Trail Shoes Riverside CA

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
Length: Round Trip: 1.5 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 5150 feet
Maximum Elevation: 5575 feet
Elevation Change: 425 feet
Best Season: Spring, Fall, Winter
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate

Description: The Inspiration Peak Trail in Death Valley National Park heads to the northwest from the Keys View parking area. The trail is very short but steep. It leads to some specatacular views of Death Valley and the surrounding terrain. Heading away from the parking area, you immediately begin to climb. Inspiration Peak is one of the highest areas in Death Valley National Park and provides a breathtaking perspective of the terrain. There are two summits on Inspiration Peak so be sure to walk to the higher summit to get the best views of the area.

Activities: Hiking, Photography

Info:
Trailhead: Wildrose Charcoal Kilns
Length: 4.2 miles one way
Elevation Change: 2,200 feet
Time required: 6 hours round trip
Road access: gravel to Charcoal Kilns

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Mount Diablo State Park
Length: Round Trip: 8.1 miles
Trail type: Loop
Elevation Change: 1600 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Usage: Heavy

Description: Mitchell Canyon/ Back Creek Loop takes you on a hike with just about everything the Mount Diablo has to offer: lush wildflower-strewn meadows, narrow canyons with characteristic streamside vegetation, magnificent groves of Coulter pines, some of the greatest birding areas, rugged mountain scenery and endless sun-swept panoramas. An alternate return would be along the Eagle Peak Trail which traverses along the top of a high ridge line. Follow Mitchell Canyon trail to Deer Flat, turn left (east) at the junction and continue steeply up to Murchio Gap. At Murchio Gap, descend on the Back Creek Trail to the Coulter Pine trail. Turn left (west) and follow the Coulter Pine Trail back to the trailhead.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks
Length: Round Trip: 1.5 miles
Trail type: Loop
Minimum Elevation: 6350 feet
Elevation Change: 400 feet
Best Season: May to November
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Light

Description: The North Grove Loop is a lightly traveled trail that leads hikers to a close look at the big trees. Enjoy a quiet walk past meadows and creeks, through a mixed conifer and sequoia forest. The hike begins from the lower General Grant Tree parking lot. The trail follows old mill road through the groves. Begin by walking downhill on the dirt road to a trail junction and take the right side of the loop, which continues down hill. At the bottom of the hill you’ll see an abandoned wagon road, continue on the main route to the next junction with the road. At this point turn left and walk back to the trailhead. Sequoias thrive in the wet meadow and a large dead sequoia shows marks of a fire long ago.

Activities: Hiking

Info:
State: California
Location: Angeles National Forest
Length: Round Trip: 11.8 miles
Trail type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 3700 feet
Best Season: Summer, Fall
Difficulty: More Difficult
Usage: Moderate

Description: This is a beautiful hike through some of the finest Angeles National Forest high country. It is a long, arduous hike, but you can see much of this scenic area by only going part way and then turning back. Most of the trip is through dense forests of pine, fir, cedar, mountain mahogany and some oak. The scenic views are outstanding, especially from the easternmost summit of Twin Peaks. From there, you can look over most of the rugged San Gabriel Wilderness area, including Bear Creek and Devil’s Canyon. By keeping a sharp watch, you may see some of the Bighorn Sheep inhabiting the area. The six mile segment between Three Points and Waterman-Twin Peaks trail junction is at its best during spring and early summer, before the small steams along the way dry up and while flowers are blooming in miniature meadows. The trail starts across the highway from the Horse Flats road. It soon passes two junctions. Take the left branch at the first junction and the right branch at the second. Follow the Mt. Waterman signs. The trail switchbacks up for the first mile, then levels off and winds in and out of little ravines across the western slopes of Mt. Waterman another four miles to Twin Peaks junction. The right fork goes one mile to the saddle between Mt. Waterman and Twin Peaks, a lovely park-like area containing the finest grove of large cedar trees in the Angeles. The left fork goes to Mt. Waterman and Buckhorn. There is no maintained trail to Twin Peaks. Follow a very steep path worn by hikers from the saddle to the easternmost (highest) peak of the twins. Elevation is 7,760 or about 1,200 feet higher than the saddle. Return by the same route or take the trail at the junction to Mt. Waterman and Buckhorn, if you can arrange a car shuttle.