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Glendale, CA

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Deukmejian Wilderness Park

4.5 (104 reviews)

Deukmejian Wilderness Park Photos

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Paul K.

Convenient, close by, easy/accessible parking. Wilderness trails are easy, moderate, kind of tough, etc. Not much shade on trails, so consider that during summer months. Restrooms are clean, area is well maintained, no graffiti; bring a lunch and sit at the picnic tables!

Amy M.

Great place for a hike, picnic, or just to lay on the grass. It's well maintained and fairly clean. There are restrooms and picnic tables. Only downside was I came for an event and couldn't find any parking so I had to park by the entrance and then walk up hill. On the road that leads up to the park it says No Parking yet people do it anyway.

Ben A.

As a lifelong San Gabriel Valley resident and something of an outdoorsman, I've spent plenty of time exploring the mountains that bear the same name-- hiking, backpacking, trail-running, camping, fishing, rock-climbing, hunting, wilderness survival... you name it, I've probably done it. But then, days turn to decades, and the subtle changes of life synergize to shift our course again and again. With three kids, a bride of nearly 17 years, a mortgage, and a real job... my solo mountaineering days are postponed for a while. Instead, we spent a family Valentine's day hiking around this spot, scouting for new territory-- now, even more important that the Bobcat fire has closed most of my entry points above the SGV until at least 2022. Arriving on a beautiful Sunday after 10 AM, I figured the parking lot would be full... and I was right. Still, we did a quick loop to scope the place out, then found a parking spot on the street near the main entrance. A 0.2 mile walk up the paved road was potentially one of the steepest parts of our hike with kids today. We did a quick three mile hike through the chaparral-- enjoying the new growth of mule sage, wild buckwheat, sugar bush, oak trees, laurel trees, and a few early wildflowers. We took the Mummy Rock loop (never found the rock as far as I know,) and ended up back heading up the canyon to what seemed to be the end of that particular trail, terminating under a large oak tree near the dry creek bed. A little bench created the perfect platform for a snack and water break for the kids. The trail is a mix of hard-packed clay, decomposed granite, and quite a few loose rocks, so best to wear sturdy shoes. Not a lot of shade, either... today was cool and breezy, but I can see that this would require a nice big hydroflask or Camelback on a hot day. There also appear to be plenty of other trails to explore, with the surrounding mountains covered with switchbacks in those typical "zig-zag" patterns through the scrub. On our way out, I saw a trailhead sign for Mount Lukens... which is the mountain wayyy up there with all the radio towers on top. A hike for another day, as my youngest wasn't feeling another uphill after our short but quick climb. After your hike there are a few grassy park areas with tables and benches to enjoy a picnic, or to just relax. Plenty of folks with dogs, but not overly crowded today. Compared to places like Eaton Canyon, Millard Canyon, the Mt. Wilson trail, or Sam Merrill/Echo Mountain... this place was really not crowded. I will have to head back this way to explore more. You should too.

Main gate locks one hour after sunset
Sophia A.

Park underwent huge renovations in recent years. We still have yet to explore the nature center but will next time. Picnicking here is peaceful and fun, there aren't any play grounds so you won't see loads of kids. The new tile mural is really cute and restroom facilities are nice. Have done several hikes here in the past year or so and not much is shaded so bring proper sun protection.

Burbling creek after the big rains March 2023
Rebecca D.

Free, nice people, good parking, grassy picnic area and nature center. Gets super hot in the summer. Variety of hikes to take. Today we brought the pooch to enjoy the creek after the big rains this year. Make sure your pooch is on its leash and please people- pick up the poop.

sherry u.

Great location; various levels of trails to hike; trails can be a bit rocky so wear appropriate shoes; clean restrooms; free parking lot; great views. Not a lot of shade on trail so if a sunny day a hat would be a good choice to wear. On site nature center.

Elvira D.

I've visited this park a few times for a comfortable hike and yesterday was one of those perfect fall days where the weather was crisp and the sun was shining on you at the same time. Though not the most tamed or clear park, Deukmejian Wilderness Park provides a nice escape for people, friends and family to take a nice hike, see the valleys from a distance, watch a gorgeous sunset and have some socially distant picnics and lunches at the benches by the adjacent park. PARKING A few lots available for free

WInter Holiday Festivities at Le Mesnager "Barn".
Gary I.

