SoCal's Hiking group

SoCal hiking group

For years I’ve been training and doing mountaineering on my own. I am a female solo traveler and photographer. You can learn about me on my Instagram( @eylenepirez). Most people I meet in Los Angeles do not realize how good we have it in SoCal. Southern California is blessed with hundreds and hundreds of miles of trails. We have peaks that go above 14,000feet. We have the Sierras, an incredible mountain range, only a quick drive away. We have the Pacific Ocean. We have perfect weather. It really is heaven.

It’s hard to start trekking and backpacking. The fear of traveling alone into the wild is common but something that can be easily overcome with some guidance and good friends. The time has come to share my knowledge and encourage people to opt outside. The new Arc’teryx La Brea store will be helping out with gear clinics and awareness of this group. How incredibly lucky are we?!

The program consists of hikes of different difficulties. It is meant to create a tight community by including all levels of fitness. For the month of March, I’ve chosen easy hikes that can be used to start building your endurance and hiking knowledge. Social hiking is the perfect way to make new friends. April will start picking up more fun hikes and we will have gear clinics to prep us for more difficult challenges. The month of May will include more difficult hikes and will end with a weekend backpacking trip in the Sierras! I have made an effort to pick hikes that don’t require permits or easy to get permits. I tried to pick dog friendly hikes because who would want to have an adventure without the dog? If you have any comments or suggestions, let me know!

The next set of hikes will be planned as we get closer to it.

Here’s the FB group. Spread the word and come meet like-minded outdoorsy people while exploring what southern California has to offer. RSVP to the hikes on the FB group so we can have an idea of what to expect.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/158309141555140/events/

Mishe Mokwa to Tri-Peaks and Sandstone Peak.

A local classic in the Santa Monica Mountains with incredible ocean views of the Pacific ocean. This hike is best during sunset. It’s an easy hike and good introduction to hiking in SoCal.

details

Date: Sunday, March 18th, 2018

Difficulty: Easy.

Distance: 7 miles.

Elevation Gain: 1646 feet.

Max. Elevation: 3,111 feet.

Duration: 3-5 hours.

Meeting Time: 3pm.

Meeting Location: On the corner of Yerba Buena and PCH, you'll find the Neptune's Net restaurant; just look for the motorcycles, you can't miss it. Take Yerba Buena up past the Circle X Ranch. A dirt parking lot is on your left after rounding a bend. Skip this lot and park at the next one you see (on the right).

What to bring: DOGS, Water, flashlight, friends and family.

Trail Info: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mishe-mokwa-to-tri-peaks-and-sandstone-peak

Bridge to Nowhere via East Fork Trail

This is an easy hike that starts working on your mileage in the San Gabriel Mountains.

details

Date: Sunday, March 25th, 2018

Difficulty: Easy.

Distance: 9 miles.

Elevation Gain: 1181 feet.

Max. Elevation: 3,111 feet.

Duration: 4-5 hours.

Meeting Time: 8am.

Meeting Location: Coyote Flat parking lot.

What to bring: DOGS, Water, flashlight, friends and family.

Trail Info: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/east-fork-trail-bridge-to-nowhere

Mount Wilson via Chantry Flats

This is my go-to local hike and a great place to train and trail run for those who love that. Located in the Sierra Madre and ending at the historical Mount Wilson observatory.

details

Date: Sunday, April 14th, 2018

Difficulty: Moderate.

Distance: 14 miles.

Elevation Gain: 4475 feet

Max. Elevation: 5710 feet.

Duration: 6-8 hours.

Meeting Time: 8am.

Meeting Location: At the store of the Chantry Flats parking lot.

What to bring: DOGS, Water, food, friends and family, Adventure Pass (can also be purchased at the store)

Trail Info: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mount-wilson-via-chantry-flats

Mount Baden Powell

It is the time to go higher! This is also a good taste of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) legendary switchbacks.

details

Date: Sunday, April 22th, 2018

Difficulty: Moderate.

