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.

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.

Descanso trail is 3.1-mile loop trail in La Canada Flintridge, California near the Descanso…read moreGardens. Generally, it is considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 26 min to complete. However, it took me 2.5 hours (out-and-back) because of multiple rest stops to enjoy the awesome view. This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Overall, it's one of a nicest hiking spot in LA county.

This was easily one of my favorite hikes around LA, mostly because it was such an unexpected…read moreadventure. My friend originally wanted to hike the Brown Dam hike, but last minute suggested this trail and I'm so glad she did. We parked near the Angeles Crest Highway and followed the trail up to the La Cañada Teepee. The hike itself was long but relatively easy, and we were lucky that the weather was slightly overcast that day which it made the trek much more comfortable. We knew we were close when we saw the mailbox along the trail with a chain blockading the road to the teepee. That's when we ran into two Kenyan women who gave us a quick heads-up about what was ahead: stunning lavender fields, a cool telescope (I thought it was a model of the Griffith Observatory--haha), and even a little maze hidden within the flora and bushes as you get closer to the teepee structure. The sisters also mentioned that the area is actually private property, but the owners generously allow people to visit. We didn't run into the owner's, but we were able to explore and enjoy the incredible views and the massive teepee structure at the top. It truly felt like stumbling upon a hidden gem right in Los Angeles--one of the best surprises in such a long time. Highly recommended if you are an avid hiker. Best, Lina C.

This is a fun hiking destination! You can approach from the east or the south and you won't be…read moredisappointed.

SHUTTLE AWAY!!…read more Continuing the Conditioning Hike Series of reviews. Several months ago, me and The Crew were headed to the backcountry on a strenuous backpacking trip. To prepare, I wanted to do some conditioning hikes to decrease my chances of having to be airlifted out. This was one of the trails I did several times prior to the trip. Back when I was a wee hiker, The Crew planned a shuttle hike. What the heck is a shuttle hike?!?!?! STATS: Distance: 6.5 miles Time: 2.5-3 hours Elevation Gain: 1700 ft. Rating: Intermediate, not for beginners Trail: Fire Road, Non-maintained Fire Road and Single Track w/very little shade. Just northeast of Griffith Park lie the Verdugo Mountains. Like Griffith Park, there are a freakton of trails, some are maintained and well-traveled, some are not. Like the trails at Griffith Park, the trails in the Verdugo's are not all that shaded, and it gets super hot haulin yourself up an ascent to capture a 180+ view of the city below, not to mention, watch as planes arrive and depart Bob Hope Airport, as the sun sets. If the air is clear enough, you can see the sun dipping itself into the ocean as its glow illuminates on the water. Fast forward years of hiking with The Crew, I learned quickly and almost the hard way what a shuttle hike entailed. I also learned that I'm not the only one who goes through this growing pain. Anywhoo, while hikes are up and back, or in and out, or point A to point A, where the starting and ending points are the same, a shuttle hike is a one-way hike and takes a more planning and organizing than a one-way hike. Everyone meets with their cars at the ending point, hikers pile into as few cars as possible, and carpool to the starting point/trailhead. The route mapped out should lead hikers back to the initial meeting point and drive those whose cars parked at the trailhead are carpooled back. Most often, The Crew does shuttle, or loop likes, one-way is typically on backpacking trips. The Skyline trail is in the Verdugo's, and just as every trail, can be one-way, however, The Crew makes it a car shuttle hike. So we left some cars at our initial meeting point, in this case, Brand Park. A short ride down the street and around the bend, to a residential area is where we began our hike. The track is overgrown and a bit challenging in a few spots, but rewards hikers with some outstanding scenes of the Burbank and Glendale areas, and a nice steady incline, great for conditioning. The trail back down to our cars is the rutted firebreak that connects Beaudry to the library and can be a bit dangerous, but there are other, safer trails that lead back to the Brand Park, should you choose to do a car shuttle. Otherwise, y'all can return the same way you came, and make it a one-way hike. DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a firefighter can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up.

Start on Via Montana, east of Country Club Drive. The trailhead is to the right of a blue portable…read moretoilet in a vacant lot. Head through the yellow gate and the rest is fairly obvious. It is 5.1-miles roundtrip with a 1600-foot elevation gain from the trailhead to the Verdugo Mountainway on the crest of the mountain range. It is 8.4-miles roundtrip with a 1900-foot elevation change from the trailhead to Verdugo Peak, the highest point on the range. For the biggest experience, try a loop of Skyline Trail to Verdugo Peak and back down Wildwood Canyon which can be done in 8.8 miles with a 2200-foot change. The trail mostly runs on the northern side of the ridge. There is some shade from the ridge, but that land mass also lessens the view of Burbank. Views are mostly of the canyon with shots of Glendale. Of course, reaching the top has a view of most of Los Angeles. Compared to Stough Canyon, Wildwood Canyon, and Brand Park, this is the least busy of the trailheads that go into the Verdugo Mountains from Burbank. Wear long pants to protect the legs. Although the trail is clear, it's not heavily maintained. Parking is on a city street around condos.