Winter Holiday Festivities at the mini amphitheatre next to the Le Mesnager "Barn" at Deukmejian Wilderness Park after 6pm on December 15, 2018. This event took place at the cold, cold 2300 foot above sea level elevation in the San Gabriel Mountains. Wonderful improvisational choir singing winter holiday traditional, folk, country, contemporary songs in tribute to Saturnalia, Bodhi Day, Xmas, Chanukkah, etc. Tap Chicks, Tap Dancing Team in Dorothy of Oz scarlet, red sequined western hats. Also wore garrison caps and khaki uniforms to do "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B" to honor our veterans. YMCA & In the Navy by the Village People also made their list. Mostly senior citizens, but the youngest is 39 yo. Great "All American" act that goes through many costume changes to evoke different moods. For a concise history of Le Mesnager "Barn" refer to Z.Z.'s Yelp review September 2018, and why the present name for this wilderness may not be the most appropriate. For more detailed information: https://www.cvhistory.org/winemaking.htm Nice park that has a series of nature trails of varying difficulty. Be careful since much of this area has easily friable decomposed granite made worse by the heat of the huge Station Fire in 2010. Le Mesnager "Barn" was the place meant to crush wine grapes and store them in barrels to age. Grape vines also grew near by. In tribute to the wine production during the late 19th & early 20th century, grape vines are still grown here. You can participate in the harvesting of grapes in early fall where you can learn a lot about enology. https://m.facebook.com/stonebarnvineyard/

Snow Day in Glendale!!!
Marcelo P.

I live in Rosemead but saw the low snow levels with this last storm and wanted to get in on the action. Thankfully, we didn't have to drive very far for the powdery white stuff! It was pure and fresh like an all white Mercedes, bro! We tried going up Angeles Crest, but it was blocked by CHP due to needing chains. The next best thing was to drive up a few exits where we found this gem of a park just up Pennsylvania Ave. The police blocked the public again at the base of the entrance to the park, so you had to hike up. It was a nice little hike with plenty of places to play in the snow. There were so many Angelenos there, kids on sleds, dogs on sleds, people in shorts, even saw a Lamborghini Urus. Typical LA behavior! All in all, it was a fun time. We will definitely be back to check out the rest of the park, most likely without snow. Thank you, Global Warming!!!!

Emilia J.

When this place is not busy burning to the ground it is the perfect hiking spot. Beautiful views, a waterfall at the top, a nice resting area at the bottom with benches and flowers. I come here to hike and for picnics. It never seems to be overly crowded like everything near me in hollywood. The hike can be a bit steep at times... but that is half of the fun of hiking. It is a little difficult to find as the entrance of the park comes out of nowhere... but it is worth the look and the drive!

Breathe
Zach H.

This is an amazing hidden gem of a park! Plenty of parking and awesome grassy shady areas to hang out in. The views up here are great with trailheads leading higher up the mountain.

Old vineyard barn (1918)
Franklin M.

I'm always amazed on how many trails are in our local mountains. This was my first time to this trail and it was an enjoyable hike. This is an easy trail for beginners and is well marked and very popular on the weekend. We hiked on a cloudy day but if it was sunny we would've cooked under the sun because there aren't many trees shading the trails. They have begun to add tree seedlings along most of trails which is a great plus for our future hikers. There's plenty of free parking with few parking restriction signs.

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Great place for a hike amazing views we went for a joke when it snowed a few week back so fun

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Lots of hiking through this wonderful wilderness park with trails of varying difficulty and lots of good views.

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Page 1 of 3

Ask the Community - Deukmejian Wilderness Park

So im new to hiking and want to go hike all the way to mt lukens. Any advice on the trails and how not to get lost. Also dont want to spend thousands in a gps watch or a satalilte emergency phone. Help a brudda out here thx?

If you are new to hiking this is not the place for you unless you go with a group of experienced hikers. There are some really challenging sections and little to no shade. Find a hiking group like Pasadena Hiking Pacers to join.

Are these trails good for the casual trail runner or are they too steep?

I hiked a little bit today and I saw a dude running with his dog, so it seems like it would be perfect.

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Review Highlights - Deukmejian Wilderness Park

“I took the rim of the valley trail to Mt Lukens, which was about 5 miles one way.”

