Looking like nothing more than a scenic view point, there's actually some interesting hiking trails…read moreif you're adventurous. Is this a must stop? I think so. There's a nice little walk to the actual viewing area. If you continue down the hill you will walk across a "Jeep Trail" which is really cool especially when drivers go down the dirt road.. I'm not sure how you get access to this trail, but it appears to be owned /maintained by a local Jeep Drivers club ( Hemet Jeep Club) Hiking Trails are not clearly marked..

Scenic drive from Banning, recommend to do first 10 miles, enjoy the amazing view and check out…read morewhich lookout points to stop, then U-turn back to stop and take pictures. This is best part of scenic panaromic highway, unless you enjoy winding drive to Idyllwild continuing to Palm Springs where the last 20 miles of Palm to Pines highway offers impressive views.

The San Gorgonio wilderness is 58,969 acres of incredible wilderness. There are numerous trails…read moreand is a great place to go for a day hike or a weekend backpacking trip. My husband planned a wonderful trip for Labor day and even though this is one of the most popular trails and on a 3 day weekend, it wasn't crowded. We saw a good number of groups but there was very little passing along the trails. This particular trailhead is located only about 1.5 hours from West LA and really easy to get to. Just past the town of Mentone, continue along highway 38 about 20 minutes past the ranger station and arrive at Jenks Lake where the trailhead begins just past the paved parking lot. To summit Mt. Gorgonio, which is the highest peak in southern California at 11,502 ft is the ultimate goal and starting from this particular trailhead it will be a trip of about 24 miles. It can be done in one very long day or campsites are available for a more leisurely trip. Permits are required but are free. To park you need an adventure pass to display on your car. To get a permit you need to send in for one using the website listed above. Parking passes can be purchased in advance at REI. The trail head at Jenks Lake starts you off at 6,900 ft. After 2.5 miles is Poop Out hill where the trail will split to Dry Lake or Dollar Lake. We took the route towards Dry Lake. It is about 7.5 miles from the trail head until Dry Lake at 9,000 ft. Dry Lake is where some campsites are offered, it is also the place to stop and refill your water. As with all backpacking, you have to carry in everything you need including water. You can refill here using your preferred sanitation method. There are two campsites at Dry Lake and the next site is Trail Flats about 1.3 miles past Dry Lake, which is where we camped. From Trail Flats, you can begin the summit at Sky High Trail and will be another 4 miles to the top. This is incredible scenery and remember to bring plenty of water as your last water source was Dry Creek. Also bring a hat because at this elevation, you probably don't want the sun beaming down on you. There are a good number of switchbacks but I didn't find it to be that strenuous but at that point, I had put down my 25lb pack at the camp site. It will take about 2.5 hours and affords incredible views including the wreckage of plane. The main perk of taking this trail is that the ascents are gradual. The scenery is just amazing and the trails are well maintained. It's incredible to see entire hillsides and trees just flattened due to previous avalanches. The trees are just beautiful and even uprooted are interesting and intricate. Overall I really enjoyed this trip as it can be taken as leisurely as you'd like or as quickly (and much more strenuously) as you'd like. The air is thin but it feels wonderful to get away from the smog of LA. The view a the top includes Mt. Baldy, the San Bernardinos, Mt San Jacinto, and various other things I probably can't identify. The hike goes through mostly tall shaded trees but changes to rocky meadows and falling trees, and some small streams to cross. It's anything but boring! Be careful of altitude sickness, it can hit at any moment, be prepared for possible rain, and enjoy this beautiful wilderness. Check out this great blog for more detail: http://www.modernhiker.com/2009/09/22/hiking-san-gorgonio-mountain-via-south-fork-trail/

The trail reopened in 2017. It's a nice area for the most part, but the fire that came through…read morereally destroyed a lot of the environment. The first part of the hike really looks like a warzone, or some scary setting for a Lord of the Rings film. Luckily there are small trees sprouting from the ashes, as well as bushes closer to the ground that are thriving. The second half of the trail looks more normal, right around Dollar Lake, then soon after that the trees eventually thin out as they're starved of oxygen at higher altitudes. Unfortunately this place will take a while to fully recover, but it will be fun seeing it come back to life. My dad really loved the meadows and ferns and lush greener that used to be here, but I didn't get a chance to see it, and now it's gone. If you want a longer hike and gentler incline to the top of San Gorgonio, this is the one for you. If you want scenery not devastated by a fire, and a little shorter with a more rapid incline, I'd recommend starting at the Vivian Creek trailhead instead.

Clear day hike to the summit. There was still Ice on the…read moreway up. The trail is really nice for a small 8.5 mile hike. Loved every minute of it. Please come and create your own adventure.

This was my first time on the Black Mountain Trail in my new off-road capable vehicle, and I had a…read moreblast! The trail was pretty easy, with many of the sharp curves being paved to reduce erosion. Went up on a Sunday and not a lot of people there. Stayed at the campground at the top with only one other guest present. Awesome views when you get up high looking for miles and miles down to Southern California. A lovely little drive into nature that could be done with most cars, but not if they have low clearance. Highly recommend the campground at the top, very peaceful and quiet when I was there.

