Its a hidden spot theres no signs so make sure you follow the exact lin point of your maps app…read more Theres no parking so parki alongside the road if find an open spot. Only way i found the opening was from people exiting the spot. It was off putting to see people disposing their trash right by the opening i guess people camp around here.. I would rate the hike moderate theres no guided path so use yoir instincts to navigate through here. You will reach a point to proceed once you reach the waterfall with a rope to climb up. I didnt go up i think its smarter if you bring gloves and good hiking boots cuz there are large rocks and boulders to climb over Please dont leave a trace

The most difficult part is finding the start of the trailhead. Once you pass the graffiti tower,…read moreyou are close! You'll also see some signage saying North Fork. I would keep an eye out for an opening in overgrown vegetation. It is off the 39. The cars parked out front help as well. There is limited parking and I'd say 10-12 cars max fit on the same side of the trailhead. Pros: clean and secluded. I think I counted about a dozen people total on my hike in and back. Con: short lol The trail has a good amount of shade and smaller falls and streams along the way. You'll transverse several rocks and low crossings and fallen trees so waterproof boots are best. I had my 65lbs senior pitlab mix with me on our hike. I had to lift and carry him over some of the rocks. Since it rained yesterday, portions of the trail were muddy. Visited on 1.16.22

Gorgeous trail in an area of the forest that is recovering from the Bridge Fire in 2024. While it's…read moreshocking to see so many burnt trees, it's also cool to see signs of life emerging from the ashes. There were many pine seedlings to be found along the trail and lots of wildflowers called "fire-followers" that actually require and benefit from the fire to bloom. To find the trailhead, look for the Big Pines Visitor Center. The parking lot for the trail is right across the street and the standard Adventure Pass is required to park in this lot (thank goodness, it is not part of the Mountain High Ski Resort cabal, so you don't have to buy the "Big Pines" parking pass as well.) It was a bit tricky to find the actual trailhead, as it's a few feet away from the parking lot. The parking lot does have restrooms as well as ADA parking available. The trail itself is very well maintained and offers stunning views. It's pretty much uphill all the way to the Blue Ridge Campsite and (of course) downhill all the way back. It's mostly in the shade but can get warm, so make sure you have plenty of water and snacks. Look for fungi, mariposa lilies, butterflies, squirrels and birds. Highly recommended!

The good: I came on a Tuesday and it was completely empty…read moreand serene. We came with our almost 3 year old but we carried him most of the time. The trail was mostly shaded and there were creeks with running water. We saw blue jays, chipmunks, squirrels, woodpecker and other birds. It was breezy with nice views of the mountains and far out in the canyon areas. The bad: We didn't get to finish the trail because we had a toddler. I think there were only 2 parking spots. I am not sure if there were other areas you can park. It was just on the dirt by the campgrounds sign. The interesting: Lots of the trees were burnt and fallen over. We saw red plants and some interesting mushroom growing on the trees. Some areas of the trail are more narrow with a sloping hill off to the side so be careful if you're coming with kids.

My friend and I went hiking in Claremont and intended on doing the loop, but when we saw the sign…read moreleading to Potato Mountain, we decided to head up! I've only heard about this spot, but have never been so I was excited to explore. The hike is not shaded and has a steady incline, so I was grateful that it was overcast and cool most of the day. The trail is wide enough for a car to drive on, and no major rocky areas, so I would say that if you were reeeeeally ambitious and wanted to push a jogging stroller up and down, you probably could. There are occasional bikers that we passed, but otherwise just a few hikers doing this trail, much less than the number of people doing the loop, which I actually liked. With the exception of the ugly graffiti on the concrete thing at the top, we were rewarded with a beautiful view of the valley on one end, and snow capped mountains on the other end. It didn't take that long to summit ( I think it took us less than an hour each way), so if you have a couple hours for something a little more challenging than the loop, this is a good hike! Parking is available in the lot starting at $10 (Yikes!) on the weekends. Enjoy!