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Beaudry Loop Hike - Directions are easy to decipher. You go left and I go up or you go right and I go east. ;D

Beaudry Loop Hike

4.4(145 reviews)
3.9 mi

May your trails be long, crooked, lonesome, rugged leading to the most magnificent view. Now…read morewithout further ado let's begin this glorious hike review. ;D Beaudry Loop Hike is a 5.5-mile loop trail located in Verdugo Mt near La Cresenta and Glendale, California. The trail is moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 hours to complete. Also, it has other interconnected trails within the loop. BLH is a popular area for hiking, mountain biking, dog walking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Furthermore, this loop trail has an elevation gain of 1,515 feet that provide gorgeous view of LA and surrounding cities. I hiked this loop trail on a cool Tuesday (12/06) morning where very little to no hikers on the trail. As you go deeper into the trail's bosom, you will see some wild plants and flowers and other creatures. The trails are very wide, well kept and has adequate shade on certain parts. The entrance of Beaudry Loop trail (intersection of Beaudry Terrace and Beaudry blvd) is somewhat hidden but a yellow metal thick gate is where you enter. There is one thing certain that no quiescent mind hiking this trailhead. As for parking, there are plenty of street parking around the neighborhood. In this voluminous review, it's time to make a conclusion. Overall, I enjoyed hiking this trail and it's magnificent view from the summit. I wholeheartedly recommend this trail.

This hike is not for the faint of heart. I believe it's a full 7 miles if you do the entire loop…read morebut we ended up taking a shorter route which made it a total of 5 miles. I've attempted this hike once before and failed to do the loop as I started later in the day and wasn't able to finish it; however, I just recently went again with a few of my friends and this time was able to accomplish it within, I want to say 3-4 hours? I wasn't tracking it but it was a good hike--recommend going early to beat the heat or maybe in the afternoon so it's not hot. My only recommendation is to take the path on the right first when you come across the split at the Beaudry Loop since there's shading from the trees and it's much easier, as it felt like it was a steady incline. Also, when coming back down from the other side, it was steeper but much easier to come down than to hike uphill, which I did the first time I did this hike. A great, challenging hike for anyone who is currently looking for new places to climb. Due to the fires in Eaton Canyon and Malibu, there are less options to trek at the moment but this is a solid choice. This is nestled in a neighborhood so you'll end up parking your car either at the front entrance or in front of other people's homes. Will definitely come back again next time to conquer the full trail but with more ample time of course.

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Beaudry Loop Hike
Beaudry Loop Hike
Beaudry Loop Hike

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Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

4.4(294 reviews)
6.3 mi

Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

This was my first real hike, and it was great! It was a bit confusing to get there but there were…read moreplenty of people around to help out. The water is ice cold and you need water shoes to comfortably walk around in the water. Be careful not to slip on the algae covered rocks! Still wonderful

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Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - Lower Switzer Fall

Lower Switzer Fall

Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service
Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - The grand prize, Switzer falls.

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The grand prize, Switzer falls.

Descanso Trail - Trail entrance. #BnWphoto

Descanso Trail

4.4(18 reviews)
3.9 mi

Quiet, easy hiking trail for the whole family. Baby stroller access may be a little tricky the…read morefirst 10-15 minutes. But after that it's smooth sailing. A very pleasant and peaceful walk. You may notice some freeway noise in some parts. HOW TO GET THERE: Set your GPS/Navigation to "Descanso Garden". You're going to park inside Descanso Garden anyways. Its free and its a 3 minute walk from the Trailhead. Do Not use the Yelp app's "Get Directions" on your smartphone. It'll take you to someone's house. I wish Yelp would correct this. PARKING: Don't tell anyone I told you this but I always park at Descanso Garden Parking Lot. It's free. I park my car right at the entrance to Descanso Garden so that I'm close to the entrance. There's always a gazillion empty parking spaces here. As soon as you park your car, walk back to the entrance (towards the main road, Descanso Drive) and then turn left onto the dirt sidewalk. You'll walk for a minute and find the 3 little yellow steel posts that other Yelpers described. That's your landmark for the entrance to the Trail. TRAILHEAD ACCESS: The trail begins about a 3 minute walk from the Descanso Garden parking lot. So when you exit the Descanso Garden parking lot, immediately turn left. Walk on the dirt sidewalk for less than a minute and on the left hand side you'll see 3 yellow steel posts (you know the kind that prevents people from driving over it). Walk through these 3 yellow posts and you'll find yourself walking on asphalt flanked by 8 feet tall brown colored fencing. You'll ask yourself "Am I at the right place?". Trust me, you are. Follow the signs and suddenly you'll find yourself at the trailhead. DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy. I went to Descanso Trail with my in-laws today. They're both in their mid-70's (very healthy) and they had no problems. The most difficult part of this trail comes about 5 minutes into the walk. You'll find yourself staring at an uphill climb consisting of several switchbacks. There's lots of loose rocks that someone can slip on. Especially small children and elderly. Climbing up is not bad. Even for my mid-70's in-laws they had no trouble. Did it without resting. Coming down these switch-backs is a little more challenging but definitely do-able for the healthy elderly. A walking/hiking stick will help. The rest of the hike is smooth sailing. Slight uphill and downhill walking here and there. Nothing challenging. The trail is made of compacted dirt, mainly about 5 feet to 10 feet wide. If you're a good hiker, if you've hiked Half Dome then this Descanso Trail hike will be a 'walk in the park'! BABY STROLLER: For about 99% of this trail, a stroller will have no problems whatsoever. However, within 5 minutes of starting this hike (read my "Difficulty Level" section above) you will find yourself at the bottom of an upward climb through some switchbacks. I think some healthy parent with a capable stroller probably could push the buggy uphill. But I believe for most parents, this will pose a challenge. You're better off holding the baby in your arms and having someone else carry the stroller uphill. Luckily, this uphill walk will take less than 5 minutes. After this, the rest of the trail is easy sailing for a stroller. Mainly compacted dirt. Keep in mind there are some gently upward and downward hills you need to navigate. CELLPHONE RECEPTION: I had 3 to 5 bars on my Verizon iPhone the whole time on the trail. No problems with reception at all.