Distance: 8.99 miles.

Elevation Gain: 2788 feet

Max. Elevation: 9400 feet.

Duration: 5 hours.

Meeting Time: 9am. (Gives you time to get there. I recommend carpooling. WE can meet at the Arc’teryx La Brea store)

Meeting Location: Vincent Gap trailhead.

What to bring: DOGS, Water, food, friends and family, Adventure Pass.

Trail Info: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mount-baden-powell

San Bernardino peak via Angelus Oaks

Alright, now we are really getting that leg burn. Climb on!

details

Date: Sunday, May 6th, 2018.

Difficulty: Difficult.

Distance: 15.7 miles.

Elevation Gain: 4625 feet.

Max. Elevation: 10649 feet.

Duration: 10 hours.

Meeting Time: 8am

Meeting Location: Angeles Oaks Trailhead Parking.

What to bring: Permit, Water, food, Adventure Pass, flashlight.

Permits are free, and can be obtained from the San Bernardino National Forest Mill Creek Ranger Station in Mentone, 34701 Mill Creek Road or you can fax the permit request form to (909) 794-1125.

Trail Info: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/san-bernardino-peak-trail-via-angelus-oaks

CHALLENGE: Backpacking Cirque Peak via the new Army approach + Alabama Hills camping.

First challenge hike! Time to test your gear and get that leg burn. This is a gorgeous glaciated peak with lakes near Mt. Whitney and other massive peaks. Come play in the Sierras!

Tentative Plan:

Meet in Alabama Hills on Friday night and camp there. It’s free and perhaps one of the greatest spots in SoCal!

Watch the epic sunrise move across Mt. Whitney the next morning from your tent.

Stock up on food and supplies in Lone Pine and drive the 20 miles into Horseshoe Meadows.

From here we will hike towards Chicken Spring Lake via the Cottonwood Pass. Saturday night, we will set up camp near Chicken Spring Lake.

Wake up on Sunday at 5am and summit Cirque Peak. We’ll be back in Lone Pine in the afternoon of Sunday.

details

Date: May 18^th- 20^nd, 2018. Friday- Sunday.

Difficulty: Difficult. Scramble. Backcountry camping. We will teach you about gear and set up. Don’t worry too much.

Distance: 20.9 miles.

Elevation Gain: 4300 feet

Max. Elevation: 12900 feet.

Duration: 2 days.

Meeting Time: Open arrival time on Friday or 7am on Saturday.

Meeting Location: Alabama Hills in Lone Pine.

What to bring: Backpacking gear list will be released once we are closer to understanding the trail conditions and expected weather.

Trail Info: https://www.pickatrail.com/topo-map/c/7.5x7.5/cirque-peak-ca.html

Alabama Hills, California.

Peak bagging in SoCal - Whitney prep

The popular 6-pack peak challenge [Wilson, Bernardino, Gorgonio, Cucamonga, Baldy and San Jacinto] is the go-to for southern California mountaineers when training for Mt. Whitney. But there are many more peaks you can bag during your Whitney training that are perfectly adequate.

I am a lazy alpinist when it comes hiking peaks for training. I hate permits, crowded trails and inaccessibility. I’ve gathered my favorite training peaks for those who want a different challenge. This will be fun and this will get you there!

First, what do you actually need for taking on Mt. Whitney? Let’s break down your goals ,

Goal 1: Elevation gain. You must be able to gain ~5000ft of elevation in a single day.

Goal 2: Mileage. Hiking more  than 10 miles a day with pack.

Goal 3: Altitude. Ability to comfortably perform regular task at least 10,000 feet of elevation.

Goal 4: Gear. You must have the proper gear. Test and understand your set up.

1^st Goal: Elevation Gain.

This is the most important to me. Making those legs a hiking machine requires time. I chose 2 hikes with distance below 10 miles so you can really focus on elevation gain.