First time visitor There are not bathrooms anywhere…read more There are a few (3?) trash can / compost / recycle green bins at the start of the trail There is not a designated parking area if coming on MT Baldy RD, park after the last No Stopping Any time sign (will see Angeles Forest large sign) then can park on the side of the road and forward Be aware of oncoming traffic both directions when walking to the trail head Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, water, snacks It is dog friendly but tough for stroller I think based on continual incline and gravel and rocky terrain Also note air may feel thinner as you start the trail so be mindful of your breathing and take rest stops Start of trail will be walking through shaded area with tree and can hear water and as continue the pathway make your descent up As you make your way further up, there will be part to turn left or go straight to the right, head to the left to continue upward - you'll see amazing clouds surrounding the mountain and the trail continuing You'll see a pathway that curves down the hill then back up, a right triangular metal sign will indicate going the right way and almost to the end of the trail. Other markers is seeing small forms of graffiti and the name Joey tagged on things Once on top, enjoy your accomplishment and then it's primarily a down hill return Enjoy Hydrate Limited cell service pending what part of the mountain on Enjoy the birds flowers rock formation little critters that pop In and out Would certainly return to try the other routes to potato mountain

The Pacific Crest Trailhead - Mojave River Forks End of Road serves as a significant access point…read moreto the iconic Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in Southern California. Situated at an elevation of 923 meters in the Mojave Desert region, this trailhead marks a unique intersection where the vast wilderness of the PCT meets the end of California Highway 173. It is a crucial gateway for exploring the diverse landscapes of the San Bernardino Mountains foothills and the unique desert environment. Visitors consistently highlight this trailhead as the most accessible starting point for reaching the popular Deep Creek Hot Springs, making it a favored destination for hikers. The opportunity to experience a distinctive desert section of the Pacific Crest Trail, with its scenic Deep Creek Canyon and lush riparian vegetation, is another major draw. The convenience of a wide parking area at the end of the paved road also contributes to its popularity among those looking for day hikes or shorter excursions on the PCT. Before setting out, hikers should be prepared for a creek crossing within about a mile of the trailhead, as Deep Creek must be forded. While often shallow or dry, especially during certain times of the year, water levels can rise significantly after rain or snowmelt, potentially requiring an alternative parallel track near the dam. The trailhead offers ample free parking at the dead-end of Highway 173, making it easily reachable by passenger vehicle. This trailhead is ideal for hiking and trail running, particularly for those aiming for the Deep Creek Hot Springs, which is typically a 12-mile out-and-back journey. The arid desert climate suggests that spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions for exploration, avoiding the extreme heat of summer or potential high waters in winter. Its location also provides convenient access to nearby amenities at Mojave River Forks Regional Park, including camping and recreational opportunities at Silverwood Lake.

i love this trail, but do it on a cloudy day, wont recommend hiking this on a hot day because…read moretheres no shade the whole time. and pls. pick up after your pet. parking is kinda sketchy too. so take the risk. Other than that love the bridge at the end of the trail!

Great hike with nice views most of the way!…read more It's a nice downhill at the beginning toward the waterfall, but it's definitely challenging on the way back since it's all incline. I recommend bringing a hat since there's not much shade, especially on the way back up. My group purchased our parking pass at a nearby store, but it seems like you can also purchase a parking pass once you're at the top.

Relatively easy hike at about 3.8 miles. I did it with family members of different ages, along with…read moremy 8-year-old golden retriever, and everyone handled it well. The trail is beautiful and mostly shaded, which makes it especially enjoyable. I recommend starting no later than 6:00 a.m. to avoid the heat on the way back. The return portion is mostly uphill, so it's best not to tackle it during the hottest part of the day. You'll also need a parking permit (costs $5) for your vehicle.

A great place to get away from the hustle of bustle of city life and for "inspiration". From this…read morepoint, you can see from Wrightwood, CA, through Los Angeles, all the way to Catalina Island (on a clear day). The views from this lookout are amazing and there are hiking trails to enjoy nearby if you care to venture. Overall, a great place to take a moment to pause, reflect, and admire the beauty that nature has to offer. There's a bench located at the stop for visitors to utilize as well :) Link for more info: http://www.wrightwoodca.com/wrightwood-mountains/mountain.php?view&mountain=10

Beautiful easy hike. It is perfect for teenagers, kids and dogs. Highly reccomend specially at…read moresunset

August 2021: I have now completed this hike twice since May 2021 and more than likely this will…read morebecome a once a month to once every other month adventure. It is demanding but, still good for newcomers who want to bump their, say - Griffith Park adventures up a few notches and not drive to the Sierras.