Hiking is a passion of mine which I truly enjoy. This is a trail that allows the flexibility of…read morebeginner to advanced workouts. For starters if you are into running, jogging or bike rides this trail is perfect. I enjoy the running aspect as I love a great workout. If you enjoy some chill time or a read this is a great spot as well. From enjoying a great sunrise or sunset this is a great spot.

Photos
Descanso Trail - Beautiful pic

Beautiful pic

Descanso Trail - City scapes

City scapes

Descanso Trail - Ultimate Destination sign (not to be confused with Final Destination)

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Ultimate Destination sign (not to be confused with Final Destination)

Secret Stairs - Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr.

Secret Stairs

4.3(37 reviews)
8.8 mi•South Arroyo

My second time doing the stairs here is how I found them…read more Number of stairs- 9 Sycamore Glen to Redwood Dr.-this staircase is not in Fleming's Secret Stairs book, Walk #1, though they could have easily been part of the route. 60 steps Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr. 98 steps Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr. 81 steps up then 19 steps down Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr. 86 steps Glenullen Dr. to Cherry Dr. 99 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Capinero Dr. 44 steps La Loma to Cheviotdale Pl. 54 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Cherry Dr. 43 steps La Loma to Evergreen-this staircase... Hope it helps It's around two miles.

I decided to give the Secret Stairs a visit after a tip from Yelp! There is just something charming…read moreabout a neighborhood network of stairs. The stairs serves well as an easy hike or an exercise spot for those who love stair climbing. One thing I did not expect is that the stairs go up and down. Rather than take you higher and higher, some of the stairs just takes you across hills which for me is disappointing. Also, I did not find the houses along the trail particularly scenic. They are probably nice for Pasadena but definitely a far cry from what you see in nearby Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada, etc. Overall, I consider the Secret Stairs a local attraction. It's a worth a visit if you live less than 20 minutes away and its a fun neighborhood novelty but it's definitely not worth your time if you don't live in the area. Parking: I parked on the street on Elmwood which is the beginning of the trail, but I don't highly recommend it. It's not a particularly well maintained street and it is super narrow and steep without proper curbs/sidewalks. There is also a sign that says 'Tow Away on Red Flag Days'. Refer to the affixes picture. If I returned, I would either park on the street prior to Elmwood or just skip to a different segment.

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Secret Stairs - Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.

Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.

Secret Stairs - Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.

Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.

Secret Stairs - Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

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Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

Cherry Canyon Park - Guess what side of the trail did I take? ;D #winprize #5K

Cherry Canyon Park

4.5(24 reviews)
4.8 mi

You can park for free on the street which has many trees for shade. The hike entrance is to the…read moreright of the Descanso Gardens. If it's a hot day I recommend bringing some water and a hat. It's a two mile journey up to the top at Cerro Negro. We started our hike late around noon and it was hot with few people along the route.

Today is wild and it's yours. What can I say I'm wild for her cherry adventure. ;D…read more Cherry Canyon Park composed of a small but dense network of trails that are great for hikers, runners, bikers and walkers. It offers a panoramic view of mountains. This park is located in La Cañada Flintridge near the popular Descanso Gardens. There are different entrance/exit points to CCP such as Descanso-CherryCanyon trail, Conservancy trail, Motorway, Forest hill and Hampstead. I decided to take the Descanso Cherry Canyon trail on Descanso dr road. The trail has an elevation gain of 950 ft with a hiking level of 4 (moderate with steep inclines; not for beginners). The loop trail length up to 5 miles and you'll definitely spend at least 2 hours; it's highest summit reach to 1,887 feet. Cherry Canyon trail is dog friendly and bike friendly. There is little to no shade on these trails. Fellow hikers were amiable and respectful. There's very little to no human traffic on these trails. Furthermore, the trails were well maintained and trail signs are abundant. However, you can easily get loss given these trails were interconnected as evidence by a young male hiker who got loss asked me for direction. Finding street parking was easy. Cell reception was good. Overall, it's a wonderful trail to get a good cardio workout and enjoy the mountain view.