Bighorn Peak

Distance: 8 miles

Duration: 5-6 hours

Gain: 3,675′

Max Elevation: 8,441′

Black Mountain Fire Tower  

Distance: 8.87 mi 

Duration: 4-5 hours 

Gain: 2,700′

2^nd Goal: Mileage.

In southern California, we are blessed with having the Pacific Crest Trail. This is my go to for distance. I simply find a place to hop on and hike in and out the distance I want to accomplish. Your mileage goal is also easy to tackle even at Griffith Park which has a ton of trails that can be explored. Here are some lengthy hikes as well, although these come with hefty elevation gain which can be hard to jump into.

Santiago Peak aka Saddleback Mountain.

o   Distance: 15 miles

o   Duration: 6 hours

o   Gain: 4469′

o   Max Elevation: 5,689′

Mt. Wilson via Chantry Flat.

o   Distance: 14 miles

o   Duration: 6-7 hours

o   Gain: 4200′

o   Max Elevation: 5,713′

3^rd Goal: Altitude!

Some people are extremely sensitive to altitude changes. Some won’t be faced by it. Altitude sickness can be dangerous it’s good to know how your body reacts to elevation gain. These 3 hikes are in order of elevation and you should really pay attention how you feel during your hike and how you feel after. This will give you a chance to understand if you need further training. There are many methods for you to get your body to use oxygen more effectively.

Baden Powell via Vincent Gap

o   Distance: 8.75 miles

o   Duration: 4-5 hours

o   Gain: 2,830′

o   Max Elevation: 9,401′

Mt. Baldy loop. Ascent via Register Ridge and descent via Devil’s Backbone or Ski Hut Trail.

o    Distance: 7.18 mi 

o    Duration: 6 hrs

o    Gain:  4,285

o    Max Elevation: 10,084′

Cirque Peak via Cottonwood Pass. (One of my all time favorites)

o   Distance: 15.1 mi

o   Duration: Give it a good amount of time for camp and enjoyment

o   Gain: 2945′

o   Max Elevation: 12,900′ 

4^th Goal: Gearhead!

I can sit here and talk about gear till your ears fall off. I don’t even know when I became one of these people but some of my most enjoyable conversations are with REI salesmen.

The reason I got into gear is because I struggled a lot in the beginning. My pack was always heavy. I was often dressed inadequately and underprepared for extreme weather conditions. Take it from someone currently typing this blog entry with 9 toenails, properly fitting pair of shoes with knowledge of shoe lacing techniques goes a long way. Before my last trek into Mt. Siguniang, I tested different set ups weekly. I had never gone above 20,000’ of elevation and let alone -40F. I went by myself and I didn’t want to leave any room for errors. Mt. Whitney is not the place for errors.

There is so much gear out there that is overwhelmingly difficult to put it together. Every person has different needs so it also requires trial and error on your part.

My advice is to prioritize what is important. Outdoor retailer salesmen will try to convince you to buy a $50 mug. That’s right! They are made out of Titanium; A metal with a very high melting point that it is used in space rockets’ parts so they won’t melt during take-offs. You’re not going to space. Laugh it off and save your pennies. You got down jackets to buy!

If you need information of this, feel free to contact me.

The great news if that if you need to test your feet, gear and ability all at one, I have the hike for you!

You can test all of your gear and skills with the Langley peak. I actually prefer Langley over Whitney. The challenge is nearly identical. They stand so close to each other that the views are similar. The trail is not crowded and the permit is free and you get it the day of the hike. This is a no hassle Mt. Whitney and you should definitely do it at some point in your life.

Mt. Langley

o   Distance: 23 miles

o   Duration: ~14 hrs. Plan to camp. Pair it up with Lone Pine and you got yourself the best weekend ever.

o   Gain: 4,425 

o   Max Elevation: 14,026′

Hope you enjoy training for Mt Whitney and tackling all these awesome SoCal peaks. Climb on!