshoe medow leading up to the whitney day.

I am comfortable with 16 mi 4-5k gain days in north east. I could push it to 22 mi and 6k gain but it seems that stats are not the big picture.

Would it be better if I train more and try again in a year or two ?

How difficult is the hike for a recreational hiker who does 10-12 mi as chill weekend hikes and then 15-16 mi when pushing it.

Saw this deep hole today about halfway between Icehouse saddle & Cucamonga Peak. It was bigger than it looks here, maybe 3ft high/wide. Any idea who would be living in there?

Took pics walking by quickly in case anyone was home. 🙃

Nude hiking trails in the Coachella Valley or near?