One of the most beautiful trails in Southern California…read more No parking lot. Parking is on the dirt mountain and must use your gps to find. This is a lovely hike and will test your endurance and patience the beginning 1.5 miles be used it's steep. It seems like your going up and up, just go slow and at your pace. Lots of trees and boulders. Lots of stunning views and area for a small picnic. Dogs are allowed on trails with leash and pls remember to pick up after their poop. Many different variety of plants. Enjoy this lovely trail.

1. You need a wilderness permit (can get at ranger station)…read more 2. The road going out to the trailhead is really bumpy/unpaved. 3. Switchbacks on the steeper parts with good stopping points/views the whole way up 4. You can bring dogs- yay 5. 30% shade, 70% sunny 6. 8 miles round trip to look out point and back (4 miles each way)

Zanja Peak Trail Head is easily a five star hiking/biking location. I was expecting it to be an…read moreeasy hike, but man was I wrong. I hike here and there, but for zanja I had to take a few breaks on the way up. This location offers many routes and it all depends on your skills. It is most inclines with very few declines. Signs and easy to follow dirt routes will guide you all the way up and down. Worth of advice, bring some water, snacks and some hiking shoes. There is no problem using running shows, but hiking boots make it easier. The Zanja trails are located in a good area near nice neighborhoods, but I did see a few transients. Dirt parking is available at the entrance and cell reception works just fine. The scenery is totally worth the challenge.

Great hike, lots of different paths to take. Definitely be cautious of mountain bikers as they tend…read moreto haul ass down, but are polite and courteous. Some steep inclines but nothing too bad or dangerous. Some shade when you're about half wayish. Definitely go early morning or evening in summer. Nothing but friendly people, and a good time! Plenty of parking in the trail lots, and there are business close by if needing restrooms.

Sunday, March 5th 2023…read more "The Silence Grows" . an Ode to Humber Park Trailhead Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 3e07 in Pine Cove California . By Jade Ann Byrne . Take only photos; leave only foot steps. Leave no trace, is how I enjoy nature. I don't always follow all the rules but you wouldn't know I was there. What an incredible privilege to ascend a sleeping snowy giant on the somber silence of a Sunday. The bright crunch of the grains of snow underfoot crying out loudly from the sudden unwelcome friction of my boots of untrodden once warmed, now frozen snow. The silence broke only by The chestnut-backed chickadee (Poecile rufescens) casually crying out alerting the rest of the environment to my presence. The silence grows. Snowshoeless descending towards the frigid rapids of the burble glossy eddies hidden below the abundant heavy snow. Stop movement. Inhale. Release.

Came here on a snowy day and love love loved it!…read more It was quiet and serene except for the sound of hail and snow falling. We did a bit of a hike and there were some good elevation points for a sled ride. You can also find uniquely large pine cones here which can be sappy and poky so handle with care.

I really love this lake. We came to do an adventure hike today. We stopped at the store for our new…read moreparking pass for the year. Our walk was lovely and we encountered so many really cool things today. I took a bunch of pictures of nature. I still haven't seen a bald eagle. I was pretty sure there was a dead body in the trash dumpster but after lifting the lid it was just trash that stunk to high heavens. The dead racoon carcass was a crazy sighting! Poor baby, I wonder what ate it? We saw Cormorants, granite spiney lizards, carpenter bees, murders of crows... a whole bunch going on. There are so many things to see here on the trails, you should come check it out for yourself!

Great place and well kept, people are nice, fellow campers respectful. Beautiful location, very…read morecrowded place too, sites are close together. Dogs welcome. Well stocked RV Masters store down the hill if you have any issues. If you are bringing a trailer or RV and expect to have full hookups, please be warned. The location of the sewer hookup on many sites is at the back end of the site that is uphill from your dump outlet and no way you can actually use it even with hose supports. The water hookup is also in some cases a shared 4 bib in the adjacent camp so you will be tripping over your hose. So be prepared to dry camp so your trip isn't stressful. Meaning fill your water and drain your tanks. Electrical worked fine for us. But the outlets are 30a so if you have a 50a rig, bring your adapter. The fire rings can be moved if you need them in another place to not have smoke in your rv so that nice. There is a store and the bathrooms are real toilets not pit, cleaned and kept stocked and they have showers if you need. They have 2 RV dump stations that are free when you stay but only 1 has working water for flushing. Overall , we would camp again with the expectation of dry camping, but the prices should reflect the inability to actually have "full hookups".

After taking the tram up, we spent some time walking around Mount San Jacinto State Park, and it…read moreended up being one of the most relaxing parts of the trip. It's a big contrast from the desert below , cool air, tall pine trees, and quiet forest trails. The trails around Long Valley are pretty easy, so you don't need to be a serious hiker. It's perfect for a casual walk, taking photos, or just enjoying the mountain scenery. We saw squirrels and chipmunks, and I've heard people sometimes spot deer around here too. One thing to know: it's much colder up here than in Palm Springs, so bring a light jacket and wear comfortable shoes because you'll probably end up walking more than planned. It's a nice little nature break after the tram ride, and definitely worth spending some time here before heading back down.

Great trails and hikes! Beautiful! Would definitely recommend making a stop here if in the area for…read moresome outdoor time.