This is actually called Dawson Saddle to Throop Peak. But you can really bag quite a few peaks in…read morethis route. Just google map Dawson Saddle to Throop Peak and it should take you to the correct location as it worked for me. It's nearby Vincent Gap area to hike to Baden-Powell. You need an adventure pass when parking and there is no restroom in this area. So plan accordingly. The trail to Throop Peak was nice and short. It's light traffic so you won't see a lot of hikers like you would on the Baden-Powell hike. Most people will make it a nice 6 mile round trip from Dawson Saddle to Throop Peak, then to Mount Hawkins. But you can also add more miles and connect to Mount Burnham and Baden-Powell. So you can definitely make this a short hike to a long hike pending which route you want to take. I think you can even go further out to like South Mount Hawkins and Mount Islip if you have time. The trail is straightforward. Once you reach the ridge, you will see a PCT sign. If you go left, that is to Mount Burnham and Baden-Powell. You want to go right towards Little Jimmy Campground. You will see a split with no posted sign. Go right to Throop Peak, if you stay left, that's PCT to Little Jimmy Campground and to Mount Hawkins. The view from Throop Peak is beautiful. Once done, someone mention there is a trail that will meetup back on PCT. But I could find it, so i went back down the same trail and hop back onto the PCT trail. The trail is easy to follow till you get to another split. The trail going right and downhill, that's PCT. The trail going left up the hill, that's to Mount Hawkins. The view at Mount Hawkins is nice, there isn't a plaque like Throop Peak has, but I found a pile of rocks that previous hikers posted when on top of Mount Hawkins. You will hike back down the way you came up for a nice 6 mile RT. I would suggest a map of the area, just in case. I like naturalatlas.com As always pack accordingly to the weather and have fun.

It's up and down. Can be a little tough going up. I am a beginner and manage to make it throughread more

I've been hiking in this area for a few years. I started out with the short loop trail then…read moreadvanced to the Devil's Punchbowl trail, and then yesterday completed the Devil's Chair trail. I didn't know about the Chair trail until recently. I found that with the short loop trail, since it was reasonably close to the ranger station, the reception was okay. While hiking the Devil's Punchbowl trail there was hardly any reception. I have Verizon as my carrier. The Devil's Chair Trail had great reception. I was able to periodically text my family and update them, letting them know I was okay. When hiking I use Spotify and ensure my songs are downloaded so even offline I can listen to music. This also works well when I want to listen to Audiobooks I've downloaded. The Chair trail was quiet, there wasn't anyone else on the trail or even much wildlife besides lizards and some insects. It wasn't bad at all. The trail was pretty well maintained with some areas needing extra support. Shout-out to the employees who ensured the steep cliffs and the Devil's Chair Trail were safe to walk on. The Chair itself is on a rock so someone had to get there and install the fencing for safety. Thank you, whoever you are! As with many other trails in Southern California there is some fire damage. Some fallen trees. This trail has A LOT of rocks so step gingerly and don't roll your ankles. Most of the trail is not covered so sunscreen/sunblock and proper gear is really important. The trail is roughly 3-5 hours. I clocked about 3 hours 55 minutes moving time on Strava but 4 hours 28 minutes total on AllTrails. I stopped a bit to catch my breath, get water and just observe nature. Everyone says it's a 7 mile trail. I'm not sure what I did but it was 9 miles for me. I am blessed to have been able to enjoy it.

This review is for the hiking trail itself; I didn't quite make it all the way to the mine, which I…read morehad heard burned up in the recent fires anyway. The trailhead leads off from the Vincent Gap parking lot; but don't park there! Park on the street to avoid paying the ridiculous Big Pines Recreation Concession scam to give more money to Mountain HIgh Resort (even if you already paid for an Adventure Pass through Angeles National Forest, you're supposed to pay these fat cats. No.) This trail is absolutely gorgeous and a less strenuous option to the Mount Baden-Powell trail nearby. Hiking in August, I was surprised by how many flowers were still in bloom. The trail itself is wide and well-maintained for *most* of the way; however, there are a couple of spots where the trail crosses a scree field and caution is necessary. There are many gorgeous views to be seen along the way. Really a stunning hike. Take lots of water, snacks, bug spray and be safe.

Big Horn Mine is a nice escape from the city, without having to travel too far…read more All trails will have you thinking it's a difficult hike, when the main thing to keep in mind is that you need to dress appropriately. Wear hiking boots/shoes and this will be a breeze. The recent fires still show some burn scars and lack of shade, so ideally get in/out before early afternoon. Other than that it's lovely.

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.