North Face Los Angeles CA

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Angeles National Forest
Length: Round Trip: 5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 1600 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: At the western edge of the parking area, take the trail leading uphill in a northwesterly direction. It is a steady climb (1,600 foot elevation gain) with fine views through a forest of Jeffrey, Ponderosa and Sugar Pine, along with some low-growing patches of Ceanothus and Chinquapin. After two miles, a ridge top is reached, with the main trail descending on the other side two more miles to an unnamed saddle on the Angeles Crest Highway (1.6 miles west of Islip Saddle). Leave the main trail at this ridge top, going right on a faint trail up the ridge one-half mile to the summit. Return the same way, or if you can car shuttle, you can go down the trail on the opposite side of the ridge from Islip Saddle to the unnamed saddle just west of the tunnels on the Angeles Crest Highway.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
Length: 1.7 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 6700 feet
Maximum Elevation: 7100 feet
Elevation Change: 400 feet
Best Season: Summer
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Heavy

Description: The trail to Tokopah Falls in Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks begins beyond the Log Bridge in Lodgepole Campground. The trail is rocky at first but the surface smoothes with the terrain as it climbs the valley. The trail climbs gently at first and then levels providing great views of the Tokopah Valley and Watchtower Cliff. In 1.5 miles, the trail reaches the impressive granite cliffs and waterfall of Tokopah Canyon. Tokopah Falls are 1,200 feet high and cascades down a granite surface. The falls are most impressive in early summer when the run-off from the melting snowpack, in the Pear Lake region upstream, is at its peak.

Activities: Road Cycling

Info:
State: California
Location: Mount Diablo
Length: Round Trip: 70.9 miles
Ride Type: Loop
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: 4

Description: The Mount Diablo and Vasco Road Loop ride leads riders on a extensive tour of the far East Bay. This ride starts right off with a climb of Mt. Diablo via South Gate to the junction with North Gate Road. After this challenging climb, there is a fun descent into Walnut Creek. The section of the ride between Walnut Creek and Clayton is the busiest section of the ride but it is fairly short. Traffic gets lighter once you reach Marsh Creek Road. After the initial climb on March Creek it is mostly downhill and you will frequently have a nice tailwind. Once you reach Vasco Road, you will see plenty of windmills but where there are windmills expect either punishing headwinds or glorious tailwinds. In this case, you should be prepared for strong headwinds on Vasco Road, before you pass through Livermore and finally back to Blackhawk. You should bring large water bottles or a hydration system, if you’re riding in the summer heat. This is a good ride to do with a few friends so you can share the work slogging into those headwinds on Vasco.

Activities: Road Cycling

Info:
State: California
Location: Livermore
Length: Round Trip: 55.7 miles
Ride Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 400 feet
Elevation Change: 3400 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: 4
Traffic: Light

Description: The Mines Road ride is one of the best rides in the San Francisco Bay Area. This ride take you out to the middle of nowhere. Once you leave Livermore, expect to see only a few ranches and little else because of this be sure to take plenty of water and food. There is nowhere to get provisions besides the Junction Cafe and the CDF fire station at the turnaround. There are no shoulders on most of Mines Road. About 3 miles of the road are single lane with some blind corners. However, traffic is usually very light.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
Length: Round Trip: 2 miles
Trail type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 6800 feet
Elevation Change: 200 feet
Trail Surface: Paved
Best Season: June to October
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy

Description: The Congress Trail is the most known and most popular trail in all of Sequoia National Park. The trail is a level, two-mile loop that begins at the General Sherman Tree. The route follows a paved path through the heart of the Giant Forest. It is highly recommended for first-time visitors to Sequoia National Park and for those with limited time. The trail ascends gently into Alta Plateau section of forest. This is one of the easiest access points to large groups of the Big Trees. Famous sequoias along this trail include the House and Senate Groups, the President, Chief Sequoyah, General Lee and McKinley Trees. An informational trail pamphlet is sold at the Sherman Tree or at the visitor center book store. Also nearby are Founders Group, Room Tree and giant Lincoln Tree. Be prepared for crowds at this site, it’s one of the best viewing areas for the giant trees anywhere.