We started the hike at 8am It was perfect weather, we got in through the bridge up to Henninger…read moreFlat is around 3 miles then is another 3 miles up to Idlehour Camp Trail. It's so worth it to the beautiful creek and the sound of the water is so relaxing. Recommended to bring mosquito repellent and cover your legs or you will end up all scratched at idlehour trail. Enjoy the trails and please leave no trace. In total we did 12.1miles in 5 hours

If you've ever seen those poor souls trapped or worse--injured-- on the Eaton a canyon waterfall,…read moretrying to comb up and over, know now and forever that there is a safer way to access upper Eaton Canyon. While the hike is approximately 13 miles round trip, the journey is worth the effort. Idlehour campground is nestled in a higher elevation section of Eaton Canyon, approximately 3 miles past Lower Henninger Flats. About 1 mile past the fire station at Henninger, look for a small wooden footbridge on the left of the trail and signs for Idlehour campground. This small trail off the toll road heads down into Eaton behind Henninger. While there is a lot of poison oak, the riparian flora and fauna are quite different than what one finds in lower Eaton near the white bridge. Bay trees, stinging nettle, willows, and abundant wildflowers in season color and perfume the landscape. There are a few primitive campsites here, with small wood burning stoves. Fire permits are required, and while you might get away with sleeping the night here, it's also best to make reservations. There are no restroom or trash facilities here, so plan on packing out what you pack in. Near the water, various insects, spiders, and other bugs like millipedes are abundant. California tree frogs, California newts (one of the most toxic creatures on earth!), and small fish can be found in the creek. Songbirds and raptors are occasionally seen. Large mammals like deer, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, and bears are generally in the neighborhood, so store food safely away from camp... That old Bot Scout trick of hanging it from a branch at least 10 feet off the ground works! Idlehour can also be accessed from Inspiration Point via the Idlehour trail, which begins roughly where the Sam Merrill trail ends about 0.3 miles past Inspiration point via the Castle Canyon trail. All trails are marked with new wooden signs... Although finding your way back to Henninger via the Idlehour trail from Inspiration Point can be a little tricky. Head east from the Idlehour campground sign and start heading uphill. This is not a particularly difficult hike, but it's length makes it a moderate effort. Bring extra water, maybe a light snack, and plan for a few buggy spots, especially during the summer. The gnats can get thick.

We did the loop on 12/30/22. There were patches of ice and snow. I wore microspikes for about a 1/3…read moreof the hike. We did the loop and the total mileage was 7 miles. The 2 people I did the hike with didn't have microspikes and they were fine. A lot of this area has been affected by the fires over the previous couple years. Since it is such a long, winding drive along Hwy 2 this trail is not very busy. Make sure to display your Adventure Pass parking permit. Because of the recent storms the waterfall had a good amount of water.

This is a 3 mile (roundtrip) trail that takes you to a really cool waterfall that's located deep…read morewithin the San Gabriel Mountains. Tall trees provide shade throughout most of the trail. There are just the right amount of people on the trail where it is not too crowded and it's also not too secluded. What I wish I would have known before I went was that you can park right next to the trailhead. If you enter into Buckhorn Campgrounds you can drive right up to the trailhead parking lot. I didn't know this so I parked at the outer parking lot and had to walk a half a mile down the hill. The parking lot nearest the trailhead actually had less cars then the outer parking lot. The other thing is that the majority of the trail is really easy to follow. You just have to remember that when you get to the signage and junction that lists both Cooper Canyon Trail and Burkhart Trail be sure to keep going straight along the Burkhart Trail. The falls will be a little further down on your left. You will have to descend down to the canyon bottom, with the assistance of a rope, to reach the base of the falls. Kids can do it no problem. The waterfall empties into a pool of water that's about a foot deep. It's really cold and refreshing. The waterfall was really wide with a nice and strong flow. Be sure to bring your Adventure Pass. There's no cell service. There are bathroom but they were all locked probably due to Covid-related precautions.

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.

Had a great time hiking this trail. The views are really impressive, especially overlooking the…read morecity and the Griffith Observatory. Definitely worth it. The trail itself is enjoyable and not too difficult, making it a good option for a casual hike. Parking can be a bit tricky. it's around $10/hour close to the trailhead, or you can park further down and walk up (which adds some distance). I believe there's also a shuttle option available. Overall, a really good experience and definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

Ran half with my dad, entire trail to get to Hollywood sign and back was 2 hours. Apple watch…read moreclocked in 6.5 miles, we parked after the tunnel off to the right Not sure if you have to pay $10 but we did Super dope, going again soon!