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Cherry Canyon Park
Cherry Canyon Park - What can I say I have a....#bigshoe #bigfeet #thiccnbig

What can I say I have a....#bigshoe #bigfeet #thiccnbig

Cherry Canyon Park

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Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Found this tiny little spider on a beautiful yellow bloom - had to bust out my macro lens for this one! June 2025

Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike

4.5(8 reviews)
4.2 mi

Such a unique and beautiful hike!!!! We even got to see some very hard snow that was almost gone,…read moredue to the rain and winds. I would highly recommend that at least 50% of the group have the trail downloaded, and you carry extra phone chargers. A few people who were with us almost got lost. It is very easy to do so if you are not paying attention. There is also one portion that becomes very steep. Take your time and bring a stick or poles if you need to. Other than that, the views are breathtaking, so enjoy! I would 1000% do this trail again, but only in a larger group with more experienced hikers. Hoping they are able to locate Monica Reza!! Please, please, please, do not leave anyone behind on their own. This is not an easy trail to guide yourself. There was a lovely man we met on the trail who hikes this consistently, and he cautioned us against losing people.

I bagged a peak this summer!! And the Waterman Mountain loop trail has become my number one fave…read morelocal trail here in SoCal. Getting up to Waterman peak isn't terribly technical - more of a straightforward moderate hike on well marked trails with tons of biodiversity and beautiful views. I hiked it towards the end of June and there were beautiful native SoCal blooms scattered along the trail - with so many native bees! The hike is through a burn scar (from the Peak Fire in 2021 I think) - so it can be a bit barren and burned up in places but it's heartening to see how well the area is recovering. I also ran into countless Pygmy Nuthatches (a lifer for me!!), White-headed Woodpeckers, squirrels, chipmunks, and even some cute tiny spiders! But this is Black Bear and Mountain Lion country so be vigilant and carry bear spray. All in all, I hiked around 6.4 miles with around 1380+ feet elevation gain. The trails are narrow in a lot of spots and mostly consists of rocks, loose dirt, and fine gravel. The first half of the trail is through forest and burn scar. The last half after the peak and old ski resort (long closed) is very exposed fire road with no shade and minimal views. On subsequent hikes I tend to skip that part and just turn around after the peak bc I like that part of the trail better lol. The peak of Waterman Mtn sits at 8030 feet. There's a great sign at the peak made by @peakart125 (on instagram) - it's lovely and makes for a fun way to celebrate making it all the way up! There's a sort of false peak right before the actual peak so I highly recommend making sure you've downloaded the trail map on AllTrails before heading out since cell signal is minimal to nonexistent on the trail. The views from the peak are a tad obstructed by rocks and trees - but you still get nice pocket views of Twin Peaks, the valley, and Mt Wilson observatory. It's also interesting to explore the old ski resort near the peak. There's tons of equipment and a chair lift but it doesn't look like it's been opened for years probably. AllTrails also shows a bathroom up there but I didn't find one so come prepared. There's a bathroom next to the paved parking area in a campground entrance at the trailhead. There's plenty of parking - almost all paved. You'll need an adventure pass to park bc it's in the Angeles National Forest - but they accept America the Beautiful passes too! I pretty much had the trail to myself on the weekday early morning. I only ran into two people - turned out it was search and rescue looking for missing hiker Monica Reza who went missing the weekend before my hike (I think she was last seen June 22nd, 2025). I helped a bit in the search on my way out but no luck. My understanding is she's still missing (I included a photo - they're still looking for volunteers to help search if you're interested!) - be aware and keep a lookout if you do the trail! They also have Instagram and FB pages for updates.

Photos
Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Precious little chipmunks kept a close eye on me while I hiked lol!

Precious little chipmunks kept a close eye on me while I hiked lol!

Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Views from the trail (June 2025) #getoutsideandexplore

Views from the trail (June 2025) #getoutsideandexplore

Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Lovely elderberry bloom along the trail (June 2025)

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Lovely elderberry bloom along the trail (June 2025)

Deukmejian Wilderness Park - hiking - Updated October 2026

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